Hank Beaman, Sales Development Coordinator, Enhances Environments with Envirocast® Wall Systems, A Licensed product of CXT® Inc., a Subsidiary of L.B. Foster

Hank Beaman, Sales Development Coordinator, was working for a competitor in 2014 when he heard that VanHooseCo, a company acquired by CXT® Inc., L.B. Foster’s subsidiary, in 2022 (you can read about the acquisition here.), was beginning to manufacture a similar precast concrete wall at their concrete plant in East Tennessee and applied for an open position.

Initially, the owners had required Hank to take over the production of the Envirocast Wall System product and to learn their processes and procedures before going into sales where he had hoped to transition to. He started as the plant manager to learn the business from the ground up. He eventually decided not to go into sales and instead spent the next seven years immersing himself in every aspect of plant operations, from production planning, purchasing and inventory control to dispatching and scheduling. He eventually decided not to go into sales. This hands-on approach gave him in-depth knowledge of how the company operates and allowed him to evolve into a key figure in coordinating production and installation.  

After those seven years in the plant, Hank contemplated retirement but instead moved into a different role where he supported the Envirocast Plant Supervisor with administrative functions such as production planning and coordination, dispatch, scheduling equipment, and installation of the walls. His role eased the burden on the production supervisor and helped ensure smooth coordination for the Envirocast division. 

“Previous sales experience and Envirocast production experience, allowed me to contribute to the success of Envirocast,” said Hank. 

With the housing needs increasing in East Tennessee, CXT has been expanding the Envirocast portfolio from mainly building basement walls to exploring more opportunities for above-grade structures. In this regard, Hank is excited to share the benefits with property developers, city planners, and County Economic Development Councils. 

Envirocast walls reduce the lengthy construction timeline by eliminating several sub-contractors.  A basement can typically be set up within a day. This is significantly faster than the typical timeline of construction for a new home. Normally, it can take upwards of 120 days to build a house with a basement. Using the Envirocast wall system will get the builder in-the-dry a lot quicker to complete the build.  

Envirocast walls provide a finish-ready exterior and a steel-studded interior with no added insulation for exterior walls. When erected, the walls are ready for interior electrical rough-in and drywall, there is minimal waste cleanup and haul reduction. In addition, Envirocast offers a significant contribution to Energy Star expectations and Green building requirements. The precast walls have a 2-hour fire-rating for townhomes and multi-family separation walls. Furthermore, Envirocast offers a disaster-resilient structure which brings security and sustainability to a section of America that experiences strong storms, hot summers, and cold winters. 

Hank’s aspirations extend far beyond the plant. Not only is he excited about basements and above-grade housing, but he is also passionate about creating affordable housing for homeless veterans, transitional homeless, and independent-living seniors. Hank is a member of a Systemic Issues for Affordable Housing Committee through the United Way, where he works with local planning commissions, architects, and engineers to implement Envirocast Walls into affordable housing options.  

“I started working on a cottage community concept—small 600 to 800 sq. ft. homes designed especially for independent seniors who no longer want or need to maintain a large home. These cottages would be part of a close-knit neighborhood of 20 to 25 units, allowing residents to live independently while still having a sense of community and nearby neighbors. With the United Way, I’m trying to work with local developers to find properties to insert Envirocast homes into,” said Hank. 

Hank is focused on building relationships with contractors and developers and promoting the benefits of Envirocast wall systems, especially for those in need a place to call home. “We don’t have enough communities for these Americans,” he says, “We need to do better.”  

The benefits of Envirocast speak for themselves: energy efficiency (even in 90-degree heat, electric bills stay low), soundproofing (ideal for homes near highways), and long-term sustainability. From a boutique hotel in St. Simons Island, GA, to a medieval castle built for a Tennessee festival, Hank has seen the versatility of these systems firsthand. 

He’s also been active in outreach, including participating in a seminar with Women in Construction in Knox County, helping to raise awareness and expand the Company’s footprint. 

As Envirocast continues to evolve with the full support of L.B. Foster and CXT, Hank remains optimistic. “With their help and reputation behind us, I think we can get something done for affordable housing pretty soon, as well as continuing to educate the building industry on the benefits of precast structures” he says. 

And while he’s technically semi-retired, Hank isn’t going anywhere. “I’ve enjoyed my time here,” he says with a smile. “And I’m looking forward to what’s next.” 

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