Logistics Concrete Floors: From Solid Foundations to Competitive Advantage

In an exchange with Vietnam Logistics Review, Mr. Joey Ward – Technology and Business Advisor at PCE Vietnam, is a member of the leading concrete equipment manufacturing group, Allen Engineering Corporation (USA). With many years of experience as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Allen, Mr. Joey's presence at PCE Vietnam promises to bring groundbreaking solutions and technologies. Mr. Joey Ward will share his experience, advanced technologies, and strategic vision to help Vietnamese businesses elevate concrete floor quality, fostering sustainable development for the logistics industry.

From your extensive experience at Allen Engineering Corporation (USA), could you elaborate on the importance of applying advanced solutions and technologies to ensure concrete floor quality?

Joey Ward: At Allen Engineering Corporation (USA), we consistently believe that concrete floor quality is the foundation of every robust and efficient facility. Concurrently, quality control during construction is a decisive factor in creating concrete surfaces with superior flatness, durability, and consistency. Applying advanced solutions and technologies is not merely about using modern machinery; it is a comprehensive approach that spans design and materials to construction processes and quality inspection.

From the perspective of an international expert, what do you consider to be the most significant difference in concrete flooring in Vietnam compared to the US and other regions globally?

Joey Ward: The most significant differences lie in the level of "uniformity" and "proactiveness" in achieving high-quality concrete floors.

In the US and other developed markets, applying stringent standards like floor flatness (F-numbers) is mandatory and tightly controlled in most large commercial and industrial projects. When you build a large logistics warehouse, it is a given that the concrete floor must be extremely flat and durable, much like expecting a highway to be smooth. Everyone understands that investing in a good floor will save significant repair and operational costs later. They proactively seek out and invest in the best solutions.

In Vietnam, I find that concrete floor quality is still inconsistent. Some projects, particularly those with foreign investment or from large, forward-thinking domestic developers, have adopted advanced standards and technologies, resulting in high-quality concrete floors. However, in many small and medium-sized projects, or due to initial cost pressures, the application of modern technology and independent, objective quality control processes remains limited.

You have joined the Vietnamese market as a Technology and Business Advisor for PCE while simultaneously continuing your work at Allen Engineering Corporation (USA). What is the reason and vision behind this decision?

Joey Ward: My decision to join PCE Vietnam stems from a profound strategic vision and passion for the Asian market. Allen Engineering Corporation (USA) researches, develops, and provides technological solutions to create high-quality concrete floors. Meanwhile, PCE Vietnam specializes in independently and objectively consulting and inspecting concrete floor quality.

With PCE Vietnam being an Allen Engineering Corporation (USA) member, my involvement will help create a strong and direct link between advanced manufacturing technology and stringent quality inspection processes experience in most USA projects. I can directly leverage my experience and in-depth technological knowledge from Allen to support PCE in advising on optimal solutions assessing concrete floor quality most accurately based on an understanding of the technology's origin.

In this new role, what specific solutions and contributions will you bring to "Breakthrough Vietnam's Concrete Floors" through PCE Vietnam?

Joey Ward: In my role as Technology and Business Advisor at PCE Vietnam, I will focus on three main pillars to drive this breakthrough:

Technology transfer: I will work closely with the PCE team to transfer the most advanced solutions and technologies from Allen Engineering Corporation (USA). This includes evaluation methods, practical construction techniques, and international inspection standards, enabling PCE to inspect and provide in-depth consultation on achieving optimal floor quality.

Strategic business orientation and market development: Based on my experience, I will support PCE in developing and implementing practical business strategies and expanding market reach, especially in key logistics and industrial projects. We will approach and provide solutions tailored to the diverse needs of Vietnamese businesses.

Capacity building for the team: Allen Engineering Corporation consistently emphasizes training. I will contribute to developing PCE Vietnam's personnel, ensuring they are constantly updated with the latest knowledge and skills in concrete floor technology, brought to the USA for hands on training thereby providing the highest quality consulting and inspection services in their local markets.

Logistics warehouse projects in Vietnam often have specific requirements for concrete flooring. What solutions PCE Vietnam is focusing on or plans to focus on to meet these demands?

Joey Ward: Certainly. Logistics warehouses in Vietnam, particularly those using electric forklifts, high-rack forklifts, or automated systems, demand concrete floors that achieve extremely high flatness and superior load-bearing capacity. PCE Vietnam focuses on the following solutions:

International Standard Flatness Testing and Assessment: PCE uses advanced measuring equipment such as the DT Elite Floor Profileograph to assess concrete floor flatness according to international standards like ACI and TR34. This ensures the floor meets the flatness indices suitable for operational requirements.

Consulting on Remedial and Upgrading Solutions: When issues are detected with floor flatness or surface damage, such as cracks, PCE Vietnam will provide detailed remedial solutions, based on technology and experience from Allen, aimed at upgrading floor quality without causing significant operational disruption.

Abrasion Resistance and Anti-slip Solutions: For warehouse environments with high traffic, we advise on surface solutions that enhance hardness, abrasion resistance, and friction, ensuring the floor's safety and longevity.

Optimizing Load-Bearing Capacity: We also consult on structure and materials to ensure the floor can withstand heavy loads from goods and equipment for extended periods without deformation or damage.

With the rapid growth of logistics and e-commerce in Vietnam, the demand for modern warehouses is increasing. Do you have any specific advice for investors and warehouse operators on ensuring concrete floor quality in this context?

Joey Ward: For logistics businesses, concrete floor quality is not an expense but a strategic investment. I have a few essential pieces of advice:

Invest from the outset: Do not hesitate to allocate costs for consulting, designing, and constructing high-quality concrete floors from the beginning. Repairing a substandard floor later will be much more costly and cause severe operational disruptions, being proactive on the front end saves headaches on the back end.

Choose reputable partners and products: Collaborate with entities deeply specialized in concrete flooring, especially those that apply international standards and possess practical experience. With the support of Allen Engineering Corporation (USA), PCE Vietnam is a reliable partner for quality consulting and inspection country wide.

Focus on solutions & technology: Instead of merely focusing on materials, learn about advanced technological solutions (such as automatic laser screeds, high-performance power trowel technology) and international standard construction processes to ensure the floor's flatness, abrasion resistance, and load-bearing capacity.

Regular quality inspection: Conduct periodic inspections and quality assessments of the floor to promptly detect and address potential issues, ensuring the floor remains in optimal condition for logistics operations.

Enhance internal awareness: Train warehouse management and operational teams on the importance of concrete floor quality, maintenance practices, and how to identify signs of degradation. This will help to correct small issues before they become big issues.

Finally, do you have any message you would like to convey to the readers of Vietnam Logistics Review and the Vietnamese business community?

Joey Ward: I want to emphasize that operational efficiency heavily relies on infrastructure quality in an increasingly competitive logistics sector. The concrete floor is not merely a part of the construction; it is a strategic asset that shapes the future of logistics warehouses, determining speed, safety, and profitability.