Precast Manufacturing

The precast division of Smith Crane and Construction specialises in commercial building projects and works closely with our civil engineering division on a design-build basis.

Smith Precast Manufacturing produces a wide range of precast and prestressed concrete products.

Unispan flooring

Interspan flooring

Hollow Core

Concrete stairs

Concrete columns and beams

Plain and architectural panels

Bridge slabs, abutments

Double Tees

Our in-house facilities include a carpentry workshop for the manufacture of short-run and specialist moulding and an engineering shop for steel moulding and ancillary items. These are supported by a skilled and experienced design team. 


We currently have 5 precast beds at our Christchurch yard. Our production areas are covered and enclosed to minimise the effect of weather-causing delays whilst improving the quality of the product and ensuring a better working environment for our team. 

We provide individual shop drawings for each product to be manufactured. Satisfaction for our clients comes from a strong commitment to service, integrated with the above, allowing our precast team to provide a first-rate service and quality products with reliability. Our team is dedicated to finding innovative solutions and smarter ways of working. We take pride in our work and continuously striving to pro-actively meet the needs of our clients. Our precast team have a commitment to providing professional contracted work, to specification, to schedule and within budget for the benefit of the client and they individuals they represent. 

Prestressed Flooring

The flat slab and timer infill systems are the two main tried-and-tested prestressed flooring systems that have been successfully used in residential and commercial projects since the 1960s.While each system has its own applications depending on design requirements, both offer a number of benefits, such as:

While each system has its own applications depending on design requirements, both offer a number of benefits, such as:

  • Longer spans and load-carrying capacities

  • Higher thermal and acoustic insulation

  • They are not subject to rot and require minimal maintenance

  • Efficiencies with speed of construction and reduction of site labour

  • Tighter construction tolerances from a factory-made product

  • Improved fire resistance ratings

While flat slab products work well with shorter spans and offer a flat soffit finish, the beams and infill systems also allow services to be hidden between the ribs or legs while providing better options for penetrations. While we may specialise in these systems we are also able to design and manufacture other prestressed products to suit your requirements. 

Architectural Precast

Precast concrete has been successfully used in various applications for many decades now.

While concrete offers durability it is also a versatile product that is easily moulded and finished to produce a product limited only by your imagination.

A variety of finishes are available to suit your requirements including:

  • Exposed aggregate

  • Textured or patterned surfaces

  • Formliners

  • Grinding or polishing

  • Acid etching

  • Coloured concrete

  • Painting or staining

Some of the products able to be manufactured using these techniques are:

  • Concrete panels

  • Concrete columns and beams

  • Concrete stairs

  • Fascias

  • Spandrels

  • Landscaping works such as fencing and retaining walls

Civil Precast

The applications for precast concrete in the civil industry are many and varied.

In cases of remote access and variable weather conditions the use of precast elements in place of insitu-poured structures can speed up construction rates whilst reducing site labour and skill component.

The re-use of moulding reduces the cost of the product whilst production of the units is controlled ins a stable environment, with experienced staff and formalised and established QA systems, allowing for improved quality with tighter tolerances.

To enquire contact precast.tenders@smithcranes.co.nz