Richard PrusinskiAmerican Polish Engineering Association Honors Top Scientists
The American Polish Engineering Association (APEA) presented awards to two Americans of Polish heritage, Stephanie Louise Kwolek and Richard Casimir Prusinski, at the annual "Gold Award" banquet of the Detroit Engineering Society's Affiliate Council.
Richard Prusinski is one of the few world authorities in the field of polymer concrete (PC). Considered the "father of the industry," Mr. Prusinski has developed highly innovative and successful PC products for over 35 years.
His seminal development, ARLITE polymer concrete pre-cast architectural panels, was the first commercial PC product developed and patented.
His expertise includes:
- PC product development;
- market development;
- sales force organization, training and management;
- production plant design, operation, and troubleshooting;
- field construction and installation;
- entrepreneurial venture financing and management;
- business strategy development and implementation;
- international business operations.
In 1958, Mr. Prusinski developed the first viable PC products in the world and founded Architectural Research Corporation (ARC) in Detroit.
During his 21 years with ARC, his efforts resulted in precast PC panels becoming an acceptable architectural building product (with multiple building code approvals) which was nationally marketed through 72 representatives as well as internationally through four licensees.
Polymer concrete was unknown before his work in the field, but now can be seen as the exterior walls of such structures as the Air Force Academy, Harvard Medical School, 600 K Marts and over 15,000 other buildings.
From: Polish American News, April 1996