ICPI Recognizes Tony Iacocca with Honorary Membership
Under Tony Iacocca’s leadership, Oaks Concrete Products expanded into the USA by selling products in Michigan, Ohio and Western New York. He managed and executed the start-up of a state-of-the-art paver manufacturing facility in Wixom, Michigan near Detroit in 1991. Oaks quickly became a leading manufacturer of pavers and walls in Canadian and US markets due to quality products and service. Oaks Pavers and Walls became the standard for other producers in their market to meet.
Tony was instrumental in pioneering acceptance of pavers by municipal engineers. The legendary example is supplying the North Bay Streetscape project in 1983. With 37 years enduring harsh winter conditions, over 150,000 sf of street and sidewalk pavers will be refreshed in North Bay next year.
Other project examples include pavers around Toronto’s Skydome in 1989, Tiger Stadium, Cleveland Brown Stadium, CN Tower, and the Air Canada Centre. Besides possessing a high standard for product quality, Tony ran plants that were spotless and had great safety records.
His contribution to the Canadian industry was participating on the CSA Technical Committee for concrete pavers and paving slabs over the past 25 years. He continues to serve on the Committee today.
Tony was an ICPI Charter Member in 1993 representing Oaks Concrete. In the formative years of ICPI, he and Gerry Colquhoun obtained commitments from several paver manufacturers across Canada to join ICPI in exchange for representation on the Board of Directors. This deal led to ICPI expanding dues income, broadening the membership experience base, and becoming an international association.
Because of this leadership skills, he was viewed as a leader by our Canadian members during our formative years and later by the entire membership. His service to our organization includes chairing the first ICPI Dues, Bylaws and Membership Committee from 1996 to 1999 and serving on the Executive Committee as well as on our Board of Directors from 1993 to 2003.
At all times, Tony displayed wisdom, guidance and sensibility with many of the key decisions we made. I ask that our members please join me in recognizing the great contributions Tony made to our association by bestowing him Honorary Membership.