At IPCO, our founder Brian often reminds us, “Limits are a state of mind. Every problem has a solution if you take a second to think outside the box.”
Those words encapsulate IPCO’s core values of initiative, innovation, responsibility, and community.
Innovation, that overused buzzword people love attaching to their brands, is more than just thinking up novel ideas. True innovation requires actively putting new solutions into practice to solve old problems more efficiently and effectively. At IPCO, we live and breathe this ethos on every project, big or small.
That’s why we love this story of how we developed our proprietary Duct Locks.
Innovation in Action: Keeping Conduit in Place Underground with IPCO’s Proprietary Duct Locks
Our field of industrial power is anything but simple. Bringing the power, controls, and instrumentation to any project is complex work frequently done underground. For years, Brian and the team have puzzled over a recurring problem: how could they ensure the conduit are kept straight and not float to the top when concrete is poured overtop during the installation process of a duct bank?
“Some of this conduit has over 60 wires inside so keeping them straight, in place, and untangled is critical. If not properly secured, conduits can float up to the top during the concrete pour stage,” Brian explained.
Brian was sure there was some way to solve this problem and went to work with a neighbor who machines PVC piping to create a template for installing underground conduit–a template that was durable enough to remain in place during the concrete pour process. After ten prototypes, Brian and the team arrived at a proprietary Duct Lock invention that solved the challenge at hand.
The IPCO Duct Lock has been so successful in keeping conduit straight that the team is working through the patent application and approval process. The design is completely customizable depending on the nature of the job–each model is created using CAD software. The goal is for these to eventually be manufactured at headquarters before shipping out to the respective job site.
Once the Duct Locks and conduit are installed and the concrete is poured, the final step is pulling the wires through the conduit. From there, the work of bringing power to the project can come to life.
From initial concept to final execution, Brian’s simple yet brilliant plan solved a tricky problem through sheer innovation. What was once a potential obstacle became the catalyst for developing a new IPCO signature service offering: custom heavy-duty Duct Lock fabrication for major construction projects.
“Innovation plays a critical part in what we do,” Brian explained. “We strive to think outside the box, creating new solutions that make us more efficient and better serve our clients’ needs. I’m always looking for ways to work smarter, not harder.”
At IPCO, innovation isn’t just some corporate platitude – it’s a driving principle that guides how we operate daily.
With an innovative approach at the forefront of every endeavor, the possibilities for what our team can solve, build, and achieve for our clients are limitless. Because when you stop seeing limits and start seeing opportunities for innovative solutions, there’s no telling how far you can go.
