Press Release

Smith-Midland Corporation, Excellence in Precast
Concrete

March 21, 2008

Beach Prisms™ Reduce Erosion for Annapolis, Maryland Property Owners

Beach Prisms at Terrapin Nature Area MIDLAND, Va. – Two property owners in Annapolis have chosen Smith-Midland^® Corporation’s award-winning product, Beach Prisms™, to protect their valuable shorelines from ongoing erosion.
     Corky Graham and Silvester Fabula who own property adjacent to Thomas Point Park and Thomas Point Lighthouse were plagued by shoreline erosion accelerated by a significant fetch from the south. After visiting the Smith-Midland^® information booth at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Graham and Fabula contracted with Smith-Midland^® to install 14 Beach Prisms™ on their property. Beach Prisms™ either slow the rate of erosion, stop erosion or reverse erosion by replenishing sand in front of and behind the Prisms. The estimated value of the project is $20,000 and should take three months to complete upon receipt of the permit.
     Beach Prisms™ is a permeable, precast concrete product that works by reducing the amount of energy in incoming waves before the waves reach the shoreline. Waves pass through the specially designed slots in the triangular 3 - 4 foot tall by 10 foot long Beach Prisms™.
     According to Jay McKenna, Beach Prisms™ regional sales manager for Smith-Midland^®. “Beach Prisms™ is a natural way to protect beach properties. The slotted design allows water to flow through, while dissipating the energy of the waves, thus reducing the impact they have on the shoreline. Open natural design also allows for marine life such as fish and turtles to also migrate freely. Beach Prisms™ have been proven in some cases to build back lost shoreline, by accumulating sand in front of and behind the Prisms.”
     Beach Prisms™ are for river- and bay-front property owners who want an alternative to traditional armor stone, or groins and jetties. They are jointly permitted by state and federal agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers.
     Smith-Midland^® Corporation is a publicly traded company (OTC BB: SMID, SMIWC; Boston Stock Exchange: SMM, SMM/W). Smith-Midland^® develops, manufactures and sells a broad array of precast concrete products for use primarily in the construction, transportation and utilities industries. Smith-Midland has two manufacturing facilities located in Midland, Va. and Reidsville, N.C. Easi-Set^® Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of Smith-Midland^® Corporation, licenses the production of Smith-Midland^® developed products around the world. For more information please call (540) 439-3266 or visit www.smithmidland.com or www.beachprisms.com.

back to index

Easi-Set Industries News | Smith-Midland Corporation News | Beach Prisms News