Concrete Precasters Association

What Concrete Precasters Association does

The Concrete Precasters Association (CPA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1991 and headquartered in Ontario, Canada, representing Ontario-based manufacturers of concrete septic tanks and other precast concrete products. Its membership comprises approximately 27 manufacturer members and 58+ supplier members, whom the association states collectively account for over 95% of Ontario's concrete septic tank market. CPA functions as the industry's collective voice on standards, certification, training, and regulatory engagement with provincial authorities including the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) and the Ministry of the Environment.

The association's core offerings are the Product Registration Program (a third-party certification scheme for septic tanks and precast products that is effectively the acceptance standard for Ontario regulators and municipalities), Concrete School training programs, the Septic Solution consumer handbook, recurring technical notes, and an annual convention. It also maintains partnerships with the Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association (OOWA), the University of Guelph, and other industry and academic stakeholders to support applied research and code development. Operationally, CPA is a lean organization led by a volunteer President (Ryan Weddel) and a small administrative team.

CPA's business model is membership-funded: manufacturers and suppliers pay annual dues to access certification, training, advocacy, and networking services. There is no software or technology product line, no disclosed outside funding, and no M&A activity; growth is constrained by the size of the Ontario precast market and the association's mandate to serve that market's manufacturers and suppliers.

Name

Concrete Precasters Association

Legal name

Concrete Precasters Association of Ontario

Website

https://cpaontario.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Concrete Precasters Association is a non-profit Ontario trade association, founded in 1991, that represents concrete septic tank and precast concrete manufacturers through certification, training, and regulatory advocacy funded by member dues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Concrete Pipe, Brick, and Block Manufacturing (32733), Cement and Concrete Product Manufacturing (3273)

SIC

Concrete Products, Except Block & Brick (3272)

akta.pro primary industry

Precast Concrete Products (IMADAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Concrete septic tanks
• Precast concrete manufacturing
• Product certification programs
• Industry training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Finch

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: CPA generates revenue through annual membership fees from manufacturer and supplier members. Manufacturer members gain representation with government regulators, access to training, reduced product registration costs, and annual meeting participation. Supplier members gain access to decision-makers and marketing exposure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Concrete Precasters Association of Ontario (CPA Ontario) is a non-profit trade association that represents manufacturers of concrete septic tanks and underground precast structures in Ontario, Canada. It provides its members with an MMAH-approved Product Registration Program (red tag certification), Concrete School training courses, Tech-Notes technical resources, the Septic Solution homeowner handbook, the Annual Convention and AGM, member directory website listings, and government representation on building code committees including MMAH, OBC, and CSA-B66.

Product overview

The Concrete Precasters Association of Ontario is a trade association, not a product company. It provides services to its member manufacturers rather than selling software products. The association's primary offerings include the CPA Product Registration Program (a certification service for concrete wastewater products), Concrete School training courses, Tech-Notes technical resources, the Septic Solution homeowner handbook, annual conventions, and member directory listings. Its manufacturer members produce concrete products including septic tanks, holding tanks, water cisterns, retaining walls, manholes, catch basins, and related infrastructure products. The association does not develop or sell software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CPA Product Registration Program A quality, design, and testing certification program for concrete products used in on-site wastewater systems, approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) as an alternative to CSA certification. Products bearing the red CPA tag (red disc) indicate registration and compliance with standards exceeding the Ontario Building Code, serving concrete precast manufacturers in Ontario.
• Concrete School Training Training courses covering concrete production fundamentals, conducted by industry expert Mel Marshall and designed for both new and experienced employees of member manufacturers. Includes one-day classes and production school sessions.
• Tech-Notes Brief data sheets published by the CPA Technical Committee covering subjects discussed in production school sessions, designed to be posted in work areas or distributed among employees for workplace training reinforcement.
• Septic Solution Handbook Homeowner's septic system manual available as a free download and in print for members, designed to help manufacturers comply with Ontario Building Code requirements for supplying operation manuals with new tank installations. Over 100,000 copies of the original handbook were distributed.
• Annual Convention and AGM Annual industry conference providing a forum for discussion on current issues, educational seminars, plant tours, and networking opportunities for members and suppliers. The 34th Annual Convention and AGM is scheduled for November 22-24, 2026 in Kingston, Ontario.
• Member Directory and Website Listings Free online presence through the CPA website listing all manufacturer and supplier members with contact information, product details, and links to member websites.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 95% market share of concrete septic tanks in Ontario
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ontario Rural Wastewater CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991The CPA has been a member of the advisory board of the Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre since its inception. The centre, developed by the University of Guelph, provides research and training facilities in Guelph and Ottawa for designers, regulators, and students on wastewater treatment. CPA contributed to the centre's construction.
• Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing (MMAH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPA members sit on committees of the MMAH, the OBC Materials Evaluation Committee, the OBC Appeals Board, and the CSA-B66 (septic tanks) committee. Representatives from MMAH sit on the CPA Product Registration Program Approvals Committee.
• Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association (OOWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPA partners with OOWA, with representatives from both organizations sitting on the Product Registration Program Approvals Committee.
• Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services (OASIS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPA is associated with OASIS as part of its network of industry organizations serving the sewage treatment sector in Ontario.
• National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NORWA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPA is associated with NORWA as part of its network of industry organizations.
• National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPA is associated with NPCA at the national level. NPCA has requested to reprint the CPA's Septic Solution manual for their own members.
• University of Waterloo Centre for Groundwater ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPA contributed to the development of new wastewater disposal technology through the University of Waterloo Centre for Groundwater Research.
• Durham CollegeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWhen the Ontario government changed requirements for licensing crane operators, CPA arranged for training through Durham College in Oshawa to help members achieve 'Hoisting Engineer - Mobile 2' certification.
• Ministry of Environment and Energy (MOEE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CPA Product Registration Program was developed through consultation with the Ministry of Environment and Energy. MOEE representatives sit on the Product Registration Program Approvals Committee.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• National Precast Concrete Association: US-based national trade association for precast concrete manufacturers. CPA has an existing mutual relationship with NPCA, which has requested to reprint CPA's Septic Solution manual — making it the closest direct peer in mission, structure, and member services.
• Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute: National Canadian industry association representing precast and prestressed concrete producers. Overlaps with CPA in representing precast manufacturers and in providing technical standards and education across Canada.
• Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association: Ontario-based association for onsite wastewater professionals. CPA partners with OOWA, with representatives sitting on the Product Registration Program Approvals Committee — a directly overlapping stakeholder group within Ontario's onsite wastewater ecosystem.
• Canadian Concrete Pipe and Precast Association: Canadian industry association representing concrete pipe and precast manufacturers. Direct peer in representing precast concrete producers with similar regulatory, training, and standards-setting functions to CPA Ontario.

Broad incumbents

• National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association: National-level US/Canadian onsite wastewater association. CPA is associated with NORWA, and the two serve overlapping but different geographies for the same end customer (onsite wastewater systems).
• American Concrete Pipe Association: US trade association for concrete pipe and box culvert manufacturers. Highly comparable in product focus (precast concrete infrastructure) and in providing standards, certification, and government advocacy for precast concrete manufacturers.
• Precast Concrete Institute: US-based technical institute for precast/prestressed concrete. Comparable in offering technical resources, certification programs, and education to precast concrete producers, though broader in product scope than septic-specific focus.
• American Concrete Institute: Global authority on concrete standards, education, and certification. While broader than CPA, ACI is comparable in providing the technical standards, certification, and training infrastructure that underpins precast concrete manufacturing — overlapping with CPA's Concrete School and Tech-Notes offerings.

Regional players

• Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services: Ontario regional association serving the sewage treatment sector. CPA is associated with OASIS, making it a directly comparable Ontario-based industry association addressing adjacent segments of the same end market.
• Ontario Building Officials Association: Ontario association of building officials who enforce the Ontario Building Code — the same regulators CPA engages with. Comparable as an Ontario-based industry association that interfaces with provincial building code authorities and serves as a key partner for the Product Registration Program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Concrete Precasters Association