• Wall-Ties & Forms, Inc, (WTF) is one of the world's largest

companies in the concrete forming business, as well as the premier

designer and manufacturer of concrete forming systems. Over 33
years ago as a new business, WTF manufactured ties - thousands of
them. Today we produce and ship over 30 million ties a year and
over 200,000 aluminum concrete forms.

• It started in 1976 when Orval Engelken and Ross Worley, two men
with extensive knowledge of the construction industry. They left long
and successful careers, one a national sales manager and the other
a product design and manufacturing expert, knowing they could do a
better job.

• Three principles guided them:

1. Produce the best quality and most labor friendly product.
2. Offer unsurpassed customer service.
3. Provide it all at a competitive price.

• The rest is history!

WTF Manufacturing Facility

160 Employees

Over a 120,000 Sq. Ft.

The WTF Formwork System (manufactured by
Wall Ties & Forms, Inc.) is unique because it
forms all of the components in the structure
including, walls, floor slabs, columns, beams,
stairs, window details, balconies, and various
decorative features in exact accordance with
the architect's design. No other system can
match WTF Formwork flexibility to handle all
design conditions.
• The WTF System is erected by unskilled labor and
without the need of hoisting cranes. The largest
component weight is not more than 32 kgs (70 Lbs).
This enables a single worker to handle the WTF
formwork components. The forms and other sections are
secured and fixed with steel pins and wedges with
formwork ties. The only tool required is a hammer. The
WTF System can save as much as 10 - 20% of the total
cost of construction and increase speed as much as 30 -
50% over traditional methods such as block and
post/beam construction.
The WTF Aluminum Formwork System for concrete
construction is the most versatile construction system in
the world. Unlike other systems, it is equally suited to
construct both high and low rise structures.
The WTF Formwork System is specifically designed to allow the rapid construction of multiple unit projects.
The system is cycled daily to achieve optimum productivity.

One and two story duplex project in Mexico consisting of 8,500 units
 The only tool
needed to erect
the formwork is a
hammer.

The simplicity of the WTF aluminum

formwork is ideal for unskilled labor and
enables unskilled labor to achieve the
highest of production rates.

Every component is light enough to be

handled by one worker, minimizing the
need for heavy lifting equipment.
WTF aluminum formwork enables the developer to
cast most if not all elements of the structure.

This includes structural, non-structural, and

architectural elements
The formwork for these structures included all elements, structural, non- structural, and architectural. The
architectural elements include, radius headers, decorative columns, pitched concrete roof, and rain gutters cast
directly into the decorative moldings.
Casting all elements achieves a cost
savings of 10-20% over traditional methods.
This home was constructed by Homex of
Mexico. Homex is the largest builder in
Mexico with 51,000 home starts a year as of
2009.
Casting all elements also speeds
construction 30 - 50% over traditional
methods. This is achieved by the
speed of the formwork system, the
reduction of follow-on trades, and the
ease of finishing the surfaces.
One of the principal technical features which
enables the speed to be attained using a
single set of formwork is the unique deck
beam system. This allows the formwork
removal to take place while leaving the deck
supports undisturbed. The deck panels can
then be reused immediately.
The precision of the WTF Formwork enables doors and window frames to be directly installed on site
with no re-sizing required.
Because openings are so precise, the developer can be
confident in the pre-purchase of doors and windows.
Often times the developer can purchase these items for
an entire project with huge cost savings.
The concrete surface produced with the
formwork allows the achievement of a high
quality wall finish without the need for
extensive plastering.
Formwork set for final inspection at manufacturing facility in Shawnee, Kansas, USA.

Because the WTF Formwork is constructed with the highest quality aluminum and
welded with robotics, developers can expect 2,000 uses or more with proper care.
Often times the formwork outlives the life of the project and can be cycled to a new project. Because
the formwork is modular 70- 90% of the forms are easily adapted to new construction projects.
From foundation to multi-story construction, the following pages illustrate the WTF Formwork process.
The process begins with compaction of the site. Trenches are
then dug, plumbing installed, and WTF slab formwork is set.
Once structural footings are dug, slab steel is
installed in accordance with local code.
Concrete is then placed using local methods.
Wall steel is then tied in accordance with local building codes.
Electrical boxes and conduit are attached to the wall steel. Rigid or flexible
conduit may be used depending on local building codes.
When constructing mass housing projects it is wise to
prep slabs well in advance. The WTF Formwork
System can be cycled daily for very rapid construction.
The beginning of the WTF formwork process normally
starts in a corner or multiple corners depending on the
number of workers. This process continues until all
walls are erected.
Once wall forms are set, decking can begin.
Decking like wall formwork is hand-set and
begins in a corner.
Upon completion of
decking, steel and
electrical is installed
in preparation of
concrete placement.
When all prep work is complete,
concrete is placed monolithically in
walls and deck. Concrete placement
is normally completed using a boom
pump but is dictated by local market
equipment. This can include trailer
pumps, crane buckets, and even
hand bucketing.
The WTF formwork is removed
the very next day to begin the
cycle again.
For multi-story structures
scaffolding is then attached.
The scaffolding not only
supports the weight of the
workers but also supports the
exterior wall forms.
Steel is tied, forms set, and
concrete placed repeating
the daily cycle.
For markets with extreme climates, the WTF
Formwork System easily incorporates
insulation into the construction process. The
expanded foam insulation is installed between
formwork ties prior to setting exterior
formwork.
After concrete placement and curing, formwork is removed leaving
foam insulation permanently bonded to the concrete.
The WTF Formwork System
is in use in over 45 countries
worldwide. The following
pages are just a few
examples of the WTF global
presence.