AMECO USA creates presidential backdrop for the Ronald Reagan Memorial
by Jonathan McGaha | January 31, 2012 12:00 am
AMECO USA, a Cleveland, Ohio based custom metal fabrication company, produced the crescent-shaped backdrop for the prestigious Ronald Reagan Memorial Statue installation at Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. Adorned with an eagle head motif and the words Ronald Reagan, the 40-foot long, 10-inch thick stainless steel arched wall weighs 8,000 pounds (4 tons) and curves inward towards a 9-foot tall bronze sculpture of President Reagan. The backdrop took eight weeks and 500 man hours to complete at AMECO’s 50,000 square-foot plant. Made of polished stainless steel plate, this piece has superior corrosion, rust and stain resistance and will remain looking beautiful and untarnished for many decades.
According to AMECO USA president Michael Perkins, the vision for this project began when the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation commissioned Chas Fagan, an acclaimed American sculptor, to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of President Reagan’s birth with an outdoor piece. AMECO USA was selected by a member of the project’s artistic design team for their ability to take on high profile projects of this magnitude, in addition to their engineering and metalworking expertise.
“The entire AMECO family is honored to be a part of this landmark installation,” states Perkins. “In addition to AMECO USA, there were many other people and suppliers involved with this successful and meaningful project.” AMECO’s participation began with receipt of architectural drawings which they then converted to solid-model fabrication drawings. The company also determined the precise location and spacing of the letters, and calculated the curvature of the heavy stainless plates. “AMECO USA did the cutting, forming, plate rolling, and welding at its Cleveland plant. We then shipped the entire backdrop to the National Airport in Washington D.C. by way of a drop-deck flatbed truck where it was joined with the sculpture and high-tech lighting to create a lasting tribute to our 40th American president,” adds Perkins.
Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/news/daily-news/ameco-usa-creates-presidential-backdrop-for-the-ronald-reagan-memorial/