JVI Inc: precast connections and the EPD gap
JVI Inc. builds the small parts that make big precast concrete go together, from slotted inserts to bearing pads. Specifiers increasingly want product‑specific EPDs for those parts. Here is where JVI shines on products, where coverage looks thin on declarations, and how that could affect bids on projects with strict transparency rules.
Who JVI is
JVI Inc. is a Chicago‑area manufacturer focused on connection hardware for the precast and prestressed concrete market. Their story starts as “the bearing pad people,” then expands into engineered connection systems that remove site friction and tidy up details architects care about. See their background and culture on the About JVI page.
What they sell, in plain English
JVI’s catalog centers on connection and alignment components used in plant and on site. Typical families include:
- Shear and alignment hardware
- Concealed or “invisible” connections for beams, columns, and stairs
- Slotted insert systems and threaded inserts
- Bearing pads and shims
That adds up to roughly a dozen product families and, by our read, dozens of SKUs across sizes and variants.
EPD coverage today
As of December 20, 2025, we could not locate any public, product‑specific EPDs for JVI’s current catalog in major registries or on their site. If an internal or unpublished declaration exists, buyers cannot count it toward project requirements. EPD validity typically runs five years, so once published, a single well‑scoped declaration can serve many bids before renewal (IBU, 2025) (IBU, 2025).
Why this matters on specs
Projects chasing firm embodied‑carbon targets or LEED v5 preferences simplify submittals when each line item has a verified EPD. Without one, teams often default to conservative assumptions for hardware, which makes substitution easier and can push a non‑declared part out of consideration. No drama, just risk.
Where competitors show up
Several precast connection manufacturers have moved faster on transparency. Peikko, for example, publishes product‑specific EPDs that cover connecting parts and lifting systems in multiple markets, which gives their sales teams a cleaner handoff at submittal time. We are not judging product performance here, only noticeability at bid stage.
Likely high‑impact gaps for JVI
Bearing pads and slotted inserts look like flagship items with broad, repeat use. If even one high‑runner pad family and one insert line had product‑specific EPDs, JVI would remove a recurring objection on parking structures, healthcare, higher‑ed and industrial work. That is where a small credential can unlock large repeat revenue. It is definately low‑glamour but high‑leverage.
The practical path to first EPDs
Pick one connection family with the highest annual volume. Lock a clean reference year for utilities, materials, and scrap. Select a widely used construction‑products PCR under EN 15804 so results compare well to peer hardware. Decide the program operator that best fits your customers’ workflows. A strong LCA partner will shoulder the plant data wrangling and coordinate verification so your team stays focused on production while the declaration moves forward.
Who JVI likely meets in competitive bake‑offs
On precast accessories and connections, expect Peikko in many markets, plus large North American catalogs like Dayton Superior for lifting, inserts, and anchors. In thermal break or insulated connection niches, Leviat’s portfolio occasionally appears on detail sheets. Depending on the scope, different products can land in the same application slot during value‑engineering.
What winning looks like next
If JVI prioritizes EPDs for one pad line and one insert line, it gains a fast pass on many submittal checklists. That reduces last‑minute substitutions and keeps the conversation on performance, schedule, and service, not paperwork. The workload should feel contained, the payoff shows up across dozens of bids, and the renewal horizon gives five calm years to expand coverage (IBU, 2025).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an EN 15804 EPD really stay valid for five years and what happens after?
Yes. Most program operators state a five‑year validity window. After that, renew to remain usable in bids. If impacts change materially within the window, an update can be required (IBU, 2025).
Which JVI products look like the best starting point for an EPD?
Start with a high‑volume bearing pad family and a slotted insert line. These appear on many drawings, carry repeatable bills of materials, and tend to be requested in submittals.
What if our competitors’ EPDs are from other regions?
That is common. Pick a program operator and PCR recognized in your target markets. EN 15804‑aligned EPDs are broadly comparable when scope and declared unit match.
Will an older EPD hurt us in selection?
Age matters less than validity. As long as it is verified and in its five‑year window, most buyers accept it for documentation and scoring.
About the Author
John brings a clear, research-driven perspective on the EPD, LCA and HPD space and keeps a close pulse on environmental trends and standards in North America, helping clients understand where the industry is heading and how to get there.
