Des Moines-based IPC Inc. announced yesterday that it would merge its staff and resources with JW Peters Inc. of Burlington, Wis.

The two concrete producers are owned by Elk River, Minn.-based Cretex Cos. and have a combined five plants that serve markets such as Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Kansas City and Minneapolis. JW Peters and IPC are part of the construction products division of Cretex.

“The combination of IPC and JW Peters easily makes us the largest prestressed company in the Midwest,” said Matt McAllister, president of IPC, in a release. “Merging these firms allows us to streamline the support areas of accounting, engineering and administration…. IPC and JW Peters have significant individual strengths that we will be able to leverage across our geography to provide greater value to our customers.”

The merger will result in the loss of approximately 10 jobs between the two companies, mainly back-office positions, McAllister said. Currently, JW Peters has 135 employees and IPC employs 185, the Milwaukee Business Journal reported.

“A major reason for this merger is to gain efficiency and economize, thereby seamlessly providing our services to all major Midwest markets,” said Bob Hassey, director of business development for JW Peters.