January 10, 2011 – Concrete Products

Shepherd named to top Vulcan operations post; Sansone promoted

January 10, 2011 Concrete News

Sources: Vulcan Materials Co., Birmingham, Ala. ; CP staff

A 25-year-plus Vulcan veteran, Danny Shepherd will become executive vice president, Construction Materials, effective February 1. Since spring 2009, he has served as senior vice president, East Region, a position that evolved from integration of concrete, aggregate and cement businesses gained from Vulcan’s late-2007 merger with Florida Rock Industries. After the previously announced retirement of Senior Vice President, West Region Ron McAbee, Shepherd will have responsibility for all Vulcan operating divisions and the corporate Construction Materials functions that support them.

Major shareholder seeks Ameron chief’s ouster

January 10, 2011 Concrete News

Source: Barington Capital Group, L.P. and NYSE Group, New York; CP staff

Citing its belief that NYSE-listed Ameron Corp. should trade above $100/share (against a $76.60/share January 5 quote), investor Barington Capital has called on the company’s board to replace President, CEO and Chairman James S. Marlen. In a letter to directors “as a significant stockholder,” Barington states that it is convinced Ameron has a vast value potential that is not being realized, and positive attributes—healthy, asset-rich balance sheet, valuable joint ventures, attractive end markets and leading market positions for its businesses—to support the $100-plus share price assessment.

Environmentalists scoff at EPA coal ash recycling data

January 10, 2011 Concrete News

Sources: Environmental Integrity Project, Washington, D.C.; Earthjustice, San Francisco

By Don Marsh

Proponents of an onerous, Environmental Protection Agency-proposed rule governing disposal of utilities’ coal combustion residuals (CCR) are challenging agency officials’ $23 billion estimate of the value of concrete-grade fly ash and other marketable-CCR recycling.

Cretex adds Iowa’s Quality Concrete, CSI Precast

January 10, 2011 Concrete News

Sources: Cretex Cos., Elk River, Minn.; CP staff

Cretex Concrete Products Midwest Inc. has acquired the assets of Des Moines-based Quality Concrete Pipe, Inc. and affiliate CSI Precast, LLC. QCP, which also does business under the CSI brand, produces reinforced concrete pipe, box culverts, drainage and utility structures, and retaining walls.

Navistar VP joins key OSHA committee

January 10, 2011 Concrete News

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

Navistar Inc. Vice President of Health, Safety, Security and Productivity William Bunn III has been named health representative for the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH). Labor Secretary Hilda Solis announced his appointment, along with four others, noting, “The new members possess a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience on a wide range of worker health and safety matters. I am confident these new members, representing the interests of labor, management, safety and health professionals, and the public, will use their expertise to provide valuable advice and recommendations.”

Grace acquires RS slump-monitoring technology

January 10, 2011 Concrete News

Source: W.R. Grace & Co., Cambridge, Mass.

W.R. Grace & Co. has closed on the assets and associated entities of RS Solutions LLC, a West Chester, Ohio, developer of process control solutions for ready mixed concrete producers, including truck-mounted electro-mechanical devices and sensors. RS technologies measure concrete slump during delivery to job sites; they especially enable producers to monitor authorized or unauthorized addition of water—or other changes to the ready mixed as dispatched—that can compromise product quality or spur rejected loads.

Craft publisher eyes Pervious Concrete

January 10, 2011 Concrete News

Source: Schiffer Books, Atglen, Pa. Schiffer, publisher of concrete hardscapes titles for trades and do-it-yourself buyers, has added to its library Pervious Concrete. The 128-page book profiles an alternative to conventional slabs that helps manage runoff, water pollution and fulfill architect or owner green building objectives. Technical details and extensive illustrations provide readers insight on pervious concrete’s hydrologic and structural…