January 25, 2011 – Concrete Products

San Benito Supply, online bids drive CIM auction gross past $500K

January 25, 2011 Concrete News

Source: Concrete Industry Management (CIM) Program National Steering Committee (NSC); CP staff

The sixth annual CIM auction, staged at the Las Vegas Convention Center during World of Concrete, raised in excess of $500,000, besting the 2010 auction total by more than 25 percent. Auction attendance and online bidding volume for the January 20 event were greater than ever before, notes NSC Marketing Committee Chairman Brian Gallagher (Structural Group), adding, “The expanded participation this year from Internet bidders was a key as we sold $97,000 worth of items online.”

Technology shears cost of grinding fly ash to match silica fume performance

January 25, 2011 Concrete News

Sources: CP staff; IgniteIP, New York

By Don Marsh

A New York investor announced at World of Concrete (January 18–21, Las Vegas) technology economizing the grinding of fly ash, or secondary grinding of portland cement, to 3- or 1-micron median particle sizes. With $30–75/ton processing plus $20–100/ton raw feed (fly ash, Type I/II portland cement) costs, the technology can yield premium binding agents whose performance properties in concrete and grouts match those of ultra-fine high-reactivity metakaolin or silica fume—typically commanding $300–$700/ton.

Whitemud receiver sets bid deadline for metakaolin operation, quarry leases

January 25, 2011 Concrete News

Source: Deloitte & Touche Inc., Calgary; CP staff

Court appointed receiver Deloitte has outlined a February 14–28 schedule to review offers for the assets of Whitemud Resources Ltd., whose business plan centered on production of concrete- and energy-grade high reactivity metakaolin (HRM). Key assets are a 175,000-ton/year production facility in Saskatchewan, close to the U.S. border, and 25 quarry leases spanning 12,300 acres of nearby kaolin clay deposit.

Central Concrete aligns with admixture supplier Pervious Plus Inc.

January 25, 2011 Concrete News

Source: U.S. Concrete Inc., Houston

Major northern California ready mixed producer Central Concrete Supply Co. will adopt an admixture, Pervious Plus, formulated to improve pervious concrete mix workability and finished slab durability. An agreement with Pervious Plus Inc. of Citrus Heights, Calif., will see Central Concrete market the brand and add the pervious mix to EF Technology, a family of environmental products promoted throughout the operations of parent U.S. Concrete.

Pervious, RCC admixtures mark chemical giant Momentive’s concrete entry

January 25, 2011 Concrete News

Source: Momentive Specialty Chemicals, Inc., Columbus, Ohio; CP staff

A company formed in late-2010 from Momentive Performance Materials and Hexion Specialty Chemicals—successors to GE Silicones and Borden Chemical—debuted its HexiCrete product line for producers and contractors at World of Concrete (January 18–21, Las Vegas). Charter offerings are pervious and roller compacted concrete admixtures, zero-VOC Type I & II curing compounds, and a penetrating sealer.

McNeilus-influenced Freightliner 114SD fills final post-Sterling vocational void

January 25, 2011 Concrete News

Sources: Freightliner Trucks, Fort Mill, S.C.; CP staff

Not waiting for ConExpo-Con/Agg in March, Freightliner chose World of Concrete (January 18–21, Las Vegas) to unveil a set-forward axle (SFA) chassis geared for federal bridge formula-bound mixers and dumps. The 114SD SFA joins M2 and Coronado models, rounding out a heavy-duty portfolio Freightliner shored up following the sunset of sister brand Sterling Trucks.

Employer protests compel OSHA retreat on workplace noise interpretation

January 25, 2011 Concrete News

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has withdrawn its proposed “Interpretation of OSHA’s Provisions for Feasible Administrative or Engineering Controls of Occupational Noise.” Published last October in the Federal Register, it would have clarified the term “feasible administrative or engineering controls” in the agency’s noise standard.

Technology, training reinforce 2011 Precast Show

January 25, 2011 Concrete News

Sources: National Precast Concrete Association, Indianapolis; CP staff

After three years of recession, the construction industry enters 2011 marked with signals of stability, followed by recovery and prospective robust conditions toward mid-decade. The industry poised to emerge will be leaner and greener than ever, contends NPCA, sponsor of the 2011 Precast Show, January 25–29 in Charlotte, N.C.

Dellinger, Oldcastle host Precast Show tours

January 25, 2011 Concrete News

Source: National Precast Concrete Association

NPCA, American Concrete Pipe Association and 2011 Precast Show contributors have mapped an agenda of training, certification, networking and related events alongside or leading up to the January 27–29 trade exhibit at the Charlotte Convention Center. Among highlights are concurrent plant tours on the morning of January 27, hosted by Dellinger Precast Inc. and Oldcastle Precast Inc., with bus service from the convention center.