January 2011 – Page 2 – Concrete Products

Masonry, veneer stone, Martha Stewart meet in Builders’ Show concept home

January 14, 2011 Concrete News

Sources: KB Home, Los Angeles; Builder Magazine, Washington, D.C.; National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.

Concrete block supports the energy-wise “KB Home GreenHouse: An Idea Home Created with Martha Stewart,” timed with the 2011 International Builders’ Show, January 12-15, in Orlando, Fla. The 2,700-sq.-ft., single-level home features weatherized and insulated concrete masonry walls, plus fiber-cement siding, precast veneer stone, solar panel-bearing roof tile, and pavers from James Hardie Building Products, StoneCraft Industries, MonierLifetile and Boral Bricks.

Royal Concrete affords Metromont bigger modular precast, Florida beachhead

January 14, 2011 Concrete News

Sources: Metromont Corp., Greenville, S.C.; CP staff

On the heels of a major new precast/prestressed operation in Bartow, Fla., Metromont has taken a majority interest in West Palm Beach-based Royal Concrete Concepts (RCC), a modular precast systems specialist. “The investment allows us to further diversify our business with additional building systems and grow in other market segments,” says Metromont CEO Rick Pennell, adding that one of the biggest draws to RCC is its “management team, passion, and ability to execute. This partnership will strengthen both companies. We will continue to offer safe, attractive and energy-efficient building solutions that combine speed and quality construction with the capacity to endure.”

Gate Precast harmonizes eight plants’ branding

January 14, 2011 Concrete News

Source: Gate Precast Co., Jacksonville, Fla.

Architectural and structural precast concrete producer Gate Construction Materials Group will operate all production facilities under the name Gate Precast Co. The Gate Concrete Products Co. name has been used since 1980 for flagship and Pearland, Texas, structural precast plants.

Propex survey finds producers confident in market turnaround

January 14, 2011 Concrete News

Source: Propex Operating Co., Chattanooga, Tenn.

Ready mixed producers responding to a Propex Concrete Solutions survey on the use of synthetic fibers indicated that avoiding liability is key issue and, contrary to some industry observers’ outlook, they are optimistic on construction market improvement. Propex sought to gain a deeper understanding of producers and how to best help them achieve business goals. More than 1,300 respondents—from a pool of about 5,000 target U.S. producers—underscored how the ready mixed industry is the company’s key constituency.

NRMCA Associate Members launch producer community service award

January 14, 2011 Concrete News

Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.

Nominations are open through February 15 for the inaugural Concrete Cares Award, established by the NRMCA Manufacturers, Products & Services Division to recognize producer members’ outstanding contributions in community service. With plants in almost every community in America, the association notes, those members make a difference by supporting schools and local recreation departments, plus activities ranging from Earth Day celebrations, to Boys & Girls Clubs, to breast cancer awareness campaigns.

NCMA, ICPI call for Safety Awards entries

January 14, 2011 Concrete News

Source: National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.

NCMA and Interlocking Concrete Pavement Insititute are accepting through January 21 entries in their joint Safety Awards Program, recognizing exemplary records among producer and associate member companies. Awards will be presented during the 2011 NCMA Annual Convention, concurrent with March 22-26 Icon Expo and ConExpo-Con/Agg show in Las Vegas.

Tool selects, optimizes concrete building systems

January 14, 2011 Concrete News

Source: Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, Schaumburg, Ill.

Set for a (January 18–21) World of Concrete debut, CRSI’s Reinforced Concrete Explorer is the online centerpiece of a conceptual-stage building system selection and optimization resource. It is programmed to help project teams maximize the ultimate value, efficiency and durability of a building, and presents users opportunities for exploiting the structural frame to reduce costs, increasing speed of construction, improving sustainability, and ensuring quality outcomes.

Pro-masonry ordinance withstands NAACP, NAHB federal court appeal

January 11, 2011 Don Marsh

By Don Marsh, Editor

As he promotes “freedom from over-regulation and over-litigation” in his new book, Fed Up, Texas Governor Rick Perry should smile at local government power as exercised just outside his state capital and validated in NAACP v. City of Kyle. Plaintiffs in the case, examined here in June 2009, have failed again in their challenge of Kyle, Texas, zoning standards requiring cement or clay-based cladding for new single-family homes.

A U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Houston) panel determined a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People- and National Association of Home Builders-anchored coalition lacked legal standing in its claims the city’s ordinances violate the Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). In a ruling last month, the Appellate Court essentially affirmed a March 2009 U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas (Austin Division) decision denying plaintiffs’ pursuit of relief under the Act. The NAACP/NAHB coalition failed to present the latter court evidence of how the Kyle single-family home building standards discriminated against African-Americans or Hispanics.

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.