Block & paver production

The MultimatRH760 is a new generation production machine capable of producing block in under six seconds, as well as high-quality pavers and sectional retaining wall. It can be installed easily on existing foundations and a special adapter makes it possible to utilize a customer’s mold inventory. Hess Machinery, 905/575-4440; www.hessusa.com

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Batch plant specialist BHS opens North American office

Well-established German batch plant and mixer manufacturer BHS-Sonthofen will serve U.S. and Canadian customers and prospects from a new Charlotte office, co-located with the domestic base of parent BHS Filtration Inc. Mixing Division Manager Stu Bentley (704/814-7670) will oversee sales and service of a full line of turnkey batch plants, twin or single shaft mixer models; special concrete plant components;…

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AGC Chief cites deferred infrastructure investment flaws in Obama, House budget proposals

Source: Associated General Contractors of America, Washington, D.C.

AGC Chief Executive Officer Stephen Sandherr responded to changes or cuts in federal transportation and environmental infrastructure program funding, outlined in President Obama’s proposed 2012 budget and U.S. House Republicans’ proposed 2011 continuing budget resolution:

“It is encouraging to see the President appreciates the difference between wasteful spending and essential transportation investments needed to boost overall economic growth and protect Americans from later, larger fiscal liabilities … We are, however, concerned by the Administration’s proposal to transform the Highway Trust Fund into a Transportation Trust Fund that would fund high speed rail, Amtrak, ‘livability’ grants and other Administration priorities.

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Panama Canal contractor mobilizes for 30-month, 7 million-yd. pour

Source: SIMEM America Corp., San Antonio, Texas

A consortium adding a third Panama Canal lock has begun pilot production through identical, twin-tower batch plants in Colon (Atlantic) and Panama City (Pacific), each equipped for nearly 800-yd./hour. After test mix runs, the plants will commence with a March–April 2011 through late-2013 placement schedule requiring a combined 6 million to 7 million yd. of concrete.

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Buzzi Unicem purchases Ozinga cement terminal in northern Illinois

Source: Buzzi Unicem USA, Bethlehem, Pa.

Buzzi Unicem has completed the acquisition it began in December of a 30,000-ton cement storage dome and distribution terminal in Joliet, Ill., from Ozinga Bros. This is the latest addition to the company’s extensive Mississippi River-based terminal network. According to Buzzi Unicem, the Joliet terminal has not shipped product for more than two years, after a maintenance breakdown forced its closure. A major player in northern Illinois and Indiana ready mixed, Ozinga did repair the facility, but never reopened it due to declining demand.

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Propex branding effort has heavy dose of Fibermesh

Source: Propex Operating LLC, Chattanooga, Tenn.

 “Make Sure it’s True Fibermesh” is the message leading Propex’s new brand initiative for the cornerstone product line, Fibermesh.  As the experts in fibers for concrete reinforcement, company officials contend, Propex revolutionized the industry a quarter century ago with the Fibermesh introduction. As an alternative to traditional wire mesh and light rebar, the officials add, the brand created the synthetic fiber category and aligned Propex with ready mixed concrete producers and their contractor customers.

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Euclid Chemical closes on synthetic fiber source, PSI Packaging

Source: RPM International Inc., Medina, Ohio

 Euclid Chemical has added to its synthetic concrete fiber program with the acquisition of LaFayette, Ga.-based PSI Packaging Inc., which offers micro and macro product for ready mixed and precast producers. With annual sales upward of $6 million, PSI was founded in 1999 by four principals involved in the transaction; it will join Euclid Chemical under the RPM Building Solutions Group, serving construction markets worldwide.

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PCI calls for 2011 Convention technical papers

Source: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago

PCI is accepting through April 4 candidate presentations—abstracts or completed papers—for the peer-reviewed program track at the Annual Convention/Exhibition and National Bridge Conference, October 22-25 in Salt Lake City. All abstracts and papers of case studies, or research or project profiles, must relate to the design and analysis, materials, production and erection, or maintenance and repair of precast concrete.

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Tindall closes on 230-acre Kansas site for precast wind turbine bases

Source: Tindall Corp., Spartanburg, S.C.

By Don Marsh

A land transaction and product design certification have positioned Tindall to proceed on schedule with a $60 million-plus plant dedicated to the Atlas Concrete Tower Base (CTB). An engineering innovation enabling wind farm operators to extend turbines to a 325- to 460-ft. (100- to 140-meter) height range—extracting more power than shorter structures currently operating—the CTB comprises precast concrete staves, 87 ft. long and tapering from a 14-ft. base to 3.5-ft. top width. Sized for highway or rail hauling, the pie-shaped staves form robust 10-, 12-, 14-, or 16-piece cones. Along with a post-tensioned precast concrete tube section securing turbine masts, the cones bear on a simple ring foundation that requires about one-third the concrete of a standard ground-anchored structure.

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