Oldcastle Precast gains Golden State ground in U.S. Concrete deal

Sources: Oldcastle Precast Inc., Atlanta; U.S. Concrete Inc., Euless, Texas; CP staff

Oldcastle Precast is adding significant drainage, utility and prestressed production capacity in a $21.5 million asset transaction spanning much of U.S. Concrete Precast’s California businesses: Central Precast Concrete, San Diego Precast Concrete and Sierra Precast Inc.

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Cement consumption forecast adjusted favorably for second time in 2012

Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.

With the first half of 2012 experiencing favorable weather conditions, gains in residential and nonresidential construction activity and robust gains in cement intensities, the new PCA forecast nearly doubles the expected increase in cement consumption for the year. The association’s revised its spring forecast upward, anticipating a 6.9 percent increase in 2012 from 2011 levels (and up from a May forecast of 3.7 percent), followed by a 5.8 percent jump in 2013, and a double-digit increase of 10.9 percent in 2014.

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Producer, contractor groups charter certification consortium

Source: Concrete Industry Certification Consortium, Mt. Vernon, Iowa

In an effort to increase the awareness of certification opportunities for concrete professionals, while promoting the advantages of such programs, eight concrete associations have joined forces to form the CICC. Comprised of the American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA), Architectural Precast Association (APA), Concrete Foundations Association (CFA), Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association (CSDA), International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI), National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA), Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) and the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA), the CICC is a non-profit clearinghouse dedicated to serving those interested in improving the quality and safety of concrete construction and renovation. Through its participating associations, the consortium seeks to increase the recognition of the concrete industry’s commitment to quality through certification and to promote and distinguish companies with a demonstrated level of competence and history of positive contribution to the industry.

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