ConExpo-Con/Agg positioned as decade’s best capital investment barometer

Sources: CP staff; Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Milwaukee

After a second consecutive year where concrete, cement and aggregate interests saw modest shipment gains–while overall construction industry increases in 2013 reached the 7-8 percent range–producers are positioned to act on plant and fleet equipment investment carrying them through the growth phase projected for the remainder the decade.

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Contractor coalition, Chamber: OSHA silica rule unworkable, economically infeasible

Sources: Construction Industry Safety Coalition, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C.

Two weeks after closing the public comment period for its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is continuing to process documents from individuals, companies and organizations challenging the agency’s math and embrace of air-monitoring technology for workplaces and job sites.

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Plant certification initial focus of NPCA, PCI strategic partnership

Source: National Precast Concrete Association, Carmel, Ind.

NPCA and the Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute formalized a partnership during the Precast Show (February 13-15, Houston) to reduce duplication and increase collaboration in several program areas, starting with plant certification and trade show production.

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NRMCA-led agreement ushers responsible sourcing certification effort

Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.; CP staff

NRMCA Chairman Bill Childs (Chaney Enterprises) joined concrete and cement group representatives from around the world to sign an agreement launching an international responsible sourcing certification program for concrete, spearheaded by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development’s Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI).

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Martin Marietta strategy chief to lead Texas Industries integration

Sources: Martin Marietta Materials Inc., Raleigh, N.C.; CP staff

In an upbeat, company-wide memo, Martin Marietta CEO Ward Nye underscores positive market, investor and employee response to the Texas Industries merger announcement three weeks prior, noting that “all remains on schedule for a targeted closing sometime this summer.”

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PCA: Pavements belong in feds’ vehicle fuel economy, lower emissions equation

Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Responding to the White House’s just-announced second phase of fuel economy standards for heavy-duty trucks, targeted for 2015-16 rulemaking and implementation, PCA CEO Gregory Scott notes, “We should expand the debate beyond making more efficient [vehicles] to making more efficient infrastructure.”

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