October 12, 2015 – Concrete Products

Oldcastle chief Towe to transition to new CRH Americas post

October 12, 2015 Concrete News

Source: CRH Plc, Dublin

Oldcastle Inc. President and CEO Mark Towe will assume a new role in January, CRH Americas chairman, working with CRH Chief Executive Albert Manifold to support performance and excellence programs across the group, and continuing as an executive director. Towe joined Atlanta-based Oldcastle in 1997, and advanced in the Materials hierarchy with appointment as president in 2000 and chief executive officer in 2006. Two years later, he was elevated to his current position and attendant CRH board post.

OSHA assigns ‘Enforcement Units’ in weighted inspections

October 12, 2015 Concrete News

Sources: Occupational Safety & Health Administration; CP staff

A new enforcement weighting system assigns greater value to complex inspections that require more OSHA resources and, agency officials note, will allow strategic planning and measurement of inspections while ensuring all workers are equally protected, regardless of the industry they work in.

Precast methods to gain share in growing sound wall market

October 12, 2015 Concrete News

Sources: Freedonia Group, Cleveland; CP staff

Rural and suburban residential and commercial development, especially in close proximity to highways, will sustain outdoor noise barrier demand, where annual growth through 2019 is forecast to rise 3.7 percent, to 9.5 million square feet. Outdoor Noise Barriers, a five-year U.S. outlook from market researcher Freedonia, finds highways accounting for the vast majority of installations, and concrete structures holding a commanding 92 percent share against plastic, metal and wood product alternatives.

Mutual Materials hosts ASTM board contingent

October 12, 2015 Concrete News

Source: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.

Within an October 18-21 schedule of board activities in Seattle, ASTM directors will visit Mutual Materials, a major concrete masonry source in the Pacific Northwest, plus 24 other standards stakeholders. “Seattle is home to many industries that use high-quality technical standards to grow and thrive,” says ASTM International President Jim Thomas. “Our board plans to highlight that in our meeting and when we visit local businesses and organizations.”

ARTBA chairman Zachry prioritizes highway bill, training, grassroots activism

October 12, 2015 Concrete News

Sources: American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Upon his election as 2015-16 chairman, David Zachry told members that ARTBA will remain laser-focused on ensuring a long-term Highway Trust Fund fix and Congressional approval of a multi-year bill boosting federal surface transportation investment; advocate for increased federal investment in airport construction; and, build “Transportation Makes America Work” lobbying and advocacy communications program participation.