Cemex scales back GCC deal to Texas, New Mexico cement, materials assets

Sources: Cemex S.A.B. de C.V., Monterrey, Mexico; CP staff

Cemex has reached an agreement to sell its Odessa, Texas, cement plant and two terminals, plus El Paso and Las Cruces, N.M., building materials businesses to Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua, S.A.B. de C.V. Absent the $306 million deal are Cemex Colorado assets—Lyons mill, Florence terminal—rounding out an original transaction the companies outlined in May. Subject to competition authority and shareholder approvals, the revised deal will be consummated through Cemex and GCC U.S. affiliates and is projected to close by year end.

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AGC, ABC document Obama order’s certain harm to competition, small businesses

Sources: Associated General Contractors of America, Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

ABC and AGC have been among the most vocal “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” critics since President Obama added it to his expansive executive order roster in June 2014. Response to the Labor Department and Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council announcement of a final rule implementing the order show neither group changing its tune.

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Agencies peg October target for federal contractor ‘blacklisting’ rule

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

To ensure federal contractors better comply with laws that protect their workers’ safety, wages and civil rights, the Labor Department and Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council have issued final regulations and guidance implementing the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order, a contentious measure top construction officials dub the “blacklisting rule.”

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City council stares down combustible-material specs in code amendment

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

The Sandy Springs (Ga.) City Council has voted unanimously to amend the city’s building code to include new requirements prohibiting use of combustible materials in the frames and load bearing walls of structures above three stories or 100,000 square feet. The measure comes at a time when many cities are weighing similar measures to increase the resiliency of new buildings.

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Besser marks National Concrete Pipe Week with scholarship launch

Sources: American Concrete Pipe Association, Irving, Texas; CP staff

In recognition of the American Concrete Pipe Association’s annual (mid-August) National Concrete Pipe Week, Besser has established a $2,500 ACPA Foundation scholarship for a student whose course of study relates to concrete pipe production, application, installation or research.

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