ORGANIZATIONS – JUNE 2018

The American Concrete Institute has provided the ACI Foundation with an additional $360,000, earmarked for funding research in collaboration with the work of ACI committees. The one-time contribution follows ACI’s commitment in 2017 to up ACI Foundation support by providing $500,000 of annual mission funding and fully covering all operational expenses.

“This additional contribution will increase the ACI Foundation’s capacity to fund much-needed research,” says ACI Executive Vice President Ron Burg. “When coupled with funding from new and existing industry partners, the research projects to be funded are guaranteed to improve ACI’s technical knowledge and make our world stronger and safer.”

Concrete pumping contractor Brundage-Bone has broadened its Rockies and Southwest market presence with the acquisition of O’Brien Concrete Pumping Inc., serving Colorado and Arizona residential and commercial customers with a fleet upwards of 70 machines. “O’Brien is a highly respected business known for its excellent service levels and equipment,” says Brundage-Bone CEO Bruce Young. “Richard O’Brien is a true pioneer and visionary in our industry, and we look forward to being proud stewards of his outstanding business.”

“O’Brien is another strategically significant addition to Brundage-Bone as part of the company’s disciplined growth strategy. We will continue to support Bruce and his team as they identify highly regarded concrete pumping businesses that can expand Brundage-Bone’s footprint and deepen its service offering,” affirms Matt Homme, Managing Director of Peninsula Pacific, the contractor’s majority investor.

“The acquisition strengthens Brundage-Bone’s presence in Colorado and Arizona, and is an excellent example of the company’s ability to be a unique platform for growth in the concrete pumping industry,” notes Peninsula Pacific Vice President Stephen Alarcon. O’Brien represents a continuation of Brundage-Bone’s successful acquisition strategy for the U.S. and United Kingdom, he adds, citing five 2015 deals for pumping contractors serving Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, plus 2016-17 transactions netting four leading U.K. operators. With Peninsula Pacific backing, Brundage-Bone has grown to nearly 80 locations in 20 states, with combined payroll of about 750. U.K. subsidiaries employ approximately 275 and provide concrete pumping services in England, Scotland and Wales.

ASTM International Committees on Cement (C01), Lime and Limestone (C07), Mortar and Grouts for Unit Masonry (C12), and Manufactured Masonry Units (C15) are cosponsoring the Workshop: Innovations in Collaborative Research, Development and Applications, June 26 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. It will take place in conjunction with the committees’ June standards development meetings. Organizers aim to gather and disseminate the latest information on all aspects of innovations in masonry materials, design, specification, construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation—especially in the framework of ASTM standards. Target workshop topics include anchors and ties; materials testing; moisture management; building codes; performance-based design and specification; failure investigation and testing; plus, seismic design and performance. Inquiries on the program can be directed to Norbert Krogstad, workshop chairman, [email protected], or ASTM’s Tessa Sulkes, 610/832-9677; [email protected].

The Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT), a national business trade association comprised exclusively of nearly 120 chief executives from leading design and construction companies doing business in the United States and globally, has elected Charlie Bacon, president and CEO of Limbach Holdings, Inc., as 2018 chairman, succeeding Wayne Drinkward of Hoffman Corp., Seattle. Pittsburgh-based Limbach Holdings is an integrated building systems provider, managing all components of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and control systems, from system design and construction through performance and maintenance.

“The design and construction industry builds America and CIRT has moved the industry forward on so many fronts,” says Bacon. “Through CIRT’s education programs with world class speakers and subject matter experts to the sharing of best practices, senior industry executives expand their knowledge base and build lasting friendships.”