January 13, 2020 – Concrete Products

Microsoft Azure platform anchors pavement contractor’s digital makeover

January 13, 2020 Concrete News

Cloud service, custom application, advanced analytics, and managed enterprise service implementation specialist Sparkhound has customized mobile applications to streamline concrete or asphalt pavement project planning and business support operations for Texas-based Pavecon. From foremen providing onsite updates through smartphones or iPads, to back-office staff processing payroll in a fraction of customary time, the contractor’s paperwork has been significantly reduced while decision-makers have gained business insights through new data analytics.

Shell Lubricants formulates cold climate-ready Rotella T6

January 13, 2020 Concrete News

IThe new Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 0W-40 heavy-duty diesel engine oil suits advanced engine technologies for on- and off-road vehicles. Formulated with Triple Protection Plus technology, the API CK-4 service category product is designed to provide protection against wear, deposits and oil breakdown, and offers excellent pumpability at low operating temperatures. An exclusive low ash formulation helps protect the exhaust catalysts and particulate filters found on the latest low emission diesel vehicles. Shell Lubricants engineers especially note these T6 performance characteristics:

Solomon Colors sees success in patent-pending granules’ inaugural year

January 13, 2020 Concrete News

As a long time leader in concrete coloring agents, Solomon Colors has developed a groundbreaking method for granulating pigment. Through this innovation, the company aims to offer a high-quality granular pigment that can be used in any system, with support and capacity to satisfy high volume demand. The new granular pigment is now in use in block and paver plants around North America.

Ranking customers: Use technology to decide who matters most

January 13, 2020September 21, 2020 Concrete News

by Craig Yeack

Congratulations, 500 customers purchased concrete from you in the last 90 days. Here’s the harsh truth: Only 50 really helped your bottom line. The others, depending on sales volume, work type, and work habits, may have actually cost you money. You owe it to your business to focus on the top 50, help a few more become better customers, and minimize your time with the rest. Here’s how.

SLIGHT WEAKENING

January 13, 2020 Concrete News

As economic growth staggers, construction takes a minor hit

MANUFACTURERS – DECEMBER 2019

January 13, 2020 Concrete News

St. Louis-based Afinitas has promoted Matt Childs to vice president of Sales, Americas for the HawkeyePedershaab-BFS equipment and automation sales organization. He joined the company in 2017 as vice president of Sales, North America.

ORGANIZATIONS – DECEMBER 2019

January 13, 2020 Concrete News

D. Thomas Ruttura, owner of Ruttura & Sons Construction Co. in West Babylon, N.Y., has received the American Society of Concrete Contractors Lifetime Achievement Award. A past (2003-2004) president of ASCC and its Education, Research & Development Foundation, he chaired and served on numerous Society committees. The Lifetime Achievement Award is group’s highest honor, acknowledging recipients for their body of work within the industry and their service to ASCC.

PRODUCERS – DECEMBER 2019

January 13, 2020 Concrete News

The board of AltusGroup, Inc., a collaboration of over two dozen precast concrete innovators, has announced the election of Hagen Harker, president of Mid-States Concrete Industries, South Beloit, Ill., as its chairman. He will take over the position from High Concrete Group’s Dave Schneider and serve a two-year term, ending at the organization’s 2021 meeting. Rounding out the officer slate are Harry Gleich of Metromont Corp., re-elected as treasurer, and BASF’s Jason Pitcole, secretary.

CTLGroup, PCA Cement & Concrete Campus draw familiar suitor

January 13, 2020 Concrete News

Barco Investment Group has acquired Construction Technology Laboratories, Inc. (CTLGroup), the for-profit Portland Cement Association subsidiary, along with the Skokie, Ill., campus that has served as PCA headquarters since 1968. CTLGroup began as the group’s research and development arm in 1916, and was designated an independent engineering, research, and laboratory consulting firm in 1987.

Superstorm FLASHback spotlights robust ICF home

January 13, 2020 Concrete News

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) Partnership in Tallahassee, Fla., has marked the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Sandy’s sweep through coastal New Jersey and New York with a new video, streaming at #HurricaneStrong on YouTube, featuring a storm survivor’s commitment to building her home back better and creating resilience in the face of future storms.