Sources: U.S. Concrete Inc., Houston; CRH plc, Dublin; CP staff
Effective August 22, William J. Sandbrook will become U.S. Concrete president, chief executive officer and director. He was most recently chief executive officer of Oldcastle Products and Distribution, responsible for Building Envelope, Building Products and Distribution businesses in the U.S. and Canada. He had formerly served as Oldcastle Architectural CEO and Oldcastle Materials West Division president.
Read MoreSource: The Anderson Group, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
In partnership with management and existing owners, Anderson Group has purchased the assets of Columbus, Ohio-based concrete masonry and landscape unit producer Oberfield’s LLC. Principals describe the transaction for the six-plant operator as an out-of-court restructuring of a profitable, but over-leveraged business that had limited access to necessary capital.
Read MoreSources: Shuttlelift Inc., Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; CP staff
The Shuttlelift SB 70ʼs North American concrete market debut has seen Lafarge Calgary Pipe abandon a tandem method for transferring heavier product—yard forklift coupled with rental crane—and typically complete such operations with one versus four crew members. The producerʼs new 70-ton-capacity, Single Beam gantry is equipped with a standard wireless remote control, allowing the operator to stay at a distance from the load and control the crane while visually inspecting its outside parameters.
Read MoreSources: Allegiance Capital, Dallas; CP staff
Allegiance Capital has enlisted Gemini Investors, Pine Street Capital Partners and Starboard Capital Partners in an equity investment for Jersey Precast Corp., with precast/prestressed operations in Hamilton Township, N.J., and Bethel, Pa. Their investment, terms of which were not disclosed, will help Jersey Precast grow its Northeast geographical footprint through organic measures and acquisitions, and expand its public and private construction sector presence. The producer specializes in engineering and fabrication of products and building systems for civil, commercial, marine and transportation construction markets.
Read MoreSource: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.
Uncertainty regarding highway spending legislation and government policy related to the debt crisis has caused the PCA cement consumption forecast to be downgraded from a 1.4 percent increase over 2010 figures to 0.2 percent for 2011. Additionally PCA Chief Economic Ed Sullivan’s recent forecast indicates 2012 figures will be nearly flat as well, with a downgrade of his 4.0 percent consumption increase to just 0.4 percent. According to Sullivan, the “previous forecast was based on the assumption that the new highway bill would be 20 percent higher than existing levels, but we now believe the funding will remain at current levels.”
Read MoreSource: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.
A one-hour webinar, “Floor It! Accelerating Action on Highway Reauthorization,” will take place on July 28 (11 a.m. EDT) to provide pavement market stakeholders information on how to set up facility tours and District office meetings with members of Congress during their August recess. To maintain pressure on Congress to pass a reauthorization bill before the expiration of the current extension, key message points will be discussed so that all participants are speaking in unison, which will in turn amplify the industry’s collective voice.
Read MoreSource: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.
For its 2011 Fall Convention, October 16–20, ACI will be “Bridging Theory and Practice” with 30-plus technical sessions, committee meetings, a new Career Fair for Students and Young Professionals, and a trade exhibition. Consistent with its theme, the convention will bring together industry leaders—ranging from contractors to educators—to collaborate on concrete codes, specifications and standards.
Read MoreSources: Bachmann for President Campaign, Woodbury, Minn.; CP staff
Flanked by stationary and truck-mounted Mobile Concrete Dispensers in the Cemen Tech Inc. volumetric and continuous mixer assembly area, 2012 Republican presidential primary candidate Michele Bachmann told management and staff, “It’s not government that creates lasting jobs, it’s small businesses, like [yours], that are the job creation engine of America. We have to do everything we can to strengthen small business.”
Read MoreA late-June, National Labor Relations Board-proposed rulemaking would take steps likely cutting the union representation election period from an average of 45–60 days to 10–21 days, according to Washington, D.C.-based Associated Builders & Contractors, while severely limiting an employer’s ability to effectively communicate to workers the impact of unionization.
Read MoreOfficials of Occupational Safety & Health Administration Region 5 (Chicago) have cited Schofield, Wis., concrete contractor Lewis Construction Inc. and Menomonie, Wis., general contractor Cedar Falls Building Systems for failing to adequately brace formwork while pouring a 10-in thick, 10- x 28-ft. concrete wall. The structure was part of a proposed Chippewa Falls, Wis., sand plant for Houston-based natural gas producer EOG Resources; its collapse resulted in the death of one Lewis Construction employee and injuries to three others.
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