February 2012 – Concrete Products

Florida Antitrust parties settle prior to appellate court action

February 28, 2012 Concrete News

Sources: United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, Atlanta; CP staff

By Don Marsh

After nearly 30 months, plaintiffs and defendants appear to have closed a case alleging a price-fixing and market allocation conspiracy among four Sunshine State producers with integrated cement and ready mixed operations. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals filings throughout February cite a settlement of undisclosed terms; they culminated in an order granting plaintiffs’ withdrawal of a petition that could have continued proceedings.

Romney’s labor policy positions ‘merit’ Associated Builders nod

February 27, 2012 Concrete News

Sources: Associated Builders and Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

In perhaps the first such move this campaign season by a major national construction group, ABC has endorsed Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

NRMCA webinar covers draft Environmental Product Declaration standard for concrete

February 27, 2012 Concrete News

Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.

A free, one-hour webinar NRMCA is presenting at 3 p.m. (EST) March 1 and 15 will examine “Product Category Rules for ISO 14025 Type III Environmental Product Declarations for Concrete,” a draft download of which is open to comment through the end of the month.

NPCA Plant Certification shifts to new Quality Control Manual criteria

February 27, 2012 Concrete News

Source: National Precast Concrete Association, Carmel, Ind.

Effective March 1, the NPCA Quality Assurance Committee is applying the 9th Edition of the Quality Control Manual for Precast and Prestressed Concrete Plants to producers seeking or renewing plant certification. Available for free download, the manual is the baseline reference for a plant certification program now required by 34 state departments of transportation.

Besser S140 Big Board Splitter maximizes versatility

February 23, 2012 CP Staff

Besser Co. introduced the S140 Big Board Splitter in 2008; the first was installed by Brampton Brick in July. Nearly four years later, Brampton Vice President of Manufacturing George Housh reports that the S140 was a solid addition to the production line, noting especially the 52-in. splitter’s performance. “The S140 has increased the production rate around 50 percent,” he affirms.

CIM auction proceeds eclipse prior record by $50K

February 23, 2012 CP Staff

Staged at the Las Vegas Convention Center on World of Concrete 2012 day two, the seventh annual auction benefitting Concrete Industry Management programs at five universities grossed $617,750.

Feds circle Martin Marietta, Vulcan market overlaps

February 23, 2012 CP Staff

In response to a potential Martin Marietta Materials–Vulcan Materials Co. merger the former company proposed in a late-2011, stock-for-stock exchange offer, the Department of Justice Antitrust Division has requested Vulcan provide ready mixed, aggregate and asphalt delivery detail from certain operations in 15 states. Vulcan noted in a Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) filing last month it had received from Justice officials a Civil Investigative Demand and request for additional information and documentary.

ASTM subcommittee eyes RCC specimen testing standard

February 23, 2012 CP Staff

As concrete producers, promotion groups and contractors advance roller-compacted concrete as an alternative to asphalt pavements, a key specimen-testing standard is taking shape under ASTM Subcommittee C09.45 on Roller-Compacted Concrete, part of Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates.

Hanson Hardscapes helps Palmetto Bay project pace LEED Platinum

February 23, 2012 CP Staff

Hanson Hardscapes provided more than 40,000 sq. ft. of AquaPave permeable pavers for the three major spaces—civic green, Bismarkia palm court and entrance plaza—that create the public realm around the new Village of Palmetto Bay City Hall project, housing the police station, building department, municipal offices and council chambers. The AquaPave on-site stormwater management system supports the Florida town’s commitment to sustainability through its capacity to harvest stormwater for re-use.

Texas town ordinance puts masonry front and center

February 23, 2012 CP Staff

Following the lead of peers in cities across the Lone Star State, officials in the Houston-bordering town of Bellaire have determined that clay, natural stone or glass block masonry will be a predominant exterior building material.