While not alleging collusion or other illegal behavior, the British counterpart agency to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice Antitrust Division is considering steps to increase competition among three major, integrated producers following an inquiry of the U.K. portland cement, GGBF slag cement, aggregate and ready mixed concrete supply chain.
Read MoreMonth: June 2013
Chandler Concrete fleet chief shows lawmakers new hours of service rule pitfalls
Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.; U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; CP staff
First-year compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration commercial drivers’ hours of service (HOS) rules effective July 1 will cost the ready mixed concrete industry upwards of $270 million in lost driver productivity, wasted fuel and unplanned capital expenditures. Barring federal court action, the agency is set to require drivers to take a 30-minute break after most eight consecutive hour periods, and limit use of the current 34-hour restart provision to once a week covering “at least two periods between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.”
Read MoreRobert D. Rogers, 1936–2013; 43 years in TXI executive ranks
Sources: Dallas Morning News; Texas Industries Inc., Dallas; CP staff
An early vertical integration driver and one of the most seasoned executives in concrete, cement and aggregates, TXI Chairman Robert David Rogers died June 11 in Dallas, a day after his 77th birthday.
Read MoreManagement consultant FMI draws best practices for incentive plans
Source: FMI, Raleigh, N.C.
An FMI survey of 224 construction industry executives reveals widespread adoption of incentive compensation (88 percent of respondents), but limited (21 percent) acknowledgement that plans are working “very effectively.”
Read MoreOldcastle Architectural’s Northfield Block injects CO2 into curing regimen
Source: CarbonCure Technologies Inc., Halifax, N.S.
The Oldcastle Architectural Products Group business serving the largest Midwest market will add a carbon dioxide-sequestering process to concrete masonry curing at its three-machine plant in Morris, Ill., located about 40 miles west of Chicago.
Read MoreAccreditation underscores paver installers’ craftsmanship, modus operandi
Source: Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), Herndon, Va.
ICPI’s new Accredited Paver Installation Company (APIC) program recognizes companies that meet best installation practices and offers opportunities to promote adherence to industry-established building guidelines.
Read MoreJumbo furnace equips lab for ASTM, UL, NFPA fire test methods
Source: Architectural Testing Inc. (ATI), York, Pa.
A new 12- x 14-ft. Large Scale Vertical Furnace expands ATI capabilities to ASTM E 119 – Standard Test Method for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials; NFPA 251 – Standard Methods of Tests of Fire Resistance of Building Construction and Materials; and, UL 263 – Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials.
Read MoreACI Foundation opens fellowship, scholarship program
Source: ACI Foundation, Farmington Hills, Mich.
The ACI Foundation, a wholly-owned and non-profit subsidiary of the American Concrete Institute, announced the opening of its student Fellowship and Scholarship program for the 2014-2015 academic year through Oct. 15, 2013.
Read MoreMidwest Block’s Wilhelms talks housing market, masonry check-off on Capitol Hill
Sources: National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.; U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee; CP staff
Testifying on behalf of NCMA at a U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade hearing, Mark Wilhelms of Jefferson City, Mo.-based Midwest Block & Brick Inc., reminded federal lawmakers of the importance of a healthy housing market on employment levels and gross domestic product, and requested their support of the recently introduced (HR 1563) Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2013.
Read MoreCTLGroup names Tonyan interim chief
Source: CTLGroup, Skokie, Ill.
Following the resignation of Jeffrey Garrett, Ph.D, S.E., president and CEO since 2007, CTLGroup has appointed Timothy Tonyan, Ph.D, his successor on an interim basis. Dr. Tonyan joined the testing, consulting and engineering firm in 2009 as principal material scientist and was promoted in 2010 to Materials Consulting Group vice president and manager. He also leads the Energy & Resources Practice Group, providing strategic direction, marketing and project management for major nuclear industry contracts.
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