January 2014 – Concrete Products

Concrete Industry Management Program grosses $800K+ in Las Vegas auction

January 29, 2014 Concrete News

Sources: Concrete Industry Management Program (CIM) National Steering Committee; CP staff

With confirmed live, online and silent bids totaling more than $810,000, “The CIM [National Steering Committee] program is pleased to report that the 2014 World of Concrete Auction surpassed our highest gross proceeds total (2013’s $615,000) ever,” notes Cemex’s Mike Philipps, who chaired the committee organizing the Las Vegas Convention Center-staged, January 22 fundraiser. “We had a record in terms of the value of donated items and auction attendees that helped make this year’s event a huge success … Everyone stepped up to donate and bid on great items.”

ACI reorganizes 318 code around building system members, curtails cross references

January 29, 2014 Concrete News

Source: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.

ACI is finalizing ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, announcing at World of Concrete 2014 the streamlined document’s new orientation to engineers; more intuitive flow of requirements compared to earlier versions; and, centralized construction requirements in a single chapter.

NPCA projects 6 percent growth in 2014 precast shipments

January 29, 2014 Concrete News

Source: National Precast Concrete Association, Carmel, Ind.

Based on data from its recently released Precast Industry Benchmarking Report and leading forecasters, NPCA projects U.S. producers’ shipments increasing this year to $16.8 billion from $15.9 billion in 2013, the 6 percent gain modest against higher overall construction growth in 2014.

NCMA, NRMCA mobilize response to extended OSHA silica rule comment period

January 29, 2014 Concrete News

Sources: Occupational Safety and Health Administration; National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.

OSHA is accepting comments on its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica through February 11—two weeks beyond a prior deadline for stakeholders in concrete, construction and other industry sectors to weigh in on a universal permissible exposure limit (PEL) for silica dust or powder.

Lafarge eyes $60M prairie province precast capacity upgrade

January 29, 2014 Concrete News

Source: Lafarge Canada, Inc., Calgary

Growing demand in energy, infrastructure, commercial and residential markets is driving Lafarge Canada’s planned doubling of output capability at its Edmonton precast operation, enclosure groundbreaking and equipment delivery scheduled for 2014. An investment upward of $60 million will see the addition of plant automation technology, including robotics and full-scale computer-aided design and fabrication.

TXI merger entrenches Martin Marietta in ready mixed production

January 28, 2014 Concrete News

Sources: Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., Raleigh, N.C.; CP staff

The boards of Martin Marietta and Dallas-based Texas Industries, Inc. have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which Martin Marietta will acquire all outstanding shares of TXI common stock in a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction. Based at existing Raleigh headquarters and operating under the Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. banner, the combined entity will create a market-leading supplier of aggregates and heavy building materials, with low-cost, vertically integrated aggregate and targeted cement operations. With greater geographic and product diversity and a leading distribution network, it will have uniquely positioned assets across some of the nation’s largest and fastest growing geographies.

Argos enters Florida through Vulcan concrete, cement plant deal

January 23, 2014 Concrete News

Sources: CP staff; Vulcan Materials Co., Birmingham, Ala.

Vulcan Materials has announced a definitive agreement to sell Colombia-based Cementos Argos 69 ready mixed and 13 concrete block plantsin Florida and south Georgia; a Newberry, Fla., cement mill; plus, Tampa and Port Manatee cement grinding facilities and terminals for gross cash proceeds of $720 million.

Delaware Valley, Silvi bring CNG-powered front discharge mixers to mid-Atlantic

January 22, 2014 Concrete News

Sources: Delaware Valley Concrete, Hatboro, Pa.; McNeilus Cos., Dodge Center, Minn.; CP staff

Concrete contractors in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware will begin receiving ready mixed orders in front discharge trucks operating at unusually low noise levels and with no hint of diesel combustion, thanks to adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) power in the fleets of Delaware Valley Concrete (DVC) and Silvi Group.

ACI, PCA improve messaging through new logo treatments, taglines

January 22, 2014 Concrete News

Sources: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.; Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.; CP staff

Against World of Concrete 2014’s Las Vegas Convention Center backdrop, ACI and PCA unveiled new logos and tagline treatments aimed at strengthening their messages and perceptions among target audiences in industry, government, academia and scientific communities.

Spancrete sets up shop in Georgia and Florida

January 21, 2014 Concrete News

Sources: Spancrete Group, Waukesha, Wis.; CP staff

Spancrete has announced a move into the Southeast, establishing production of namesake precast hollowcore floor plank and wall panels, plus stairs and solid slabs in existing Newnan, Ga., and Sebring, Fla., facilities. Both locations are well positioned to deliver what company officials note is the Spancrete experience—providing exceptional service, quality and innovation.