The National Precast Concrete Association noted the early-June passing of founding member Douglas Hoskin, a professional engineer and former president of Ontario-based Unit Step Woodstock. He joined a group of producers and suppliers to form NPCA in 1965, serving in variety of capacities with the association, including chairman (1973).
Read MoreASCC’s Decorative Concrete Council is accepting entries for the seventh annual Decorative Concrete Awards through September 30. Presented in partnership with Concrete Construction and Architect magazines and open to DCC members or non-members, the competition spans overlay, cast-in-place–stamped and special finish, stained, polished, countertop, vertical application, concrete artistry, and architectural concrete categories.
Read MoreAssociated Builders & Contractors’ 19,300-sq.-ft. national headquarters in Washington, D.C., is one of the first buildings to be certified under Green Globes for Sustainable Interiors, a program available to owners or individual commercial space tenants from the Green Building Initiative (GBI), Portland, Ore.
Read MoreA proposed ASTM International standard will provide a test method for properties of fresh roller compacted concrete, its development coinciding with the increasing specification of RCC for highway road base, streets, roads, parking lots and heavy industrial pavements.
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A publication that the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association is releasing this month discusses concrete quality measurement, along with tangible and intangible benefits attributable to improved product quality. Co-published with CRC Press, Improving Concrete Quality shows ready mixed company executives and managers how to boost operational performance; reduce labor and material costs; and, lower the environmental footprint of concrete while raising the overall quality of concrete construction.
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Adam Mainka has been promoted to director of Plant Operations at Heldenfels Enterprises Inc. (HEI), overseeing all production activities at the company’s San Marcos and Corpus Christi, Texas, sites, with combined payroll of 225. He joined the producer in 2009 as a quality control technician and was subsequently promoted during his first two years, to QC supervisor, then QC manager, combining the latter post with San Marcos plant manager duties. Mainka holds Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Level III certification, co-chairs the PCI Productivity Committee and is 2014 Leadership PCI Program Committee chair.
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The iconic Prahran Hotel, a corner pub located outside of Melbourne, Australia, was renovated last year to include an eye-catching art deco façade created from 17 oversized stacked concrete pipes. The 2.5- to 7.4-ton precast pipes were provided by Humes, a division of Holcim Austraila.
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When Clackamas, Ore.-based Marks Metal Technology received an inquiry about a form that would mold a giant concrete water bottle, Steve Tuttle of the company’s concrete division initially believed it was an impossible project. However, after some reflection he realized it was not only possible but would be more efficient to produce if it was created “as if it were a series of machined joint rings, stacked one on top of the other.”
Read MoreBacked by Toronto private equity operator Banyan Capital Partners, Pennecon Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Larry Puddister has led a management team buyout of the company’s ready mixed, precast and concrete block & paver business—serving markets in the far eastern reaches of North America.
Read MoreLeaders in the newly elected Quebec government have confirmed the major financial commitment—$100 million equity stake plus $250 million in senior debt—the predecessor administration announced earlier this year for the $1.1 billion McInnis Cement plant and marine terminal in Port-Daniel-Gascons.
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