PRODUCERS – July 2014


Dan Visel
Adam Mainka Dan Visel

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.

Separately, Dan Visel has joined HEI as vice president, initially focusing on opportunities for continuous improvement and revenue growth across all functional areas. He brings an in-depth background in manufacturing, having advised Fortune 500 companies and building products suppliers as a senior manager with USC Consulting Group. He most recently served as chief operating officer of Top Tier Rides, LLC, an Austin-based startup venture.

In a late-spring gathering at Birdlife Europe’s Brussels headquarters, European Union Environmental Commissioner Janez Potolnik and Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. representatives issued a joint statement supporting the EU’s Nature Conservation Policy. It emphasizes that the EU’s solid legal frameworks for nature conservation, starting from its Birds and Habitats Directives, are good for the planet and business.

The statement also a) recognizes the importance of EU nature legislation in establishing a continent-wide level playing field, as well as in helping companies improve their environmental performance; b) acknowledges the positive role leading businesses can play in preservation and management of Natura 2000 sites and biodiversity conservation; and, c) calls for strengthening strategic land planning and public consultation procedures, while requesting the EU and member states enact sweeping public procurement policies.

“Effective protection and management of Natura 2000 areas is key for halting and reversing biodiversity loss in the EU. This can only be done with the active engagement not only of conservationists but also of people and businesses present on the areas,” said Commissioner Potolnik. “I warmly welcome the joint statement and partnership of Cemex and BirdLife on the EU Nature directives and Natura 2000 as an excellent example that economic growth can go hand-in-hand with the need to protect and restore our valuable natural heritage.”

“Enlightened regulation drives industry innovation, and innovation drives everything at Cemex. Global partnership with BirdLife enhances our ability to effectively and sensitively manage biodiversity, while proactively responding to regulatory needs through our relationships with BirdLife’s network of international partners,” added Cemex Northern Europe President Ignacio Madridejos.

“The EU provides world-class legislation for the protection of biodiversity. It offers what nature and industry need: a long-term perspective, clear rules that are respected by all, and science-driven implementation,” noted Birdlife Regional Director Angelo Caserta, closing out the signing ceremony. “[This] statement is a significant milestone for the global partnership between Cemex and BirdLife International, adding an important policy dimension to the extensive work carried out on the ground.”

Brick and block giant General Shale has received the Supplier of the Year award from Ryland Homes–Indianapolis Division. The award was presented to the sales team from General Shale’s Carmel, Ind., retail location.

“Our high-quality masonry products provide a variety of outstanding options and lasting value for residential and commercial builders and customers, and we look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with Ryland Homes to deliver superior services for their construction needs,” says General Shale CEO Charles Smith.

Johnson City, Tenn.-based General Shale is the North American subsidiary of Wienerberger AG, Austria, and a leading producer of clay and concrete brick, concrete masonry and cast stone. This is the second consecutive year General Shale has received the award, which recognizes outstanding quality and service provided for the nearly 600 projects Ryland Homes built in the Indianapolis market during 2013. Nationwide, Ryland Homes logged 300,000 unit starts last year in 21 states, and was named Builder Magazine’s Fastest-Growing Public Homebuilder.