November 2016 – Page 3 – Concrete Products

Forterra floats 29 percent stake in $340 million initial public offering

November 23, 2016 Concrete News

Water and wastewater infrastructure-geared Forterra Inc., a recently established entity emanating from Forterra Building Products, raised $340 million in a mid-October initial public offering, trading under the symbol FRTA on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. In U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, the company indicated that the IPO would give new investors and principal owner Forterra US Holdings LLC, respectively, 29 percent and 71 percent stakes in a 96-plant operation with annual sales of about $1.6 billion across Drainage Pipe & Precast Products and Water Transmission Pipe & Products segments.

Cement production a blip on EPA greenhouse gas emissions radar

November 23, 2016 Concrete News

U.S. portland cement production accounts for just under 2.3 percent of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e) emissions in the Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program 2015 data, which was released last month. Modern kilns increasingly running on natural gas and other coal alternatives, coupled with limited offsetting import factors, appear to position the domestic cement industry favorably in a business often tagged as the source of about 5 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.

FHWA revisits Buy America provisions for rebar tie wire, lifting devices

November 23, 2016 Concrete News

In a mid-October Federal Register notice, the Federal Highway Administration indicated a possible one-year Buy America Act provision waiver for tie wire spools used in rebar-tying guns, and the potential for similar action on precast concrete lifting devices. The agency will weigh public comment on three points:

Stainless steel bar producers invoke antidumping duty terms

November 23, 2016 Concrete News

Through the U.S. Department of Commerce, seven domestic stainless steel bar producers have filed a request for changed circumstances reviews, arguing that Viraj Profiles and Venus Wire Industries Pvt. should be reinstated back under the existing antidumping duty order on competing product from India. Following respective 2004 and 2011 revocations from the order, they contend, Viraj Profiles and Venus Wire resumed dumping stainless steel bar products in the U.S.

Headwaters on board with Boral merger offer

November 21, 2016 Concrete News

Sources: Headwaters Inc., South Jordan, Utah; Boral Ltd., Sydney; CP staff

A binding merger agreement announced Sunday, November 20, will unite the top two U.S. fly ash marketers and precast concrete stone veneer producers. Boral Ltd. will acquire Headwaters Inc. in a cash deal with enterprise value of approximately $2.6 billion; stockholders will receive $24.25 per share, a 21 percent premium to Headwaters’ November 18 closing price.

Founding U.S. Green Building Council chief passes torch

November 21, 2016 Concrete News

Sources: U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Washington, D.C.; CP staff

The U.S. Green Building Council has completed a leadership transition with Mahesh Ramanujam succeeding President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continually develop and enhance USGBC’s capabilities and performance to ensure we deliver the future our founders envisioned—transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated so they enable a healthy and prosperous environment,” says Ramanujam, who continues as president of the Council’s LEED rating system administrator, Green Building Certification Inc. “Our work has had a tremendous impact on millions of people. USGBC is not just about buildings. It is about bold leadership to create business and community transformation while driving sustainability for all.”

Titan/STI’s Constantino first up in ASTM International Ambassadors program

November 21, 2016 Concrete News

Sources: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.; CP staff

Separation Technologies LLC Director Business Development Dr. Cesar Constantino will deliver the inaugural presentation under a new program linking North America-based ASTM members with overseas peers aiming to apply Society standards to strengthen their practices and industries.

OSHA issues final rule on walking-working surfaces, new personal fall protection

November 21, 2016 Concrete News

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

A final rule updating OSHA general industry Walking-Working Surfaces standards specific to slip, trip and fall hazards includes a new Personal Protective Equipment section establishing employer requirements for fall protection systems.

RPM consolidates building, construction materials under Euclid umbrella

November 21, 2016 Concrete News

Sources: Euclid Group, Cleveland; CP staff

With an eye to global construction, structural and civil engineering markets, Euclid Chemical parent RPM International has formed Euclid Group, encompassing the namesake concrete admixture and materials business, plus sister subsidiaries, operating companies or brands Eucomex, Toxement, Cave, Viapol, Flowcrete, RPM Belgium and Vandex.

GCC closes on Cemex operations in west Texas, New Mexico

November 21, 2016 Concrete News

Sources: Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico; CP staff

GCC has expanded its North Central and Mountain Region market footprint in the U.S., acquiring Cemex’s Odessa cement plant plus Amarillo and El Paso terminals, all Texas; and, a construction materials business serving El Paso and Las Cruces, N.M., through eight ready mixed, six aggregate and five asphalt plants, plus five distribution centers. The properties increase GCC’s total headcount to nearly 3,500, and continue in a “business as usual” mode under their new owner.