February 13, 2017 – Concrete Products

NRMCA, Pumping group continue ConcreteWorks, Education Conference plan

February 13, 2017 Concrete News

Sources: American Concrete Pumping Association, Lewis Center, Ohio; CP staff

The American Concrete Pumping Association and National Ready Mixed Concrete Association will once again co-locate their fall gatherings, ACPA Building the Momentum Education Conference and ConcreteWorks. Following the record attendance and momentum from the first such joint effort—September 2016 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville—they will convene October 2-3 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

Global labor groups bring LafargeHolcim to the table

February 13, 2017 Concrete News

Sources: IndusriALL Global Union, Building and Wood Workers International, Geneva; CP staff

IndustriALL Global Union and Building and Wood Workers International officials cite progress toward a Global Framework Agreement with Swiss neighbor LafargeHolcim Ltd., whose sprawling cement, ready mixed concrete and aggregate operations encompass hundreds of prospective bargaining units across the world.

Commission weighs antidumping duty order on cement imports from Japan

February 13, 2017 Concrete News

Sources: U.S. International Trade Commission; CP staff

The International Trade Commission will expedite a five-year review concerning an antidumping duty order on Gray Portland Cement and Clinker from Japan dating to 1991. The review will be conducted to determine whether revocation of the order would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to domestic cement producers within a reasonably foreseeable time.

Construction spending increase outpaces cement shipment gains

February 13, 2017 Concrete News

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; CP staff

The U.S. Census Bureau calculates the value of 2016 construction at $1.16 trillion, about 4.5 percent above the prior year’s $1.11 trillion total. The growth rate in spending eclipsed another principal metric: cement consumption, which Portland Cement Association pegged at 2.7 percent higher last year than in 2015. The variance reflects flat or lagging infrastructure project activity, where cement and concrete represent a higher slice of each dollar when compared to buildings.

Concrete alliance underscores infrastructure aims in Capitol Hill briefing

February 13, 2017 Concrete News

Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

The North American Concrete Alliance (NACA), representing 11 materials, product and contractor groups, outlined top industry priorities and policy positions for Congressional Cement Caucus members during an early-February briefing in Washington, D.C., contending:

Berks Products assets bridge New Enterprise’s eastern Pennsylvania arc

February 13, 2017 Concrete News

Sources: New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc., New Enterprise, Pa.; CP staff

In transactions totaling $46.3 million, New Enterprise Stone & Lime has acquired the assets of eastern Pennsylvania operators Berks Products Corp., Reading, and EJB Paving & Materials, West Lawn. Berks’ four ready mixed and two aggregate plants plus a construction supply center, and two EJB asphalt plants, serve markets west and north of Philadelphia.