Source: Forta Corp., Grove City, Pa.
In conjunction with recently acquired VM Fiber Feeder Inc. assets, Forta will build out synthetic fiber concrete reinforcement offerings to include a patented fiber dispenser line. VM Fiber Feeder was established in 2003 with a goal of producing cost-effective and user-friendly fiber feeders and fiber for the volumetric concrete market. It quickly expanded with additional dispensers for synthetic fiber dispersion in concrete and asphalt production.
Read MoreSources: National Precast Concrete Association, Carmel, Ind.; CP staff
Following a rigorous review and documentation process, Arcom has elected to include NPCA Plant Certification in precast related content of the MasterSpec program, which the Salt Lake City firm operates for the American Institute of Architects. Architects and engineers use MasterSpec to create construction specifications and choose from prequalified certification programs; the change in precast concrete content will push NPCA certification into more contract documents.
Read MoreSource: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.
After working with the Concrete Reinforcement Steel Institute since 2011 as a founding cosponsor, ACI is exclusively overseeing Adhesive Anchor Installer (AAI) certification. Developed in response to a National Transportation Safety Board request following a Boston Central Artery/Tunnel precast panel anchor failure, the certification program is now available in 40-plus locations.
Read MoreSources: Main Street Capital Corp., Houston; CP staff
Main Street Capital has announced an $18.6 million outlay combining first-lien, senior secured term debt and direct equity investment in Berlin, N.J.-based Boccella Precast LLC, a structural concrete products operator serving metropolitan New York, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets. The firm partnered with Ashland Capital Partners, Chicago, and Boccella management on the transaction.
Read MoreSources: Ozinga Ready Mix, Inc., Mokena, Ill.; CP staff
Continuing a Great Lakes market expansion north and east of its Chicago base, Ozinga RMC has closed on Indiana’s Eagle Ready-Mix, characterizing the family owned operator as rich in values and principles—and a perfect fit with its culture. The producer’s Goshen and Elkhardt sites join their new owner’s 11-plant business serving north central Indiana and southwest Michigan.
Read MoreSources: Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill.; CP staff
A memorandum of understanding positions Caterpillar and Australia-based Fastbrick Robotics to collaborate on development, manufacturing, sales and servicing of the latter company’s bricklaying technology. Effective for 12 months, it will see Caterpillar take a $2 million stake in Fastbrick Robotics, potentially followed by an additional $8 million investment.
Read MoreSources: Gage Brothers, Sioux Falls, S.D.; CP staff
Gage Bros. is targeting a 2019 opening for an advanced, 210,000-sq.-ft. headquarters operation in Sioux Falls, where it was founded in 1915 and presently has precast/prestressed concrete production spread across 16 buildings on 30 acres.
Read MoreSources: Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio; CP staff
Owens Corning Infrastructure Solutions has acquired Aslan FRP, the concrete reinforcement business of Nebraska-based Hughes Brothers, Inc. Aslan produces and markets glass and carbon FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) products, also known as composite rebar, used to reinforce concrete in new or retrofit projects.
Read MoreSources: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.; CP staff
The new ASTM C1856/C1856M–17 Standard Practice for Fabricating and Testing Specimens of Ultra-High Performance Concrete covers requisite procedures for a material increasingly specified in bridge deck closures, thin-section architectural precast concrete elements, and high-end, decorative furnishings or components.
Read MoreSources: Charah LLC, Louisville, Ky.
Charah will step up Class F fly ash supply capabilities to Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky concrete and cement producers through an exclusive agreement to market coal combustion products (CCP) from the Hoosier Energy Merom Generating Station in western Indiana. The contract is the latest a series supporting the company’s MultiSource terminal and processing site network.
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