July 2018 – Page 4 – Concrete Products

Vulcan, Martin Marietta, Oldcastle top USGS crushed stone ranking

July 23, 2018 Concrete News

Sources: U.S. Geological Survey; Rock Products

The top 20 crushed stone producers accounted for 743 million metric tons, or 55 percent of the 2016 U.S. output, according to a report USGS Commodity Specialist Jason Willet prepared from the most current shipment data available. He also finds that the top 100 operators’ limestone and granite production totaled 1.02 billion mt, or 75 percent of industry shipments, in 2016. The 294 leading companies in his survey, representing 20 percent of operators tracked, were responsible for 1.21 billion mt or 89 percent of output.

Trump initiative supports training of 500,000 construction workers

July 20, 2018 Concrete News

Source: Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.

Associated Builders and Contractors is among 20-plus charter signatories to “Pledge to America’s Workers,” supporting a White House initiative, National Council for the American Worker, that President Donald Trump created by Executive Order. The Council is charged with developing a strategy for training and retraining workers across high demand industries, and will convene public, private, education, labor, and not-for-profit sector representatives.

ACI launches decorative flatwork certifications

July 19, 2018 Concrete News

Sources: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.; CP staff

The newest ACI certification program offerings are Decorative Concrete Flatwork Finisher and Decorative Concrete Flatwork Associate. Each requires candidates to complete a written exam and maintain appropriate ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher or Technician certification. Finisher candidates also need 1,500 hours of work experience.

ASTM C15 pens standard for alternative material-molded masonry units

July 18, 2018 Concrete News

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

ASTM Committee C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units will soon publish C1825, providing guidelines for block and brick made from materials not currently addressed by existing Society standards. The new standard responds to unit masonry producers’ move to look beyond concrete, clay, shale, sand-lime and calcium silicates for alternative materials.

Escalating material prices, interest rates cloud 2020 market

July 17, 2018 Concrete News

Source: Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.

ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu tells members in his mid-year outlook that the nonresidential construction sector will remain stable for the second half of 2018, yet warns of a potential economic downturn in 2020, owing to a rapid rise in interest rates and materials prices.

Knife River expands Oregon footprint in Molalla RM deal

July 17, 2018 Concrete News

Sources: MDU Resources Group, Inc., Bismarck, N.D.; CP staff

MDU Resources has acquired the operations of Molalla Redi-Mix & Rock Products, Inc., a concrete producer in Molalla, Ore., south of Portland. The business joins the Portland Metro office of MDU’s construction materials subsidiary, Knife River Corp., extending its reach in a growing market between Portland and Salem.

NRMCA call for entries: Safety, Environmental Excellence Awards

July 16, 2018 Concrete News

Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.

NRMCA is accepting through July 27 nominations for the second annual Safety Award, acknowledging the contribution of safety-driven work practices to individual producer and industry success. The award is presented to an individual, company or organization whose actions—demonstrated in single incident or long-term commitment—represent the highest in the advancement of safety for ready mixed concrete production and delivery.

Solomon Colors’ Game of Stones challenges flatwork, surface teams

July 16, 2018 Concrete News

Sources: Solomon Colors, Springfield, Ill.; CP staff

Solomon Colors is registering three- to six-person teams through August 1 for “Game of Stones,” a flatwork or vertical surface finishing competition during its 2018 Decorative Concrete Fair, August 21-23 in Springfield, Ill.

Lehigh earmarks $600M for Indiana mill modernization, rail upgrade

July 13, 2018 Concrete News

Sources: Lehigh Hanson Inc., Irving, Texas; CP staff

Lehigh Hanson’s most ambitious undertaking to date entails a four-year, $600 million-plus modernization and expansion of the Lehigh Cement Co. Mitchell plant, aimed at increasing capacity from present 662,038 metric-ton-per-year level; lowering energy usage and emissions per ton of finished cement; and, continuing to leverage the southern Indiana site’s limestone riches.

ICC-ES resumes site-specific product, material testing

July 12, 2018 Concrete News

Sources: ICC Evaluation Service, Brea, Calif.; CP staff

The International Code Council-aligned ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) is reinstating its Building Department Service, which assists code officials in determining material, product or system suitability for specific project sites. ICC-ES technical staff evaluate a wide range of products, including fire-resistive assemblies, sandwich panels, classified roof coverings, and wall-covering systems.