Results from the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Workforce Development Committee’s 2018 Mixer Driver Recruitment and Retention Survey confirm increased pressure on ready mixed producers to maintain a healthy concrete delivery professional pool. The survey indicates that the industry’s driver ranks dropped 3 percent between January and December 2017, while 48 percent of respondents reported lost business because they did not have drivers to deliver orders—up 12 percent from last year’s survey.
Read MoreMonth: November 2018
100,000th McNeilus mixer bound for CalPortland’s Glacier Northwest fleet
A milestone, technology-laden Bridgemaster that McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing Co. displayed at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s ConcreteWorks conference outside Washington, D.C., has been dispatched to Washington State, joining the fleet of the CalPortland Co. Glacier Northwest business.
Read MoreCemex Arizona ace takes National Mixer Driver Championship
A delivery professional based at the Cemex plant in Marana, Ariz., Thomas Comeau won the 2018 National Mixer Truck Driver Championship, staged during the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association ConcreteWorks fall conference in National Harbor, Md. He received a $5,000 check from the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau, NRMCA affiliate, after prevailing among a field of 80 peers who negotiated an eight-station driving course; six-point vehicle inspection, operating or related skills challenge; and, written exam.
Read MoreCouncil grades states on energy efficiency through building, vehicle metrics
As the federal government loosens environmental rules, states are investing more in energy efficiency and delivering increased power savings. Based on 32 metrics in six areas, including building and vehicle performance, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) 12th annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard cites leaders California and Massachusetts; laggards North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming; and, states with the highest year-over-year improvements, notably New Jersey.
Read MoreConcrete Masonry Act opens door to checkoff referendum in 2019
The Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education and Promotion Act, authorizing concrete block and brick stakeholders to pursue an industry-wide referendum on a national commodity checkoff program, was signed into law last month as part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018. If modeled after other national programs, a concrete masonry unit checkoff could entail collection of one or more cents per building block or brick sold, with a producer-contractor board allocating funds to research, education and promotion activities—all under federal agency oversight.
Read MoreSafety incentives: Legal and logical
Up against this month’s deadline, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association logged a productive week in Washington, D.C., led by Chairman Rodney Grogan (MMC Materials), Vice Chairman Bill Sandbrook (U.S. Concrete) and Safety, Environmental and Operations Committee Chairman David Williams’ (Chaney Enterprises) participation in a Pledge to America’s Workers event at the White House.
Read MoreGlen-Gery ushers Australia’s Brickworks into North America
Sources: Glen-Gery Corp., Wyomissing, Pa.; CP staff
A major player in U.S. brick production and distribution is set to change hands by year’s end as its parent company focuses on core United Kingdom markets. Ibstock plc of Leicestershire, England, has entered into an agreement to sell Glen-Gery Corp. to Brickworks Ltd. of New South Wales, Australia, for $110 million.
Read MoreOldcastle Infrastructure builds on a charter platform via Valley Precast
Sources: Oldcastle Infrastructure, Atlanta; CP staff
Oldcastle Infrastructure has acquired Caldwell, Idaho-based Valley Precast Inc., which produces underground concrete structures for environmental and energy applications. The deal positions Oldcastle Infrastructure, Nampa—located in close proximity to Valley Precast and the capital city of Boise—as Idaho water management market leader, while expanding its energy products stake and marking the producer’s on-site wastewater segment entry.
Read MoreSunroc extends Utah portfolio in Tri-County Concrete asset deal
Sources: Clyde Cos., St. George, Utah; CP staff
Clyde Companies’ flagship aggregates, ready mixed, masonry and construction services business, Sunroc Corp., has expanded its Northern Utah region, acquiring the assets of Tri-County Concrete. Based in Roosevelt, east of Salt Lake City, Tri-County supplies construction aggregates and ready-mixed concrete to municipalities, contractors and do-it-yourself project customers in Utah’s Duchesne, Uintah and Daggett counties. Employees will continue in their current positions with Sunroc, led by Operations Manager Clint Gardner.
Read MoreArcosa quickly taps charter, $400M credit facility for ACG deal
Sources: Arcosa Inc., Dallas; CP staff
Two weeks after spinoff from Trinity Industries Inc. and New York Stock Exchange listing, conventional and lightweight aggregate producer Arcosa has entered a definitive agreement with an H.I.G. Capital LLC affiliate to acquire ACG Materials for $315 million.
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