Cemex Ventures opens funding candidate competition

Sources: Cemex S.A.B. de C.V., Monterrey, Mexico; CP staff

“Apply. Grow. Make Your Mark” is the theme of Cemex Ventures’ Construction Startup Competition 2019. Open to applications and proposals through April 21, it targets entrepreneurs and entities whose business plans or vision align with these areas of opportunity: Intelligent buildings and cities; Supply chain management; Construction with innovative materials and methods; and, Optimization of the productivity, efficiency, and quality of daily work site management.

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Carmeuse tests vertical integration in Yager Materials deal

Sources: Carmeuse Lime & Stone, Pittsburgh; CP staff

Carmeuse Lime & Stone has acquired Owensboro, Ky.-based Yager Materials, whose operations span a Meade County quarry; an Ohio River sand & gravel dredging business; three aggregate yards; four ready mixed concrete and two asphalt plants; liquid asphalt terminal; grade and drain division; plus, marine barge construction and repair division.

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Metal building giant NCI seals $187M Environmental StoneWorks deal

Sources: NCI Building Systems Inc., Cary, N.C.; CP staff

The largest manufacturer of pre-engineered metal building systems and components is extending its cladding portfolio deeper into precast concrete stone veneer. Through its Ply Gem Stone business, NCI Building Systems has closed on Environmental Materials LLC, the Denver-based entity behind the Environmental StoneWorks brand, in a transaction valued at $187 million.

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Ward to succeed Europe-bound Lehigh Hanson CEO Morrish

Sources: HeidelbergCement AG, Germany; CP staff

A HeidelbergCement Managing Board succession plan will see an early-2020 C suite shift for the North American and European businesses: Jon Morrish, chief executive officer of Texas-based Lehigh Hanson Inc., will head Western and Southern Europe cement, aggregate and concrete operations; successor Chris Ward will transition from his post as Canada Region president. A U.K. native who joined Hanson Plc in 1999, Morrish led the Lehigh Hanson South Region ahead of taking the helm in 2015. Ward has progressed in various management roles since joining Hanson Building Materials America in 1996.

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Universal Concrete settles False Claims Act case with feds

Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia and U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria; CP staff

Universal Concrete Products Corp. and Donald Faust, Jr., president and co-owner, have agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations that the Stowe, Pa., producer oversaw submission of falsified precast panel mix test records under a Dulles Metrorail Project Phase II, or Silver Line Extension, contract in northern Virginia. 

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CIM Auction metrics confirm new NRMCA chief’s track record

Sources: CP staff; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Board-appointed search committee viewed Michael Philipps as the clear choice to replace President Robert Garbini early next month. In addition to tours of duty with key producer and associate members, Cemex USA and (pre-GCP) W.R. Grace/Performance Chemicals Division, his stewardship of a project close to NRMCA supports the committee’s position.

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Panel finds concrete pavements equal to coming decades’ demands

Sources: American Concrete Pavement Association, Rosemont, Ill.; CP staff

The American Concrete Pavement Association’s 16-page treatise, “VISION2040: The Future of Concrete Pavement Imagined,” provides a glimpse of transportation policy, planning and project execution over the next 20 years; describes anticipated agency or project owner needs; forecasts how rigid pavements will serve various functions; explains how the association and allies will shape the future; and, indicates the great potential for infrastructure safety, performance and value if stakeholders invest and collaborate effectively along the way. 

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Bidders raise CIM Auction proceeds to new seven-figure watermark

Sources: Concrete Industry Management program patrons; CP staff

The National Steering Committee for the Concrete Industry Management program cites $1.2 million in gross revenue for its 12th annual auction, staged during World of Concrete 2019 in Las Vegas. “[It’s] our best ever … a tremendous success, both in terms of the value of donated items and number of attendees,” says CIM Auction Committee Chairman Mike Philipps (Sandler Training).

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Cemex sales veteran Philipps to replace NRMCA chief Garbini

Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.; CP staff

The NRMCA Board has appointed Michael Philipps as successor to Robert Garbini, who will retire as staff president at the conclusion of the association’s 2019 convention, March 5-7 in Tampa. Philipps will arrive with 30-plus years in concrete and construction, most recently serving as vice president of Business Development, Construction Materials, for Sandler Training. He previously held vice president-level sales development, management or executive positions with Cemex USA and W.R. Grace & Co.’s Grace Performance Chemicals Division.

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