March 2019 – Page 3 – Concrete Products

FMCSA moves to ease path from CDL Class B to Class A

March 7, 2019 Concrete News

Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

FMCSA indicates in a Federal Register notice its intention to amend entry-level driver training (ELDT) terms from a December 2016 final rule, “Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators,” by adopting a new Class A CDL theory instruction upgrade curriculum. “The agency believes this modest change for Class B CDL holders upgrading to a Class A CDL maintains the same level of safety established by the ELDT final rule,” FMCSA notes, adding that the “regulatory burden reduction will result in annual cost savings of $18 million.”

LafargeHolcim adds Texas’ Colorado River Concrete

March 7, 2019 Concrete News

Sources: LafargeHolcim U.S. ACM, Chicago; CP staff

LafargeHolcim has closed on its second U.S. deal of 2019, acquiring Fort Worth, Texas-based Colorado River Concrete. Founded in 1987, the ready mixed producer serves customers from the southwestern Dallas/Fort Worth area into parts of west Texas. It joins a LafargeHolcim region anchored by Tarrant Concrete in Fort Worth and Lattimore Materials in northern Dallas, plus the Holcim Midlothian cement plant south of the Metroplex.

NCMA Young Professionals compel new branding, logo, messaging

March 6, 2019 Concrete News

Sources: National Concrete Masonry Association, Herdon, Va.; CP staff

The just-launched www.ncma.org site exhibits an evolved NCMA brand identity, with new logos, colors and core messaging. A rebranding effort announced at the association’s 2019 convention in Orlando was facilitated by the NCMA Young Professionals Group. Born over the course of several YPG meetings and gatherings, it centered on the belief that a new brand identity, coupled with a revamped and user-friendly website, will allow the association to communicate better with all audiences, from concrete masonry producers and sales personnel to architects and designers.

Slag cement shipments climb at double-digit pace in 2018

March 6, 2019 Concrete News

Sources: Slag Cement Association, Farmington Hills, Mich.; CP staff

Slag Cement Association members report an 11 percent year-over-year increase in 2018 shipments, to 3.45 million metric tons. “Those of us in the concrete industry have long known that the use of slag cement increases the strength and durability of concrete at a reduced environmental impact,” notes SCA President Ed Griffith. Last year’s slag cement volume, up from 3.11 million mt in 2017, he adds, “represents the strength of our economy and increased understanding of the benefits of slag cement in the design, specification, and construction communities.”

Eagle Materials completes succession plan as Haack replaces CEO Powers

March 6, 2019 Concrete News

Sources: Eagle Materials Inc., Dallas, Texas; CP staff

Eagle Materials President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Haack will succeed Chief Executive Officer Dave Powers, who will retire July 1 but remain on the board of directors. The move culminates a multiyear succession plan and set of transition preparedness steps the board undertook over the last four years.

Viesko Redi-Mix joins Knife River Northwest portfolio

March 4, 2019 Concrete News

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

MDU subsidiary Knife River Corp. has acquired Oregon’s Viesko Redi-Mix, Inc., which operates Wheatland (headquarters), McMinnville and Woodburn ready mixed plants plus an aggregate site in Keizer. The acquisition complements Knife River’s existing Oregon operations and provides expansion into the growing north Willamette Valley and Portland metro markets. Viesko RM’s 60 team members join the Knife River Northwest Region, which last year added the operations of Molalla Redi-Mix and Rock Products Inc. and Teevin & Fischer Quarry LLC.