PRODUCERS – APRIL 2019

Oldcastle Infrastructure, Atlanta, has grown a market footprint established through one of its inaugural businesses, Utility Vault, by acquiring Quality Concrete Products of Mukilteo, Wash. The producer serves the greater Seattle market with manhole, catch basin and companion drainage structure offerings. They complement output from Oldcastle Infrastructure plants in Auburn and Spokane, Wash., and expand a customer base in the Puget Sound region, a key growth area.

“With more than 30 years’ manufacturing experience, Quality Concrete Products enhances our scope and competency in the water infrastructure market. We look forward to having Mike Haug of Quality Concrete join our team and continue to lead the operations in Mukilteo,” notes Oldcastle Infrastructure Pacific Northwest Area General Manager Rick Jones.

MDU Resources Inc. 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.

“As we continue to grow our business, we are looking for companies like Viesko: Well-run operations in growing markets where we have familiarity,” says Knife River CEO David Barney. “We have a lot of experience in Oregon, and we’re excited to further expand our footprint.”

LafargeHolcim, Chicago, has closed its second U.S. acquisition of 2019: 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.

To improve efficiencies and collaboration across its Southeast and South Central precast/prestressed concrete operations, Gate Precast Co. has consolidated four business units under a Northern Division, spanning Winchester, Ky., Oxford, N.C. and Ashland City, Tenn., plants; and, Southern Division, encompassing Monroeville, Ala., Kissimmee, Fla. and Hillsboro, Texas plants.



Travis Fox
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Mark Ledkins
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Chris Galde
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Brian Griffis

Management has been harmonized with the respective appointments of Northern and Southern Division Vice Presidents Travis Fox and Mark Ledkins, Operations; and Chris Galde and Brian Griffis, Estimating, Marketing & Sales. Kissimmee Operations Manager Bryant Luke will serve both divisions as vice president of Special Operations, concentrating on research & development, custom projects and safety. Fox previously served as Oxford Operations manager and Corporate Business manager, while 30-year industry veteran Galde was most recently Northeast regional director of Sales & Marketing, responsible for architectural precast and hollow core systems. A 37-year industry veteran, Ledkins has served as Monroeville Operations manager, while Griffis transitions from his Southeast Regional Sales & Marketing manager position. Senior Vice President of Operations Earl Shimp, who retires in July 2019, will play an active role in the transition.

“Earl’s shoes will be difficult to fill, but we have a great plan in place that will make us a more streamlined organization,” says Gate Precast President Dean Gwin. “The combined experience of Brian, Chris, Mark and Travis makes them a very powerful tool. They will now be able to quickly call on talent at other plants to help when needed and share best practices between divisions.”

Separately at the Kissimmee operation, Bruce Bartscher has been promoted to vice president – Operations; Herman Young to plant manager; and, Philip Goslinga to assistant plant manager.

Eagle Roofing Products of Rialto, Calif., has launched a learning management system to assist industry professionals in expanding their knowledge and skill set on concrete roof tile and its technical aspects. The complimentary Eagle University features a clean, easy-to-use interface that runs seamlessly across all desktop and mobile devices. Once registered, users are assigned core classes from a full course library of engaging content—from product overview to roofing terminology, to concrete roof tile components and installation methods, along with Eagle-specific company information.

An additional highlight of the eLearning platform is its automated testing and report card system. Users are able to view their performance scores after they have completed a module and quiz, and it enables them to revisit the material at any time. Participants receive an e-certificate of completion for each module completed with a score of 100 percent.

“This robust e-Learning system was designed to educate, promote and help our customers grow their business” says Eagle Roofing Director of Marketing Lissette Pamplona. “Eagle University enables our customers to either get better acquainted with, or refresh their knowledge on, the features and benefits of concrete roof tile, as well as the technical aspects of such an illustrious product. These courses will give our customers the edge to promote tile over traditional roofing materials. Plus, the flexibility of the learning management system allows for users to customize their learning plan and enroll in additional courses based on their interests.”

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.

Haack joined the cement, aggregates, ready mixed and wallboard producer as COO in 2014 and was named president last year. He arrived at Eagle after 17 years in operations roles at Halliburton Energy Services. Powers is closing a 40-year career in building materials. He joined Eagle predecessor Centex Construction Products in 2002, and was named executive vice president for Gypsum three years later, and president and CEO in 2016.

“Michael has been instrumental in building upon the company’s enviable low cost positions and sustainable advantages, particularly as they relate to the scale of operations Eagle represents today,” says Chairman Rick Stewart. “We are also grateful for the innumerable contributions Dave has made to the company during his tenure, and are delighted we will be able to retain the benefit of his perspectives as a board member.”

“I’ve been privileged to lead an organization that is the undisputed benchmark company in our industry today, and one whose future prospects have never been brighter,” adds Powers, calling his successor well prepared to undertake a leading role “in conjunction with the truly extraordinary team in place at Eagle.”