The 2018 Outstanding Shotcrete Project Awards program shows the potential for spraying and layering fine aggregate, fast hardening, cement-rich mixes as an alternative or companion to conventional cast-in-place or precast concrete. The American Shotcrete Association (ASA) honors projects in Infrastructure, International, Pool & Recreational, Repair & Rehabilitation, Underground, and Architecture | New Construction categories.
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Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) for heavy-duty truck emissions treatment systems is made from a mixture of technically pure urea and purified water, and must be handled and stored properly to preserve its quality. This holds for drivers filling up on the road and shops that stock DEF.
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To address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with diesel fuel consumption, Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers have devised a new way of powering trucks that could curb pollution, increase efficiency, and reduce or even eliminate their net GHG factor. The concept involves using a plug-in hybrid engine system where the truck is primarily powered by batteries, but with a spark ignition engine versus compression ignition typical of diesel power. That power source would allow trucks to travel the same distances as today’s conventional diesel-powered models, would operate in flex-fuel mode on pure gasoline or alcohol, or blends of the fuels.
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Video telematics, analytics, productivity and safety solutions provider Lytx is equipping Austin, Texas-based Lauren Concrete with its Driver Safety Program. Anchored by the cab-mounted DriveCam monitor and event recorder, the technology will be installed in a fleet of nearly 250 mixer, tractor-dump trailer and pick up trucks serving central, east and west Texas markets.
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Our annual look at heavy-duty model introductions, updates and component advances coincides with strong fleet investment activity across ready mixed and manufactured concrete. Truck manufacturers and their suppliers remain mindful of driver safety and comfort, vehicle uptime and fuel efficiency. Concrete Products examines some of the top innovations from this year’s World of Concrete and Mid-America Trucking Show.
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Casilio Concrete has been a staple in the Lehigh Valley ready mix scene since 1938 when it was known as Frank Casilio & Sons. To mark last year’s 80th anniversary, third-generation owner Maria Medei decided it was time to rebrand and display the company’s true colors. When her grandfather Frank Casilio, an Italian immigrant, started the Bethlehem, Pa.-based company he wanted the color scheme to match the Italian flag. However, the trucks he ordered arrived in orange, green and white. Instead of having them corrected, he kept the color scheme and focused his efforts on delivering quality products and service as well as expanding the company. Now, thanks to his granddaughter, Casilio Concrete proudly displays its heritage with updated fleet graphics that honor the Old Country from Scribbles & Drips Lettering & Graphics of Laurys Station, Pa.
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Charah Solutions, Inc., Kentucky-based fly ash processor and marketer, received two safety North Carolina Department of Labor awards last month for an outstanding record of employee safety in 2018—the eighth consecutive year the company garnered such recognition from the agency. The awards reflect Charah Solutions’ safety record at a structural fill project, Brickhaven Mine in Chatham County, and material management at Duke Energy’s Cliffside Steam Station in Shelby. Both sites received a Gold-level Certificate of Safety Achievement, the state’s highest safety award. The Gold Award is based on a days away, restricted or transferred (DART) rate that is at least 50 percent below the statewide benchmark for the industry. North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Cherie Berry presented the awards.
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St. Louis-based Afinitas, parent of HawkeyePedershaab and companion manufactured-concrete machinery and component brands, has announced management appointments across its three divisions. Dave Stoller has been named global vice president of Engineering, a new position in which he will lead engineering activities across the Afinitas platform with an emphasis on driving innovation to meet the changing needs of the pipe and precast industry. Stoller has 30 years with HawkeyePedershaab-BFS, the drycast division of Afinitas, and most recently served as vice president of Engineering for the HawkeyePedershaab flagship facility in Mediapolis, Iowa.
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To recognize the recently proclaimed Concrete Industry Day, American Concrete Pavement Association-Colorado/Wyoming Chapter, American Concrete Pipe Association and Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association members hosted legislators and staff late last month for a BBQ picnic lunch on the Colorado State Capitol grounds in Denver. In addition to government outreach, the associations teamed to raise awareness of the industry’s key link to economic growth and sustainable development practices in the state.
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With 30-plus ready mixed plants in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee, Jackson, Miss.-based Delta Industries has outlined a transition plan for retiring President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Robison, naming as his successor Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer J. Thomas Evans, Jr. Robison has been with Delta for 47 years, 25 at the helm, and chaired the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association in 2012. Evans has held his present roles for 25 years as well; his responsibilities are being split with the appointment of Lance Bonner as executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Lester Howell as senior vice president and chief operating officer.
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