An Industry Celebration
Month: July 2019
Equipping Better Building
A visit with 2019 National Concrete Masonry Association Chairman Darryl Winegar
Read MoreBICKLE MFG. DEAL NETS COLUMBIA MACHINE AN EAST COAST BASE
COMMAND ALKON FOUNDER KEN ROBINSON, 1934-2019
MANUFACTURERS – JUNE 2019
Thirty months into a rollup plan centered on distributors of specialty materials, accessories and tools for U.S. and Canadian concrete and masonry contractors, private equity-backed Construction Supply Group has surpassed the 100-branch threshold. The Denver-based company has acquired Best Materials, a Phoenix-based ecommerce platform, plus Advantage Construction Supply and Spec-West Concrete Systems, both of California.
Read MoreORGANIZATIONS – JUNE 2019
The American Concrete Institute Foundation’s Concrete Research Council (CRC) has announced grants for six projects this year, including two with environmental themes: “Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator Tool,” led by Kathrina Simonen of the University of Washington-hosted Carbon Leadership Forum and Phil Northcott of C-Change Labs; and, “Effective Characterizations of Recycled Concrete Aggregate for Concrete Applications,” led by Jiong Hu, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Tara Cavalline, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Read MorePRODUCERS – JUNE 2019
Kurt Jensen has been named managing director of Sparks, Nev.-based Jensen Enterprises Inc. He brings more than three decades of experience to the executive level position as the privately held company continues to expand into new markets. He grew up in the industry learning about the benefits of precast concrete for infrastructure applications from his father, Donald Jensen, who founded the business in 1968. Joining the family enterprise in 1987, Kurt Jensen became involved in every aspect of its business. Most recently, he served as general manager of the company’s Sparks operation, after holding the same title at the Las Vegas plant. He also served as vice president of Asset Management for the properties, fleet, and equipment of Jensen Enterprises.
Read MoreHigh Concrete budgets $8M for architectural precast overhaul
Sources: High Concrete Group LLC, Denver, Pa.; CP staff
High Concrete has begun a major production capacity upgrade at its 148-acre headquarters campus in eastern Pennsylvania. An investment up to $8 million in new equipment, processes and facility construction will completely overhaul operations in a bid to extend the producer’s growing presence and influence in architectural precast concrete, including structural and non-structural wall elements, cladding and panels for commercial and institutional building enclosures.
Read MoreWastewater-derived biosolids seed fly ash alternative
Sources: Aries Clean Energy LLC, Franklin, Tenn.; CP staff
Aries Clean Energy has secured approval to build its first large-scale fluidized bed gasification system, engineered to convert 400 tons of biosolids per day into 7 million to 7.5 million cu. ft. of renewable, low-Btu synthesis gas plus 22 tons of biochar, the latter a raw feed for processing a concrete-grade fly ash substitute.
Read MoreReport qualifies life cycle aspect of robust construction methods
A new Portland Cement Association report presents historical data, evidence from external sources, and structural material comparisons supporting the premise: Cast-in-place or precast concrete, or concrete masonry construction methods lead to longer lasting buildings owing to their ability to stand up to normal wear and tear plus resistance to extreme weather events.
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