The National Mixer Driver Championship is one of the most successful efforts to date from National Ready Mixed Concrete Association members and staff. We look forward to covering the event (pages 14-15) and joining in a salute to drivers and the competence, professionalism and sound judgment they exude. Ready mixed producers and their mainline trucking peers could use more commercial driver’s license holders or candidates exhibiting such qualities, yet are likely to see fewer in the fallout of a highly questionable trend among state legislatures: Legalizing recreational cannabis or marijuana use.
Read MoreYear: 2019
NLRB prepares to take the ‘ambush’ out of union election rule
Sources: National Labor Relations Board; CP staff
A detailed Federal Register notice outlines modifications to the National Labor Relations Board’s Representation–Case Procedures rule, which saw 25 amendments in 2014-2015 as a part of a significant policy shift under President Barack Obama. Changes effective April 2020 sunset certain provisions enabling what opponents dubbed “ambush elections” by narrowing the window between a union petition for bargaining unit representation and rank & file voting from a 38- to 28-day average.
Read MoreASTM Cannabis Committee seeds standard for lime-based hempcrete
Sources: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.; CP staff
ASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis is eyeing development of standards to cover the use of hempcrete, a bio-composite mixture of hemp hurds and lime, in construction and insulation. Work on the proposed WK70549 and WK70550 standards entails, respectively: review of current ASTM International fire resistance and R-value measurement methods’ appropriateness for hempcrete, and establishing unbiased R-value and fire resistance properties for hempcrete insulation materials.
Read MoreCherry deal makes Arcosa recycled and lightweight aggregate top gun
Sources: Arcosa Inc., Dallas; CP staff
Expanded shale and clay lightweight aggregate leader Arcosa is poised to become the top player in recycled concrete material through a $296 million deal for Cherry Industries Inc., whose unique platform of mines and processing facilities spans the Houston metro area. In addition to transportation, commercial and industrial building, plus housing markets, Cherry provides concrete demolition services, primarily to secure raw material for recycled aggregates. Its 12 locations will join Arcosa’s 19 active aggregate and specialty materials locations in the Lone Star State.
Read MoreMinnick Services builds precast portfolio through Norwalk Tank
Sources: Generational Equity, Dallas; CP staff
A merger and acquisition specialist serving privately held businesses, Generational Equity has announced the sale of its client, Norwalk Tank Co., to Minnick Services Corp. of Fort Wayne, Ind. Joliet, Ill.-based Norwalk specializes in underground precast structures for drainage and sewer infrastructure. Its plant capacity and output augment Minnick Services’ concrete division, which produces conventional manholes; licensed Redi-Rock retaining wall and Pole Base utility lighting component brands; plus, Wilbert and Triguard burial vaults tied to a sister funeral services division.
Read MoreMixer Driver of the Year nomination deadline nears
Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Alexandria, Va.
NRMCA is accepting nominations through December 31 for the Ready Mixed Concrete Delivery Professional Driver of the Year Award, recognizing career achievement, safety, professionalism, competence and customer service skills. The 2020 Ready Mixed Concrete Truck Driver of the Year and program finalists will be honored at a ceremony during the NRMCA Annual Convention, March 7-9 in Las Vegas. Nomination forms are posted here; completed forms and companion files can be forwarded to NRMCA’s Gary Mullings, [email protected].
Read MoreNRMCA meets latest reporting standards in new Industry-Wide EPD
Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Alexandria, Va.
With data from 155 producers operating 1,954 plants, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has published a third version of its industry average or industry-wide environmental product declaration (IW-EPD). The document functions as a national proxy for the bulk of concrete in residential, commercial and public construction, and complies with the latest Product Category Rule for Concrete, released earlier this year.
Read MoreOxygen fuels cement producers’ carbon capture venture
Sources: HeidelbergCement AG, Germany; CP staff
The parent companies of Lehigh Hanson Inc., Buzzi Unicem and National Cement Co. have joined a fourth European peer on Cement Innovation for Climate or CI4C, a research corporation investigating the potential of oxygen fuel technology to maximize carbon dioxide capture in portland cement production.
Read MoreInvestor closes deal for MBE/DBE rebar fabricator Circle City
Sources: Metropolitan Capital, Chicago
Real estate development-seasoned KWILL Capital Partners has acquired Circle City Rebar of Indianapolis, an advanced fabricator that has supplied such major concrete projects as the Lucas Oil Stadium (local); O’Hare International Consolidated Rental Car/Parking Facility, Chicago; and, the East End Bridge, linking Indiana and Kentucky over the Ohio River.
Read MoreAir, water quality achievements guide march to EPA milestone
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff
EPA has kicked off a year-long celebration leading to observance of a 50th anniversary, December 2, 2020. “Since the agency’s inception under the leadership of the late Administrator William Ruckelshaus, EPA staff have worked tirelessly to clean up our air, water, and land for the American people,” says Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Together, we have achieved significant milestones in support of our mission to protect human health and the environment.”
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