Utah’s Quick Headers chose World of Concrete 2020 for the national debut of its removeable lintel shoring system, market ready after four years’ proof of concept work with masonry and general contractors in its home base. Following a solidly positive response in Las Vegas, including Mason Contractors Association of America “Innovative Find” nod, Quick Headers is targeting block & brick supply yards and equipment rental operators. The company cites the potential of its namesake assembly as a profitable addition to rental programs—one that has proved to be a safe, reliable, and significant time and cost savings replacement for traditional wood framed “bucks.”
Read MoreDay: June 25, 2020
Challenged Chair
Tom Finch leads a nimble National Concrete Masonry Association
A global health crisis raised humbling prospects less than three weeks into Tom Finch’s term as 2020 National Concrete Masonry Association Chair of the Board: How effectively could he function after a radically altered business landscape quelled requisite interface with NCMA directors, members and staff? Could association commitments be balanced with challenges he confronted as vice president of California-based RCP Block & Brick Inc., an essential business contending with national and state lockdown measures?
Read MoreBagging Brawn
Oldcastle APG builds scale in packaged dry mix, mortar, compounds
Acquisitions, greenfield developments and plant upgrades have allowed Oldcastle APG, a CRH Company, to build a footprint in packaged materials matching ones that sister CRH Americas operations command in precast, ready mix, aggregates and portland cement.
Read MoreED RICE, CTS CEMENT FOUNDER, POST-TENSIONING PRACTICE VISIONARY, 1925-2020
Pathfinder Systems marks partner Tiger Machine’s seven decades
Michigan-based Pathfinder Systems is recognizing 70 years in operation for longtime manufacturing and technology development partner Tiger Machine of Okayama, Japan. Once established in its charter farm implement sales, servicing and repair business, Tiger Machine branched into concrete in the early 1960s, developing the country’s first mixer and hydraulic block making equipment.
Read MoreORGANIZATIONS – JUNE 2020
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and Portland Cement Association have named Joe Roche as chief financial officer, reporting to NRMCA President Mike Philipps and PCA CEO Mike Ireland. Roche arrives with 30-plus years’ management experience supporting non-profit and trade organizations, and immediately transitions from the National 4-H Council in Chevy Chase, Md. He will lead ongoing evaluation, development and implementation of NRMCA and PCA financial processes and systems, and oversee the groups’ Finance Shared Services agreement. Based primarily at the Alexandria, Va., association offices, Roche will work with external finance partners to implement process improvements, maximize system capabilities, and focus on staff development.
Read MorePRODUCERS – JUNE 2020
Wisconsin-based precast/prestressed concrete building solutions specialist Spancrete has promoted Scott Bertschinger to executive vice president, Kimberly Wacker to senior vice president, and Todd Backus to senior vice president and chief financial officer. All will be based at Waukesha headquarters, near Milwaukee; report to principal and CEO John Nagy; and, have responsibilities encompassing Valders, Wis., Crystal Lake, Ill., and Sebring, Fla. concrete operations, plus Waukesha hollow core machinery production.
Read MoreO&G Industries ups solar power sourcing in tandem with Energy Star pilot
Connecticut’s largest privately held construction and heavy building materials producer recently turned the switch on a 1.3-megawatt solar array at its Southbury quarry, ready mixed concrete and asphalt operation. O&G Industries couples the 3,762-panel installation with a 280-kilowatt energy storage system that will augment power supply during peak demand cycles—especially early morning hours when the sun isn’t strong enough to keep the array at full output while concrete, aggregate and asphalt production startup spikes electricity use.
Read MoreFizzano Bros. diverts plastics from landfill to commercial aggregate
Fizzano Bros. Concrete Products is proving the engineering properties and commercial potential of Resin8, a fine aggregate derived from post-consumer plastic waste, pozzolans and calcium hydroxide. The Philadelphia producer has teamed with developer, Center for Regenerative Design & Collaboration (CRDC), on testing the material’s viability as a small volume (≤ 10 percent) ASTM C33 aggregate substitute in concrete masonry units. Their inaugural commercial installation in the U.S. is a 15-ft. wall finished earlier this year at the Braskem America Innovation and Technology Center, a Pittsburgh facility dedicated to post-consumer plastics re-use and chemical recycling research.
Read MoreDrone Zone, UTV track on deck for Hardscape North America
A Drone Zone and Utility Vehicle Test Track headline new offerings for this year’s Hardscape North America, October 21-23 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville. Hardscape NA is produced by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, with lead sponsors Belgard and Keystone Hardscapes, plus National Concrete Masonry Association and Brick Industry Association endorsements.
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