In response to the coronavirus pandemic, many construction professionals are adopting technologies designed to keep project teams safely distanced. Among the concrete suppliers leading the way is Welsch Ready Mix Inc., based in Oak Forest, Ill.
Read MoreMonth: July 2020
Buying Innovation
Big demographic changes are coming
by Pierre G. Villere
As they say, “this too shall pass,” and when we come out on the other side of current Covid-19 and social unrest stresses on our society, there are some tectonic demographic changes coming over the next decade that will dramatically change our business, and the economy as a whole.
Read MoreEssential, responsible employers lessen need for OSHA virus exposure standard
Our Chairman’s Report series continues this month with visits to Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute’s Marshall Brown (ACM Chemistries; pages 50-52) and Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute’s J. Seroky (High Concrete Group; pages 54-57). When asked how their organizations addressed national and state government pandemic response mandates from mid-March on, their refrains are consistent with what we heard last month from 2020 National Concrete Masonry Association Chairman Tom Finch (RCP Block & Brick): Producers successfully expedited new measures to identify and isolate potential virus spread among team members and customers. Thanks to online conferencing tools, ICPI, NCMA and PCI members have been able to spontaneously share best practices and metrics for ensuring healthy workplaces in unchartered waters.
Read MoreGeiger RM veteran spearheads premier ACI Resource Center
Sources: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.; CP staff
The inaugural American Concrete Institute Resource Center will open next month in San Bernardino, Calif., tasked with coordinating ACI chapter or sponsoring group offerings of direct, on-demand access to all Institute certification and educational products. Managing the facility will be William “Rusty” Owens III. He previously served as quality control general manager for Kansas City-based Geiger Ready-Mix Co. and holds ACI, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, and state department of transportation certifications, along with a University of Kansas bachelor’s degree in architecture.
Read MoreACPA chapter regroups under new UtahRMCA paving committee
Sources: Utah Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Alpine; CP staff
Effective August 1, members of the former American Concrete Pavement Association Utah Chapter are invited to join the newly formed Utah RMCA Concrete Paving Committee, through which producers and contractors will leverage resources of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Pave Ahead initiative.
Read MoreSummit Materials CEO succession plan mints industry’s top female executive
Sources: Sources: Summit Materials, Inc., Denver; CP staff
Nearly 11 years after founding Summit Materials, Thomas W. Hill has announced his retirement as president, chief executive officer and director, effective September 1, after which he will assume a senior advisor role for the remainder of the year and serve in a consulting capacity through July 2023. His successor in the C-suite and on the Summit board is Anne Noonan, who will arrive with 30-plus years’ of senior leadership experience at publicly traded companies and become the highest ranking female among major North American cement, aggregate and concrete producers.
Read MoreCon-E-Co joins Rexcon under Astec umbrella
Sources: Astec Industries Inc., Chattanooga, Tenn.; CP staff
Astec Industries has closed on Blair, Neb.-based Concrete Equipment Co., adding the mainstay batch plant manufacturer to an Infrastructure Solutions group portfolio that includes peer operator Rexcon LLC. The business was acquired from Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Corp., where Con-E-Co had served since 2005 as a plant equipment companion to namesake and McNeilus front and rear discharge mixer truck offerings.
Read MoreCommercial Metals ties up AZZ galvanized rebar business
Sources: Commercial Metals Co., Dallas; AZZ Inc., Ft. Worth, Texas; CP staff
Major concrete reinforcing steel producer and distributor Commercial Metals Co. has closed on AZZ Inc. assets associated with Galvabar, a proprietary galvanized rebar with zinc alloy coating that provides advanced corrosion protection and post-fabrication formability.
Read MoreTruck weight-minded whistleblower banks $220K in OSHA order
Sources: Occupational Safety and Health Administration; CP staff
Abiding its Whistleblower Protection Program, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered JHOS Logistics and Transportation Inc. to reinstate an employee terminated for refusing to drive what the employee reasonably believed to be an overweight vehicle at the company’s Wilmington, Calif. facility. The agency also ordered the motor carrier to pay $190,000 in back wages, $25,000 in punitive damages, $5,000 in compensatory damages, plus attorney’s fees.
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