September 2020 – Page 3 – Concrete Products

Complete Load Solutions finishes critical electronic communications link

September 15, 2020September 23, 2020 Concrete News

Losses from operational miscues, a general lack of ready mixed concrete dispatch and batch process efficiency, and significant task redundancies triggered a software programming and Internet of Things technology project leading to the late-2019 launch of Complete Load Solutions, LLC. By fully realizing communications links between dispatch software, batch software, and mixer trucks, the Chicago-based firm aims to eliminate load-out errors, while maximizing plant production.

Arbitrator closes HeidelbergCement earnout claim in Forterra’s favor

September 15, 2020September 21, 2020 Concrete News

Sources: Forterra Inc., Irving, Texas; CP staff

A neutral accounting arbitrator has determined that no earnout payment from concrete pipe and precast giant Forterra is due to HeidelbergCement AG under terms of a 2015 Hanson Building Products business spinoff, initially valued at $1.2 billion. HeidelbergCement had sought a $100 million earnout payment based on the fiscal 2015 performance of Hanson Building Products, whose Dallas-based suitor, Lone Star Fund IX (U.S.) LP, adopted the Forterra brand. The Delaware Court of Chancery deferred an EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) calculation—central to the earnout payment clause—to the arbitrator in conjunction with a late-2017 dismissal of a HeidelbergCement suit.

Topwerk names Columbia Steel vet Rathke to head new North American HQ

September 11, 2020September 21, 2020 Concrete News

Sources: Topwerk America Ltd., Burlington, Ontario; CP staff

Germany’s Topwerk Group, the umbrella organization over Hess, Prinzing-Pfeiffer and SR-Schindler concrete masonry, pipe and dry or wet cast product machinery, has relocated the Topwerk America headquarters to Houston from Burlington, Ontario, and appointed Chad Rathke as president and chief executive officer, as well as SR-Schindler regional sales director. Gudrun Hess will continue as president of the newly named Topwerk Services in Burlington, a center that has supported the North American market for nearly 40 years.

American Highway branding lends Simplex-USA road creed

September 11, 2020September 21, 2020 Concrete News

Sources: Simplex-USA, Fernley, Nev.; CP staff

American Highway, a Simplex Co. is the new identity of Simplex-USA, a key player in concrete pavement dowels and dowel baskets. “Our intent on this pivot is to better inform and provide more color definition to this large industry landscape,” says Co-CEO Ron Meskis. “Prior to Simplex’s purchase of Dayton Superior’s paving division in 2019, the trade name of American Highway was predominantly used to supply steel products to the concrete paving industry. As such, the name brings a long-established road creed and added value to our overall corporate brand as a recognized and familiar staple in the industry.”

Chryso, Solidia aim to drive concrete carbon factor down

September 11, 2020November 12, 2020 Concrete News

Sources: Chryso Group, Paris; Solidia Technologies, Piscataway, N.J.; CP staff

A new partnership will see admixture specialist Chryso and low carbon cement and concrete developer Solidia Technologies leverage their chemical expertise to improve the sustainability performance and material properties of the latter company’s namesake precast products.

ASTM schedules exploratory meeting on stormwater control measures

September 8, 2020September 21, 2020 Concrete News

Source: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.; CP staff

ASTM will host an October 1 virtual meeting to potentially seed a technical committee tasked with developing standards for stormwater control measures. Standards could support efforts to reduce pollution from runoff; create uniform testing, verification, and certification programs; and, unify varied stakeholders.

PCA projects minor 2020-21 shipment drops, or gain, under two recovery models

September 8, 2020September 21, 2020 Concrete News

Sources: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.; CP staff

Portland Cement Association Chief Economist and Senior Vice President Ed Sullivan offers two U.S. cement consumption scenarios around “U” or “W” shaped economic recovery curves, with respective 2020 and 2021 figures of -3.4 percent or +1.7 percent and -4.8 percent and -2.7 percent—this year’s projections measured against 2019 shipments.

NRMCA, Dubai partner schedule premier Global Concrete Summit

September 8, 2020September 21, 2020 Concrete News

Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

NRMCA has announced a first-of-a-kind virtual conference and exhibition to engage practitioners, researchers and policy makers around the world in an exchange of the latest ideas, knowledge and tools to build the future of concrete construction. Running November 30-December 10, the Global Concrete Summit will address developments related to design, specifying, manufacturing, testing, construction, maintenance and research of concrete as it relates to sustainable development. Presentation topics include innovation, resilience, life cycle assessment, low impact development, social responsibility, and public health.

Carbon neutral-minded concrete, cement leaders unveil ‘2050 Climate Ambition’

September 8, 2020September 21, 2020 Concrete News

Sources: Global Cement and Concrete Association, London; CP staff

Forty leading cement and concrete companies envision a 30-year route to carbon neutrality in “2050 Climate Ambition,” billed as the first statement of its kind on driving down the carbon dioxide footprint of the world’s most used man-made material.

Besser CEO Curtis sets spring 2021 retirement

September 8, 2020September 21, 2020 Concrete News

Sources: Besser Co., Alpena, Mich.; CP staff

Kevin Curtis will retire as Besser chief executive officer at the end of April 2021, capping a tenure of four-plus decades in concrete plant equipment as well as a leadership transition that began with the March 2019 promotion of his successor, Ryan Suszek, to president.