Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge The just-launched MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium (MCSC) convenes an alliance of leaders from a broad range of industries and aims to drive solutions addressing climate change threats. Organizers characterize it as uniting “similarly motivated, highly creative and influential companies to work with MIT to build a process, market, and ambitious implementation strategy for…
Read MoreMonth: January 2021
Slag cement producers log fifth consecutive year of double-digit shipment gains
Sources: Slag Cement Association, Farmington Hills, Mich., Slag cement shipments in the U.S. climbed 11.7 percent in 2020 versus prior-year volume, sustaining a streak of year-over-year, double-digit percentage growth dating to 2016. The Slag Cement Association attributes the trend in part to the binder’s benefits in plastic and cured concrete, including better workability and finishability; thermal stress reduction; higher compressive…
Read MoreArizona leads, California and Illinois lag ABC Merit Shop state ranking
Source: Associated Builders and Contractors, Washington, D.C. The Associated Builders and Contractors 2020 Merit Shop Scorecard weighs state policies and programs that encourage workforce development, strengthen career and technical education, grow careers in construction, and promote fair and open competition for taxpayer-funded construction projects. Arizona tops the rankings for the first time based on its promotion of free enterprise and…
Read MorePandemic effects slightly skew 2020 union membership rates
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; CP staff Wage and salary workers who were members of unions represented 10.8 percent of the 2020 workforce, a 0.5 percent year-over-year gain, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. In construction, the union membership rate rose 0.1 point, to 12.8 percent or 1.05 million workers, over the same period.
Read MoreUnited Materials veteran earns NRMCA Driver of the Year Award
Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Alexandria, Va.; CP staff William J. Youngers, based at VCNA United Materials’ Lancaster, N.Y. plant, is the NRMCA Ready Mixed Concrete Delivery Professional Driver of the Year. The award recognizes professionalism, driving competency, customer service skills, and a safety record with no at-fault-accidents nor on-the-job-accidents over a 23-year career. Younger has had no at-fault…
Read MoreAI-wise software developer probes “CO2 Reduction in Cement Logistics”
Source: Inform Software Corp., Atlanta Inform Software, a provider of artificial intelligence-based optimization programs facilitating improved decision making, processes and resource management across diverse industries, will present a 20-minute webinar, “CO2 Reduction in Cement Logistics,” on February 23, 9 a.m. EST. Participants will learn the true footprint of their cement logistics, the latest truck technology trends and their limitations, how…
Read MoreConcrete pavement contractors begin search for new association chief
Sources: American Concrete Pavement Association, Rosemont, Ill.; CP staff The American Concrete Pavement Association is seeking a successor to retiring President & CEO Gerald Voigt, P.E., who will move to a non-executive role once a new staff leader is appointed. During his nearly 33-year tenure—more than half at the helm— the association has chartered the widely known and respected National…
Read MoreBlock producers reach new consumer, developer engagement threshold
Sources: Florida Concrete & Products Association, Orlando; CP staff A Florida Concrete & Products Association and Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council Inc. campaign has achieved a milestone in building awareness of the benefits of concrete block construction in single family home and multiunit dwellings: Its centerpiece, the consumer- and professional-geared site, www.BlockStrong.com, has surpassed the 1 million annual visitor mark.…
Read MorePCA honors six members in Gleason Leadership Awards program
Source: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C. The Portland Cement Association has named 2020 John P. Gleason, Jr., Leadership Awards recipients, each recognized for efforts in advancing industry programs and initiatives in three categories:
Read MoreNRMCA schedules Net-Zero Buildings Conference
Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Alexandria, Va. NRMCA will present “Pathways to Net-Zero Buildings,” an online conference running 11 a.m.-1 p.m. EST, January 28-29. The event will bring together leading experts both from staff and the industry to discuss a key component of concrete sustainability.
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