The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has formally denied a 2011 rulemaking petition that sought to “revise the regulatory threshold for defining waste as corrosive from the current value of pH 12.5, to pH 11.5; and expand the scope of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrosivity definition to include non-aqueous wastes in addition to the aqueous wastes currently regulated.”
Read MoreDay: July 9, 2021
A Case for Industry 4.0 in Ready-Mix Production
New technology has sparked a revolution in concrete batch accuracy. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, commonly known as Industry 4.0, is the ongoing automation of manufacturing using Internet of Things (IoT), widespread machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and artificial intelligence (AI). When we cut through the buzzword bingo, it’s clear that Industry 4.0 matters when it comes to batching ready-mix concrete. Batch accuracy…
Read MoreAn Overview Of The Labor Shortage
by Pierre G. Villere As we were going to press this month, all eyes in the human resources world were on the continuing labor shortages; a news story that went viral reported that a Burger King restaurant in Latrobe, Pa. had hung out a banner offering a $1,500 signing bonus, which was later clarified when management explained it was for…
Read MoreCement developer secures U.S. patent for alkaline ettringitic powder
Sources: Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies, Paris; CP staff After nearly three years of examination, the United States Patent Office has validated the Hoffman Green Cement Technologies H-EVA patent (US 2021/0179492 A1). Promoted as an alternative to portland cement for ready mixed concrete, mortars and plaster, H-EVA encompasses flashed clay sludge, natural or synthetic (flue gas desulphurization) gypsum, plus proprietary chemical…
Read MoreCMU Checkoff concerns: Escrow terms, districting, and fund allocations
By Edward Antonini While we have always supported the research, education, and promotion of concrete masonry units, Angelus Block Co., Inc. vehemently opposes the CMU Checkoff about to be voted on by the industry. Among the multitude of problems in the Department of Commerce’s proposed CMU Checkoff order and its associated one-cent per block collection, we find: It mandates an…
Read MoreCMU Checkoff will propel industry to new heights
People make the concrete masonry industry. And it doesn’t hurt that the men and women who call the business home also contribute to one of the most economically sound, environmentally friendly and functional building materials on the planet. A new checkoff program will help propel the industry to new heights, help block producers put more money in their pockets and…
Read MoreDEX deal paves UHPC, terrazzo path for Gate Precast
Sources: Gate Precast Co., Jacksonville, Fla.; CP staff In a move that considerably expands offerings of both parties, Gate Precast has acquired the assets of DEX Industries, creating a newly branded division, “DEX by Gate,” that will operate within the latter’s Atlanta facility. Founded in 1999 by Craig Smith and interior designer Lauriel Leonard, DEX is one of the pioneers…
Read MoreVulcan-U.S. Concrete, concurrent deals speak to underlying industry strengths
U.S. Concrete will move Vulcan into the U.S. ready mixed production elite, joining Cemex USA, CRH Americas Materials and Martin Marietta. U.S. Concrete reported 2020 deliveries of 8.2 million yd. from 150 operations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., Texas, northern California and the Virgin Islands. Vulcan dispatched 2.9 million yd. of ready mixed in 2020 from…
Read MoreForterra builds Heartland footprint with Barbour Concrete deal
Sources: Forterra Inc., Irving, Texas; CP staff Concrete pipe and precast market leader Forterra has acquired the business of Barbour Concrete Co. and Barbour Building Systems, an Independence, Mo. producer of structures for drainage, stormwater management, utility and other infrastructure applications.
Read MoreBMC adds Stewart Concrete, Stewart-Morrison RM operations
Sources: BMC Enterprises Inc., St. Louis; CP staff St. Louis aggregates and concrete top gun BMC Enterprises has entered precast concrete, acquiring Stewart Concrete Products of Halfway, Mo., and announced a strategic partnership with Stewart-Morrison Redi-Mix, Inc. of West Plains, Mo. Both will operate as portfolio companies under BMC. Acquired assets include five concrete products locations, eight ready mixed plants…
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