Coalition engages architecture students in Habitat candidate designs

The Build With Strength coalition is lining up with Habitat for Humanity International and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture behind the Habitat Design Competition: Climate Positive Concrete Housing. The program will challenge individuals or student teams to explore a variety of issues related to the use of concrete for a Habitat home. Along with baseline criteria, entries will…

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CertainTeed dedicates premier veneer STONEfaçade plant

CertainTeed LLC, the building products subsidiary of Malvern, Pa.-based Saint-Gobain, has commenced operations at its newest North American production site: An inaugural STONEfaçade plant in Quakertown, Pa., equipped to serve distribution partners coast to coast. Anchored with metal fasteners, the precast concrete veneer system consists of 8-in. panels in 10-, 12- or 14-in. widths, painted by hand and shipped complete…

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Holcim simplifies identity, respects Lafarge connection

Six years after the top cement and concrete rivals merged to form LafargeHolcim Ltd., a streamlined identity, Holcim AG, has been adopted to unite namesake, Lafarge and sister building materials brands behind the Group’s purpose of building “progress for people and the planet.” The name change coincides with establishment of new headquarters in Zug, Switzerland—south of Zurich.  “Our world is…

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Certifications enable Lehigh Hanson plants to pace new LEED credit

Lehigh Hanson’s Cadman ready mixed plants in Seattle and Bellevue, Wash., along with two sister Hanson Aggregates sites in Phoenix, Ariz., are the first North American operations to earn Concrete Sustainability Council (CSC) Silver level certification. CSC certifies concrete plants at Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. They reflect weighted scoring—25 percent intervals up to 100 percent—on management and operations…

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Baker Concrete, Lithko back Sika-guided 3D printing specialist

A key player commercial construction-grade 3D concrete printing technology reports significant investments from top practitioners Baker Concrete Inc. and Lithko Contracting LLC, based respectively in Monroe and West Chester, Ohio.  “Being able to collaborate with these industry leaders will allow us to continue to transform concrete construction through speed of design, creativity, and the ability to alleviate skilled labor constraints,”…

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BMC adds ready mixed plants, enters precast market in Stewart deals

St. Louis aggregates and ready mixed 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 BMC portfolio companies—sisters to the Breckenridge Material flagship brand. Acquired assets include five concrete products locations, eight ready mixed plants and two…

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Equipment Distributors clarify “right to repair” distortions

An expansive White House order issued under the banner of “promoting competition in the American economy” presents 72 initiatives for more than a dozen federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, which is encouraged to limit “equipment manufacturers from restricting people’s ability to use independent repair shops.” The order instructs the FTC chairman to consider working with colleagues to exercise…

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Coalition counters push for project labor agreement mandates

An Associated Builders and Contractors-led coalition of construction industry and business organizations has kicked off a six-figure advocacy campaign aimed at educating taxpayers and members of the U.S. Senate about controversial government-mandated project labor agreements. Build America Local argues that such schemes reduce competition and increase costs for the construction of taxpayer-funded affordable housing, clean energy and infrastructure projects acrosst…

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PRODUCERS – AUGUST 2021

Burnco Rock Products Ltd., Calgary, has appointed Tom Zais as chief executive officer, responsible for ready mixed concrete, plus construction- and landscaping-grade aggregate businesses in Alberta, Colorado and Texas. He arrives from Martin Marietta Materials, where he served as Texas-based regional vice president – Ready Mix. That position followed vice president and general manager roles with Texas Industries, which Martin…

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