International paver conference organizer opens call for papers

Source: Pavers and Blocks Manufacturers Association, Mumbai The Pavers and Blocks Manufacturers Association (PBMA) is accepting abstracts of candidate papers for the 13th International Conference on Concrete Block Pavement (ICCBP), April 9-10, 2026 in Hyderabad, India. The group invites producers, researchers, engineers and practitioners the world over to share their experience in various aspects of block pavement design and construction,…

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Oldcastle APG solidifies Arizona market stake with Master Block deal

Sources: Oldcastle APG, A CRH Company, Atlanta; CP staff Oldcastle APG has acquired Master Block Inc., a single plant operator in El Mirage, Ariz. The producer will seamlessly integrate into a regional concrete masonry, hardscapes and packaged dry mix platform anchored by Phoenix-based Superlite, a charter Oldcastle APG business. Additionally, Pebble Technology International, a Scottsdale, Ariz. sister business specializing in swimming…

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Chaney reaches far into Virginia with Allied Concrete

Sources: Chaney Enterprises, Gambrills, Md.; CP staff Chaney Enterprises has put an exclamation point in recent years’ Virginia market expansion with the acquisition of 10 ready mixed plants from Charlottesville-based Allied Concrete Co., a family-owned operator nearing 80 years in business. Allied Concrete President Ted Knight will continue to lead the plants, while his former colleagues retain namesake concrete block…

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Concrete Masonry Checkoff 1-cent/block assessments kick off April 1

Sources: Concrete Masonry Products Board, Washington, D.C.; CP staff The U.S. Department of Commerce-authorized Concrete Masonry Checkoff Board (CMCB) has scheduled an April 1 start for mandatory 1-cent/unit assessments to fund national and regional research, education or promotion work advancing dry cast block or brick in residential or commercial building. The assessments affect about 200 U.S. concrete block or brick…

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Union Quarries deal grows York Building Products’ Keystone State footprint

Sources: York Building Products, York, Pa.; CP staff Key Pennsylvania aggregate and concrete block operator York Building Products has added crushed stone, ready mixed concrete and asphalt production capacity with a deal for Union Quarries of Carlisle, Pa. “This acquisition will allow both operations to provide a greater level of product offering for our respective customers, increase our level of…

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Commerce Secretary appoints inaugural CMU Checkoff Board of Directors

Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, CMU Checkoff Transition Advisory Council, Washington, D.C.; CP staff  The Department of Commerce named 21 block producers to two-, three- or four-year terms on the CMU Checkoff Board of Directors. They will soon meet to launch initial operations; appoint Regional Advisory Committee chairs and vice chairs; and, determine when checkoff assessments begin. The inaugural directors,…

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Shopify steps up to CarbonBuilt carbon removal credit counter

Sources: CarbonBuilt, Los Angeles; CP staff Manufactured-concrete technology developer CarbonBuilt has entered into a carbon removal purchase agreement with Shopify Inc., Ottawa-based provider of essential internet infrastructure for commerce. Anchoring the agreement are 5,200 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide that will be sequestered in concrete masonry units molded and finished in plants equipped for the CarbonBuilt Reversa process. The purchase…

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Concrete, masonry anchors

Designed for light and medium-duty concrete, block, and brick applications, the Power Pro Concrete Anchors are durable and corrosion resistant, ICC-ES code compliant, and available in three colors, various lengths, plus 3/16-, 1/4- or 5/16-in. diameters. Unlike traditional fastening alternatives, they feature a fully threaded tip to enable quick penetration into wood and other materials. Their wide serrated and mid-crossband…

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CarbonBuilt, Master Builders advance low carbon mixes, products

A collaboration involving Los Angeles-based CarbonBuilt and MBCC Group’s Master Builders Solutions business will focus on formulating admixtures augmenting the former company’s low carbon concrete technology platform. The CarbonBuilt Reversa process uses carbon dioxide to optimize portland cement contents in mix designs and raise finished concrete performance.  New admixtures developed with Master Builders Solutions could position CarbonBuilt to extend the…

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Commerce sets block producer referendum through mid-November

A Department of Commerce-administered referendum, October 15-November 15, will enable registered concrete masonry unit producers to vote to approve formation of a Concrete Masonry Products Board, authorized to fund a CMU Checkoff through a 1-cent assessment per 8-in. equivalent building block sold in the United States. Commerce staff were to email ballots to producers who had registered by the day…

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