Sources: National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.; CP staff
The Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education and Promotion Act, providing Congressional authorization for concrete block and brick stakeholders to pursue an industry-wide referendum on a national commodity check-off program supporting industry initiatives, was signed into law October 5 as part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018.
Read MoreSources: Arizona Masonry Guild Inc., Phoenix; CP staff
Seven of the nine concrete masonry producers serving Arizona have begun voluntary participation in a program funding education, promotion, workforce development, advocacy and building code activities—all geared to increasing block demand. The check off program entails a 2-cent per block collection and is administered under strict confidence by a third party, fully independent of the Arizona Masonry Guild.
Read MoreSource: National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.
The NCMA Education and Research Foundation’s 2018 Unit Design Competition exposes students in college or university design and construction programs to concrete masonry and hardscape products. Individual school teams begin in local competitions, proposing an innovative design for a concrete masonry or hardscape unit that can be produced on current equipment. First place teams from the local rounds qualify for the national competition, the top three teams from which will be invited to present their unit design at the NCMA Midyear Meeting, July 31-August 3 in Chicago. Additional information on the competition and entry submissions can be obtained here.
Read MoreSources: National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.; CP staff
NCMA is finalizing the agenda for the International Concrete Exposition: Machinery & Equipment Show, whose inaugural staging is set for February 9-10 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. True to the ICON Expo 2018 theme, the small-scale exhibit component built into event’s schedule since 2015 will be replaced by a larger trade show, complete with plant components and machinery—and 16 hours of booth time between Friday and Saturday. ICON Expo 2018 will be held in conjunction with NCMA Annual Convention, February 6-8, and the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute’s Annual Meeting, February 11-14.
Read MoreSources: CP staff; National Association of Home Builders, Washington, D.C.; Genest Concrete, Sanford, Me.
An insulated concrete masonry wall system, with block placed on adhesive or thin set mortar, was among Best of IBS Awards/Most Innovative Building Products category finalists spotlighted during the NAHB’s International Builders’ Show. Developed by Maine building and hardscape unit producer Genest Concrete, Comfort Block is offered in two- and four-piece versions, CB-8 and CB-16, for 8- or 16-in. thick walls.
Read MoreSource: Besser Co., Alpena, Mich.
Besser has scheduled 11 Blockmakers Workshop sessions across 2018, including a new course on Servo Vibration/Main Drive technology; Advanced Concrete Masonry Technology, which debuted this year; and, Executive Session, a condensed version of primary courses, geared for upper management. Courses are conducted at the World Center for Concrete Technology, adjacent to Besser headquarters in northern Michigan. Registration is open for:
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Company has added a 6-in. size to its BlockFlash series of embeddable flashing solutions for managing moisture in exterior, single-wythe concrete masonry unit walls. BlockFlash uses patented flashing pans to collect moisture in the wall and channel it to the exterior through integrated weep spouts, which are gray in color to blend in with standard mortar. Drainage mesh placed in every block cell in the course immediately above the pans provides hundreds of clear pathways for water to flow around mortar droppings inside the cells and reach the pans.
Read MoreSources: Washington Partners, Tampa, Fla.
White Plains, N.Y.-based Stonebridge Partners has closed on Cast-Crete USA, Inc., a leading producer of branded precast lintels, sills, scuppers and thresholds used in residential and commercial concrete masonry construction.
Read MoreSources: Graycliff Partners LP, New York; CP staff
Graycliff Partners, an independent investment firm focusing on middle market private equity transactions, has provided subordinated debt and equity financing to Delaware, Ohio-based Oberfields, a key regional player in concrete masonry and hardscape products, including standard gray and architectural block, segmental retaining walls, pavers, and precast products, plus related accessories. The investment supports the recapitalization of the company, led by President and CEO Bruce Loris, and buyout of another principal, Anderson Group LLC.
Read MoreSource: TCC Materials, Mendota Heights, Minn.
A deal with Sweetman Construction Co., dba Concrete Materials, has netted TCC Materials’ Amcon Concrete Products business block plants in Harrisburg, S.D., and Worthington, Minn. They join a network of concrete masonry and hardscape unit plants in Medford, St. Cloud and St. Joseph, Minn., plus Rapid City, S.D.
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