ORGANIZATIONS – JUNE 2021

The ACI Foundation has established the Burg-Coleman Iowa State ‘77 Fellowship, funded by a $75,000 donation from American Concrete Institute Executive Vice President Ronald Burg and 2020-21 President Jeffrey Coleman. Both are 1977 graduates of Iowa State University College of Engineering: Coleman a master’s in structural engineering, following a degree in civil engineering the prior year; and Burg, a degree…

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Masonry interests affirm block construction economy, speed

Sources: Block Strong, Orlando, Fla.; CP staff Block Strong, a public awareness-geared partnership between the Florida Concrete & Products Association Inc. and Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council Inc., taps current Pennsylvania State University research to inform multifamily project specifications. Stakeholders especially note a) how construction materials can be an afterthought when developers and real estate investment trusts define the financial…

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Ground glass performance pozzolan enters commercial production

Sources: Urban Mining Northeast, New Rochelle, N.Y.; CP staff Urban Mining CT is approaching large scale processing of Pozzotive, a concrete-grade pozzolan derived from glass raw feeds regardless of color, size, presence of ceramics or cleanliness. A charter facility in Beacon Falls, Conn. is equipped for 50,000 tons’ annual output. 

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Meridian Brick deal amplifies General Shale’s commanding role in masonry

Sources: General Shale, Johnson City, Tenn.; Weinerberger AG, Vienna; CP staff Clay and concrete unit giant General Shale has entered an agreement to acquire the top source of masonry solutions in North America, Atlanta-based Meridian Brick, for $250 million. Formed in 2016 as a successor to the merged Boral Brick and (post-Hanson Brick) Forterra Brick businesses, Meridian operates 20 plants…

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Urban center harbors first Brickworks North American Design Studio

grand opening North American Brickworks Design Studio

Source: Brickworks North America Corp., Wyomissing, Pa. The parent company of brick specialist Glen-Gery Corp. has opened its first design studio this side of the Pacific, offering the Philadelphia architectural and design community an experience to collaborate on projects, select from a broad portfolio of high-end, stylish clay masonry units, and host industry or networking events. The facility joins six…

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Investors set $4 billion Construction Supply Group, White Cap merger

Sources: Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, New York; HD Supply Holdings, Inc., Atlanta; CP staff

Two private equity fund managers have outlined a transaction creating a powerhouse in concrete and masonry construction accessories and supplies. Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) will acquire HD Supply’s Construction & Industrial segment, better known as White Cap and including the Home Improvement Solutions and Brafasco businesses, then pursue a merger of that entity with Construction Supply Group (CSG). Based in Denver, the latter is a portfolio company of Sterling Group, a Houston investor that has acquired concrete and masonry contractor centers since chartering the business in 2016 with Minnesota’s Brock White. 

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C-I-P, precast, masonry surface finish

Meadow-Patch Smooth-Grade is a one-component, polymer-modified formulation imparting an ultra-smooth finish on precast, cast-in-place, tilt-up and other plain concrete surfaces or concrete masonry. The cement-based, sand-free material, product developers note, offers superior adhesion and durability; contains no added gypsum; allows vapor to readily pass through the surface; makes troweled applications easy with its smooth consistency; and, offers an extended pot life that allows for an increased working time over traditional concrete surface finishers.

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Masonry, mortar tasks spur discussion of OSHA silica rule revisions

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The 26-member Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) has formally requested the Occupational Safety and Health Administration revise the Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica – Specified Exposure Control Methods standard (silica rule), thereby expanding compliance options and recognizing sub-threshold dust levels typical of masonry sawing and mortar mixing.

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Masonry, mortar tasks frame case for OSHA silica rule revisions

Sources: Construction Industry Safety Coalition, Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

The 26-member Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) has formally requested the Occupational Safety and Health Administration revise the Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica – Specified Exposure Control Methods standard (silica rule), thereby expanding compliance options and recognizing sub-threshold dust levels typical of masonry sawing and mortar mixing.

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