The estimated ready mixed concrete produced in July 2017 is 31.2 million cubic yards, 3.4% higher than that in July 2016. The estimated production through July 2017 is 196 million cubic yards, 2% higher than that during the same period in 2016.

Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. NRMCA members can view additional details here.

As part of its Build with Strength building advocacy program, NRMCA last month presented to the Fire & Criminal Justice Services Committee of the New York City Council. Vice President of Sustainability Tien Peng's testimony, titled “High Rise Fires and What New York City Can Learn from the London Tragedy,” concerned recent trends in fire in multifamily buildings. The New York City Council members as well as the general public in attendance supported life safety strategies with a keen interest in sprinklers and building codes.

Peng demonstrated the dramatic changes have been made in New York City building codes which bans combustible construction and why there has not been increase in apartment fires in New York that have been seen throughout the rest of the country, including neighboring Edgewater, NJ. Joining him was Brian Medford, regional manager for
Fox Blocks, who presented the resilient benefits of insulating concrete forms (ICF) in high rise construction. City fire department officials and affordable housing advocates also testified supporting fire safety. At one point in the testimony, a fire chief wished all buildings were “sprinklered and made of concrete.” We couldn’t agree more.

Build with Strength, a coalition of NRMCA, promotes noncombustible concrete building systems through communications, project promotion, education and advocacy. To learn more about these programs, please contact Tien Peng at 206-913-8535 or tpeng@nrmca.org.

Media articles on Congress, transportation infrastructure, regulation, taxes and other subjects, each of which relate to the ready mixed concrete industry, are updated each week by NRMCA's Government Affairs staff. To access the most recent compilation of articles for October 2 - 4, 2017, please click here.

If you would like to receive this weekly updated link in a separate e-mail, or if you have questions or comments about the roundup, contact NRMCA’s Andrew Tyrrell at atyrrell@nrmca.org.

NRMCA invites senior to middle RMC operations and production managers for a very special leadership workshop on November 14 in Dallas. The day will be led by a former IBM executive coach who will focus on how to more effectively manage, coach, motivate and assess multi-layer teams as well as direct report supervisors. The curriculum offers insight into peak performance and critical motivation factors that can lead to success in a multi-layered company structure. The workshop will be preceded by a peer networking dinner the night before; Monday, November 13.

Please note that this is NOT a workshop for entry-level, front-line operations supervisors; that class runs from January 23-25 in Orlando.

Click here for more information and registration options. You may also contact Eileen Dickson at edickson@nrmca.org.

NRMCA will teach a NEW curriculum for CCSP Module II, Understanding Your Concrete Contractor's Business, from December 5-7 in Silver Spring, MD (metro Washington DC). As sales staff prepares for 2018, it is the best time to immerse it with knowledge how customers' businesses work. Just because business is good, it does not give sales reps a free pass: they need to be able to tactically react in a more face-paced, demanding environment. Topics tie directly into what a sales rep should know that impacts business, including learning about contactors’ estimating methods, bidding, design, procurement, project planning and scheduling. Those that pass the optional exam receive credit toward CCSP Module II certification (please note that this is a required class for STEPS recognition).

Click here to register, more information and staff contact.

*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site along with more items listed for the remainder of 2018.