Contractors Voice Concerns Over Rising Diesel Prices

The prices of diesel fuel and other construction materials are surging, causing some area general contractors to break a sweat in anticipation of a summer marked by high fuel prices. A gallon of diesel fuel is nearing a national average of $4, and the current cost is $0.41 per gallon higher than last year at this time, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. As political tensions mount because of concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, economists are predicting that crude oil and fuel prices could continue to rise.

Source: February 23 article in the Daily Journal of Commerce: read more.

 

Gas Tax Falling Short in Paying for Transportation Needs

The federal gas tax — 18.4 cents a gallon for gasoline, 24.4 cents for diesel — is growing anemic because of more fuel-efficient vehicles, Americans driving fewer miles and the growth of electric and alternative-fuel vehicles. The tax rate on gasohol and most other special fuels is much less. "It no longer works as our primary source," says Jim Burnley, a Washington, D.C., transportation attorney who was Transportation secretary for President Reagan. "We're going to have to figure out, as a country, other mechanisms."

Source: Article posted by USA Today on February 24: read more.

 

Mayors Call for Improved Infrastructure

A projected surge in job-producing U.S. exports by 2020 will not be realized unless the federal government spends more money to expand congested ports, highways, railways and airports, the U.S. Conference of Mayors says. "If we're going to build bridges and roadways in faraway lands, why don't we spend that money on long-term infrastructure growth in the U.S.?" asks Mesa, AZ, Mayor Scott Smith.

Source: February 23 article by USA Today: read more.

 

Life Gets Harder for Britain’s Cement Industry

Meanwhile, across the pond, the once proud and still historic British cement industry is facing tough times. Rising costs, consolidation and other factors have all contributed to the current state of affairs.

Source: February 25 article in The Economist magazine: read more.

 

National Resource Directors Help Clients Recognize Quality Concrete Bids

While the importance of having a well-designed, competitive concrete section in a set of plans cannot be understated, another part of the job of an NRMCA national resource director (NRD) is getting the National Account client to recognize the importance of quality concrete bids. Recently, the NRD team has made progress with several National Account clients, including Walmart, in not only recognizing the importance of quality concrete bids but also in educating the client’s field people and consultants.

"When we are invited by the client to work with its consultants, the communication and results tend to be much greater," said South Central Senior National Resource Director Vance Pool. "Through recent interactions with Walmart consultants, we’ve been given the opportunity to discuss many aspects of concrete paving and have been able to teach the consultant about various aspects of using concrete that otherwise, we never would’ve been able to do. This level of interaction and teamwork opens the door for many opportunities."

Beginning this process means convincing an owner through his or her own information that he or she isn’t getting the optimum value, whether that be the result of his or her own bid documents, design technique, specifications or some preconceived notion. Developing that level of conversation begins with identifying trigger points for clients and building the argument in support of concrete pavement.

"Often times it takes more time than we’d like to develop the information and relationships that allow us to work through this process with national accounts," added Pool's colleague in the Southeast Region, Amy Miller. "Some of our accounts have been very difficult to develop while others have been more open. Regardless, we are succeeding and using those experiences to continue to turn other National Account clients on to the benefits of concrete pavement."

To discuss the issue, contact Amy Miller or Vance Pool at amiller@nrmca.org or vpool@nrmca.org.

 

Paving Success Series: Emergency Supplier Knows Value of Preparedness

Kossen Equipment, Inc., located in Richland, MS, is one of the leading emergency power suppliers in the U.S. and one of the Southeast's largest distributors of emergency generators. With a new partnership agreement in hand to represent an additional product line throughout the Southeast, Kossen moved ahead with construction of a larger and more efficient distribution center, which was originally designed with eight-inch asphalt paving.

As construction progressed, Peoples Construction Corp., the general contractor, evaluated Kossen’s traffic flow and the existing drainage and site conditions. At the suggestion of Jackson Ready Mix (a Delta Industries company and NRMCA producer member), the owner and contractor was willing to evaluate the possibility of concrete paving due to the longevity of the surface. Based on the daily truck count, it was determined that 6 inches of concrete paving with 3.5 pounds of synthetic fibers would prove to be a much more long lasting and low maintenance surface than the asphalt. After reviewing the reasonable additional cost for approximately 96,000 square feet of paving, Kossen Equipment elected to make the investment for concrete paving. The final result met all expectations and has left the owner confident about the concrete pavement’s performance in coming decades.

This is the most recent in the new Concrete Paving Project Success Series which will regularly feature noteworthy paving projects contributed by NRMCA members and partners. You can view a pdf of the Kossen project here. The projects are archived here on ConcretePromotion.org along with success stories previously posted. To contribute a paving success story to the series, contact your regional NRMCA national resource director or Glenn Ochsenreiter at glenn@NRMCA.org or 240-485-1140.

 

New Brochure Promotes Concrete’s Reflectivity

For years, promoters have touted the benefits of concrete’s light color and reflectivity. Data from industry-sponsored research has supported reducing the number of light poles or the wattage of the individual lamps. NRMCA recently reported the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) comments on the effects of LED lighting on the Leavenworth, KS, Walmart concrete parking lot.

According to the DOE report, "typical concrete has a higher reflectance value than asphalt, along with a smoother, more reflective texture. The higher reflectance values from concrete play as much of a role in the visibility and apparent brightness of the site as the lighting."

However, there’s been no collateral material available that focuses on the new information. To fill that need, NRMCA has developed a 2-page color document, "Shedding Light on Concrete’s Reflectivity," that combines the pertinent data from previous studies with the latest DOE information. The brochure is targeted toward owners and designers; Senior National Resource Director Phil Kresge feels that it is just what the industry needs. "The DOE report is just short of an official endorsement of concrete’s superior reflectivity," Kresge said. "This brochure highlights the DOE findings and provides promoters with an attractive and concise document that tells the whole story."

A pdf version of the new brochure can be downloaded at www.concretepromotion.org. For more information, contact Phil Kresge at pkresge@nrmca.org.

 

Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award Announced for David Twomey, Sr.

A special edition of the NRMCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Promotion is being awarded posthumously to Dave Twomey, who recently passed away in Scarborough, ME, after a long illness. Dave exemplified in decades of service to the industry the passion, zeal and intensity for concrete that only the great promoters possess. Dave was active in the construction industry for more than 40 years, holding positions with Cianbro, Dragon Products, the Northern New England Concrete Promotion Association (as executive director) and as a consultant. He served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Maine Better Transportation Association, Associated General Contractors and for many years on NRMCA’s Board of Directors.

He was extremely well respected and frequently sought after for his concrete expertise and promotion experience. Dave was described as "a force to be reckoned with" and "a one-man crusade" in pursuit of the objectives he deemed worthy. NRMCA and the entire industry have benefitted greatly from Dave’s passion and efforts in support of concrete promotion and will always remember in deep appreciation his great contributions.

This Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented on March 6 during the Awards Breakfast at the NRMCA Annual Convention in Savannah, GA.

 

Task Force Clears Tilt-Walls in Joplin Tornado Collapse

A task force formed by the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) to address events surrounding the tornado that struck Joplin, MO, last May has concluded that the tilt-up method of construction at a local Home Depot was not the cause of the store’s roof failure. TCA convened the task group in response to a June Kansas City Star article that singled out the tilt-up performance as one of the reasons the "building failed". Other misleading claims were made about the tilt method performance, TCA said.

TCA formed a task force to investigate the claims with the cooperation of Home Depot. The task force was headed by Kansas City engineer Jeff Needham, P.E., S.E., and a group of structural engineers from around the U.S. They concluded the tilt-up construction method was not the cause of the roof failure, which inadvertently caused the walls to fall. The task group's findings included:

• Four findings specific to the performance of the tilt-up Home Depot structure in the Joplin tornado.
• Five general recommendations that focus on increasing building safety in catastrophic storms through enhanced building performance and/or the use of shelters.

The newspaper followed up with another article on January 12, 2012 in which Needham was quoted as stating, "...(TCA task force) found that the tilt-up panels themselves did not fail and there is nothing common to tilt-up construction that makes it any more vulnerable to tornadic winds than any other method." Instead, Needham said the association's investigation found that the failure point at Home Depot was its relatively lightweight roof system.

Source: CPG February 2012 member newsletter.

 

Upcoming Webinar Focuses on Parking Lots 101

NRMCA's national resource directors have one Webinar scheduled through the end of next week, so be sure to click on the link for more information or contact NRMCA's Jessica Walgenbach at jwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

March 2 – Parking Lots 101 – NRMCA's National Account Team as well as many tools are available for NRMCA members to gain market share in parking lots. This Webinar goes over the tools available, processes to succeed, and lets you know valuable information learned throughout the country. If you are not winning national account parking lots this is a must for those involved.

 

NRMCA Mixer Driver Training Moves Online, Documents Measurable Results

As the industry enters its busy season, it has never been a better time for producers to hone mixer drivers’ skills. NRMCA’s Concrete Delivery Professional (CDP) certification program comes packaged in online, 10-minute chunks so it easily fits in between loads and weather challenges. Now updated and lower in price, classic CDP certification is totally self-taught, self-paced, self-directed and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With supervisory and HR cutbacks, this learning framework enables a producer to train drivers with very little interaction while still allowing supervisors to document and measure driver training outcomes.

See for yourself. Learn how it works by clicking here. And view clips of each learning unit by clicking here.

For specific questions, contact Shawnita Dickens at sdickens@nrmca.org or 240-485-1154.

 

MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub Updates Research, NRMCA Provides Technical Help

The MIT Concrete Sustain Hub held a one-day workshop on February 23 to present progress on the Phase II work related to concrete science and life cycle assessment. Dr. Franz Ulm provided an overview of research progress on life cycle assessment of concrete pavements and buildings and introduced graduate researchers who presented brief updates on topics including:

• Robust Life Cycle Assessment of Pavement Incorporating Uncertainty
• The Impact of Pavement Vehicle Interactions on Fuel Consumption
• Moving Life Cycle Assessment into the Design Phase of Buildings

Dr. Roland Pellenq detailed progress on the concrete science research and introduced graduate researchers who presented brief updates on topics including:

• Mesoscale Simulation of Setting: from Granular Simulations to Predicting Setting Time
• Heat Transport From the Scale of Atoms to the Scale of the US
• Recent Advances on the Theory of Fracture, Applications to Concrete

NRMCA’s Lionel Lemay, Brian Killingsworth, Tien Peng and Colin Lobo are providing technical support and guidance for the MIT research and continue to provide a critical role in outreach and technology transfer. NRMCA has several upcoming events during which MIT research results will be presented or discussed as part of the program:

• March 1, Free Webinar: Environmental Product Declarations for Concrete
• March 15, Free Webinar: Environmental Product Declarations for Concrete
• May 7-10, Seattle: International Concrete Sustainability Conference
• May 21-24, Online Course: Life Cycle Assessment of Concrete Structures

Additional resources, including 1-page summaries of the MIT research and downloadable PowerPoint presentations, are available from NRMCA at www.nrmca.org/sustainability. The MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub is funded by the RMC Research & Education Foundation and the Portland Cement Association. For more information, contact Lionel Lemay at LLemay@nrmca.org or 847-918-7101.

 

LEED 2012 Third Public Comment Period Opens March 1

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) will release its third draft version of the LEED 2012 Rating System. The comment period, which is available from March 1 to 24, is the last step in the program delivery process and development of the LEED update. NRMCA will review the draft and will provide comments for those sections of the LEED system that affect concrete applications.

LEED 2012 includes changes to all major LEED rating systems that affect new construction, existing construction, homes and neighborhoods. While LEED 2009 has 49 credits and 9 prerequisites, the new LEED draft has 49 credits and 15 prerequisites. They are organized into 10 credit categories - up from 7 for LEED 2009. Many of the Pilot Credit programs such as Life Cycle Assessments, environmental sourcing and Type III Environmental Product Declarations received sufficient feedback and have been incorporated into the LEED 2012 draft. Once the comment period process concludes, LEED 2012 will be balloted this June and launched in November of this year.

All NRMCA members are encouraged to review the public comment draft on USGBC’s Web site once it becomes available. NRMCA will provide follow up articles regarding potential changes affecting our industry.

For more information, contact Tien Peng at TPeng@nrmca.org or 206-913-8535.

 

NRMCA Testifies Before Oregon Legislature on Wood Preference Interest

Although the ‘Wood First’ Bill, establishing a preference for wood as the material of choice for state building construction, did not advance in the Oregon Legislature this year, a more subtle attack on an energy tax provision was introduced to advance Oregon forestry interests. Tien Peng, NRMCA’s senior director of sustainability, codes and standards along with local partner the Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association (OCAPA), testified at the Oregon House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee to clarify the role of concrete as a material of choice in sustainable strategies.

The hearing was information only and no action was taken. Earlier in the session, the House Energy and Environment Committee considered HB 4166, which would give equal or better consideration in lieu of the US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system for energy tax credits to projects using wood products produced under certain forest industry certification programs. Since LEED only recognizes the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) program, the wood interests wanted to dismiss the use of any rating system that did not give equal recognition and treatment to the more mainstream industry supported programs such as SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) and the American Tree Farm System.

This would leverage the use of the tax credit provision and promote wider use of wood in building projects. In its testimony, NRMCA clarified the importance of operational energy use in buildings while supporting LEED as a credible rating system that focuses on use phase of structures while addressing other environmental impacts. The debate regarding wood certification is, in fact, a red herring to the broader sustainability goals of increased energy efficiency. The message delivered also reflected upon the inequity of rating systems that provided preferential treatment to any one material, such as LEED’s FSC credit, as opposed to considering the whole life cycle impacts of structures.

Last year, it was announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Forest Service would preferentially select wood in new building construction. USDA will also make a commitment to using wood and other agricultural products as it fulfills President Obama's executive order on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance. These actions are manifestations of the broader attempts at the federal and local level by wood interests to build market share through the distribution of questionable research conclusions. NRMCA has directed its efforts at all levels to educate and inform decision-makers the true nature material selection in buildings.

For more information on the Wood First legislations, please contact Tien Peng at tpeng@nrmca.org or 206-913-8535.

 

NRMCA Advocacy News Roundup Updated Through February 24

To read government affairs-related stories that relate to the ready mixed concrete industry for the week of February 20-24, 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 Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

 

Educational Activities Committee Will Meet at Annual Convention

All are welcome to attend Educational Activities Committee's (EAC) semi-annual meeting Tuesday, March 7, from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. in the Johnson Room during NRMCA’s Annual Convention at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront. Discussion will include updates from other committees as they relate to EAC activities, launching pay-per-view training topics for mixer drivers, moving leadership strategy and sales manager training online, and the Innovation in Training Award.

For more information, please contact EAC staff liaison Eileen Dickson at edickson@nrmca.

 

Last Call for Registration of Once-a-Year, RMC-Specific Sales Training

NRMCA will host its one-time, annual Certified Concrete Sales Professional (CCSP) Module IV, Professional Sales Skills workshop, March 20-22 in Silver Spring, MD. With a challenging market projected for this year, the content has been totally revised to fit the current climate. There has never been a better time for mid-level staff involved in the sales process to hone higher level skills as they relate to ready mixed concrete-specific consultative sales practice.

We encourage interested parties to act quickly. This workshop is a required class in the STEPS Sales and Promotion Track.

For more information, contact NRMCA’s Shawnita Dickens at sdickens@nrmca.org.

 

Internet Special Highlights Thermal Measurements of Hydrating Concrete Mixtures Guide

NRMCA's Internet Spotlight, good through Tuesday, March 6, is the Thermal Measurements of Hydrating Concrete Mixtures guide. This publication introduces readers to SAC equipment, applications and basics of how to plan and conduct an effective SAC testing program. Interpretation of SAC thermal profiles are also discussed.

Order online today and receive 25% off. Internet Special $26.25, plus shipping. Please use scount Code ISFEB12 to receive the online discount.

 

A Look Ahead

March 1, Free Webinar
Environmental Product Declarations for Concrete
Email: Lionel Lemay, llemay@nrmca.org 

March 2, Webinar
National Account Parking Lots 101
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

March 4-6, Savannah, GA
NRMCA Annual Convention
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

March 15, Free Webinar
Environmental Product Declarations for Concrete
Email: Lionel Lemay, llemay@nrmca.org 

March 15, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

March 20, Webinar
Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete (*Part 2 is March 27)
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

March 20-22, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills Workshop
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

March 26-29, Online Course
Pervious Concrete—A Stormwater Solution
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

March 27, Webinar
Introduction To Concrete Pavement Analyst
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

April 5, Free Webinar
RMC Research & Education Foundation
Email: jlefevre@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1151

April 12, Springfield, MO
Implementing Disaster Resilient Construction In Your Community
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

April 12, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

April 16-19, Online Course
Design of Concrete Pavements
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

April 17, Sioux Falls, SD
Implementing Disaster Resilient Construction In Your Community
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

April 19, Denver, CO
Implementing Disaster Resilient Construction In Your Community
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

April 26, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

May 7-10, Seattle, WA
International Concrete Sustainability Conference
Email: Lionel Lemay, llemay@nrmca.org 

May 15, Pewaukee, WI
Implementing Disaster Resilient Construction In Your Community
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

May 15 - 16, Online Course
Strategy & Support for Managing Dispatch in Tough Times
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

May 17, Louisville, KY
Implementing Disaster Resilient Construction In Your Community
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

May 17, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

May 21-24, Online Course
Life Cycle Assessment of Concrete Structures
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

May 23, Nashua, NH
Handling Concrete Specifications, Low Strength Problems and Mixture Submittals
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

May 30, Portsmouth, NH
Implementing Disaster Resilient Construction In Your Community
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

June 7, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

June 25-28, Online Course
Concrete's Role in Sustainable Development
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

June 28, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

July 16-19, Online Course
Building Green with Concrete
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

July 26, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

August 6-9, Online Course
Pervious Concrete—A Stormwater Solution
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

August 9, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

August 14-17, Silver Spring, MD
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

August 27-30, Online Course
Design of Concrete Pavements
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

September 20, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

October 2-5, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module I: Concrete 101
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

November 1, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

November 13-15, Silver Spring, MD
Effective RMC Supervisor Certification
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

December 4-6, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module II: Customer Business Knowledge
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

December 4-6, Orlando, FL
Environmental Professional Certification Course for the Ready Mixed Concrete Industry
Email: jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152


2013

February 19-21, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge
Email: sdickens@nrmca.org, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

May 12-15, Chicago, IL
Fifth North American Conference on Design and Use of Self-Consolidating Concrete