NRMCA e-news

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Schwing America, Inc.
GivenHansco, Inc
PROMOTIONS

As reported in September 2013 E-News by Vice President Amy Miller, a high profile Las Vegas, Nevada, engineering firm expressed a desire to become a "go to" firm for concrete paving design in the predominate flexible pavement region in Southern Nevada. Miller, Vice President Jon Hansen, and Tom Tietz, executive director of the California Nevada Cement Association, (CNCA) met with the firm on the last day of NRMCA's ConcreteWorks and presented an introduction to designing parking lots using ACI 330. Since September of 2013, the firm has been involved in designing three concrete parking lots using ACI 330 guidelines.

Last month, Hansen, along with Tom Tietz and Clay Slocum, Pavement Engineer with CNCA were back at the firm for a two hour Concrete Pavement Analyst (CPA) training session. With the core knowledge of ACI 330 learned earlier, the 18 attendees learned how to customize the CPA data base with local data to make the design process easier and faster. They also learned the value of evaluating rigid and flexable pavement sections for determining comparable design.

For more information, contact Jon Hansen atjhansen@nrmca.orgor Tom Tietz at tom.tietz@cncement.org.

 
The Euclid Chemical Company
ENGINEERING
NRMCA is offering a new Webinar to introduce its new NRMCA Producer Quality Certification on Wednesday, February 26, from 10:30 a.m. to noon Eastern time. The quality certification focuses on management commitment to quality, qualified personnel, properly maintained production facilities (the main focus of the NRMCA plant certification process), monitoring quality of concrete materials, and the produced product and measurement systems. This free Webinar will go into these details and answer questions such as what a producer needs to do to get certified: How much does it cost? What are my benefits? and so on. Please come armed with your questions.

Click here to access the online registration link, more information and staff contact.
 

The preliminary estimate of ready mixed concrete produced in December 2013 is 19 million cubic yards, 8.7% higher than in December 2012. The estimated ready mixed concrete production for 2013 is 301.3 million cubic yards, 4% higher than that in 2012.

Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the US Geological Survey. NRMCA members can view details at http://www.nrmca.org/concrete/data.asp.
 
OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & HR

Registration continues for NRMCA's Plant Manager Class taking place March 25-28, 2014 in Oklahoma City. Plant managers serve a vital function, with responsibilities that affect issues from regulatory compliance to product quality, safety and profitability. NRMCA’s certification program helps you make sure that they are up to speed on product knowledge, plant safety, environmental regulations, plant operations and ready mixed concrete industry business principles. This course establishes basic industry standards, measured through certification. Please note that batchmen are required to pass exams by the Army Corps of Engineers for federally awarded projects BEFORE work commences.

Click here for more information, registration options and staff contact.

 

The Safety Contest & Benchmarking Survey has for years been a safety performance and incentive/award program aimed to foster safe practices at ready mixed concrete plants across the nation. The Safety Contest & Benchmarking Survey is a per-plant contest open to all facilities operated by NRMCA member companies in good standing in 2013. Companies with more than one division are encouraged to distribute entry blanks to individuals responsible for keeping safety records at each plant location. Entries must be received at NRMCA via e-mail no later than April 15, 2014. Entry forms should be emailed to Karen Bean at kbean@nrmca.org by Tuesday, April 15, 2014.

For more information on, and to download the 2014 Safety Contest & Benchmarking Survey entry form please click here or contact Karen Bean, Gary Mullings.

 

This survey is filled out by industry fleet managers and/or financial managers early each year, based on data gathered from the previous calendar year’s performance. The Fleet Benchmarking Survey is used to establish industry benchmarking norms and procedures.  Information gathered from the annual Fleet Benchmarking Survey is published in a full report in Concrete InFocus magazine each autumn.  A shorter Executive Summary of the survey is also made available to all. The deadline for submitting completed entries (via email to gmuillings@nrmca.org) is Tuesday, April 1, 2014.

For more information on, and to download the 2014 Fleet Benchmarking Survey entry form please click here or contact Gary Mullings.

 

NRMCA’s Commitment to Environmental Excellence Awards competition offers producers national recognition for outstanding contributions to protecting the environment and maintaining sound management practice in their operations. The program salutes companies that have not only met, but surpassed governmental compliance measures and demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through plant and staff investment. Any NRMCA member company producing ready mixed concrete from a fixed plant location in the U.S., its territories or Canada is eligible to enter.  Awards will be determined upon individual plant merits; companies may choose to enter plants from any or all of the five production volume categories. All entries and photos must be received (via email to gmullings@nrmca.org) by Thursday, July 31, 2014.

For more information on, and to download the 2014 Environmental Excellence Awards entry form please click here or contact contact: Gary Mullings.

 
Trimble Construction Logistics
SUSTAINABILITY
NRMCA has signed an agreement with several cement and concrete groups from around the world to develop an international responsible sourcing certification program for concrete. The project, which is spearheaded by the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), includes cement and concrete groups from North America, South America and Europe. The agreement was signed on February 5 by NRMCA Chairman Bill Childs during a special ceremony at the International Concrete Sustainability Conference in Medellin, Columbia, one of several such conferences sponsored by NRMCA each year.

With the recent release of the United States Green Building Council’s (USBGC) LEED v4, building product manufacturers are faced with opportunities of contributing to the new Material and Resources Credit: Sourcing of Raw Materials. LEED v4 is encouraging the use of building products that have environmentally, economically and socially preferable impacts. The new Responsible Sourcing credit rewards project teams for selecting products and materials verified to have been extracted or sourced in a responsible manner. The development of the new international responsible sourcing program for concrete will help concrete producers meet these new LEED requirements. The international responsible sourcing program framework and details will be developed throughout 2014 and launched in early 2015.

For more information, contact Lionel Lemay at llemay@nrmca.org or 847-918-7101.
 

NRMCA has certified an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for CeraTech, Inc., an associate member of NRMCA. "This is the first non-portland cement concrete EPD certified by NRMCA," stated Lionel Lemay, Senior Vice President for Sustainable Development at NRMCA. "This is exciting and demonstrates CeraTech’s commitment towards environmental excellence by reporting their environmental impacts in an EPD," added Lemay.

The EPD covers concrete made with ekkomaxx™ cement concrete for a 6,000 PSI general use, fast drying, and low heat of hydration mix produced in the U.S. The EPD was independently verified under the NRMCA’s EPD Program which was established in 2012.

Incorporated in 2001, CeraTech, Inc., develops additives that, when combined with fly ash, meet ASTM C1157 as a hydraulic cement system. All CeraTech brands are non-portland cements for concrete. CeraTech does not own any concrete plants, but distributes throughout the U.S. to a network of CeraTech Preferred Producers with ready-mix plants producing ekkomaxxTM cement concrete along with other brands of non-portland cements.

CeraTech engaged LCA consultant Martha VanGeem, to conduct a comprehensive LCA and develop the EPD. They followed the North American Product Category Rule for Concrete developed by the Carbon Leadership Forum, relevant international standards and the NRMCA EPD Program Instructions to complete the EPD. The LCA and EPD were independently verified by Athena Sustainable Materials Institute. As required by the international standards, NRMCA published the EPD on its website.

For more information about NRMCA’s EPD Program and to download a PDF of the CeraTech EPD, visit www.nrmca.org/sustainability/EPDProgram. Contact Lionel Lemay of NRMCA at LLemay@nrmca.org or 847-918-7101.



 
EDUCATION &TRAINING

Educational Activities Committee (EAC) Chairwoman Vicki Tyminski extends a warm invitation to all attendees at NRMCA's 2014 Annual Convention to join the Spring EAC Meeting, Saturday, March 1, from noon to 2 p.m. at The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas. A buffet lunch will be served. As the industry recovers, more producers are evaluating what industry-based training would best serve their staff and companies. Hear about new mixer driver training materials, industry career planning support and NRMCA-sponsored CONEXPO-CON/AGG seminars.

Please join us for a frank discussion about what your company could use to keep employees performing at a national standard. That includes foreseeable publications, classes, Webinars and out-of-box ideas: creative input is most welcome.

For more information, contact staff EAC liaison Eileen Dickson at edickson@nrmca.org or 240-485-1164.

 

NRMCA's Sales Skills, CCSP IV, is scheduled March 18-20, in Silver Spring, MD (Metropolitan Washington, DC) . This innovative three-day course provides a sales framework and toolkit that can immediately adapt to your organization’s strategies to drive revenue. Master the most up-to-date, industry-related, sales fundamentals through ready mix-specific simulations, role plays and case study analyses that include the challenges of selling concrete's sustainability attributes as well as applying tools for pervious and parking lot sales.

Get Results Now: This course is recommended for professionals of all levels, so whether you deal with internal or external customers, these skills will make an immediate impact on your work!

• Volume and Value: Sell both for short and long term results.
• Secrets to Good Relationships: Solve problems and win loyalty.
• Who Calls the Shots?: Find and communicate with decision-makers.
• Role-playing is Serious Business: Learn how practice makes perfect.
• Close Calls: Overcome obstacles and close the sale.

Click here for more information, registration options and staff contact.

 
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Due to the overwhelming demand, NRMCA is extending the Concrete Overlays of Asphalt Parking Lots Bundle special as our February Internet Spotlight, good through Tuesday, February 25. Save $100 by purchasing a 25-pack set of the "Guide to Concrete Overlays of Asphalt Parking Lots" and receive a FREE copy of the Concrete Overlays of Asphalt Parking Lots Flip Book. Normally a $179 value, now only $79 for a limited time.

• Guide to Concrete Overlays of Asphalt Parking Lots  This 64-page book provides information for decision makers and practitioners about selecting, designing and constructing successful concrete overlays on existing asphalt parking lot pavements.
• Concrete Overlays of Asphalt Parking Lots Flip Book – This flip book provides a primer to an industry promoter, concrete sales person and concrete contractor on the proven technology of using concrete to overlay and renew existing asphalt parking lots. Packed in 20 pages in a popular flip book format, including presenter notes, this flip book touches on: "How and Why" concrete overlays work; "Rules of Thumb" for evaluating and exiting parking lot and determining concrete thickness; "Best Practices" for placing concrete overlays and "Quick Case Studies" of successful projects. 

Order online today and receive $100 off. The regular member price is $179.00, Internet Special $79.00, plus shipping. Discount Code is OVERLAYS.
 
CALENDAR
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.

February 24–27, Webinar
LCA of Concrete Structures
Email: Tien Peng, 206-913-8535
 
February 25, Free Webinar
Design Assistance Program and Joint Plan Assistance Program
Email: Amanda Hult, 303-953-2382
 
February 25, Nashville, TN
Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification Program
Email: Darla Sparkman, dsparkman@tnconcrete.org
 
February 26, Free Webinar
NRMCA Producer Quality Certification
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
February 27, Webinar
Designing Concrete Parking Lots the Right Way!
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
March 1–3, Las Vegas 
NRMCA Annual Convention
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
March 3, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Program
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

March 4–8, Las Vegas
CONEXPO-CON/AGG
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
March 11, Free Webinar
New Radical Material and Resources Reporting Criteria in LEEDv4
Email: Tien Peng, 206-913-8535
 
March 12, Free Webinar
STEPS™ A Long Term Career Tool for the RMC Industry
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
March 17, Webinar
Roller Compacted Concrete: Another Choice for Pavement
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
March 18, Webinar
Controlling Moisture in Concrete Slabs
Email: Amanda Hult, 303-953-2382
 
March 18–20, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP IV: Professional Sales Skills Workshop
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
March 25, Webinar
Concrete Overlays for Streets and Local Roads and Parking Lots
Email: Amanda Hult, 303-953-2382
 
March 25, Leesburg, VA
Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification Program
Email: Hessam Nabavi, hessam@vrmca.com
 
March 25–28, Oklahoma City
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
April 7, Webinar 
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 2 is April 14)
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
April 15, Free Webinar
New Radical Material and Resources Reporting Criteria in LEEDv4
Email: Tien Peng, 206-913-8535
 
April 16, Webinar
Building the Customer Relationship... in the Post-Recession Economy
Email: Eileen Dickson, 240-485-1164
 
May 6, Webinar
Soils 101
Email: Amanda Hult, 303-953-2382
 
May 12–15, Boston
International Concrete Sustainability Conference
E-mail: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101
 
May 21, Webinar
Personal Leadership and Coaching
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
June 3-5, Silver Spring, MD
Concrete Durability Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
June 17, Webinar
Concrete Pavement Jointing Plans
Email: Amanda Hult, 303-953-2382
 
July 8, Webinar
Understanding Asphalt
Email: Brian Killingsworth, 830-438-2690
 
August 12-15, Silver Spring, MD
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
August 19, Webinar
Controlling Moisture in Concrete Slabs
Email: Amanda Hult, 303-953-2382
 
August 20, Webinar
Recruiting & Hiring Top Performing Ready Mix Sales Reps
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
September 10, Webinar
Re-Entrepreneuring: 7 Strategies for Rebuilding Your Business in the New Economy
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
November 19, Webinar
Sales Performance Assessments and Review for Ready Mix Sales Managers
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
 
Fritz-Pak Corporation
Marcotte Systems Ltd.
MPAQ Automation
Putzmeister America, Inc.
McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing, Inc.
WAM USA, Inc.
Clean Energy
Xypex Chemical Corp