NRMCA e-news

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Schwing America, Inc.
The Euclid Chemical Company
PROMOTIONS
The Orange Lutheran High School located in Orange, CA, is one of the latest in a growing list of schools that have resurfaced its old asphalt parking lot (shown below) with a concrete overlay, reports NRMCA Senior Vice President, Local Paving, Jon Hansen.



The approximate 130,000 square foot project was constructed by Bogh Engineering in Beaumont, CA, with concrete supplied by NRMCA Producer member Robertson’s Ready Mix.

For more information, contact Jon Hansen at jhansen@nrmca.org or Tom Tietz with the California Nevada Cement Association at tom.tietz@cncement.org.
 
Don’t let the busy summer season put your all-star promotion efforts on the bench. Let NRMCA’s ConcreteAnswers Series Hub for Architects, Engineers and Developers come to bat for you. "By sponsoring a local engineer, architect or other specifier to attend a Webinar, you’ll be providing them access to accurate information, cutting-edge technology and qualified support for their projects," says Senior Director, Local Paving, Phil Kresge. "It’s just another way to keep your company’s name in front of them while your sales team may be committed elsewhere."

Through the many educational Webinars and courses available through the ConcreteAnswers Web site, specifiers can choose from a variety of topics presented in a convenient and effective online format. The presentations are given by members of the NRMCA’s Local Paving team, each of whom has a strong knowledge of concrete and an average of more than 20 years of construction industry experience. Additionally, they have direct access to an extensive network of technical experts that can be tapped to answer questions or provide innovative solutions.

Delivered in a one-hour Webinar, the topics include:
  • The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
  • ACI 330 – The Gold Standard in Concrete Parking Lot Design
  • Concrete Overlays for Streets and Local Roads and Parking Lots
  • Roller-Compacted Concrete: Another Choice for Pavement.
There are also multiple-session programs, including Design of Concrete Pavements; Introduction to Design and Construction of Roller-Compacted Concrete; and the ever-popular Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete. All the specifier Webinars are registered with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and earn Professional Development Hours (PDH) credits for participants.

Click here for more information on the ConcreteAnswers Series Hub and the available Specifier Webinars or contact Phil Kresge at pkresge@nrmca.org.
 
ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY NEWS
NRMCA’s National Truck Mixer Driver Championship is a highlight of the year and your company can be part of it! NRMCA is pleased to offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to meet every budget. Join in supporting the industry’s best drivers and the only national trade association representing the ready mixed concrete industry by participating in the 2015 Championship taking place in San Antonio, TX, in conjunction with ConcreteWorks on September 20. Your company will be recognized in the event program, on-site banners and signs and with personal recognition from NRMCA leadership live at the event. Opportunities are limited so act now! You can find the full list of opportunities here (please note: due to the special nature of this event, these opportunities are not included in annual sponsorship packages).

For more information, contact Kathleen Carr-Smith at kcarrsmith@nrmca.org.
 
Please join us on the morning of Tuesday, September 22, for the 4th Annual Walk for Wellness, a Walk emphasizing the importance of wellness not just in everyday life but at work as well. The Walk will take place in conjunction with NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks in San Antonio. Registration is only $25, which is tax deductible, and is available for free for drivers and their families participating in the 10th Annual Mixer Driver Championship. Participants can set up their own personal fundraising pages to track their support online. If you won't be able to join us, you can still support one of the walkers in the endeavor. Please click here for more information and to register. 

Sponsorships are also available and are an excellent way to promote your company and support the Foundation at the same time. Please click here for the sponsorship form.

Please contact Jennifer LeFevre at jlefevre@rmc-foundation.org or at 240-485-1151 for more information.
 
McInnis USA, Inc.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
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 July 6 - 10, 2015, 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 Jill Landry at jlandry@nrmca.org.
 
Last week, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee introduced the Comprehensive Transportation and Consumer Protection Act (S. 1732), which is the Commerce Committee’s title for a surface transportation reauthorization bill. The six-year bill includes a provision that would make permanent the exemption given by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to the ready mixed concrete industry for the Hours of Service 30-minute break rule. The bill addresses the overall exemption process by reforming the application process for exemption requests and extends the time period for an exemption from two years to five before an applicant must reapply. Most importantly, the bill allows FMCSA to make exemptions already issued permanent.

The inclusion of this language in S. 1732 marks a huge win for NRMCA and the ready mixed concrete industry. The bill will be marked up in the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday, July 15; it is expected to be a bipartisan markup. The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee still needs to introduce legislation for the transit portion and the Senate Finance Committee is still working to find a way to pay for the entire surface transportation package. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced late last week that he intends to bring a highway package to the floor sometime this week or next. NRMCA, along with members of the Highway Materials Group (HMG), sent a letter to Members of Congress requesting support for a long-term, fully-funded transportation bill before the latest extension expires on July 31. Members in the HMG include the American Coal Ash Association, American Concrete Pavement Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Associated Equipment Distributors, Concrete Steel Reinforcing Institute, National Asphalt Pavement Association, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association and Portland Cement Association. In addition, the Transportation Construction Coalition sent a similar letter supporting action on a long-term, fully-funded bill.

For more information please contact NRMCA’s Kerri Leininger at kleininger@nrmca.org.
 
EDUCATION &TRAINING
The Educational Activities Committee invites ready mix producers to submit their company’s most innovative training initiatives of 2014-2015. Companies must submit their entries no later than Friday, July 31. The Innovation in Training Award winner will be recognized at NRMCA's ConcreteWorks to be held in September in San Antonio, TX. Additionally, the winning submission will be featured in a best-practices article in NRMCA's quarterly magazine, Concrete InFocus. MTSU's Concrete Institute Management program faculty will serve as judges.

Click here for more information or contact NRMCA's Eileen Dickson at 240-485-1164 or by e-mail, edickson@nrmca.org.
 
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
The NRMCA July Internet Spotlight, which will be good through Tuesday, August 4, is Improving Concrete Quality. While there are many books on concrete technology it is hard to find a book that is focused on the subject of improving concrete quality. This book discusses concrete quality measurement as well as the tangible and intangible benefits due to improved quality. This book will be of significant value to concrete producers who will come away with readily implementable steps to reduce variability and attain a more consistent product thereby seeing performance benefits and cost savings.

Use Discount Code: ISJY15 to Order Improving Concrete Quality online today and receive 20% off the member price. Regular member price is $75, Internet Special $60, plus shipping.
 
CALENDAR
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.

July 20, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Promotion for DOTs, Counties & Municipalities
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
July 20, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Program
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
July 31, Free Webinar
Winning Initial Streets & Roads Projects in Counties & Municipalities
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
August 14, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Elected Official Advocacy
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
August 17, Free Webinar
Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 1)
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
August 24, Free Webinar
Roller-Compacted Concrete for Streets and Roads
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
August 24, Free Webinar
Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 2)
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
September 20 - 22, San Antonio, TX
ConcreteWorks & Board of Directors' Meeting
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
September 28 - 30, Ontario, CA
Concrete Durability Course
Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168
 
October 6 - 8, Webinar
Handling Concrete Specifications, Low Strength Problems and Mixture Submittals
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
October 13 - 16, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module I: Concrete 101
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
November 2 - 6, Silver Spring, MD
Annual Concrete Technologist Training and Certification Course "Short Course"
Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168
 
November 4, Free Webinar
STEPS A Long Term Career Tool for the RMC Industry
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
November 17 - 19, Silver Spring, MD
Effective RMC Supervisor Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
November 17 - 19, Charlotte, NC
NRMCA Safety Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
December 1 - 3, Orlando, FL
Environmental Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
December 1 - 3, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module II: Customer Business Knowledge
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
December 8 - 11, Orlando, FL
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
2016
 
February 23 - 25, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
March 13 - 15, San Diego
NRMCA's Annual Convention
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

March 15 - 17, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
April 5 - 8, Birmingham, AL
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
May 15 - 18, Washington, DC
International Concrete Sustainability & Self-Compacting Concrete Conference
Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101
 
 
Fritz-Pak Corporation
Putzmeister America, Inc.
WAM USA, Inc.
Xypex Chemical Corp
McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing, Inc.
True Dispatch
Lehigh Hanson
Naylor Association Solutions