Recently, NRMCA senior national resource directors Jon Hansen and Amy Miller along with industry partners Corey Zollinger of CEMEX and Jason Wimberly of EAS Consultants participated in an educational program at national home improvement Lowe's at the company's request at its Wilkesboro, NC, location. The subject matter was arranged by Lowe's and included various topics related to concrete parking lot construction, repair and pervious concrete. The presentation was well-attended by Lowe’s employees in project management and design and construction.

Lowe’s appreciates the value of concrete; it was the first NRMCA National Account to include ACI 330 requirements in its design recommendations to its consultants, along with a request for a concrete design in every project, Miller said. The Lowe's relationship has continued to progress as it continues to explore concrete opportunities. Along with constructing concrete parking lots designed using ACI 330, it has also constructed a 100% pervious parking lot and has successfully completed a roller compacted concrete distribution center.

"Lowe’s is a bellwether National Account to which we are able to point other national accounts," Miller said. "It is savvy in that it understands the value of competitive bidding via appropriately designed concrete sections and is open to trying other concrete options that make financial sense to its business."

"Based on this meeting and our interaction here, I’m looking forward to future developments in the works at Lowe's involving concrete," added Zollinger. "Even through the economic downturn and its slowdown of construction projects, it continues to explore alternative ideas with concrete that will add to its bottom-line."

For more information, contact Amy Miller at amiller@nrmca.org.