NRMCA e-news

Pavement

NRMCA Discusses Local Paving Program before Wyoming Audience

NRMCA Vice President, Local Paving, Don Clem recently provided a presentation entitled "How the NRMCA Local Paving Program Can Increase your Bottom Line" at the 20th Annual Conference of the Concrete Association of Wyoming (CAW). Clem outlined how the local pavement program works and how it can lead to increased business by seizing opportunities. Over the last year, Wyoming producers have used NRMCA's Design Assistance Program to successfully promote both new and overlay concrete paving projects.

For more information, contact Don Clem at dclem@nrmca.org.

New Mexico State University Concrete Conference Featured Concrete Overlays

A large audience of educators, engineers, contractors and ready mix producers attended the 53th Annual Samuel P. Meggard Quality Concrete School held last month on the campus of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. NRMCA Senior Vice President, Local Paving, Jon Hansen, spoke with the group about overlaying existing asphalt with concrete, using the Guide to Concrete Overlays of Asphalt Parking Lots . A number of attendees have requested job specific information which will be followed up utilizing the Local Paving Team Design Assistance Program.

For more information, contact Jon Hansen at jhansen@nrmca.org.

Association & Industry News

Ready Mixed Concrete Production Statistics Updated Through December 2016

The preliminary estimate of ready mixed concrete produced in December 2016 is 22.2 million cubic yards, 8.3% lower than that in December 2015. The estimated production for 2016 is 343 million cubic yards, 2% higher than that in 2015.

Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Additional details, including quarterly production by state, is available here for NRMCA members.

MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub to Hold Public Webinars in March on Pavement Research

The MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub) is offering a series of free, public Webinars throughout 2017 that discuss topics related to the CSHub’s pavements research. The first, to be held on March 2, will provide an overview of the CSHub’s pavements research; the second, to be held on March 30, will take a closer look at "Pavements Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA): Price Projection Modeling." Both will take place at 11 a.m. Eastern time.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=426162&issueID=51183 to view the full article online.

Government Affairs

NRMCA Advocacy News Roundup Updated Through February 17

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 February 13 - 17, 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.

House Votes to Dismantle Dept. of Labor Blacklisting Rule

The House has been busy working to dismantle some of the Obama-era regulations, tackling one with direct impact to the ready mixed concrete industry: the federal blacklisting rule. The House recently passed H.J.Res. 37, a resolution aimed at repealing the federal contracts blacklisting rule.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=426695&issueID=51183 to view the full article online.

Senate Confirms Pruitt, Puzder Withdraws

The United States Senate voted Friday to confirm Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). NRMCA Government Affairs applauds the confirmation of Mr. Pruitt and looks forward to working with the EPA to provide relief from onerous regulations imposed by the Obama Administration.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=426696&issueID=51183 to view the full article online.

CONCRETEPAC Thanks Its 2017 Corporate Sponsors

CONCRETEPAC has broken its first record of the year – raising an impressive $108,000 for its Corporate Sponsorship program – more than ever before. These contributions underwrite CONCRETEPAC’s administrative expenses, including the cost of hosting events and filing reports. We thank the 37 NRMCA Producer and Associate member companies that have made corporate contributions to sustain our 2017 activities.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=426175&issueID=51183 to view the full article online.

Buildings

Promoter of the Year - Buildings - Awarded to Bill Childs of Chaney Enterprises

NRMCA’s Building Promoter of the Year Award is presented for outstanding contributions in support of concrete building promotion by an individual from an NRMCA Producer member. This year’s winner is Bill Childs of Maryland-based Chaney Enterprises.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=426691&issueID=51183 to view the full article online.

New Distance Learning Program Launched in Architect Magazine

NRMCA, in supporting the Build with Strength program to promote concrete for buildings, has launched a new education initiative in Architect magazine this month. Architects are encouraged to read the article in the magazine on concrete building systems and then go online to complete a short quiz to receive 1 AIA continuing education credit toward maintaining their professional license.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=426690&issueID=51183 to view the full article online.

Build with Strength to Hold Concrete Value and Innovations Seminar

On Thursday, March 16, in partnership with the Minnesota Concrete Council and the Aggregate & Ready Mix Association of Minnesota, Build with Strength will hold a Concrete Value and Innovations Seminar at the Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=426694&issueID=51183 to view the full article online.

OES

NRMCA Regulatory Enforcement Survey Closes Soon

NRMCA has crafted the third annual member survey to gauge regulatory action within the industry to determine regulatory trends on specific issues, issue types and in geographic regions. This information, while strictly confidential, will help NRMCA to better tailor its actions to address and/or combat any such issues and to keep a finger on the pulse of when, where, how and why regulatory agencies are targeting and/or levying enforcement actions against the industry.

NRMCA urges you to take the survey at your earliest convenience. It will be held open until 5 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, February 28.

Click here for the survey. For more information, contact Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

Tier II / Community Right-to-Know Reporting Deadline is March 1

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), put into law in 1986, requires industries to report on the "storage, use and releases of hazardous chemicals (and materials) to federal, state, and local governments." This specific reporting requirement under EPCRA is commonly referred to as Community Right-to-Know (CRTK) reporting, Tier II reporting, and/or Section 311/312 reporting. The reporting deadline is Wednesday, March 1.

Click here to learn more about EPCRA, chemical/material thresholds and how to report. For more information, contact either Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org or Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

Space Still Available for Final Two Spring 2017 Operations Classes

• NRMCA Safety Course, March 20 - 22, Atlanta - No operations manager should launch into the busy season without a firm handle on the safety aspects, rules and regulations of the business. Timing is right too - NRMCA’s Safety Class has seats. Please note this class will NOT be offered again for at least six months.

• Plant Manager Certification, April 25 - 28 in Seattle - This class is expected to fill and though early, do not delay registering. Why? The previous four classes, including the upcoming February class in Atlanta, have sold out.

For more information, contact Jessica Walgenbach at 301-587-1400, ext. 1152 or jwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

2017 Fleet Benchmarking Survey Entry Form Now Available

The 2017 Fleet Benchmarking Survey "sponsored by Lytx DriveCam" 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. This year’s form includes new question on mixer drum composition, idle time and types of fuel being used. 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 fall. A shorter Executive Summary of the survey is also made available to all. The deadline for submitting completed entries (via email to gmullings@nrmca.org) is Friday, April 14, 2017.

Entries must be submitted by e-mail to Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org by Friday, April 14. Click here for more information, staff contact and to download the entry form.

2017 Safety Contest & Benchmarking Survey Entry Form Now Available

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. 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 e-mailed to Karen Bean at kbean@nrmca.org by Friday, April 28. Click here for more information, to download the entry form and staff contact.

Engineering

Technology in Practice Series Adds New Topic on Concrete Shrinkage

A new topic in the Technology in Practice (TIP) series is available – TIP 17 – Drying Shrinkage of Concrete. TIPs are developed by the NRMCA Research Engineering and Standards (RES) Committee as educational material directed to concrete producers. TIP 17 discusses the mechanisms of volume change and factors that impact shrinkage of concrete. It provides guidance on developing concrete mixtures for shrinkage specifications and the test method for shrinkage.

TIP topics can be previewed and purchased here.

Richard D. Gaynor Award Presented to Industry Veteran Adams at ACAA

The Richard D. Gaynor award is presented to an individual that has demonstrated lifetime excellence and commitment on technical initiatives that have benefited the ready mixed concrete industry. It is named for Dick Gaynor who retired as the executive vice president of NRMCA’s Engineering Division. The recipient is selected by the NRMCA Research Engineering and Standards (RES) Committee. This year, it will be presented at the Awards Lunch during the NRMCA Annual Convention in Las Vegas in March.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=426688&issueID=51183 to view the full article online.

Education & Training

NRMCA to Sponsor, Deliver Education Sessions on Concrete Buildings at CONEXPO-CON/AGG

NRMCA will once again sponsor numerous education programs at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas, March 7-11.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=426692&issueID=51183 to view the full article online.

NRMCA Attends Trucking School Convention to Support Producer Member Recruitment Initiative

NRMCA Vice President of Education Eileen Dickson was a recent guest at the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools’ annual convention. The group represents over 140 US-CDL schools within the community college setting. These are higher level programs producing better quality commercial drivers. The schools have long partnered with long-haul companies. Many are willing to set up a Class B program if the enrollment numbers are feasible through partnerships with local ready mixed concrete producers.

If you have thoughts, opinions or concerns, NRMCA would love to hear them. Please contact Eileen Dickson at edickson@nrmnca.org.

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association