NRMCA e-news

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Schwing America, Inc.
GivenHansco, Inc
NEWS LINKS
The prospect of a long-term transportation funding bill looks dim this week, based on reports coming from Washington. Leaders of the 47-member conference committee from their respective chambers, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. John Mica (R-FL) sharply criticized each other last week in tones uncharacteristic of the first month of negotiations among the highway conference committee.

Source: A June 17 article in The Hill, as included in the June 18 AGC SmartBrief e-newsletter. Read more.
 
A report analyzing U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) information available concerning coal ash constituents concludes that the concentrations of metals in the material, with few exceptions, are below environmental screening levels for residential soils and similar in concentration to common dirt. Coal Ash Material Safety – A Health Risk-Based Evaluation of USGS Coal Ash Data from Five US Power Plants uses scientific methods to demonstrate that coal ash does not qualify as a hazardous substance based on its composition and should not be classified as hazardous on a human health risk basis. That finding is contrary to claims of environmentalists lobbying for stringent Environmental Protection Agency oversight of coal ash handling and storage.

Source: June 11 article in Concrete Products magazine. Read more.
 
Kentucky is perhaps most well known for horses, but if the state's concrete promotion team has anything to do with it, the Bluegrass State will also be known for the success of various concrete projects. Kentucky Ready-Mixed Concrete Association's Technology & Education Specialist Brett D. Ruffing calls attention to the association's June 2012 newsletter which contains details on numerous success stories throughout the state. Click here to read more and view a host of pictures.
 
The City of Asotin, WA, decided to pave the century old Second Street with a fresh batch of concrete because it lasts longer, is cost effective and is friendlier to the environment. For that decision, the city received the Concrete Community Award for 2012 from the Washington Aggregates and Concrete Association. 

Source: June 14 report by CBS television affiliate KLEW. Read more.
 
PROMOTIONS
Recently, J.G. MacLellan Concrete sales representative Rick Lee was able to open some doors in the Massachusetts marketplace that would have otherwise stayed closed thanks in large part to just being attentive and observant, reports NRMCA Senior National Resource Director Doug O'Neill. Lee heard about several projects being considered by one National Account (to be named later) in Massachusetts and took it upon himself to tell O’Neill. After Lee identified all the major design partners and several of the key contacts within this particular National Account, meetings were set up with the design team.

"This is a perfect example of how the team concept works," O'Neill said. "The local experts, hearing of a project that clearly has national scope, then reaches out to NRMCA and together develop a plan of attack. The information provided by Rick proved very useful in our efforts to reach out to the developer who is based in another state. It also added to our ever-growing list of contacts within this particular National Account and allowed us to approach this project from several sides. Another critical step in this process is bringing in the state association, the Massachusetts Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association, to assist with moving these projects forward toward converting into concrete on the ground."

If you have knowledge of a National Account project being planned in your area, reach out to the NRMCA’s national resource team. NRMCA’s National Account program is aimed at companies,  organizations or agencies that design, construct or operate facilities on a national scale. The sharing of information from one state can often lead to success in multiple states. For more information on our National Account program contact Doug O’Neill at doneill@nrmca.org.
 
NRMCA's national resource directors have one more Webinar scheduled for June, this one on Streets and Local Roads promotion. Click on the link below to learn more or contact NRMCA's Jessica Walgenbach at jwalgenbach@nrmca.org.
 
The Euclid Chemical Company
ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY NEWS
The preliminary estimate of ready mixed concrete production in April 2012 is 24.5 million cubic yards, 17.5% higher than April 2011. The estimate of ready mixed concrete produced through April is 80.5 million cubic yards, 19.2% higher than during the same period in 2011.

Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. More details are available for NRMCA members at this link.
 
ENGINEERING
The NRMCA Concrete Durability Course was offered in Denver earlier this month in partnership with the Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association. The course was instructed by Michael Thomas, University of New Brunswick, Kevin Folliard, University of Texas at Austin and NRMCA's Colin Lobo. The 18 attendees included ready mix producers and material suppliers, designers and representatives from federal and state agencies. The course was very well rated by all attendees. 

Of 17 who attempted the exam, 14 passed and 10 were awarded the NRMCA Concrete Technologist Level 4 certification. The Level 4 certification is awarded if individuals have a current NRMCA Level 3 certification. This is not a requirement to attend the course and persons passing the exam can be awarded the Level 4 certification after they have completed the prerequisites. Congratulations to Alan Sparkman of the Tennessee Concrete Association for achieving the highest score on the exam.

NRMCA is in the final planning stages for the next offering of the Durability Course, tentatively scheduled for September 5-7 in Silver Spring, MD. People interested in attending the course can contact Karen Bean at kbean@nrmca.org for registration information after course details are finalized.
 
OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & HR
Chronologically by date, please note the following face-to-face classes:
For more information, contact Jessica Walgenbach at jwalgenbach@nrmca.org, or  888-846-7622, ext. 1152.
 
Applications for the 2012 NRMCA Mixer Driver Championship are due on Friday, June 29. The contest will be held in September as part of NRMCA's ConcreteWorks Conference & Expo held just outside Washington, DC.

To obtain an application form or for more information, contact Karen Bean at kbean@nrmca.org or Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org.

 
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
To read government affairs-related stories that relate to the ready mixed concrete industry for the week of June 11 - 15, 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.
 
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
NRMCA's June Internet Spotlight, good through Friday, June 29, is the Hot Weather Package. Now that the hot weather is here, help front line staff brush up on tips to help make the job go easier and get better results, with CIP information sheets and a short, valuable driver training video. This package includes the driver training DVD "How to Keep It Cool," tips for placing concrete during hot weather and CIP-12 "Hot Weather Concreting" (Pkg. of 50). 

Order online today and receive 25% off the regular member price of $80: Internet Special is $60, plus shipping. Please use Discount Code ISJUNE12 to receive the online discount.
 
CALENDAR
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.

June 25-28, Online Course
Concrete's Role in Sustainable Development
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
June 28, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
July 3, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
July 3, Webinar (Part 2 on July 10)
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
July 10, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
July 10, Webinar (Part 2)
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
July 16-19, Online Course
Building Green with Concrete
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
July 23, Sacramento, CA
Concrete Safety Course
Email: Karen Bean, 888-84-NRMCA, x1168
 
July 26, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
July 26, Acme, MI
Slabs: We've Got You Covered
Contact: Concrete Foundations Association's Ed Sauter, esauter@cfawalls.org
 
August 6-9, Online Course
Pervious Concrete—A Stormwater Solution
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
August 9, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
August 14, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
August 14, Webinar (Part 2 on August 21)
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
August 14-17, Silver Spring, MD
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
August 21, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
August 21, Webinar (Part 2)
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
August 27-30, Online Course
Design of Concrete Pavements
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
September 4, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
September 4, Webinar (Part 2 on September 11)
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
September 11, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
September 11, Webinar (Part 2)
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
September 16-19, Metro Washington, DC
2012 NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks & Board of Directors Meeting
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
September 20, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
October 2-5, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module I: Concrete 101
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
October 23-25, Silver Spring, MD
Effective RMC Supervisor Certification
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

November 1, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
November 5-9, Silver Spring, MD
Technical Short Course
Email: Karen Bean, 888-84-NRMCA, x1168
 
December 4-6, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module II: Customer Business Knowledge
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
December 4-6, Orlando, FL
Environmental Professional Certification Course for the Ready Mixed Concrete Industry
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
December 11-14, Denver
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
December 12-13, Doha, Qatar
International Concrete Technology Forum
Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101
 
2013
 
February 19-21, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
March 3-5, San Antonio, TX
NRMCA Annual Convention
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
March 19-21, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module IV: Sales Fundamentals
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
May 6-8, San Francisco
International Concrete Sustainability Conference
Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101
 
May 12-15, Chicago
Fifth North American Conference on Design and Use of Self-Consolidating Concrete
 
 
Fritz-Pak Corporation
Marcotte Systems Ltd.
WAM Inc.
MPAQ Automation
Command Alkon