NRMCA e-news

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Schwing America, Inc.
NRMCA's celebration of the 100th anniversary of ready mixed concrete in the U.S. continues this month with two more histories of Producer and Associate members - see below for their respective Web site links. This week's industry milestone: In 1986, lunar soil gathered by the crew of Apollo 16 was tested to determine its suitability as an aggregate for making concrete for lunar base construction.

To have your company featured in this space in the coming weeks, please contact 
NRMCA's Kathleen Carr Smith at kcarrsmith@nrmca.org or 301-587-1400, ext. 1145.

S.T. Wooten Corporation - Seth Tyson Wooten, Sr., founded the business in 1952 in a small building beside his home in Stantonsburg, NC. He spent long hours working on farm equipment, building small trailers and eventually digging irrigation ponds for local farmers. The company was incorporated in 1956. By the late 1950s, the business had broadened into grading and paving throughout the Southeast. In the 1960s, Mr. Wooten, Sr., purchased his first asphalt plant. Throughout the next decade, Mr. Wooten, Sr.’s son – Seth Tyson Jr. – led the construction of several interstate projects. He worked to build the asphalt business and added a ready mixed concrete plant. Read more.

An NRMCA producer member since 1978 

WAM Corp. - In 1990 WAM Corp., based in Gainesville, FL, moved to Atlanta. Five years later, the company set up an assembly line for round dust collectors with components coming in from Italy. In 1996, WAM signed a licence agreement for the production of tubular screw conveyors and feeders with a local screw conveyor manufacturer. It is now also a member of the Concrete Plant Manufacturers Bureau. Read more.

An NRMCA Associate Member since 2001
 
GivenHansco, Inc
NEWS LINKS
The ACI Foundation, a wholly-owned and non-profit subsidiary of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) that receives, administers and expends funds for educational, research and scientific purposes, has named Ann Daugherty as its new director. She will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the ACI Foundation and its programs. Ann will also serve as the manager of programs for the Foundation’s Strategic Development Council (SDC) and as the liaison for a number of SDC Accelerated Technology Implementation teams, the Technology Management Committee and the Technology Transfer Advisory Group.

Source: ACI Foundation news release on August 15. Read more.
 
PROMOTIONS
Next up this month are two more entries in NRMCA's series of promotion-focused Webinars: Effectively Communicating Sustainability and Roller Compacted Concrete: Another Choice for Pavement. You'll need to hurry to register for Effectively Communicating Sustainability because it's scheduled for tomorrow while Roller Compacted Concrete is set for next week. Click on the respective links below to learn more and to register.
 
The Euclid Chemical Company
ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY NEWS
The preliminary estimate of ready mixed concrete produced in June is 27.8 million cubic yards, 1% lower than that in June 2012. The estimated ready mixed concrete production through June is 137 million cubic yards, 0.4% higher than during the same period in 2012. 

Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Details, including the 2nd quarter production by state, are posted on the NRMCA Web site for access by NRMCA members only.
 
Please plan to attend the Building for Life: MIT CSHub Showcase 2013 on September 25-26 in Cambridge, MA. This year’s program (formerly known as Industry Day) will feature keynote speaker the Honorable Ray LaHood, former secretary of transportation, and will also include a comprehensive update on the developments in concrete science and life cycle cost environmental research from the MIT researchers.

For more information please click here. The MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub was established in 2009 through funding from the RMC Research & Education Foundation and the Portland Cement Association.
 
NRMCA’s Developing Industry Leaders program is accepting nominations for a limited number of middle managers from various companies to come together and challenge themselves to strategically address issues facing our industry.  This program differs from other association programs in that individuals participating in this program will form teams, with each choosing a separate industry issue, to work on via conference calls, emails and webinars over several months, with a culminating presentation at NRMCA’s 2014 Annual Convention next March.  This experience will broaden participants’ understanding of their industry while giving them the opportunity to work on a team with other developing leaders across the country. There is no fee for participation other than the cost to send your employee to the Convention for his/her presentation.

Click here to download the information letter and application/nomination form.  For more information about this program, contact NRMCA’s Nicole Maher at nmaher@nrmca.org or 240-485-1158.
 
ENGINEERING
The technical track program provides a broad range of topics at NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks at the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa just outside Las Vegas from September 22-24. ConcreteWorks has a full technical track as one of four content tracks at the event (click here for general event information). The following sessions are planned. More details and associated events around these sessions are listed for technical professionals to set their program while at ConcreteWorks.

• NRMCA New Producer Quality Certification Program
• Performance & Sustainability Initiatives of the Illinois Tollway Authority
• Value-Added Technology Applications for Ready Mixed Concrete
• New Radical Materials and Resources Reporting Criteria in LEED v4
 
The NRMCA room block at Red Rock expires on Friday, August 30, but availability is on a first-come, first-served basis until the rooms sell out. In addition, there is a large international music event in Las Vegas in the days preceding our conference and flights may sell out earlier than normal, so plans should be made early.

For more information, contact NRMCA's Colin Lobo at clobo@nrmca.org.
 
The popular Annual NRMCA Concrete Technology Training and Certification Program (Short Course) is scheduled for November 4-8 at the RMC Research & Education Foundation Center in Silver Spring, MD. NRMCA is now accepting registrations for the course. The course provides a fundamental understanding of concrete, aggregates and concrete making materials; requirements in industry codes and standards and proportioning concrete mixtures. Attendees have the opportunity to obtain four industry-recognized certifications: ACI Grade I Field Testing Technician, ACI Flatwork Finisher Certification and NRMCA Level 2 and 3 Concrete Technologist certification. These industry certifications are essential for technical service personnel with suppliers of materials to the concrete industry and with concrete producers.

Registration for the course will close at a maximum of 40 people due to space restrictions. Interested persons should register early! For more information about the course and to register, click here.
 
NRMCA's Engineering Department will teach its annual introduction to concrete fundamentals for those who need a broad overview of technical and operations essentials. The curriculum is appropriate for sales reps, dispatchers, administrative/home office and mid-level staff as well as those in an executive function whose jobs do not relate to concrete per se, but who should have knowledge of the industry. This class is NOT appropriate for technical ready mixed concrete personnel.

The workshop will be held October 1-4 at the RMC Research & Education Foundation Center in Silver Spring, MD. The attendees’ exam will be the morning of October 5. For those working toward their NRMCA STEPS® CCPf certification in Sales and Marketing Track, this is a required class. For others working toward CCPf certification in other STEPS tracks, the class is the qualifying prerequisite or an elective.

Click here for more information, including registration options and staff contact.
 
OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & HR
OES will host three face-to-face classes in Fall 2013. With a clear understanding that operations people now multitask, these classes focus on giving participants immediate skills to help juggle all their balls within compliance parameters as well as learn efficiency processes and organizational methods. A registration fee discount is extended to those companies that send three or more people to one class title.

• The Effective RMC Supervisor – Silver Spring, MD, November 12-14. Click here for more information. 
• Environmental Professional Certification – Orlando, FL, December 4-6. Click here for more information. 
• Plant Manager Certification – Orlando, FL, December 10-13. Click here for more information.

These three classes are required to earn NRMCA's STEPS "Operations and Production" Track certification, CCPf. STEPS is the ready mixed concrete’s industry most prestigious employee professional development program, supporting career development and job retention/succession planning.

For more information or questions, contact NRMCA's Jessica Walgenbach at jwalgenbach@nrmca.org or 240-485-1152.
 
The new Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires chemical manufacturers, distributors or importers (including ready mixed concrete producers) to make adjustments to their Hazard Communication Plan... is your company ready? The new rule that went into effect in 2012 requires ready mixed concrete producers to change their Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDSs to a new 16-part format Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ... have you done so? There is a new criteria for labels on hazardous chemicals, including pictograms... do you know what they are? The labels must now include Chemical Hazard Classifications, Precautionary Statements and Signal Words... are your employees familiar with these? The new standard requires that your employees be trained about the various aspects of your new Hazardous Communication Plan by later this year... have they been trained? Do you know where to find ready mixed concrete industry specific training? 

NRMCA has scheduled a Webinar on Tuesday, August 27, to help explain these issues. Leading the discussion will be NRMCA's Gary Mullings and Kevin Walgenbach and NRMCA members from Producer companies Tim Kauzlick of CEMEX and David Bosarge with MMC Materials. 

Click here to register. For more information, contact Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org.
 
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 the Week of August 12 - 16, 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 August Internet Spotlight, good through Tuesday, September 3, is the promotion Flip Book series. A Flip Book presentation is ready-to-go anytime, anywhere and can be done over an informal cup of coffee or during a one-on-one meeting. They are designed to assist in promoting the benefits of concrete to specifiers. These comprehensive 20-page presentations consist of clear, bulleted text and supportive illustrations to be viewed by the specifier, backed by key additional information that only the salesperson can see. Each of the nine Flip Book topics come with a Windows PowerPoint version on CD-ROM for electronic presentations, which also enables the editing and printing of page updates.

Order any of the Flip Books online today receive 25% off. Regular member price is $29, Internet Special $21.75, plus shipping. Discount Code: ISAUG13.
 
CALENDAR
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.

August 22, Webinar
Effectively Communicating Sustainability
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
August 27, Webinar 
Concrete Pavement Jointing Plans
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
August 27, Webinar
Hazard Communication Standard Training for the Ready Mixed Concrete Industry
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
August 27, Webinar
Roller Compacted Concrete: Another Choice for Pavement
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
August 27-29, San Jose, CA
Concrete Durability Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
August 30, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
September 10, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
September 10, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
September 12, Webinar
Effectively Communicating Sustainability
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
September 19, Free Webinar
Coal Ash Material Safety—A Health Risk-Based Evaluation of USGS Coal Ash Data from Five US Power Plants
Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101
 
September 22-24, Las Vegas, NV
ConcreteWorks & Board of Directors' Meeting
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
September 26, Webinar
Sustainable Design with Concrete
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
October 1, Webinar
Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete - Part 1 (*Part 2 on October 8)
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
October 1-4, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP I: Introduction to Concrete Fundamentals—Concrete 101
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
October 15, Webinar
Roller Compacted Concrete: Another Choice for Pavement
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
November 4, Silver Spring, MD
Concrete Technologist Traning & Certification "Short Course"
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
November 5, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
November 5, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
November 7, Webinar
Sustainable Design with Concrete
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
November 8, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
November 12-14, Silver Spring, MD
The Effective RMC Supervisor Course
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
November 19, Webinar
Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete - Part 1 (*Part 2 on November 26)
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
December 3, Webinar
Roller Compacted Concrete: Another Choice for Pavement
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
December 3-5, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP II: Customer Business Knowledge
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
December 4-6, Orlando, FL
Environmental Professional Certification Course
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
December 10-13, Orlando, FL 
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
December 23, Webinar
Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete - Part 1 (*Part 2 on December 30)
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
 
Fritz-Pak Corporation
Marcotte Systems Ltd.
MPAQ Automation
Putzmeister America, Inc.
McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing, Inc.