NRMCA has named Edward Rieper of Eastern Concrete Materials, Inc., a U.S. Concrete Company and NRMCA Producer member, as its the Ready Mixed Concrete Delivery Professional Driver of the Year for 2015. A panel of industry judges selected Rieper as the top driver from a group of outstanding applicants from across the U.S. Mr. Rieper, whose home plant is located in Bogota, NJ, was honored for his career achievements, outstanding safety record, professionalism, driving competency and customer service skills. He has worked for Eastern Concrete Materials for more than 29 years and is a proud member of Teamsters Local 560. Mr. Rieper drives the "Army" mixer truck to honor the nearby West Point Military Academy.

"I am very proud of Eddie’s accomplishments," said Teamsters Local 560 President Tony Valdner. "It is a testament to the professionalism at Eastern Concrete and their drivers as a whole." 

"Eddie is a team leader, professional fireman and a great American," wrote Eastern’s Vice President of Operations Louis Petrillo who nominated Rieper for the Driver of the Year Award. "His, I can, I will attitude and his resolve to do what’s right represents the best of what Eastern Concrete Materials, Inc. has to offer."

Along with the winner, a runner-up was also selected by the judges. He is 27 year veteran mixer driver Henry "Pete" Scarborough of Concrete Supply Co., Charlotte, NC. Operation’s Manager Tony Hunt wrote, "Pete has a great safety record and while remaining accident free, has won multiple company clean truck awards and has 25 high productivity awards... that needs to be considered as the 'triple crown' for delivery drivers." Contractor Phillip Tarelton wrote "Scarborough can put a concrete truck where most people can’t even put a bicycle."

As the winner of the 2015 award, Mr. Rieper will receive a $5,000 check from the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau. As runner-up, Mr. Scarborough will receive a check of $1,000. The 2015 Driver of the Year winner and runner-up will be honored at NRMCA’s Annual Convention, Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Orlando, FL. The Chicago-based trade magazine Concrete Products is a cosponsor of the Driver of the Year program.

A marketing campaign by Dave Gray of NRMCA member GCC Cement in Colorado quickly resulted in interest from three more potential clients interested in concrete overlay projects, reports NRMCA Vice President, National Resources, Jon Hansen. Gray's campaign dated to last fall when an overlay project began at Pinehurst Country Club in Denver. He then sent a letter to 20 golf courses along the front range in Colorado, speaking of parking lot rehabilitation using concrete and including a copy of NRMCA's Guide to Concrete Overlays of Asphalt Parking Lots to better explain the process. From those 20 mailings, three responded immediately, requesting more information and a site visit to Pinehurst to view the project. Once at Pinehurst, the grounds staff was more than happy to show off the project to other golf course managers. NRMCA has prepared a preliminary Design Assistance Program (DAP) for one golf course; course officials have met with a contractor to provide an estimate.

"The sequence of events coming from the success of Pinehurst once again proves the best promotion for your next project comes from the project you are doing," Hansen said. "The entire Colorado team working on parking lot paving, both new construction and concrete overlays of existing asphalt parking lots, has got the process dialed in."

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

The preliminary estimate of ready mixed concrete produced in November 2014 is 24 million cubic yards, the same amount produced in November 2013. The estimated production through November is 303 million cubic yards, 7.3% higher than that produced during the same period in 2013.

Former executive director of the Massachusetts Aggregate and Concrete Producers Association (MACAPA), Robert Barton, has died at the age of 80 in Needham, MA. Barton attended Northeastern University in Boston, joined the Army ROTC and played quarterback on the school's varsity football team. He earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering in 1957 and master's degree in structural engineering as well as an MBA in 1964 from Northeastern University. He served as executive director of MACAPA until 1999. Barton was also employed at various times at Rosenfeld Concrete, McNamara Ready Mix and Fafard Development. He is a past president of the Boston Post Society of Military Engineers and was a member of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, Association of General Contractors and the American Concrete Institute.

Barton is survived by Stephanie Barton, his wife of 59 years, and his children Robert Jr. and Sallie Barton of Attleboro, Ken and Su Barton of Londonderry, NH, John and Jean Barton of Wakefield, Stephanie and Jim Mahoney of Winchendon, Kathryn and Robert Sutherland of Framingham, Susan and James Ridlen of Mansfield and Amy and Jay Adams.  He is also the beloved grandfather of 18 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass was held yesterday in Needham followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery, Wellesley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barton's memory to The Divine Mercy Ministries, PO Box 2882, Olympia, WA 98507.

The 94th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) meeting was held last week in Washington, DC. More than 12,000 transportation professionals attended, an increase of about 5% over the previous year. 5,400 papers were presented over 750 sessions. Following is an update of the sessions and meetings attended by NRMCA.

There was a workshop and hands-on demo of the surface and bulk resistivity test methods. Apart from Florida and Louisiana, several other state transportation agencies are considering using this as a viable alternative to the RCPT test (ASTM C1202) due to its lower cost, ease, and rapid use. AASHTO TP 95-11 is a provisional standard and ASTM is likely to develop a standard this year.

NRMCA Vice President, Technical Services, Dr. Karthik Obla presented a paper/poster on the topic "Criteria for Freeze-Thaw Resistant Concrete Mixtures". The paper was based on a multi-year research project at the NRMCA Research Laboratory funded by the RMC Research & Education Foundation and the FHWA state pooled resource fund.

At the Properties of Concrete Committee meeting, Obla presented on the NRMCA Producer Quality Certification Program. Several DOT personnel appreciated the value of this program and spoke about the need for improved concrete quality.

There was a TRB workshop on cracking where it was reported that the Ontario DOT did not prescribe minimum cement contents.

A Webinar and a workshop are planned on nanotechnology of concrete at the next TRB meeting in 2016. The national nanotechnology initiative has developed a 3-year strategic plan which can be accessed here.

There was interest in gearing our transportation network for driverless cars though nothing specific was discussed at the concrete committee meetings. A circular on internal curing will be available by Spring. The circular on concrete durability will be updated and the circular on nanotechnology of concrete is available here.

For more information, contact Karthik Obla at kobla@nrmca.org.

For just $6.67 per person through January 31, your staff can access NRMCA’s Online Safety Series. All lessons are streamed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and may be viewed an unlimited number of times within the 30-day streaming period. Every 20-minute video lesson includes a quiz and individual, printable proof of training certificates. Supervisors also get a printable log to satisfy your insurance carriers and OSHA. Safety is first-set your annual safety expectations the first month of the year. 

The NRMCA Fleet Benchmarking Survey is completed 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 survey is published in the Fall in a full report in NRMCA's quarterly Concrete InFocus magazine. A shorter executive summary of the survey is also made available to all. The deadline for submitting completed entries (via e-mail to gmullings@nrmca.org) is Wednesday, April 1, 2015. 

 

NRMCA's 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. It's a per-plant contest open to all facilities operated by NRMCA member companies in good standing in 2014. 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 received at NRMCA via e-mail no later than April 15, 2015, to NRMCA’s Karen Bean at kbean@nrmca.org.

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 January 12 - 16, 2015, please click here.

The 114th Congress convened on January 6 and has already passed a number of legislative items that were left hanging from last year. On January 12, President Obama reauthorized the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) which enables the federal government to pay businesses after catastrophic terrorist attacks exceeding $200 million in damage. The bill passed overwhelmingly (416-5 in the House, 94-4 in the Senate) even though it includes a roll back of some Dodd-Frank financial regulations. TRIA provides economic certainty when purchasing terror insurance in the private market and its extension will continue to allow major infrastructure projects to move forward.

On January 9 by a 266 – 153 vote, 28 House Democrats broke with their party in voting for the Keystone XL pipeline. There are currently 63 votes to advance Keystone in the Senate, which is still debating the measure. Last Congress, the Senate fell one vote short of passage. President Obama has vowed to veto the bill when it comes to his desk. The House is about 15 to 20 votes short of the two-thirds needed to overturn a veto. The Senate is expected to be at least four votes short as well. NRMCA cosigned construction industry letters to members of Congress supporting approval of Keystone XL.

H.R. 23, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2015, passed the House 381 - 39 on January 7. The bill coordinates research on windstorms among NIST, FEMA, NSF and NOAA and requires that FEMA work with building and standard stetting bodies to promote the implementation of research results and better building practices within the building design and construction industry. NRMCA has been lobbying for this bill with others in a package of resilient construction measures.

It’s that time of year to show your support for one of NRMCA’s most important programs – CONCRETEPAC. Registration is now open for corporate sponsorship of CONCRETEPAC events being held during the 2015 NRMCA Annual Convention at the Marriott World Center Resort, Orlando, FL, from March 1-3. These are CONCRETEPAC's largest events of the year; we hope you will consider supporting the concrete industry’s premier political action committee through corporate sponsorship. This year’s events include a golf tournament and the CONCRETEPAC "Back the Pac" Appreciation Reception & Dinner with live and silent auctions, followed by the most coveted event of the year, a door prize drawing for a 2015 Ford Mustang V6 Convertible or $30,000.

As you know, supporting CONCRETEPAC is an excellent way for your company to advertise in front of the industry’s top executives. More than 400 of the ready mixed concrete and cement industry’s top executives will be in attendance. In addition, registering as a corporate sponsor of CONCRETEPAC helps NRMCA to underwrite the costs associated with hosting fundraisers. Remember, corporate funds may be used to sponsor CONCRETEPAC events.

Click here to become a corporate sponsor. Thank you for your consideration of these important CONCRETEPAC sponsorship offerings -- your continued support is essential in helping to further the ready mixed concrete industry's legislative agenda.

Thank you to the more than 50 amazingly talented artists who submitted their work to our second annual Kids Art Contest! We are overwhelmed at the artistic talent and creativity that went into these beautiful pieces and all of the creative takes on "Sustainability: The Future of Ready Mixed Concrete." Not only did we double the number of entries over last year, we also doubled the number of NRMCA member companies that are represented. The artwork is currently being prepared for judging; winners will be announced at the 2015 NRMCA Annual Convention in March in Orlando, FL. You can view all of the entries here. 

Once a year, NRMCA offers CCSP III, Fundamentals of RMC Accounting, Finance, and Business Law: CCSP Module III, Business Knowledge. This year it will be held February 24-26 in Silver Spring, MD. The class is geared toward mid-level, non-financial managers in sales, operations and administrative-support. The material covers industry-specific accounting basics, cost and break-even analysis, pricing and legal issues. Topics include interpreting a ready mixed producer's internal balance sheet and profit & loss statement, the importance of cash flow and collections, as well as costing projects for optimal financial return and construction financing. Antirust compliance and the fundamental of contract law are also introduced. Each is critical to a producer to assure sales staff sell every cubic yard profitably.

Participants receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and, if they pass an optional exam, can use the class toward Certified Concrete Sales Professional (CCSP) and STEPS certifications.

NRMCA's annual Sales Skills Seminar, CCSP IV, runs  March 31 to April 2 in Silver Spring, MD. This innovative three-day course provides a sales framework and toolkit that can immediately adapt to your organization’s strategies to drive revenue. Master the most up-to-date, industry-related, sales fundamentals through ready mix-specific simulations, role plays and case study analyses that include the challenges of selling concrete's sustainability attributes as well as applying tools for pervious and parking lot sales.

Get Results Now: This course is recommended for professionals of all levels, so whether you deal with internal or external customers, these skills will make an immediate impact on your work.

• Volume and Value: Sell both for short and long term results;

• Secrets to Good Relationships: Solve problems and win loyalty;

• Who Calls the Shots?: Find and communicate with decision-makers;

• Role-playing is Serious Business: Learn how practice makes perfect; and

• Close Calls: Overcome obstacles and close the sale.

The NRMCA January Internet Spotlight, good through Tuesday, February 10, are four driver training lessons to help ready mix delivery professionals cope with rough winter weather:

• How About This Weather - This video lesson provides guidelines to survive both cold and warm weather situations. The DVD highlights prevention methods against hypothermia as well as dealing with someone who is experiencing hypothermia on preventing overexposure to heat. Regular member price is $70, Internet Special $50, plus shipping. Use Discount Code: ISJAN15. Order here.

• Too Cold! Can't Start? - The lesson discusses cold weather engine start-up procedures and concerns. Regular member price is $70, Internet Special $50, plus shipping. Use Discount Code: ISJAN15. Order here.

• Cold Weather Concrete - This driver training DVD gives information on adjusting mixes for use in cold weather, provides drivers tips on how to properly deliver concrete in cold weather and offers suggestions that delivery professionals can make to customers with regard to placing concrete in cold weather. Regular member price is $70, Internet Special $50, plus shipping. Use Discount Code: ISJAN15. Order here.

• Pressure's On - Pts. 1 & 2 - In a two-part set, this DVD set  explains the function and safe operation of the 10 main components in a typical water system, and the lesson builds on that functional understanding so the delivery professional can recognize when the system is not working properly. Basic winterizing is detailed in this lesson. Regular member price is $99 and non-member price is $129 (no discount). Order here.

January 22, Free Webinar

Streets & Roads Team Building & Situation Analysis

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

January 26-28, Nashville, TN (Presented by Tennessee Concrete Association)

CCSP Module II: Customer Business Knowledge

Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

 

January 29, Free Webinar

Roller-Compacted Concrete for Streets & Roads

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

February 9-13, Seattle

Regional Concrete Technologist Training and Certification Course "Short Course"

Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168

 

February 10-13, Centennial, CO (metropolitan Denver)

CCSP Module I: Introduction to Concrete Fundamentals (Concrete 101)

Email: Stacy Ehrlick, (303) 290-0303

 

February 17-19, Silver Spring, MD

Dispatcher Training Forum

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

February 24, Free Webinar

Streets & Roads Promotion for DOTs, Counties & Municipalities

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

February 24-26, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module III: Business Skills Basics for Profit - General Business Knowledge

Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

 

February 25, Atlanta

Improving Concrete Quality

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

March 1-3, Orlando, FL

NRMCA Annual Convention

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

March 9, Free Webinar

Streets & Roads Team Building & Situation Analysis

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

March 9-11, Nashville, TN (Presented by Tennessee Concrete Association)

CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge

Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

 

March 16-18, West Palm Beach, FL

Safety Course

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

March 18, Free Webinar

STEPS - A Long Term Career Tool for the RMC Industry

Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

 

March 24-27, Salt Lake City

Plant Manager Certification Course

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

March 31-April 2, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills Workshop - 24 hours

Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

 

April 6-8, Nashville, TN (Presented by Tennessee Concrete Association)

CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills

Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154

 

May 11-13, Miami

International Concrete Sustainability Conference

Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101

 

June 2-3, Nashville, TN

Concrete Durability Course

Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168

 

July 13, Free Webinar

Streets & Roads Team Building & Situation Analysis

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

November 2-6, Silver Spring, MD

Annual Concrete Technologist Training and Certification Course "Short Course"

Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168

 

December 1-3, Orlando, FL

Environmental Course

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152