Julia Street and Iberville Street fuel two major portions of New Orleans' "Hospitality Zone," the former is a direct line into the New Orleans Convention Center, while the latter is the primary truck line into the French Quarter, supplying a string of hotels, restaurants, clubs and small businesses. Iberville Street was littered with potholes and sink holes, which produced swathes of standing water at curbsides, a problem exacerbated by poor gutter lines that prevented the water from reaching the drainage system. Julia Street, which had not been paved since 1981 despite its service as a direct link from the Convention Center and cruise ship terminals to the Superdome, had in the interim undergone a protracted series of repeat patchwork that left curb settlement along the street without a clear curb/roadway demarcation. Both streets presented with areas of crumbling asphalt, and both contended daily with massive amounts of traffic from incredibly heavy vehicles.

State transportation departments are considering using high-tech maps to measure how much fuel is saved from driving on repaved highways, thanks to a new pavement-vehicle-interaction test developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). "We are moving into a new era of pavement management systems, which consider not only rider comfort and safety but also the quantitative carbon environmental impact," says Franz-Joseph Ulm, director of MIT’s Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSH), an industry-funded research center that focuses on ways to reduce the material’s 5% to 10% global carbon footprint.

Historically, pavement engineers have strived to balance safety and driver comfort when designing long-lasting concrete pavements. In recent years, tire/pavement noise has become a hot-button issue for motorists and residents living near high-volume roadways alike. In the past, this was a dilemma, since many of the more aggressive concrete surfaces that provided the best traction and safe driving also brought the unintended consequence of increased tire/pavement noise. Times have changed. With a new Next Generation Concrete Surface (NGCS), the I-394 rehab project in Minneapolis demonstrates departments of transportation now can have both.

NRMCA’s popular Parking Lot Boot Camp took place in Wisconsin last week with a team consisting of an NRMCA Producer member and an ASCC concrete contractor reports Jon Hansen, senior vice president, local paving, who conducted the boot camp with Phil Kresge, senior director, local paving.

"One segment of the Parking Lot Boot Camp is about finding parking lot opportunities every day during your normal course of business. At the conclusion of the boot camp, the contractor was talking to facilities people of the hotel where the camp was held about rehabilitating its existing asphalt parking lot with concrete. What a great example of putting into action what you just learned," Hansen said.

NRMCA’s Pavement Engineer Amanda Hult recently presented the Design of Concrete Pavements to the Colorado chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The dinner event was well attended by civil engineers throughout the community as well as students from the local engineering colleges, Hult reported. She presented basic design information on conventional concrete for parking lots and streets and local roadways as well as concrete overlays, pervious and roller compacted concrete. NRMCA’s Design Assistance Program (DAP) was presented to the attendees as a free service provided to designers. One of the engineers in attendance thanked Hult for this service as he along with many others in his office were not familiar with the ACI 330 and 325 design procedures.

NRMCA’s Local Paving division is pleased to introduce a new Webinar, Pervious Concrete Maintenance Guidelines, for owners and property managers with pervious concrete pavement. This Webinar identifies the maintenance requirements of a pervious concrete pavement and describes the proper maintenance procedures. It is scheduled for Monday, March 21, at 2 p.m. Eastern time and is free.

"Maintenance and cleaning of pervious pavement is the owner’s responsibility," says NRMCA Senior Director, Local Paving, Phil Kresge. "However, many pervious concrete owners are not aware of the connection between proper maintenance and the pavement’s performance. Awareness of maintenance requirements by the owner and adherence to scheduled maintenance activities are critical to ensuring the longevity of the pervious pavement system."

All owners and property managers whose sites utilize pervious concrete for stormwater management are encouraged to attend the Webinar. "Specifiers and designers of pervious concrete pavement can also benefit from attending," adds Kresge. "The Webinar highlights the NRMCA Maintenance and Operations Guidelines for Pervious Concrete Pavement, and all attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the guide." Specifiers are encouraged to include the guide within their pervious concrete specifications and designs.

"It’s not the role of the government to pick winners and losers in the marketplace with taxpayer subsidies."

The Washington State Legislature is no longer considering a bill that would have granted tax breaks for the use of a product known as cross laminated timber (CLT). At the onset, the legislation seemed like a bill designed to promote the state’s venerable timber industry, but local advocates pushed back by citing a number of unintended consequences that they believe jeopardized the safety of at-risk populations, including the disruption of the marketplace for building/design products, and the unintended consequences on an already tight state budget.

"We understand the natural attraction to wood products here in Washington, but simply because wood is abundant does not mean it is the right choice for safe growth," said Allen Hamblen, president of CalPortland Co. and chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. "Different buildings have different design needs that require the use of different products, but they all should meet certain safety standards that CLT cannot.  Wood burns, rots and molds, and that is not a product we want in schools, multi-family housing or retirement homes."

NRMCA and its local allies are citing not only safety issues with CLT, but the economic impact such legislation would have on the marketplace and the state budget. They are concerned that designers, architects and builders will no longer be the key decision makers when it comes to what product to use and will instead be far too concerned with price differential.

"The state shouldn’t be in the business of picking winners and losers. When someone invests, designs and builds a new structure in Washington State he or she should be free to do so with the building material that is right for the job, not the ones that are financially feasible on account of state intervention," said Mario Reyes, former president of the North Central Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the State Commission on Hispanic Affairs. "Washington is in no way united behind the idea of tax breaks that bank economic growth on a single building product, especially one that puts occupants and first responders in harm’s way."

Ellis Coleman is a second generation wood framer, but when it came time to build his own house, he chose concrete, insulating concrete forms to be exact. Since then, he has been singing the praises of building with ICFs to anyone who would listen. Of course, talk is cheap so when it came time for Mr. Coleman’s development business, EYC Companies, to build its new multi-family development in Charleston, SC, he put his money where his mouth is and designed a first-class ICF multi-family rental property. The new project, called 17 South, is slated for groundbreaking next month. According to EYC, the project will feature 220 units of modern, highly functional and energy efficient living spaces with urban amenities at affordable pricing. 17 South will feature a balanced mix of studio, one and two bedroom floor plans with an average size of 892 square feet.

Mr. Coleman isn’t short of praise for ICF construction and as someone who spent his early years framing homes and building trusses, his story is instructive. "It may not be cheaper than wood, but it will save time if we can get the ready mix producer and pumper to help us streamline production." For a coastal environment with the threat of hurricanes and high winds and salt air, the completed project will offer peace of mind not only to Mr. Coleman but to his residents as well. Like real estate developers in coastal communities around the United States, EYC Companies has to consider the resilience of their projects. As building codes for these communities become more stringent, wood makes less and less sense and these guys know it. For early adopters like Mr. Coleman the opportunity to differentiate their product in the market will pay dividends for years to come. (Click here for more information on this project.)

EYC Companies is looking ahead to its next project in North Carolina and while the inland site might be less vulnerable to extreme weather, Mr. Coleman is still looking to expand his use of concrete.

Most developers understand the benefits of building with concrete, including strength, durability, energy efficiency and reduced sound transmission. However, many developers are still struggling to justify expanding its use of it in multi-family projects. Their need to focus on first cost is pushing them toward wood regardless of all the risks inherent in its use, including fire, mold, shrinkage, extreme weather and noise. Through its new design assistance program for buildings, NRMCA helps developers like EYC build with concrete by providing economical structural designs and assembling teams that can build concrete at the lowest possible cost.

ISO, an advisory organization on property and casualty insurance risk, has released the National Building Code Assessment Report on the status of the nation’s building codes. The report includes individual assessments of each participating state and provides a comprehensive examination of building codes and its enforcement in 20,800 communities representing 87% percent of the U.S. population.

Robert Andrews, vice president and chief field operations officer, ISO' Community Hazard Mitigation says, "building codes have taken on even more importance for property owners, insurers, builders, local and federal government agencies and emergency response teams." The report supports community resilience through codes as "communities with well-enforced, up-to-date codes generally demonstrate better loss experience. Insurance rates should reflect that."

Along with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), ISO developed the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) to assess a community’s building code enforcement in three areas: code administration, plan review and field inspection. NRMCA has supported national and state efforts to strengthen codes for community resilience though the International Code Council, the US Green Building Council and state legislative and regulatory bodies.

For more information on national codes and standards contact Tien Peng at tpeng@nrmca.org or 206-913-8535. For more information on state and local initiatives, contact John Loyer at JLoyer@nrmca.org or 703-675-7603.

The preliminary estimate of ready mixed concrete produced in December 2015 is 24.2 million cubic yards, 5.5% higher than that in December 2014. The estimated ready mixed concrete produced in 2015 is 336.3 million cubic yards, 3.5% higher than that in 2014.

This week, CONEXPO-CON/AGG unveiled its theme for the 2017 exhibition: Imagine What’s Next. The theme reflects the vision for the 2017 show as it embraces applied technologies that help the construction industries reduce downtime, maximize efficiency at job sites and minimize waste while increasing bottom line profits and enhancing safety. CONEXPO-CON/AGG will continue to provide attendees access to the newest products from every major construction-related industry, including asphalt, aggregates, concrete, earthmoving, lifting, mining and utilities. To showcase the theme, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 will feature a 75,000 square foot pavilion dedicated to presenting emerging construction innovations that are driving change and process improvement across the industry. 

Co-located with the IFPE exhibition for fluid power, power transmission and motion control, CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 7 - 11.

"Technology is critical to the future of the construction industry and CONEXPO-CON/AGG has always been a show that helps industry executives keep pace with the latest in new equipment and product innovations," said Rich Goldsbury, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 show chairman and president of Bobcat Company and Doosan. "But, as industry is being transformed by technology, our attendees understand the importance it has on their bottom line. It is our responsibility and privilege to connect them with the most cutting edge innovations in safety, equipment and operations that are reshaping the future."

NRMCA has named Steve Johnson of Martin Marietta the Ready Mixed Concrete Delivery Professional Driver of the Year for 2016.
A panel of industry judges selected Johnson as the top driver from a group of outstanding applicants from all across the United States.Mr. Johnson (shown at left), whose home plant is located in Fort Collins, CO, was honored for his career achievements, outstanding safety record, professionalism, driving competency and customer service skills. He has worked for Martin Marietta and its predecessors for 45 years. Along with numerous accolades, Johnson has never had accident or rejected load and has averaged more than 8,000 cubic yards delivered over the past three years.

"Steve has reached these milestones due to his commitment, pride, dedication to his employer and peers, and desire to be the best he can be," wrote Martin Marietta salesmen Ken Nelson when nominating Johnson for the Driver of the Y6ear Award. "He is truly the epitome of a ready mixed concrete driver." 

Along with the winner, two runner-ups were also selected by the judges. The first is 30-year veteran mixer driver Paul Chipman of Jack B. Parson Companies, Salt Lake City. Regional President Bob Rowberry wrote, "In all the years Paul has driven, he has been accident free. Paul has been a trainer for most of the drivers in the Salt Lake valley. Paul goes out of his way to help new drivers become better and our customers love him as well. The best part about Paul is his positive attitude which radiates through his team and influences everyone that he comes in contact with."

 

Also honored as a runner-up was 22-year veteran mixer driver David Mangold of CEMEX, Cocoa, FL. Mangold has averaged an amazing 10,000 cubic yards delivered of the past three years. CEMEX customer Kellie Bardo of JR Pumping Inc. wrote, "I first heard of Dave some 20 plus years ago from my father who was a manager for Rinker Materials. My father was a stickler for rules and would use David as an example of what a great employee looked and acted like. David Mangold is a great driver, but even a better person."

The 2016 judges also selected an Honorable Mention candidate, Joshua Stewart of CalPortland Company, Tucson, AZ. This 15-year-veteran driver recently was credited for his life saving actions by the American Heart Association. Writes transportation Manager Gary Dykman, "In November, a customer at a job site was controlling a chute when he collapsed. Josh was nearby waiting to unload and rushed over and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Hospital doctors told the victim’s family he may not have survived if not for the quick actions of the mixer driver."

As the winner of the 2016 award, Mr. Johnson will receive a $5,000 check from the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau. As runner-ups, Mr. Chipman and Mr. Mangold will each receive a check for $1,000. Mr. Stewart, as Honorable Mention, will receive a check for $500. The 2016 Driver of the Year winners will be honored at NRMCA’s Annual Convention during the Awards Breakfast Ceremony on Tuesday, April 12, in San Diego. The Chicago-based trade magazine Concrete Products is a cosponsor of the Driver of the Year program.

For more information, contact Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org.

NRMCA has crafted the second 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.

The 2016 Fleet Benchmarking Survey sponsored by Lytx DriveCam is completed each year by industry fleet managers and/or financial managers based on data gathered from the previous calendar year’s performance. This year’s form includes new questions on mixer drum composition, idle time and types of fuel being used. NRMCA's 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 autumn. A shorter Executive Summary of the survey is also made available to all.

The deadline for submitting completed entries by e-mail to gmullings@nrmca.org is Friday, April 15, 2016.

According to a new report conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics in nearly 70 countries, global green building continues to double every three years. The SmartMarket report also revealed that expansion will continue in the United States. Across all regions, many survey respondents forecast that more than 60 percent of their projects will be green by 2018. Nearly half (44%) the respondents in the U.S. report that they are doing more than 30% of their projects green and 58% report that they will be building green at that level by 2018. Additionally, increasing consumer demand has pushed the world’s green building market to a trillion-dollar industry, a surge that has led to a corresponding increase in the scope and size of the green building materials market, which is expected to reach $234 billion by 2019. (Click here to download the report.)

According to the NRMCA publication, Concrete’s Contribution to LEED v4, concrete can influence 74 of the 110 points available. With the advent of product transparency in rating systems such as LEED and other green building standards, demand for third-party validated reports such as environmental product declarations (EPD), responsible sourcing reports and health product declarations (HPD), NRMCA has developed a series of tools and guides to help members meet these new requirements. Click here for more detail.

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 15 - 19, 2016, please click here.

It's the 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 2016 NRMCA Annual Convention at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego from April 10-12. These are CONCRETEPAC's  largest events of the year and 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 2016 Cadillac ATS Sedan 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 ready mixed concrete and cement industry 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. 

CONCRETEPAC thanks our Landmark super sponsors CEMEX, US Concrete, Command Alkon, Concrete Supply Company, Grace Construction Products, Oldcastle Materials Co. and Ozinga; Red level sponsors Breckinridge Materials, Chandler Concrete Co., Inc., Chaney Enterprises, Lehigh Hanson Company and Sika; and White level sponsors MMC Materials and Vulcan Materials.

Click here to become a corporate sponsor of CONCRETEPAC. For more information please contact NRMCA’s Cara Gavagan at cgavagan@nrmca.org.

*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.

March 1, Webinar

Sales Management 101... for Ready Mix Sales Managers

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

 

March 7, 2016, Chattanooga, TN

Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification Course

Email: dsparkman@tnconcrete.org, 615-360-7393

 

March 15 - 17, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills

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

 

March 15 - 17, Des Moines, IA *Sold Out

NRMCA Safety Course

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

 

April 5 - 8, Birmingham, AL

Plant Manager Certification Course

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

 

April 10 - 12, San Diego

NRMCA's Annual Convention

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

 

May 4, Manchester, NH

Improving Concrete Quality

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

 

May 10, Webinar

Personal Leadership and Coaching

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

 

May 15 - 18, Washington, DC

International Concrete Sustainability & Self-Compacting Concrete Conference

Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101

 

June 6 - 8, Silver Spring, MD

Concrete Durability Course

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

 

September 18 - 20, Nashville, TN

NRMCA's ConcreteWorks 2016

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

 

October 4 - 7, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module I: Concrete 101

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

 

October 11, Webinar

Recruiting & Hiring Top Performing Ready Mix Sales Reps

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

December 6, Webinar 

Sales Performance Assessments and Reviews... for Ready Mix Sales Managers

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