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Association & Industry News

Ready Mixed Concrete Production Statistics Updated Through June 2017

The estimated ready mixed concrete produced in June 2017 is 34.4 million cubic yards, 0.3% higher than that in June 2016. The estimated production through June 2017 is 164 million cubic yards, 1.7% higher than that during the same period in 2016.

Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. NRMCA members can view additional details, including 2nd quarter production by state here.

NRMCA Participates in Conference in Mexico for Ready Mix Producers

NRMCA recently participated in an event held by the Association of Independent Mexican Producers (AMCi) which organized a 2-½ day expo and conference in Santa Fe, Mexico. The event was attended by 250 people with a large contingent of students. Colin Lobo, executive vice president of the engineering division, delivered a 90-minute presentation titled Concrete Quality: Changing the Mindset from Strength to Durability. Lobo covered the basic requirements for producing and delivering concrete mixtures for durability in which he outlined the fundamental quality control activities that could be more significant when durability of concrete is emphasized compared to strength. He outlined the potential economic benefits to a company of a functioning quality control system. The presentation was well received by the attendees. Lobo also discussed the use of the NRMCA Plant Certification Program with AMCi leadership.

For more information, contact Colin Lobo at clobo@nrmca.org.

Government Affairs

NRMCA Advocacy News Roundup Updated Through September 1

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 August 28 - September 1, 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.

OES

Federal Court Invalidates Controversial Obama Era Overtime Rule

Last Thursday, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas formally invalidated the Obama Administration regulation on new overtime pay rules. The overtime rule, finalized in May 2016 and which has been suspended by the same court since last November, would have included:

Raising the salary threshold for overtime pay from $455/week or $23,660 to $913/week or rather $47,476 per year (which is less than the proposed $50,440 or $970/week);
Increasing the highly-compensated employee threshold from $100,000 to $134,004;
Updating the salary threshold every three years, starting in 2020 (will be tied to the 40th percentile of full-time salaried workers in the lowest income region of the country);
Amending the salary basis test to allow employers to use nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments (commissions) to satisfy up to 10 percent of the new standard salary level; and
NOT changing the "duties test" for executive, administrative and professional employees (which was originally hinted at in the proposal).

This latest development was made possible through numerous pro-business interests of which NRMCA is closely aligned. The invalidation of the overtime rule is a huge win for the industry. While there are still a few smaller legal issues on the rule working their way through the courts, the larger issue is ultimately put to bed. Moving forward, the Department of Labor has already started crafting a new rule more closely aligned with pro-business ideals. NRMCA will be weighing on the new proposal later this fall.

Click here to read the court ruling, here for more information, factsheets and FAQs on the overtime rule and here to view the 508-page final rule. For more information, contact Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

EPA, Army Engineers to Hold WOTUS "Outreach Meetings"

Early last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers announced a series of "outreach meetings" to hear from stakeholders about their recommendations for amending the controversial Waters of the U.S. rule, or WOTUS for short. Specifically, the WOTUS rule aims to determine what can be considered a "water of the U.S." under the Clean Water Act and thus under the jurisdiction of the federal government; potentially a very large jurisdictional expansion. The WOTUS rule has been stayed nationwide by federal courts since November while multiple legal challenges to the rule work their way through the court system.

The outreach meetings, which NRMCA will be a part of, will consist of two in-person meetings for small business interests and nine conference call/Webinar type sessions for different industry sectors.

Click here to review the outreach meeting details. For more information, contact Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

Registration Continues for NRMCA Fall/Winter Operations Classes

With lots of time to plan and budget your staff’s career development, please note following classes will be offered under the auspices of the OES Committee:

2017

Safety Certification Course, October 17-19, Denver
Leadership & Coaching Workshop for Operations Executives, November 13-14, Dallas
Environmental Certification Course, November 28-30, Orlando, FL
Plant Manager Certification Course, December 12-15, Orlando, FL

2018

Dispatcher Training Forum, January 9-11, Orlando, FL
Plant Manager Certification Course, January 16-19, Minneapolis
RMC Effective Supervisor, January 23-25, Orlando, FL
Plant Manager Certification Course, February 20-23, Albuquerque, NM
Plant Manager Certification Course, March 27-30, Louisville, KY
Plant Manager Certification Course, December 11-14, Austin, TX

Click here to access each calendar listing for the above classes. Each link will then provide more information, including online and fax back registration options. For more information you may also contact NRMCA's Jessica Walgenbach at jwalgenbach@nrmca.org or 240-485-1152.

2017 Rollover Survey Form Now Available

The 2017 Mixer Truck Rollover Survey is designed to collect data on actual rollovers of ready mixed concrete trucks in calendar year 2017. The electronic form uses check and drop down boxes for ease of completion and data compilation. The data collected is for rollovers that occur in calendar year 2017; no personal or company names are required to complete the form.

Click here to download the form. When completed, please return the form to NRMCA's Gary Mullings. Questions regarding the program or form should be directed to Gary Mullings at 240-485-1161 or gmullings@nrmca.org.

Calendar

A Look Ahead

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

September 18 - 20, Salt Lake City

Concrete Durability Course