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Association & Industry News
The estimated ready mixed concrete produced in July is 34.1 million cubic yards, 2.9% lower than in July 2023. The estimated production in the U.S. through July is 216 million cubic yards, approximately 5.2% lower than that during the same period in 2023. Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. More detail is available here for NRMCA members under Production Statistics. 
Ed Sullivan, the chief economist and senior vice president of market intelligence for the Portland Cement Association (PCA), says the Federal Reserve’s recent move to lower interest rates coupled with easing inflation signals a significant retreat in interest rate levels by the end of next year, all to the benefit of construction activity. Sullivan made his comments at PCA’s annual Fall Meeting held last week in Aurora, CO. Highlights of Sullivan's address included:
Engineering
Every year, it is estimated that 2% to 10% (average of 5%) of ready-mixed concrete produced in the USA is returned to the concrete plant. The returned concrete is due to over-ordering and to a lesser extent due to concrete not meeting job site fresh concrete specifications. The returned concrete can be handled in several different ways. Over the years the NRMCA Research Laboratory has studied some of the options. One such experimental study was published as a report. NRMCA has now released a resource: “Cost of Returned Concrete” in an Excel spreadsheet format. The resource is intended to help concrete producers evaluate different options of handling returned concrete. The resource can help concrete producers make better use of ingredient materials, create less waste, and produce more sustainable and less expensive mixtures. This resource was developed by an NRMCA Developing Industry Leaders (DIL) group consisting of Steve Schaef, Danielle Belchior, and Greg Hendrix. Click here to download the spreadsheet in US customary units. Click here to download the spreadsheet in SI units. 
NRMCA Member News
NRMCA Associate member XBE, a provider of operations management software for the heavy construction industry, has partnered with NRMCA to launch AskConcrete.com, an AI-powered tool that responds to ready mixed concrete industry questions. AskConcrete serves as an answer engine for intricate questions related to ready mixed concrete, encompassing all facets of material science, production and logistics. Trained on hundreds of NRMCA publications, AskConcrete combines deep industry expertise with the broad general knowledge of concrete and construction topics, providing accurate, step-by-step answers to a wide range of inquiries.
1. Engineering Greater Structural Asset Value for Owners - CECO, Matt Minor, PE "We are grateful to the local sponsors and host, the Concrete Council of St. Louis, the national speakers and to Fabick CAT for making this such a successful event," Thompson said. For more information, contact Skip Dulle, executive director, Concrete Council of St. Louis, at oad@concretecouncil.com or Donn Thompson at dthompson@nrmca.org. Buildings
On October 9, NRMCA Senior Director, Building Innovations, Frank Mruk presented Concrete Innovations: Pathways to Reducing Carbon at the 2024 New England Building Officials Education Association Conference (NEBOEA) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. NEBOEA recognizes the need to promote continuing education to assist municipal code officials in methods and procedures utilizing building codes and regulations adopted by the designated states and uniformity of enforcement procedures for public safety in construction, use and occupancy of all types of structures. Over 250 officials (some of whom are seen here) attended the event. The Build With Strength program is a leader in supporting building code officials and high-performance, energy-efficient concrete buildings. For more information, contact Frank Mruk at fmruk@nrmca.org.
2025 January 28 - 31, Albuquerque, NM February 11 - 13, Antioch, TN *Sold Out March 4 - 7, Tucson, AZ March 18 - 20, Denver March 18 - 21, Oklahoma City April 8 - 11, Orlando, FL October 10 - 14, Orlando, FL Calendar
Please note that links for more information and registration for each entry can be accessed here. October 21, McMinnville, OR October 29, Houston November 20 - 22, Oklahoma City November 21 - 22, Dallas December 3 - 5, Orlando, FL *Sold Out December 10 - 12, Denver 
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