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IN THIS ISSUE:
NEWS LINKS
PROMOTIONS
ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY NEWS
OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & HR
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
EDUCATION &TRAINING
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
CALENDAR
NEWS LINKS
Now such a headline in and of itself isn't all that uncommon, but when the city is Corpus Christi, then it takes on a little more meaning. Back in January, E-NEWS highlighted debate among city officials on whether to use concrete or asphalt on its road projects. Now, about four months later, the debate continues, this time as the City Council voted on a contract to reconstruct one of the city's busiest roads.
Source: A May 22 news story from caller.com (and just as in January, note the very extensive comments section too).
With the help of state funding, 13 out of nearly 50 students in the Middle Tennessee State University Concrete Industry Management (CIM) department will work paid internships this summer. CIM students are required to work in the industry up to 400 hours, which has proven valuable in full-time career placement. This year, CIM received $41,983 in funding from the Tennessee Small Business Development Center to provide students with paid internships, said program Chairman Dr. Heather Brown, adding that these student internships are with small businesses in the concrete and construction industries across the Midstate.
Source: May 23 article by The Daily News Journal, which covers the Murfreesboro, TN, area. Read more.
The Utah Best of State organization has honored NRMCA producer member Staker Parson Companies, a leading producer of ready mixed concrete and aggregates in Utah. The company also received the "Best of the Best" trophy in the production & manufacturing division.
Source: A May 24 posting on Aggregateresearch.com. Read more.
Using rice husk ash as an economical and eco-friendly technology, a couple of GITAM University's civil engineering students have developed a new concrete mixture which is less expensive, reduces emission of greenhouse gases and gives more carbon credits. Final year students Manideep Tummalapudi and Surya Veera Vasudeva Rao Relangi, working on the theme ‘use of rice husk ash (RHA) in concrete' found that cement could be partially replaced by the rice husk ash to achieve eco-friendly results. It has been found that RHA added to the concrete in a certain ratio would give compressive strength similar to that of normal concrete.
Source: A May 20 article in The Hindu. Read more.
PROMOTIONS
A call in April from a facilities director at a school in California who learned about NRMCA’s Design Assistance Program (DAP) from a Web search resulted in the replacement of an existing 15-year-old asphalt parking lot with concrete, reports NRMCA Senior National Resource Director Jon Hansen. Another project, this one in Minnesota, will be rebid later this month as a concrete overlay of asphalt, removing the asphalt overlay option that had previously been specified.
"These two recent project conversions of public school parking lots are proof once again that school boards want a choice, and options, when considering improvements to their facilities," Hansen said. "Both of these projects, with more details on locations and local partner participation, will be available later this summer when the jobs are complete, but we want to get that word out that results are positive when efforts are made. This is the time of year schools are planning summer work to be completed before students return in the fall."
For more information, contact Jon Hansen at jhansen@nrmca.org.
NRMCA Southeast Senior National Resource Director Amy Miller has recently participated in sales meetings with several ready mixed concrete producer members at their request. These meetings have been geared around subject matter related to NRMCA offerings and benefits, National Account status, the National Resource Program, selling and promoting concrete parking lots to owners and engineers, and NRMCA's Design Assistance Program. These meetings have proven beneficial to members in many ways, Miller said. Benefits have included furthered communication with national resource directors concerning National Accounts and jobs leading to greater opportunities for success, and also understanding the use of the Design Assistance Program for concrete parking lots AND streets and local roads.
"Often employees of our member firms are unaware of all that is available to them within NRMCA, particularly in the area of promotion," Miller noted. "These meetings allow us to communicate those benefits and give the salesforce ammunition for increased success.
If you would like a national resource director in your area to participate in a sales meeting, please contact him or her.
NRMCA's national resource directors have a number of upcoming Webinar scheduled through June 8, so be sure to click on the link below for more information or contact NRMCA's Jessica Walgenbach at jwalgenbach@nrmca.org.
ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY NEWS
The preliminary estimate of ready mixed concrete produced in March 2012 is 22 million cubic yards, 11.2% higher than in March 2011. The estimated production for the first quarter of 2012 is 56 million cubic yards, 20% higher than during the same period in 2011. Based on the level of production for the first quarter, the production for 2012 is projected to be around 300 million cubic yards. This projection is solely based on trends in prior years and does not account for economic and policy factors.
Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. NRMCA also estimates the production in states at each quarter and compares it to the previous year. These data are only available for access by NRMCA members at this link.
NRMCA's ConcreteWorks is once again being held in conjunction with the NRMCA Fall Board of Directors' meeting. This event brings together longstanding NRMCA programs mixed with exciting new offerings to become the "must attend" event for the concrete industry. With educational programming in finance, human resources, business management, operations, environmental, safety, sales, concrete promotion and materials technology, combined with the Board of Directors' meetings, there truly is something for everyone! While the finishing touches are being made to the seminar offerings at NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks and Board of Directors' meeting, the schedule of events is set, and online registration is open.
Click here to view the program schedule, featured speakers, hotel reservation information, staff contacts and to register online.
NRMCA members have been invited to participate in a University of Maryland, College Park research project that explores the use of training software in the implementation of projects, programs and portfolios. The objective of this research is to provide a more comprehensive understanding of current industry training practices and how individual trainee characteristics, organizational factors and training practices are related to training outcomes. Providing your valuable input is easy, confidential and secure. The brief survey contains 23 questions and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
Members of NRMCA are being invited to participate because of their relevant experience, including exposure to current industry training practices and interaction with modern project management software packages. There is no charge to participate in the survey. The deadline for submitting data is Friday, June 15. Copies of the survey results will be provided in exchange for survey participants.
Click here to access the secure Web-based survey. For more information, contact the project's coordinator, Andrew McCarty, at 301-514-6673 or by e-mail, amccart2@umd.edu. OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & HR
NRMCA recently conducted its Plant Manager Certification class in Minot, ND, and congratulates Brady Miller, Strata Corp., North Fargo, for scoring the class’s highest grades, including a 100% on the very challenging technical exam. This was the second Plant Manager Certification class in 2012, with a third scheduled for August 14-17 in Silver Spring, MD, and the final scheduled for December 11-14 in Denver. Registration is open for the two remaining classes.
NRMCA’s Plant Manager Certification is specified for all batchmen on federal contract projects. With just two classes being offered in the remaining six months, do not get placed in the position of winning a contract but not have a batchman certified and NRMCA’s certification schedule isn't feasible with the start of the contract. Plan ahead!
Click here for more course information, staff contact and registration options.
The Maryland Transportation Authority Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Unit has agreed to not only conduct a portion of the 2012 Mixer Driver Championship on Sunday, September 16, but also conduct a learning session for drivers and their supervisors about federal, state and local approaches toward conducting roadside mixer truck safety inspections. Law enforcement officers throughout the U.S. are thoroughly checking concrete mixers for any mechanical problem, such as brakes, lights and engine defects. Drivers are also inspected to ensure they are operating in full compliance with hours-of-service, medical fitness, commercial driver’s license and other federal safety rules.
This topic was covered at last year’s ConcreteWorks by industry experts. With such continual interest, now hear about this rigorous federal inspection initiative from the point of view of enforcement experts.
Click here for information about ConcreteWorks.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
To read government affairs-related stories that relate to the ready mixed concrete industry for the week of May 21-25, 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.
EDUCATION &TRAINING
NRMCA’s Vice President of Education and Training Eileen Dickson and Educational Activities Committee Chairman Patsy Bergquist of Chaney Enterprises, Waldorf, MD, recently spoke at the University of Maryland's Smith Graduate School of Business, Executive IMPACT Conference. The Smith School’s strengths in both academics and research are reflected in its rankings and other accolades. Bloomberg BusinessWeek magazine ranks the school's full-time MBA program as one of the top 30 programs in the U.S. The Financial Times also ranks the school’s full-time MBA program #18 in the U.S. (2011). Companies benchmarking NRMCA’s technical certification programs included Lockheed Martin, McCormick Spices, Target, Clark Construction, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Defense’s National Security Agency.
NRMCA’s audience was senior human resource officers from technical companies. They heard about the role of trade associations setting nationally accepted industry employee performance standards through member committee participation in establishing measurable certification programs. The attendees’ specific interest was focused on the rigorous stands set by the ready mixed concrete industry membership through NRMCA’s STEPS program as well as certification for hourly/entry level jobs, as exemplified by the Concrete Delivery Professional Program.
For more information, contact Eileen Dickson at edickson@nrmca.org or 240-485-1164.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
The current NRMCA Internet Spotlight, good through Tuesday, June 5, is the Environmental Management for the RMC Industry manual. This document outlines best industry practices for water management, air quality management, admixture, chemical and fuel storage issues, noise management, hazardous waste management, best management practice for fleet maintenance shops, plant aesthetics, plant closures, environmental security and sustainability issues. The publication also describes the organizational makeup of regulatory bodies (Environmental Protection Agency and state and local environmental departments) that govern the ready mixed concrete industry and describes agency inspection and tips for preparation of EPA audits.
Order online today and receive 20% off. Regular member price is $75, Internet Special is $60, plus shipping. Please use Discount Code ISMAY12 to receive the online discount.
CALENDAR
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.
June 5, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
June 5, Webinar
Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 2)
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
June 6, Webinar
Effectively Communicating Sustainability
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
June 6-8, Denver
Concrete Durability Course
Email: Karen Bean, 888-84-NRMCA, x1168
June 7, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
June 25-28, Online Course
Concrete's Role in Sustainable Development
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
June 28, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
July 3, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
July 3, Webinar
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 2 on July 10)
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
July 10, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
July 10, Webinar
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 2)
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
July 16-19, Online Course
Building Green with Concrete
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
July 26, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
July 26, Acme, MI
Slabs: We've Got You Covered
Contact: Concrete Foundations Association's Ed Sauter, esauter@cfawalls.org
August 6-9, Online Course
Pervious Concrete—A Stormwater Solution
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
August 9, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
August 14, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
August 14, Webinar
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 2 on August 21)
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
August 14-17, Silver Spring, MD
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
August 21, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
August 21, Webinar
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 2)
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
August 27-30, Online Course
Design of Concrete Pavements
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
September 4, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
September 4, Webinar
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 2 on September 11)
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
September 11, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
September 11, Webinar
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 2)
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
September 16-19, Metro Washington, DC
2012 NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks & Board of Directors Meeting
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
September 20, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
October 2-5, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module I: Concrete 101
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
November 1, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
November 5-9, Silver Spring, MD
Technical Short Course
Email: Karen Bean, 888-84-NRMCA, x1168
November 13-15, Silver Spring, MD
Effective RMC Supervisor Certification
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
December 4-6, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module II: Customer Business Knowledge
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
December 4-6, Orlando, FL
Environmental Professional Certification Course for the Ready Mixed Concrete Industry
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
December 11-14, Denver
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
December 12-13, Doha, Qatar
International Concrete Technology Forum
Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101
2013
February 19-21, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
March 19-21, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module IV: Sales Fundamentals
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
May 6-8, San Francisco
International Concrete Sustainability Conference
Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101
May 12-15, Chicago
Fifth North American Conference on Design and Use of Self-Consolidating Concrete
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May 30, 2012
 
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