During a follow up on Design Assistance Program (DAP) projects, Swederski Concrete Construction, Inc. went on record to thank NRMCA efforts to help land a recent project, reports NRMCA Vice President, National Resources, Jon Hansen. After Swederski was recently awarded an 81,000 square foot project, it stated via e-mail that "even though the project was more than the asphalt bid, the owner saw the long-term value of the thorough approach that was taken to correctly fix their problem." Swederski Concrete Construction Vice President Joe Swederski went on to say "thanks for your help" with the DAP and assistance in putting together a pavement information letter to the owner to help him evaluate the paving options.

The NRMCA Resource Team is creating marketing information to address the long-term durability of concrete parking lots. To do that, it is seeking photos and related information on old concrete parking lots across the United States. A concerted effort by NRMCA Producer members and industry stakeholders in this regard will go a long way toward convincing key decision makers of concrete's long-term viability and cost effectiveness. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized NRMCA Producer member CalPortland with a 2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for its energy efficiency achievements. CalPortland’s accomplishments will be recognized in Washington, DC, on April 20, where it will be honored along with other award winners.  

"CalPortland has been an ENERGY STAR partner since 1996. For nearly two decades that relationship has been instrumental in the continuous improvement of our energy program. We have established a core culture of energy management that includes all levels of the company’s operations. Our employees are very proud of their accomplishments to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and contribute to the protection of our environment while reducing cost," said Allen Hamblen, CalPortland president and CEO.

Since its inception in 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped prevent a total of more than two billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2013 alone, ENERGY STAR and its partners provided more than $11 billion in societal benefits due to reducing damages from climate change. Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through superior energy efficiency achievements. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, and employing innovative energy efficiency approaches.

The early deadline for registration and hotel reservations for the 2015 International Concrete Sustainability Conference is Monday, April 20. Over 60 experts from around the world will present at the 10th annual Conference, scheduled for May 11-13 in Miami. Sponsored by NRMCA, the Iberoamerican Federation of Ready Mixed Concrete (FIHP) and 18 other sponsors, the conference provides learning and networking opportunities on the latest advances, technical knowledge, continuing research, tools and solutions for sustainable concrete manufacturing, design and construction. Engineers, architects, public works officials, risk managers, material suppliers, researchers, academics, students, contractors, and concrete industry professionals are invited to attend. Attendees of the Conference are eligible to receive up to 19 professional development hours (PDH's) depending on the number of sessions attended.

The 2015 Conference will feature three special events. The morning of May 11 will feature a tour of the Florida International University (FIU) College of Engineering and Computing to witness the cutting edge research facilities, including the Titan America Structures and Construction Testing Laboratory and the International Hurricane Research Center Wall of Wind (WOW). The afternoon of May 11 will present the Women in Concrete Alliance Forum featuring speakers and panel discussions on the role of women in the concrete industry and how gender diversity can help meet the challenge of concrete industry sustainability. The third special event, the morning of May 13, is the annual Walk for Sustainability to support the RMC Research & Education Foundation.

For details of the conference and to register, visit www.concretesustainabilityconference.org. For more information, contact Lionel Lemay at LLemay@nrmca.org or 847-918-7101.

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 April 3 - 9, 2015, please click here.

Once the season is rockin’ and rollin’, log on for information and insight that will drive your business while helping you manage your staff! The price is a bargain and you lose no time being away from the action in your market.

• Webinar #1: Sales Management 101... for Ready Mix Sales Managers - Wednesday, May 13, noon - 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. In this 90-minute Webinar, you will learn the critical skills of effective sales management that can help you build a top-performing sales team. This session is filled with tips and techniques to benefit both new and experienced ready mix managers.

• Webinar #2: Personal Leadership and Coaching -  Wednesday, July 15, noon - 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. This 90-minute Webinar is designed for every ready mix concrete manager – sales, service, dispatch, admin and executive – any manager who wants to become a more effective leader and coach.

• Webinar #3: Recruiting & Hiring Top Performing Ready Mix Sales Reps - Wednesday, September 9, noon - 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. Hiring is the #1 challenge of every ready mix sales manager. In this 90-minute Webinar you will learn how to spot potential top sales performers and how to identify the warning signs of a possible "wrong hire".

• Webinar #4: Sales Performance Assessments and Reviews...for Ready Mix Sales Managers - Wednesday, November 18, noon - 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. How do you know if your sales rep is performing at the top of his or her ability...and if not, what you can do to help him or her? In this 90-minute Webinar you will learn to identify the specific "barriers" that may be holding back your sales reps and how to create a personal coaching and motivation strategy to improve performance.

 

The NRMCA April Internet Spotlight, which will be good through Tuesday, May 6, is the Pervious Concrete Pavement Maintenance & Operations Guide. Sold in packages of 10, 25 and 250, this 8-page guide is a culmination of the collaborative efforts of the NRMCA's Pervious Concrete Promotion Subcommittee. This is neither a promotional brochure nor a design guide. Rather, it is intended to provide direction for owners and property managers whose sites include pervious concrete as an integral part of their stormwater management. The guide explains the role that proper maintenance plays with regard to pervious concrete's effectiveness and its durability. It then identifies the owner's responsibilities to provide that maintenance. Every pervious concrete contractor should consider providing this guide to each of his or her customers.

Use Discount Code: ISAP15 and Order your packaged set of 10, 25 or 250 online today and receive 20% off the member price:

• Regular member price for a pkg. of 10 is $10, Internet Special $8, plus shipping.
• Regular member price for a pkg. of 25 is $25, Internet Special $20, plus shipping.
• Regular member price for a pkg. of 250 is $250, Internet Special $200, plus shipping.

April 20, Webinar

Roller Compacted Concrete: Another Choice for Pavement

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

 

April 28, Columbus, OH (Presented by Ohio Concrete)

Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification

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

 

May 11 - 13, Miami

International Concrete Sustainability Conference

Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101

 

May 13, Webinar

Sales Management 101...

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

 

May 19, Wheaton, IL

Building Green with Concrete

Email: Tien Peng, 206-913-8535

 

June 2 - 4, Nashville, TN

Concrete Durability Course

Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168

 

June 2 - 5, San Antonio, TX

Plant Manager Certification Course

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

 

July 6, Free Webinar

Streets & Roads Promotion & Advocacy Overview

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

July 13, Free Webinar

Streets & Roads Team Building & Situation Analysis

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

July 15, Webinar

Personal Leadership and Coaching

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

 

July 20, Free Webinar

Streets & Roads Promotion for DOTs, Counties & Municipalities

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

July 31, Free Webinar

Winning Initial Streets & Roads Projects in Counties & Municipalities

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

August 14, Free Webinar

Streets & Roads Elected Official Advocacy

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

September 9, Webinar

Recruiting & Hiring Top Performing Ready Mix Sales Reps

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

 

September 20 - 22, San Antonio, TX

ConcreteWorks & Board of Directors' Meeting

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

 

October 13 - 16, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module I: Concrete 101

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

 

November 2 - 6, Silver Spring, MD

Annual Concrete Technologist Training and Certification Course "Short Course"

Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168

 

November 10 - 12, Silver Spring, MD

Effective RMC Supervisor Course

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

 

November 18, Webinar

Sales Performance Assessments and Reviews

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

 

December 1 - 3, Orlando, FL

Environmental Course

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

 

December 1 - 3, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module II: Customer Business Knowledge

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

 

December 8 - 11, Orlando, FL

Plant Manager Certification Course

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

 

 

February 23 - 25, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge

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

March 15 - 17, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills

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