The Annual Iowa Parking Lot Construction Survey is a proven process for easily obtaining parking lot paving material type, square footage of parking lot paving, market segments, and construction trends in 21 select markets in Iowa. The information gives a year-to-year snapshot of concrete market share and measures success....or failure in the advancement of concrete parking lots. The Parking Lots-Are You Getting Your Share? Webinar will teach you how you can do the same survey in your market. No matter how large your survey market or how small, the process is the same. The best part is that most of the information is available in online public records so you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your office to gather it. Find the key element in starting your search that will begin the step-by-step process to gathering undisputed market share information. And the process is so easy it only takes a 30-minute Webinar to explain it.

The Webinar is scheduled for Friday, November 13, from noon to 12:30 p..m. Eastern time. It will be presented by NRMCA Senior Vice President of Local Paving Jon Hansen who was part of the team that developed the survey during his time with the Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete/Iowa Concrete Paving Associations. Additional Webinars for 2016 will be announced in December.

Much has been said about the impressive expansion of Net Zero Energy Schools in Kentucky. In fact, at least one of these schools, Richardson Elementary School, is now in net positive territory. In other words, the Tennessee Valley Authority is now paying the Warren County School District for the electricity produced at the school by its photovoltaic solar array. Concrete is a large part of how this building has succeeded by not only increasing comfort and safety, but also as a component of its impressive energy efficiency results. Charlottesville, VA-based VMDO Architects successfully designed a Net Zero School for Arlington County, VA, for less than the county’s approved budget for a minimum, code-compliant structure. The recently-completed building was met with great fanfare and critical acclaim.

"We have reached a point in the advancement of building structures with ready mixed concrete that allows us to build schools that generate more electricity than they consume," said NRMCA Senior Director, Building Innovations, Gregg Lewis. "This means that utilities will actually write a check to the school district to buy the excess electricity produced, thereby offsetting the school’s other operating expenses."

While it is also possible to build net zero energy structures with other building materials, concrete provides the important added benefit of keeping our children safe from fire and natural disasters; they can shelter in place – a hallmark of resilience. Furthermore, when there is a disruption to the grid-supplied power from high winds or ice storms, these schools can continue to operate normally. This is the definition of resilience and sustainability.

"School districts that fail to build net zero energy schools are in essence neglecting their fiduciary responsibilities to tax payers," Lewis added.

For more information, contact Gregg Lewis at glewis@nrmca.org.

NRMCA Producer member Cemstone headquartered in Mendota Heights, MN, recently was the recipient of the 2015 Minnesota Family Business Awards from the publication Twin Cities Business. The publication cited Cemstone for being the state's largest family-owned concrete business that is now extending into the fifth generation of family members. Read more.

NRMCA notes with sadness the recent death of member Leo E. Ouellette Sr. Mr. Ouellette founded Leo Concrete Service in 1954, the predecessor company to current NRMCA Producer member Chicopee Concrete Services. Mr. Ouellette died Sunday, November 8, at his home in Chicopee, MA, at the age of 92. Click here to read his obituary from the The Republican newspaper of Chicopee.

The Manufacturers, Products & Services (MPS) Division of NRMCA is accepting nominations/applications for the 2016 Concrete Cares Award which recognizes outstanding contributions in community service by an NRMCA producer member company. With ready mixed concrete plants in almost every community in America, NRMCA member companies are making a real difference. From Earth Day celebrations, to organized volunteering for Boys & Girls Clubs, local schools and recreation departments, to raising awareness for breast cancer screenings, ready mixed producers are at work every day in their communities. The Concrete Cares Award aims to recognize these efforts and shine a national spotlight on the positive impact ready mixed concrete companies have in hometowns across the nation. A donation in the name of the selected honoree will be made to the charity of its choice. The award will be presented at NRMCA’s Annual Convention, March 13-15, 2016 in San Diego, during the Association’s annual awards breakfast.

Ready mixed concrete producers that are members of NRMCA are eligible for nomination. Nominations/applications are grouped into two categories – companies producing fewer than 250,000 cubic yards annually and companies producing greater than 250,000 cubic yards annually.

Click here to view past honorees and submit a nomination/application for consideration. Forward the nomination form and supporting materials to Kathleen Carr-Smith, senior vice president, membership and communications, via e-mail at kcarrsmith@nrmca.org or mail to 900 Spring Street, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. Nominations/applications must be received by January 4, 2016, for consideration.

Last week, NRMCA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) opposing an interim final rule that would allow DOL to independently garnish the wages of delinquent non-tax DOL debtors. "DOL has not listed or even detailed the agency’s reason(s) or necessity for such a change," stated NRMCA. "DOL simply states what the agency wants to change and what the change would become. This complete lack of explanation to the public and industry for such a drastic change in DOL policy, and not to mention DOL function, deserves a DOL justification so as to properly have it vetted by both the public and industry, and to maintain transparency in the agency’s operations." The comments continued, "NRMCA believes due process rights are in jeopardy under this proposal by unilaterally garnishing wages without the approval of a judge, and by using phone interviews, letters and "new forms of technology" as hearings instead of oral, in-person, face-to-face meetings."

The interim final rule is nearly identical to a notice published in 2014 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also attempting to change its delinquent non-tax debt collection procedures. The EPA efforts have been stalled since the comment period closed in late 2014.

Registration is now open for NRMCA’s next Plant Manager Course scheduled for February 23-26, 2016, in Honolulu. Why attend? Never has it been more critical for your plant manager operator to be at the top of his/ her game! Efficiency and productivity impact every penny in this tight economy! Plant managers serve a vital function, with responsibilities that affect issues from regulatory compliance to product quality, safety and profitability. NRMCA’s 3 ½ day certification program helps you make sure that they are up to speed on product knowledge, plant safety, environmental regulations, plant operations and ready mixed concrete industry business principles. This course establishes the basic industry standard, measured through certification. Who should attend? Plant managers, operators, batchmen and anyone aspiring to these positions.

This year’s Environmental Certification Course will be held in Orlando, FL, from December 1-3. Course attendees will be educated on industry-specific environmental issues that affect ready mixed concrete production, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, Discharge Permits, Stormwater Management, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Solids Management, Hazardous Materials, Dust Control, Recycling, Spill Prevention Plans, Air Quality Management, Noise Management, Environmental Auditing and much more.

Those who should attend include plant managers, environmental managers, compliance managers, executives or anyone with fiscal and/or environmental responsibilities that should know the details concerning your company’s responsibilities when it comes to EPA regulations, the Clean Water Act, Discharge Permits, Stormwater Management and numerous other critical environmental matters.

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 November 2 - 6, 2015, please click here.

Last week, the House passed (363-64) the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform (STRR) Act that provides $325 billion in contract authority for highway and transit programs for six years. During the amendment process, a funding amendment was introduced by Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) and passed that would replace one of the Senate pay-fors in the bill. The Neugebauer amendment would increase funds for the highway bill by $40 billion by transferring money from the Federal Reserve surplus into the general fund of the Treasury. This newly found surplus of money could help fund the highway bill for the full six years. The Senate offsets that were struck were opposed by the banking industry and several lawmakers in the House and Senate. The Neugebauer amendment is likely to be taken up and approved during the highway bill conference committee. The House has named a total of 28 conferees and the Senate is expected to follow suit this week. Another short-term extension is expected due to the short time frame to conference the bill. The latest extension of highway and transit authority expires on Friday, November 20.

The bill includes three NRMCA priorities, including the Hours of Service 30-minute break exemption, the Drivers’ Record of Duty Status (logbooks) exemption and a provision to increase the air-mile radius from 50 miles to 75 for the transportation of construction materials and equipment. After final passage of the bill, NRMCA joined the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) and the Highway Materials Group (HMG) in sending letters to the House of Representatives congratulating members on passing a bipartisan, multiyear highway bill.

Click here to read the TCC letter. For more information, contact Jill Landry at jlandry@nrmca.org.

Last week, the Senate failed by a vote of 57-41 to pass a bill repealing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) Waters of the US rule, also referred to as WOTUS. The WOTUS rule significantly expands the EPA’s jurisdiction over waterways and has continually faced fierce opposition from farmers, ranchers, stakeholders and numerous states since it was first introduced last year. The bill, S 1140, titled the Federal Water Quality Protection Act was introduced by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and would force the EPA to rewrite the entire rule and work with stakeholders on drafting a new rule. The following day, the Senate continued its work to block the rule and voted (53-44) to pass a disapproval resolution, SJ Res 22, under the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

It is highly unlikely, however, that Congress will ultimately be able to block the WOTUS rule using the CRA since it will need a two-thirds majority to override a Presidential veto. Due to a recent stay issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, implementation of the WOTUS rule has been delayed for all 50 states.

The NRMCA is now accepting entries for its 2016 Kids Art Contest, sponsored by the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau. The theme for the contest is "Ready Mixed Concrete Truck Driving Safety". The contest is open to children up to grade 12 who have a relationship to an NRMCA Member.

• All entrants must be related to or sponsored by an NRMCA member.

• Contestants are limited to one entry each.

• Artwork should be 100% produced by the entrant and be original.

• Entries may be in a medium of the artist's choice (oil, water color, pastels, pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, crayon, etc.). Entries can be a drawing, collage, painting or other two-dimensional work.

• Entries must incorporate a ready mixed concrete truck in some manner, but should not be limited solely to a picture of a ready mixed concrete truck.

• Entries must be on 11" x 14" flat paper. We encourage artwork to be on good quality bond or drawing paper, or illustration board. Entries should not be framed or matted.

• For contact purposes, please include artist’s name, address, phone number, age and grade, and the name of the NRMCA Member and that relationship to the artist on the back of their artwork.

• Entries must be post marked no later than December 31, 2015.

Entries will be divided into the following grade categories: pre-K - K; 1-3, 4-6 and 7-12. First, second and third place winners will be selected from each grade category. Prizes will be awarded in each grade category ($100 first; $50 second and $25 third place). Entries will be judged only against others in their grade category and based on originality, effort, creativity, composition and interpretation of the theme "Ready Mixed Concrete Truck Driving Safety".  

Winners in each category will be announced at NRMCA’s Annual Convention, March 13-15, 2016, in San Diego. First place entries will be auctioned off at the CONCRETEPAC Auction. Images of the winning entries will be used later in the year to create a 2017 NRMCA calendar; winners and each sponsoring member will receive a free copy of the calendar. Selected entries will also be displayed at NRMCA’s Annual Convention. NRMCA reserves the right to copy and modify any entry for reproduction. Entries will not be returned and may be used for future promotional opportunities.

Entries must be post marked no later than December 31, 2015, and should be mailed or delivered to:

Jill Landry

NRMCA 

900 Spring Street

Silver Spring, MD 20910 

The NRMCA November Internet Spotlight, which will be good through Tuesday, December 1, feature two of NRMCA’s best selling publications:

Updated in 2015, the ASTM Standards for Ready-Mixed Concrete, 6th Edition has 38 current ASTM standards and includes 20 newly updated standards. This compilation is relevant to other methods of producing concrete, such as precast and site mixed concrete. It represents the latest information in the industry and is a valuable resource and essential reference for users of C94 and C685, specifiers, engineers, architects, contractors, builders, testing laboratories, concrete material suppliers, concrete producers and students. 260 pages; published in 2015.

By special arrangement with ASTM International, this publication is available only to NRMCA members at a considerable discount from the ASTM list price. Member price for up to 9 copies is $120; 10 or more are $110, plus shipping.

Now bigger and better, the Mixer Truck Driver's Manual educates truck mixer drivers about concrete and customer relations. It also highlights driver duties, safety precautions, equipment inspection and maintenance procedures, and what the driver should do in case of an accident. This 74-page manual is easy to understand and contains common sense information every driver should know.

Order online today and receive 15% off. Regular member price is $16, Internet Special is $13.60, plus shipping. Use discount code: ISNOV15.

November 13, Free Webinar

Parking Lots-Are You Getting Your Share?

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

November, 17, Webinar

ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design

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

 

November 17 - 19, Silver Spring, MD

Effective RMC Supervisor Course

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

 

November 17 - 19, Charlotte, NC *Sold Out

NRMCA Safety Course

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

 

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 4, Nashville, TN

Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification Course (Tennessee Concrete Association)

Email: Mrs. Darla Sparkman

 

December 8 - 11, Orlando, FL *Sold Out

Plant Manager Certification Course

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

 

December 15, Milwaukee

Improving Concrete Quality

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

 

December 15, Webinar

Sales Management: Sales Performance Assessments and Reviews

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

 

 

January 13 - 15, Orlando, FL

Dispatcher Training Forum

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

 

January 26 - 29, Omaha, NE

Plant Manager Certification Course

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

 

January 27, Free Webinar

Performance–Based Specifications

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

 

February 8 - 12, Des Moines, IA

Regional Concrete Technologist Training and Certification Course "Short Course"

Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168

 

February 23 - 25, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge

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

 

February 24, Atlanta

Handling Concrete Specifications

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

 

March 13 - 15, San Diego

NRMCA's Annual Convention

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

March 22 - 24, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills

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

 

April 5 - 8, Birmingham, AL

Plant Manager Certification Course

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