NRMCA e-news
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
NEWS LINKS
As part of its Multifamily Green Initiative, Fannie Mae is granting a 10 basis point reduction in the interest rate of a refinance, acquisition or supplemental mortgage loan for a multifamily property carrying certification or recognition under USGBC LEED, EPA Energy Star or Enterprise Green Communities programs. On a $10 million dollar loan amortizing over 30 years, an owner would save $95,000 in interest payments across a 10-year term based on 3.9 percent versus 4 percent market rate.
Source: A February 16 article posted on the Concrete Products' Web site. Road agencies and contractors are utilizing the "buried treasure" that lies concealed under asphalt roadways. The process has a name, Concrete Pavement Preservation, because it reclaims assets that have been previously hidden below grade. The technique involves uncovering portland cement concrete pavement which was overlaid wth asphalt due to non-structural issues such as poor ride quality and excess tire/pavement noise.
Source: The Winter 2014 edition of the Pavement Preservation Journal. Read more.
We're sure you've asked yourself this question. The answer? Think airplanes and a very wide U.S. of A.
Source: A February 18 posting on the Web site Citylab. Click here to read more (and the pictures are pretty cool too). PROMOTIONS
What could possibly be the largest parking lot overlay in the nation was completed last fall in the town of Cedar Hill, MO, reports NRMCA Vice President, National Resources, Jon Hansen. Located 36 miles southwest of Saint Louis, the project at Northwest High School is a concrete overlay of 500,000 square feet of existing asphalt paving (shown below).
 Constructed by Vee-Jay Cement Contracting Company, Inc., of Saint Louis, the project is one the many overlay and parking lot projects done by the company in the past years. In November 2013, Vee-Jay was named Specialty Contractor of the Year by the AGC of St Louis. In recognition of this award, Vee-Jay hosted a celebration dinner in February 2014 for employees and then recognized the organizations and companies it felt helped them win this award. At the dinner NRMCA was presented a plaque which stated, "Presented to National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. In recognition of your many years of continual support and the tremendous impact that your association has on the construction industry. We appreciate your hard work, loyalty, and dedication. All of us at Vee-Jay are very proud to be part of your team."
For more information, contact Jon Hansen at jhansen@nrmca.org. NRMCA Producer member MMC Materials , Inc., was the latest NRMCA member to employ NRMCA’s "Concrete Parking Lots Boot Camp." Amy Miller and Jon Hansen, vice presidents, national resources, facilitated the course between Madison, MS-based MMC and a key contractor. Andrew Lester, MMC Materials' product development and promotions manager, wanted the boot camp to help develop a stronger relationship and business plan with a contractor whose business they hoped to help grow.
"The boot camp provides a lot of value for us and the contractor, but most importantly it will form a partnership that will enable us both to move forward more effectively," Lester noted. For more information on hosting this course , please contact one of the NRD team members; their contact information is here.
ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY NEWS
The preliminary estimate of ready mixed concrete produced in December is 23 million cubic yards, 22% higher than that in December 2013. The estimated production in 2014 is 326 million cubic yards, 8.3% higher than that in 2013.
Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments published by the U.S. Geological Survey. NRMCA members can view additional details here.
Citing long-term life-cycle costs, officials at Nevada Dept. of Transportation have awarded the first phase of the planned Boulder City Bypass to a contractor that proposed paving the highway section with concrete, despite this proposal costing $3 million more than the lowest bid, which planned to use asphalt.
"We opted to use concrete pavement due to its longevity, which federally funded studies show costs 13% to 28% less in the long run than asphalt," says Mary Martini, NDOT District 1 engineer. "It also reduces rutting and potholes, thereby cutting maintenance expenses by up to 75%."
Budgetary pressures have inspired more states to ask contractors to analyze life-cycle costs in bids. "The mechanism has been around a long time, but not everyone has taken advantage of it," says Tony Illia, NDOT spokesman. At a price tag of roughly $318 million for 15 miles of new road construction, the Boulder City Bypass along Interstate 11 would ensure the southeastern approach to Las Vegas from Hoover Dam will be at federal highway standards.
Phase one of the project is approximately 2.5 miles and includes improvements to what is now U.S. Highway 93 in Boulder City. The 2.5-mile-long project calls for building a four-lane freeway between Silverline Road and Foothill Drive, as well as a full diamond interchange at Railroad Pass with a loop ramp. The corridor currently sees 34,000 vehicles daily with heavy truck traffic. Other components of phase one, expected to break ground April 6 and finish early 2018, include creating a 1.5-mile-long asphalt frontage road linking Henderson with the Railroad Pass interchange, replanting 20,000 cactuses, placing decorative rock and installing 5 miles of tortoise fencing. There will also be a 1,200-ft-long, 28-ft-tall cast-in-place concrete retaining wall with graphics illustrating scenes from the construction of Hoover Dam. It will act as the corridor's main visual element. The textured, multicolored retaining wall will be coated with a special anti-graffiti film that serves as a deterrent for taggers.
Source: A February 18 article by Engineering News-Record. Read more.
ENGINEERING
The new version of the NRMCA Plant Certification Check List will be in effect beginning March 1. There are several revisions to the previous version that improve the clarity regarding the requirements for inspection and certification. One major revision is that truck certification will be valid for a period of 12 months with credit given for those inspected in the last 60 days of the previous certification. This will be in effect from March 1. A transition period will be in effect and the old Check List (11th revision) will be accepted until June 15. Approved inspectors have been notified of the change and have been requested to update their approval status and to obtain a copy of the revised checklist after they have submitted their information for re-approval.
Along with the revision is a revised Plant Inspector’s Guide. This guide is used as the basis for approving inspectors for the program. It is also a useful document for companies that have or wish to get their plants certified as it covers the details on the intent of each inspection item in the Check List. Currently approved inspectors can contact Karen Bean at kbean@nrmca.org to obtain re-approval. Copies of the revised Plant Inspector’s Guide can be obtained by contacting Jacques Jenkins at jjenkins@nrmca.org. For more information on the plant certification program, contact Colin Lobo at clobo@nrmca.org.
OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & HR
Due to industry demand, NRMCA will hold an extra Plant Manager Certification class June 2-5, in San Antonio. Registration is not yet open, but NRMCA is taking a list of interested people. Once the details are set, we will contact those on waiting list to register. Please note that the March 24-27 in Salt Lake City is sold out; the waiting list is also full. Additionally, after the San Antonio class in June, the only remaining Plant Manager Certification class in 2015 will be December 8-11 in Orlando, FL; registration is open.
To place a name on the June Plant Manager Certification waiting list, send your request to meetings@nrmca.org.
Registration continues for next month’s NRMCA Safety Course to be held March 16-18 in West Palm Beach, FL. This 2.5 day course teaches participants about OSHA safety compliance beginning with why safety is so important and detailing the reasons why an effective safety program actually saves money through loss prevention and control. Participants learn about electrical safety, machine guarding, fall protection, hazard communication, confined spaces, personal protective equipment, fire fighting and evacuation, maintenance shop safety, chute handling, fleet safety, pre-trip inspection and more.
The course will take place at the Embassy Suites West Palm Beach. NRMCA has contracted for a small block of sleeping rooms at the hotel. Attendees should make their own hotel reservations by contacting the hotel directly. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and rooms may sell out before the block’s cut-off date.
Click here for registration options, hotel reservations and staff contacts for more more information.
On Wednesday, February 25, at 2 p.m. Eastern time, NRMCA will offer a free Webinar on how to conduct your own, local mixer driver championship. Hear how to plan for an oversight committee, budget, trucks, insurance, challenge course layout and set up, point system, judges' responsibilities, written exam, types of questions, reference material, visual inspection, truck defects, security and fairness, awards and much more.
Click here for staff contact, more information and to register.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
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 February 16 - 20, 2015, 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 Elizabeth Fox at efox@nrmca.org.
EDUCATION &TRAINING
NRMCA's Sales Skills, CCSP IV, is scheduled March 31-April 2, in Silver Spring, MD (Metropolitan Washington, DC) . This innovative three-day course provides a sales framework and toolkit that can immediately adapt to your organization’s strategies to drive revenue. Master the most up-to-date, industry-related, sales fundamentals through ready mix-specific simulations, role plays and case study analyses that include the challenges of selling concrete's sustainability attributes as well as applying tools for pervious and parking lot sales.
Get Results Now: This course is recommended for professionals of all levels, so whether you deal with internal or external customers, these skills will make an immediate impact on your work.
• Volume and Value: Sell both for short and long term results.
• Secrets to Good Relationships: Solve problems and win loyalty.
• Who Calls the Shots?: Find and communicate with decision-makers.
• Role-playing is Serious Business: Learn how practice makes perfect.
• Close Calls: Overcome obstacles and close the sale.
Click here for more information, registration options and staff contact.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
The NRMCA February Internet Spotlight, good through Tuesday, March 10, is theASTM Standards for Concrete Technician Certification Guide. This publication includes 12 ASTM practices and test methods related to testing fresh and hardened concrete, including those required for ACI grade 1 field-testing and strength testing technician certification.
Only NRMCA members can purchase this guide. Order online today and receive 15% off the already low NRMCA member price and ASTM prices. Regular member price is $42, Internet Special $38.70, plus shipping. Use Discount Code: ISFEB15. CALENDAR
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.
March 1-3, Orlando, FL
NRMCA Annual Convention
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
March 9, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Team Building & Situation Analysis
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
March 9-11, Nashville, TN (Presented by Tennessee Concrete Association)
CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
March 10, Webinar
Roller Compacted Concrete: Another Choice for Pavement
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
March 11, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Promotion for DOTs, Counties & Municipalities
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
March 13, Free Webinar
Winning Initial Streets & Roads Projects in Counties & Municipalities
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
March 16-18, West Palm Beach, FL
Safety Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
March 18, Free Webinar
STEPS - A Long Term Career Tool for the RMC Industry
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
March 23, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Elected-Official Advocacy
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
March 24-27, Salt Lake City *Sold Out
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
March 31-April 2, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills Workshop - 24 hours
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
April 6, Free Webinar
Roller-Compacted Concrete for Streets & Roads
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
April 6-8, Nashville, TN (Presented by Tennessee Concrete Association)
CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
April 7, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Program
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
April 7, Webinar (Part I) (Part II is April 14)
Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
April 21, Webinar
Roller Compacted Concrete: Another Choice for Pavement
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
April, 28, Orlando, FL
Handling Concrete Specifications
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
May 11-13, Miami
International Concrete Sustainability Conference
Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101
June 2-4, Nashville, TN
Concrete Durability Course
Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168
July 13, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Team Building & Situation Analysis
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
July 20, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Promotion for DOTs, Counties & Municipalities
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
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
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
2016
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
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