NRMCA e-news

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

PROMOTIONS

NRMCA Travels to France to Conduct Pervious Training for Producer Member

NRMCA Senior Director, National Resources, Phil Kresge recently traveled to France to participate in a Concrete Applications Workshop at the Orly (suburban Paris) offices of NRMCA Producer member CEMEX. The workshop was an in-house training program for company sales and technical support personnel from across Europe and the Middle East. Kresge contributed to the pervious concrete portion of the program, presenting on pervious concrete’s role in stormwater management, design and construction of pervious concrete pavement and quality control/quality assurance testing of pervious concrete. Other presenters on pervious concrete included Rafael Jimenez and Michael Kohout, both from CEMEX USA, Julien Chapelat from CEMEX Research Group, Switzerland, and Nathan Mitchell from Bunyan Springs, Inc. As part of the training, attendees were tested on their pervious concrete knowledge, using review questions from NRMCA's Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification training manual.

Other topics in the program included decorative concrete applications and thin overlay (screed) applications for concrete floors. A demonstration placement included colored and stamped concrete and two pervious concrete placements.

For more information, contact Phil Kresge at pkresge@nrmca.org.

Prominent Colorado Auto Dealership to Receive Concrete Overlay

Work will begin this week on another concrete overlay of existing asphalt for a Cadillac dealership in Colorado recently acquired by John Elway Dealerships. The dealership is located on Park Drive in Lone Tree; TCC Corporation of Greeley, CO, is the general contractor, reports NRMCA Senior Vice President, National Resources, Jon Hansen. John Elway Chevrolet at 5200 South Broadway in Denver was the first concrete overlay project done by Elway in 2011 on just a portion of the lot. Since then, the Broadway project has been completed (as reported in December 10, 2014 E-NEWS) and Elway continues overlaying asphalt as part of his mission to become "The Greenest Auto Dealer in Colorado".

For more information, contact Jon Hansen at jhansen@nrmca.org.

Parking Lot Workshops Unlock Market Opportunities

Two more concrete parking lot workshops have been conducted by NRMCA’s Senior Director, National Resources, Doug O’Neill; this time hosted by the New York Construction Materials Association and its vice president, Greg Novitzki, P.E. The attendees in both Buffalo and Syracuse were challenged to come up with specific opportunities to employ the strategies proposed at each workshop and, as it turns out, they were well up to the challenge, O'Neill said.

"Right now, we have five separate meetings with owners or developers to discuss specific projects in the design phase," reports O’Neill. "The group of attendees included ready mixed concrete producer sales staff, cement and admix personnel, fiber representatives and contractors. The low hanging fruit such as auto dealerships, health care facilities, schools and other mid-size, locally-owned projects are easily identified and already on the radar for things like floor slabs, footings and sidewalks."

These workshop stress the fundamental action of asking, "What about the Parking Lot?" For more information on them or NRMCA's "Concrete Boot Camps," contact your national resource director or Doug O’Neill at doneill@nrmca.org.

ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY NEWS

ConcreteWorks Exhibitor Prospectus Now Available

The exhibitor prospectus with detailed information about exhibiting opportunities taking place at NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks 2015 is now available online. This year’s event, scheduled for September 20 - 22 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, TX, launches an exciting transition for the exposition portion of NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks. For equipment manufacturers, service and materials providers, don’t miss your chance to be among the best in this year’s exposition hall. We have expanded the size of the exposition hall to provide you with the ability to bring your latest and greatest equipment for the ready mixed concrete industry. We have also significantly expanded the hall hours and added special activities in the hall to provide exhibitors with greater exposure to customers.

The exposition hall serves as the central meeting grounds at NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks; it is starting to fill up, so don’t wait to reserve your space at this year’s event. Exhibit space options and costs can be found on the exhibitor application form. Exhibit space is sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The full event brochure can be found by clicking here.

For more information, please contact the meetings department at meetings@nrmca.org or jwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & HR

EPA Finalizes Regulations for New Underground Storage Tanks

On June 19, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized new rules outlining requirements for owning and operating underground storage tanks (USTs), such as underground diesel fuel storage tanks found at many ready mixed concrete plants. The new rule updates the UST rules that were put in place back in 1988. The new changes include updated operator training, new secondary containment mandates, greater operation and maintenance duties, vent line restrictions, repair obligations, new reporting requirements and new notification requirements for new USTs and transfer of ownership.

Click here to view the final rule, chart of rule changes and other guidance documents. For more information, contact: Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org or Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

Plan Ahead for Upcoming NRMCA Operations Classes

NRMCA's OES Department is accepting registrations for five face-to-face classes beginning in November. With a clear understanding that operations people multitask, these classes collectively focus on giving participants immediate skills to juggle compliance parameters along with efficiency and competency processes. A registration fee discount is extended to those member companies who send three or more people to one class.

• Effective RMC Supervisor Certification – Silver Spring, MD, November 17-19.

• NRMCA Safety Course – Charlotte, NC, November 17-19.

• Environmental Professional Certification – Orlando, FL, December 3-5.

• Plant Manager Certification Course – Orlando, FL, December 8-11 and Birmingham, AL, April 5-8, 2016.

These classes are required to earn NRMCA's STEPS "Operations and Production" Track certification, CCPf. STEPS is the ready mixed concrete’s industry most prestigious employee professional development program, supporting career enhancement and job retention/succession planning.

For more information, contact NRMCA's Jessica Walgenbach at jwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

U.S. Supreme Court Rebuffs EPA Power Plant Rule

In a big victory for groups rallying against the large number of federal energy regulations that have been crafted over the last six years, the U.S. Supreme Court this week ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had erred in its issuing of a 2012 final rule limiting mercury pollution from power plants. Specifically, the court ruled in Michigan vs. EPA that EPA failed to fully take into account what the compliance costs would be for the power plant industry. While EPA did do a cost analysis, EPA’s final rule stated that any costs were outweighed by potential public health benefits. The court ruled that this line of thinking was unacceptable in determining whether the rule should have been finalized.

Monday’s ruling may now call into question other current and future Obama Administration climate change initiatives. As well, the court’s ruling could question the U.S. Supreme Court’s longstanding philosophy of giving regulatory agencies the benefit of the doubt in similar cases.

Click here to read the court’s ruling (Michigan vs. EPA). For more information, contact Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

Entries Still Being Accepted for 2015 National Mixer Driver Championship

Entries are still being accepted for the 2015 NRMCA National Mixer Driver Championship to be held at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country on Sunday, September 20. As with previous years, this year’s NRMCA National Mixer Driver Championship will be held during the 2015 NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks & Board of Directors’ Meeting, this year being held from September 20 - 22. Application forms for the NRMCA Mixer Driver Championship are due by Wednesday, July 15. Accepted applicants will be notified shortly thereafter and official registration forms will be sent by e-mail. Applicants must complete the registration form and return it to NRMCA, along with the entry fee, by Monday, August 3. In early August, applicants will receive final instructions, including a map of the Challenge Course and reference materials for the written exam.

Click here to download the application form. Click here for more information on the 2015 NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks & Board of Directors’ Meeting. The staff contact for the mixer driver championship is Karen Bean at kbean@nrmca.org.

Due Friday, July 31: NRMCA 2015 Environmental Excellence Awards Applications

NRMCA’s Commitment to Environmental Excellence Awards competition offers producers national recognition for outstanding contributions to protecting the environment and maintaining sound management practice in their operations. The program salutes companies that have not only met, but surpassed, governmental compliance measures and demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through plant and staff investment. Any NRMCA member company producing ready mixed concrete from a fixed plant location in the U.S., its territories or Canada is eligible to enter. Awards will be determined upon individual plant merits; companies may choose to enter plants from any or all the five production volume categories.

Entries and photos must be received by e-mail via email to Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org by Friday, July 31. Click here for more information, including staff contact.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

NRMCA Advocacy News Roundup Updated Through June 26

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 June 22 - 26, 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 Jill Landry at jlandry@nrmca.org.

Senate Committee Labor Bill Contains Silica Rule Provision

Last week, the Senate Appropriation Committee passed the Labor, Health and Human Services (Labor-HHS) spending bill for FY16 that totals $153.65 billion in funding. It was no surprise that the Senate bill included measures to delay or defund the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election rule, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) fiduciary rule and the newly defined "joint employer" standard by the NLRB. However, there was one provision that made it into the final bill that was not expected: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) proposed silica rule. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced the measure which would delay the rulemaking on the silica rule and mandates additional review of the impact to small businesses from the rule. The proposed rule halves the current Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and requires employers to implement greater measures to limit exposure to silica. NRMCA is concerned about the potential financial implications on the ready mixed concrete industry and has estimated it will cost between $16.5 million and $657 million annually. If this provision makes it into the budget for FY16, it is highly likely that the final rule will NOT be issued under the Obama Administration.

Last week, the House also passed its Labor-HHS spending bill which also included provisions to delay or defund the union election rule, fiduciary rule and joint employer standard. NRMCA is working with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) to secure final passage on the floor of both the Senate and House spending bills.

For more information please contact NRMCA’s Kerri Leininger at kleininger@nrmca.org.

EDUCATION &TRAINING

Innovation in Training Award Submissions Due July 31

The Educational Activities Committee invites ready mix producers to submit their most innovative training initiatives before July 31. The Innovation in Training Award winner will be recognized at NRMCA's ConcreteWorks Awards Luncheon to be held in September in San Antonio, TX. Additionally, the winning submission will be featured in a best-practices article in NRMCA's prestigious magazine, Concrete InFocus. MTSU's Concrete Institute Management program faculty serves as judges.

Click here for more information or contact NRMCA's Eileen Dickson at 240-485-1164 or by e-mail, edickson@nrmca.org.

CALENDAR

A Look Ahead

*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.

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 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

August 24, Free Webinar

Roller-Compacted Concrete for Streets and Roads

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

September 20 - 22, San Antonio, TX

ConcreteWorks & Board of Directors' Meeting