NRMCA e-news

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Full Edition of E-NEWS Will Resume Next Week

This week's edition of NRMCA's E-NEWS is abbreviated due to the staff attending ConcreteWorks in San Antonio, TX. Significant developments from the conference will be included in next week's edition along with a full complement of NRMCA and industry news.

PAVEMENTS

Persistence Pays for Kentucky Promoters in Transit Project

Back in 2011, Brett Ruffing of the Kentucky Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (KRMCA) submitted a project for the Lexington Transit Authority (Lex-Tran) maintenance facility to NRMCA’s Design Assistance Program (DAP). Ruffing presented the DAP recommendations to representatives from Lex-Tran and its architect. Initial response from Lex-Tran was very favorable, but there were certain individuals from the design firm who had some reservations about concrete pavement. However, KRMCA’s efforts, including introducing KRMCA contractor-member Bluegrass Contracting to the customer’s architect and engineer, resulted in calming the engineer’s fears.

The project was delayed for reasons unrelated to design, but thanks to the continued efforts of Ruffing and the KRMCA team, the project conversion withstood the delays and construction finally got under way in early summer of this year. The project covers six acres and completion is expected soon.

For more information, contact Brett Ruffing at bruffing@krmca.org or Phil Kresge at pkresge@nrmca.org.

ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY NEWS

Ready Mixed Concrete Production Statistics Updated Through July 2015

The preliminary estimate of ready mixed concrete produced in July is 34 million cubic yards, 2.6% higher than July 2014. The estimated production through July 2015 is 184 million cubic yards, 3.4% higher than that during the same period in 2014.

Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Details are available for NRMCA members here.

Speakers Sought for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 Education Sessions

NRMCA requests its members, the concrete industry and any interested party to submit topics for speakers at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 by Monday, November 9. Program sessions will be reviewed by the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 Education Committee and will be evaluated based on the quality and timeliness of the topic.

Submit proposal(s) here. For more information, contact NRMCA’s Eileen Dickson at edickson@nrmca.org or 240-485-1164.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

NRMCA Advocacy News Roundup Updated Through September 18

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 September 14 - 18, 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.

Two Named as Winners of Grassroots Activist of the Year Award

This is an exceptional year for NRMCA’s Government Affairs department because two outstanding champions have been presented the 2014 Grassroots Activists of the Year Award. Michael LeMonds, director of government affairs, LafargeHolcim, Reston, VA, and Nathan McKean, CEO, Breckinridge Materials, St. Louis, each set a high bar in advancing our industry’s advocacy initiatives and for their outstanding participation in NRMCA’s Government Affairs, CONCRETEPAC and grassroots activities.

Mr. LeMonds has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to the success of NRMCA’s advocacy initiatives by regularly attending and participating in meetings, conference calls and Webinars. He regularly participates in Capitol Hill meetings as well as represents the ready mixed concrete industry during the Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In and NRMCA Quarterly DC Days. Most notably, Mr. LeMonds supports NRMCA's Political Action Committee, CONCRETEPAC, at the highest level with corporate sponsorship, PAC-to-PAC and personal contributions. Mr. LeMonds is also NRMCA’s Government Affairs Committee vice chairman.

Mr. McKean has also repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to the success of NRMCA’s advocacy program by regularly attending and participating in meetings, conference calls and Webinars. He has conducted countless plant tours with his Members of Congress during district work periods. Most notably, Mr. McKean regularly travels to Washington, DC, to meet with members of his congressional delegation and its staff to discuss issues impacting the ready mixed concrete industry. Mr. McKean is also supportive of NRMCA’s CONCRETPAC and currently serves as the NRMCA CONCRETEPAC Committee chairman. NRMCA congratulates Mr. LeMonds and Mr. McKean for their dedication and contribution to the advancement of the ready mixed concrete industry’s advocacy efforts.

For more information, contact Kerri Leininger at 240-485-1159 or at kleininger@nrmca.org.

CONCRETEPAC Congratulates Winner of Apple iPad Door Prize at ConcreteWorks

NRMCA congratulates Charles Rhode, president of Producer member Kings Materials, for winning the CONCRETEPAC Apple iPad Air2 with 9.7 inch Retina Display 128 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular door prize during NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks & Board of Directors’ Meeting held earlier this week in San Antonio, TX. CONCRETEPAC is the ready mixed concrete industry’s leading political action committee that supports federal candidates running for election who will champion a pro-ready mixed concrete, pro-business legislative agenda. We thank everyone who supported this year’s program and those who supported CONCRETEPAC events during the meeting with corporate sponsorship.

Sponsors included CONCRETEPAC Landmark Super Sponsors: CEMEX, Concrete Supply Co., Grace Construction Products and U.S. Concrete; CONCRETEPAC Boots Sponsors: Argos Ready Mix Corp, Breckenridge Materials, Euclid Chemical Co., LafargeHolcim, Oldcastle Materials, Port Aggregates, Inc. and Sioux Corporation and CONCRETEPAC Spurs Sponsors: Ash Grove Cement Co., CalPortland Co., Central Concrete Supermix, Chandler Concrete Co., Inc., Chaney Enterprises, Continental Cement, Co., Dolese Bros. Co., Essroc Cement Corp, GCC Ready Mix, Irving Materials, Inc., Kearney Concrete Co., Lehigh Hanson, MMC Materials, Inc., Stephens Mfg, Titan America and Votorantim Cimentos.

For more information, contact Kerri Leininger at 240-485-1159 or at kleininger@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.

September 28 - 30, Ontario, CA

Concrete Durability Course

Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168

October 6 - 8, Online Class

Handling Concrete Specifications, Low Strength Problems and Mixture Submittals