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From the Editor
Locking in Stimulus
The construction industry’s criticism of the $787 billion stimulus plan passed by Congress at President Obama’s urging is widely known by now.
Construction industry unemployment remains stuck around 20% during what should be the peak of the residential and commercial building season.
So why, many want to know, was so little money spent on infrastructure construction? Indeed, there has been some spending. A handful of roads were repaved with asphalt not far from where I live. The infrastructure spending includes expanded broadband infrastructure across rural and underserved areas. I wonder how many yards of concrete are devoted to that.
But alas, I direct your attention south to Panama. Underway in that Central American country is a project that will double the capacity of the Panama Canal. About $5.25 billion will be spent to build a third set of locks by the time the project is complete in 2014. That’s a behemoth project for a country whose annual GDP totals $23 billion, according to the World Bank.
Cemex recently announced it has signed a contract to supply about 500,000 tons of cement. Over the past two years, the Mexican producer says it has invested about $300 million in its Panamanian operations, including a plant where it has tripled its cement production capacity. With this expansion, Cemex says it will satisfy the building materials needs of the Panama Canal expansion project and the requirements of projects that are part of the Panamanian government's investment plan.
While our roads and bridges crumble, it’s reassuring that one country is looking to the future: Panama.
Still, U.S. producers have been able to take advantage of some stimulus spending. One such case involves relining an Illinois canal with precast concrete. You can read about this project in our August issue.
News & Articles
Enter the GreenSite Contest Today
Green building is a growing trend in the competitive world of concrete construction. The editors of Concrete Construction and The Concrete Producer have created a new awards program that recognizes the concrete community's innovative contributions to sustainable construction. The awards honor the country's best projects in ten different categories, and one project will be named GreenSite Project of the Year. We are now accepting entries for the 2010 contest.
GreenSite Award participants will receive a 20% discount to the World of Concrete bookstore at www.wocbookstore.com.
TCPuzzler
Congratulations to Tom Busboom of Crete Ready Mix (Crete, NE) who won a manual rebound hammer from James Instruments in last month’s TCPuzzler contest. Look for our next TCPuzzler on our Web site soon. The theme is the TCP 100. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to the online World of Concrete Bookstore.
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MOLECULAR CEMENT DISSOLVER 
BACK-SET IS A SAFE, BUT EFFECTIVE, ACID ALTERNATIVE WITH NO FUMES OR ODORS. BACK-SET MOLECULARLY ATTACKS THE PORTLAND IN CEMENT, COMPLETELY DISSOLVING THE HARDENED MOLECULAR STRUCTURE BACK INTO RINSABLE MUD! THIS TYPE OF IONIC EXCHANGE HAS NEVER BEEN USED BEFORE IN OUR INDUSTRY. THIS PRODUCT IS ONE OF A KIND! |
Featured at the World of Concrete Bookstore
Illustrated with real life examples, High-Strength Concrete is a valuable resource for producers, quality control staff, and engineers. This practical book presents the means and methods for designing, producing, and using high-strength concrete. It’s a must-have for engineers who are involved in infrastructure projects on which higher compressive strengths allow for a reduction in the cross-sectional dimensions of columns.
Pervious concrete is becoming a common paving material due to its ability to allow water to flow through itself to recharge groundwater and minimize storm water runoff. Specifications for Pervious Concrete Pavements (ACI 522.1-08) covers material designs, site preparation, forming, placing, finishing, jointing, curing, and quality control of pervious concrete pavement.
These are just some of the more than 600 titles selected by the editors of Concrete Construction, The Concrete Producer, and Masonry Construction offered at the World of Concrete Bookstore online store at www.wocbookstore.com. Also featured is a limited supply of 2010 WOC Gear, including tee shirts, hats, and golf shirts.
Fleet Factors Blog
Read our Fleet Managers Roundtable blog for the latest on trucking news and introductions. Fleet Factors columnist Paul Abelson will keep you informed on industry developments in the weeks between his regular column in the magazine.
Formwork Study Released
The RMC Research & Education Foundation has released a self-consolidating concrete (SCC) formwork pressure study titled "Evaluation of SCC Formwork Pressure." It includes information, tools, and test methods to help predict and decrease formwork pressure. It examines the impact that materials constituents, mix designs, concrete placement factors, geometry of formwork and temperature have on formwork pressure exerted by SCC.
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SWWR - Build it Faster, Lighter, on Time and on Budget! 
Computer manufactured, welded sheets reduce labor by eliminating the need to tie individual bars. Stronger pound per pound SWWR results in less overall weight. Precisely machine spaced and welded, field inspections often quicker. Greater strength often reduces the amount of steel required, in some cases by as much as 25%. Call (800) 552-4WRI [4974] or visit our website www.WireReinforcementInstitute.org. |
Schwing Exits Bankruptcy
Schwing America Inc. has successfully emerged from Chapter 11. The concrete pump manufacturer completed the payoff to existing lenders from funds obtained from a pool of European banks. "With new funding in place we will move forward in the reorganization and growth of Schwing America," said CEO Brian Hazelton.
New AltusGroup Chairman
AltusGroup Inc. has elected Rick Pennell, president and CEO of Metromont, as its chairman of the board. He replaces Chris Pastorius, president of Oldcastle Precast - Building Systems.
Command Alkon Customer Conference
The Command Alkon Customer Conference returns to New Orleans, Sept. 15-17. The event provides Command Alkon customers with product training, product and service labs, forums and roundtable discussions, industry updates, an industry specific tradeshow, and entertainment.
Construction Materials Prices Fall 0.9% in June
Following three months of increases, the price of construction materials and supplies in June fell 0.9 percent, according to the July 15 producer price index report by the U.S. Labor Department. However, prices are up 0.8 percent for the second quarter of the year and are 4.2% higher from June 2009.
About this newsletter
THE CONCRETE PRODUCER Update
is a twice monthly e-newsletter with industry news and information for concrete producers.
Questions? Feedback? contact
Tom Bagsarian
July Quick Poll
Does your company produce pervious concrete?
Share your answer HERE!
TCPuzzler
This Month's Winner:
Tom Busboom of Crete Ready Mix (Crete, NE)
Prize: Manual Rebound Hammer from James Instruments
New TCPuzzler coming soon!
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