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An expanded look at Concrete Producer's High-Rise GreenSite Project of the Year
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An expanded look at Concrete Producer's Multifamily GreenSite Project of the Year
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An expanded look at Concrete Producer's Institutional GreenSite Project of the Year
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An expanded look at the Concrete Producer's Residential GreenSite Project of the Year
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An extended look at the Concrete Producer's Commercial GreenSite Project of the Year
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As the first international commercial concrete and masonry construction show in 2008, World of Concrete will offer all the new products, the latest technologies, an informative education program consisting of 90-minute and three-hour seminars, indoor/outdoor exhibits, events & demonstrations, plus...
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Hosted at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Jan. 21–25, WOC 2008 is the largest trade show in the industry, with more than 1700 exhibitors. Catering to contractors, manufacturers, and industry professionals, there is something for everyone.
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For about 10 years, Steve Parker has focused much of his professional life on about 21,200 words of text that defines how ready-mixed concrete is manufactured and delivered to a customer in its freshly mixed and non-hardened state.
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This year Top Influencers will receive unique awards symbolizing the industry they so effectively promote.
Once again, the women attending World of Concrete can take a breather from the show and enjoy good food and the company of their fellow “women in concrete” at the annual Women in Concrete Luncheon and Forum.
Noise pollution has become a significant issue in communities across the nation. Naturally, it follows that more money than ever is being spent on decorative concrete soundwalls to play a greater role in noise abatement near airports, commercial developments, and in residential neighborhoods.
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To protect against tree limbs and other impacting objects, lighting manufactures offer raised brush guards or deflector mounts. Some have found ways to make lighting fixtures smaller without losing brightness.
Along with all the other rules you need to know, there are two guidelines for adequate truck lighting.
With so many exhibitors and so little time, producers can make things easier on themselves by spending extra time at the Producer Center in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. This year more than 200 exhibitors will show off their admixtures, batch plants, and other products and...
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Top economists and analysts will share their expertise during THE CONCRETE PRODUCER's Economic Summit at World of Concrete.
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The Mack Truck's Driving Skills Challenge and the John Deere Load America competition will transform the Orange and Gold lots, respectively, into an exciting exhibition of drivers' skills from Tuesday, Jan. 22 to Thursday, Jan. 24.
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Concrete industry professionals who join the 3rd Annual World of Concrete Editorial Tour this year will have a behind-the-scenes look at the highway project that is literally changing the face of one of our country's most well-known historical landmarks—the Hoover Dam.
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The annual Concrete Industry Management (CIM) Auction will be held at the World of Concrete at noon on Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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All rotating equipment requires timely and effective lubrication to help reduce wear, minimize lubricant consumption, maximize efficiency, and curb unscheduled downtime. For concrete plants, the job can seem daunting.
Managers for many of the Irving Materials Inc. (IMI) plants know about winter production problems too well. Immediately after Thanksgiving, they are challenged to produce warm concrete in winter conditions to keep their customers supplied.
Ten more noteworthy influencers who have a significant impact on our industry.
The editors of THE CONCRETE PRODUCER are honored to recognize the people who are greatly influencing the concrete industry. These influencers, like Gene Martineau, have adopted leadership styles that are marked by consensus building. A desire to improve the entire industry, not just a market...
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The problem with economic downturns in the concrete industry is that the competitor down the street often doesn't value his product or company at a fair price.
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The Portland Cement Association's (PCA) National Standards Development Committee has approved the first PCA standard utilizing the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited voluntary consensus process.
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Q: Our lab has developed a self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mix design that we plan to use on a recently awarded project. It will be our first large SCC project. While we have provided the SCC recipe on several small jobs and for this project's test pours, this will be our first attempt to...
Economists have offered producers few surprises during the second half of 2007.
Producers are discovering that there is more to professing their greenness than just manufacturing concrete that contains fly ash or slag. Many customers now ask tough questions about the production process itself and to what extent producers have eliminated waste and reduced their own carbon...
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When will there be a common approach in demonstrating that concrete is a sustainable building material?
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Our industry has been blessed to have so many individuals who have given so much of their time, talent, and treasures in promoting the cause of concrete.
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Results of the NRMCA's 2007 Excellence in Safety Awards.
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A few days ago, there was a report in USA Today describing educators' concerns about the shortage of students currently studying civil engineering.
This new offering at the World of Concrete will feature dozens of exhibitors showcasing green building technologies and products, along with displays, presentations, and valuable information. Use our handy guide to check in on the
Nina Williams is a woman with a mission: She believes training is more than just encouraging drivers to be safe on the road and jobsites.
Each August, almost 50,000 people attend the nation's second largest trucking event, the Great American Trucking Show. Many of the newest products on display are designed to improve maintenance, operations, and safety. Here are a few that I found particularly worthwhile for concrete producers.
A little more than a year ago, ASTM International Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates approved a new standard to help increase the use of fibers in concrete construction. The standard facilitates post-crack performance measurement for fiber-reinforced concrete for slabs-on-grade...
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A new form of decorative concrete is now providing comfort to families of those who die. Searching for ways to meet their customers' needs, concrete burial vault producers have expanded their offerings to help offer a lasting memory at graveside.
Concrete industry professionals who join the 3rd Annual World of Concrete Editorial Tour this year will have a behind-the-scenes look at the highway project that is literally changing the face of one of our country's most well-known historical landmarks—Hoover Dam.
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In 2001, the “Survey of Respirator Use and Practices” gathered information on respirator use from 40,000 randomly selected U.S. establishments. It collected data on the types of respiratory protection workers used, types of respirator fit tests performed, and presence of substances that prompted...
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) Safety Contest has for years been a safety performance and incentive/award program aimed to foster safe practices at ready-mixed concrete plants across the nation. THE CONCRETE PRODUCER co-sponsors the contest.
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For the last two years, Metro has ramped up driver development by investing heavily in the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association's Concrete Delivery Professional Certification program. More than 25% of its drivers have passed the program.
Driving simulation has just started to trickle into the industry, but programs like MPRI's Mark III simulator have already helped companies like Walker Concrete and Nashville's Metro Ready Mix Concrete lower fuel costs, reduce accidents and decrease maintenance expenses. Take an inside look at how...
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I've always been on the lookout for new and better ways to make our company safer and more dependable
Last month, I reviewed Florida's aggregates shortage and how it affects that state's ability to supply the material required for the construction projects you see as you drive up and down I-95 or the Florida Turnpike. Now, lets look at California...
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We are urging an engineer to specify self-consolidating concrete (SCC) on a project that includes several tall, vertical forms. The engineer recognizes the benefits of SCC regarding consolidation and final surface appearance. The contractor also wants to use SCC because it can speed up the pouring...
Everyone from private homeowners to construction materials suppliers is feeling the ripple effects of slower residential construction in 2007.
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For precasters who require a steady production process, losing a few days to bad weather can turn a great job into merely a good one.
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Our industry has spent millions of dollars creating economical and effective training for every level of your team. Your managers need to have the right training tools with which to develop their employees.
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There seems to be consensus about the need for the PCA to do more to support the industry, but when it comes to suggestions, the answers are as varied as our readership.
The PCI Show takes place this October 21-24 in Phoenix, Ariz. Use our Product Preview to check out some of the products and exhibitors that will be in attendance at the show.
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World of Concrete was recently named by Tradeshow Week as one of the Top 50 Fastest-Growing Tradeshows, based on 50% total net square footage growth and 50% net growth between 2004 and 2006.
When Ren Beck switched to sales and operations, she inherited a stand-alone plant that served only the Marietta area with about nine ready-mix trucks.
Modern technology and automation have finally entered the concrete testing laboratory. Several technical committees have updated traditional standards to accommodate this new technology.
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It's more important than ever to track what's
Since fuel is the single greatest expense of any fleet's operation, managers must have an effective and efficient tracking system to determine if their department is within budget.
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Wells Concrete Products, from its base in rural Wells, Minn., has grown to be a substantial prestressed and ready-mixed concrete producer.
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Producers who have developed a strategic plan are more successful than those without one.
If producers can cast tees thinner, and thereby lighter, without losing any strength, architects can immediately see significant benefits.
Precast-prestressed concrete producers long ago proved our product as a method for providing durable high-performance structural elements for bridges and commercial buildings. In recent years, however, some of these producers have found a new market segment for their product: pavement construction.
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Why did I get such a striking view for four days from the window of a hospital?
For years now, California and Florida have led the nation in growth, and there is no doubt that these two states will be among the growth leaders for decades to come. But a troubling trend that could impact residential, commercial, and public works projects in those states is the looming aggregates...
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A Progress Report and Task 1 Report for the Self-Consolidating Concrete Formwork Pressure Study are now available, and the latest on recently revised ASTM standards.
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We have been trying to convince our local public works officials to specify segmental retaining wall (SRW) blocks on an upcoming project. We are located in the northern part of the United States. And the county's engineering staff is concerned that the SRW blocks will not be durable given our...
To help the industry interpret the subtleties of economics, PCA for the first time presented Practical Application of PCA Economic Forecast and Market Assessments. The seminar helped producers decipher forecasts, understand what was behind the reports, and decide how to use the complex projections...
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Construction falls 14%; Florida Rock OKs sale; Boral Acquires Oklahoma Operation and more.
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While I'm not in a position to design, cast, or manage the construction of a new bridge, building, or even patio, I can highlight our industry's effort to help create a safer world.
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While the current residential construction data is disappointing, it's important for producers to remember the current lower housing sales is a only cyclical setback.
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Florida Rock Industries' shareholders overwhelmingly approved its sale; Boral Ltd., a large construction materials company based in Australia, has bought Schwarz Readymix in Oklahoma City and the quarry assets of Davis Arbuckle Materials
Maximize efficiency while holding the line on costs with the new, updated crushers featured in our latest installment of Product Pulse.
We all need the advice of those who have more experience. There is nothing wrong with being new or inexperienced. Joining associations is a great way to find mentors or people to mentor.
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When Pennsylvania-based Denucci Excavating needed to update its crusher to meeting increasing demand for its services it turned to the Extec C12 jaw crusher.
While concrete producers have been at the forefront of using industrial waste materials (fly ash and slag) in their mixes, they haven't been as receptive to reusing construction waste. But this is about to change.
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No one can guarantee you won't have a flat, but there are actions you can take to minimize the possibility of catastrophic tire failure.
What are the criteria that satisfy the requirements of a structural proof of design test and a watertightness test for a precast concrete onsite tank? Ask 10 different people in the onsite industry and you will probably get 10 different answers.
Precast concrete producers and the onsite wastewater industry have plenty in common. Together, these two industries play an important role in protecting the nation's water resources and supporting the wastewater infrastructure.
The synthetic aggregate market is a $2 billion industry in the United States, with estimates that only a fraction of currently available recyclable materials are being utilized.
Recently, researchers at the University of Missouri-Rolla investigated the potential for using an unusual alternative construction material in manufacturing masonry units for non-load bearing applications. Their goal was to develop products for infill wall systems, a practice common throughout the...
Alfred H. Smith Jr. is building his field of dreams in Branchville, Md. No, he's not building a baseball diamond like in the 1989 film,
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Reclaimers and washout pits are a cost of doing business we do not mind being saddled with. It comes with the territory.
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Against the financial backdrop of the new housing market, it is becoming harder to predict the outcome of 2007. But we could see a year where concrete production falls as much as 10% to 15% from the 2006 record.
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A proposed new ASTM International standard, WK14283, "Guide for Green Roof Systems," will identify terminology, principles, and concepts for building vegetated green roof systems.
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Q: We are beginning to work on a new set of mix designs for a large commercial project. We are experimenting with some potential changes in the aggregate gradations of our commonly used products.
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OPW Fuel Management Systems, a Hodgkins, Ill., manufacturer of fuel dispensing equipment, recently introduced a high-tech hydrocarbon sensor suited for the harsh conditions of a concrete plant.
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Noteworthy news from the industry.
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It's a safe bet to estimate that our industry will spend upwards of 10 million dollars marketing, promoting, researching, and demonstrating that concrete is green. With so much at stake, it's important we don't confuse our customers on the varying hues of green our concrete provides.
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A companion to our September 'Material Issues' featuring essential readining and resources for sustainable construction.
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The TCP100 survey gives us a glimpse into producers' thoughts on important issues in the industry today. Here are some of their comments.