The Concrete Producer articles from January 2005

The Concrete Producer archives from January 2005

Making the list right.(Editorial)
January 1, 2005... USA Today's marketing plan is beginning to work. I've become a loyal reader of the complementary copy I receive when I stay at a "business-friendly" hotel. And when waiting in an airport, I wander around the seating area to pick up a discarded...

Thought-provoking concrete.(Concrete Industry Board's awards)
January 1, 2005... It was hard to tell who was prouder of his award. Of course there was the warm round of applause for the representatives from Michael Fieldman Associates, the architect of the P.S./I.S. 499 school building at Queens College in New York City....

Construction stays strong.(Residential construction)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... New construction in the United States totaled $444.7 billion the first three quarters of 2004, a 10% increase over the previous year. While the pace slowed in August and September, new construction still stands to have its strongest gain in...

McNeilus buys plant supplier.(Concrete Equipment Co.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Mixer manufacturer McNeilus Cos. has acquired Concrete Equipment Co. (CON-E-CO), a batch plant supplier in Blair, Neb. McNeilus, of Dodge Center, Minn., said this purchase adds an extensive line of central, mobile, and portable batch plants to...

Southeast producer sold.(Audax Group purchases Ready Mixed Concrete Co)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Ready Mixed Concrete Co. of Raleigh, N.C., was purchased by Audax Group, a Boston private equity firm, for $210 million in November. "This transaction is a milestone in the company's history," said Jay Loftin, the producer's president and CEO....

Obit: Lord Hanson.(News)(Obituary)
January 1, 2005... Industrialist Lord James Hanson, one of the famous figures in British corporate history who built Hanson plc into an international conglomerate, died Nov. 1 at the age of 82 in Berkshire, England. In addition to about 150 ready-mixed plants in...

New focus for Degussa.(News)(Degussa Admixtures )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Degussa Admixtures stopped selling steel fibers for underground construction at the end of the year. The Cleveland-based admixtures manufacturer was supplying such fibers through an alliance with SI Concrete Systems since 1998. The emerging...

Besser and Hess: No deal.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The block manufacturing agreement between Besser Co. and The Hess Group of Germany was terminated in October. The plan to manufacture Hess products at the OMAG facility in Emdem, Germany, did not work out to either company's satisfaction, said...

Show restructures.(News)
January 1, 2005... Owners of CONEXPO-CON/AGG have signed a new agreement that replaces one signed in 1999. The show owners, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and International Concrete and Aggregates Group (ICAG), representing NRMCA and National...

Hanley Wood buys stone show.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Hanley Wood LLC has bought the StonExpo exhibition and conference. The StonExpo Federation and the Marble Institute of America will be the show's official sponsors. Based in Washington D.C., Hanley Wood owns THE CONCRETE PRODUCER, other housing...

Upcoming conferences & events.(News)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
January 1, 2005... World of Concrete The 31st annual World of Concrete takes place Jan. 18-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. No other event has the scope or focus of the commercial construction industry as World of Concrete. Start the year off right with all...

Most innovative technology: here's a chance for producers to visit contractors at World of Concrete.(E-Concrete)
January 1, 2005... There was a time when a World of Concrete seminar presenter's greatest worry was if the slide would stick in the projection carousal. Don't forget the interruptions that come from the audience. Buzzers, rings, and sudden clicks are all symptoms...

A World of Concrete twofer.(Technology For Construction)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Technology for Construction is a cutting-edge software and information technology conference and highly focussed IT marketplace within World of Concrete, delivering the newest IT products and latest upgrades from top information technology...

Formwork layouts.(E-Concrete)
January 1, 2005... For producers who try to partner closely with construction crews, bidding large commercial projects is easier than ever. Uni-Ply Designer 2005 is a new software product from Oakland, Calif.-based Avontus Software for designing formwork...

Measuring a slab's internal humidity: Researchers develop a new tool to concrete mixes.(What's New)
January 1, 2005... Some say the only fun visitors have in many rural towns is watching flesh paint dry. Even though the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign may be in a small town, researchers there may have the last laugh on how interesting watching stuff...

Better rides: a solution for smoother trips while trucks are empty.(Fleet Factors)
January 1, 2005... From all the pre-show hoopla received this year, truck suspensions might be among the hottest topics at the 2005 World of Concrete. At least two truck chassis manufacturers and their suspension suppliers are unveiling new suspension...

Looking for certifiably competent persons.(Problem Clinic)
January 1, 2005... Q. I've heard that ACI may soon be offering a certification program for competency in concrete design. Does this have anything to do with NRMCA's P2P and the move toward performance specifications? And what can you tell me about the...

Standardized tests for SCC.(Problem Clinic)
January 1, 2005... Q. More of our customers are starting to ask us about the possibility of using self-consolidating concrete. What's going on with the development of standardized tests for SCC? A. ASTM's subcommittee on self, consolidating concrete met Dec....

Cutting a prestressed precast floor.(Problem Clinic)
January 1, 2005... Q. Are there general guidelines for cutting through prestressed precast concrete? A local church wants to install an elevator, which would mean cutting an existing elevated precast concrete hollow core floor. They asked us for advice, but we...

World of Concrete: yesterday, today and tomorrow: the innovations just keep coming.(As the Drum Turns)
January 1, 2005... I'm packing my bags and getting ready for the concrete show of the year--World of Concrete! For more than 30 years, the annual gathering has provided us with all of the newest and the best-equipment, products, materials, seminars, and lots...

Tilt-up's new face: here's an opportunity to join in this sector's growth.
January 1, 2005... Concrete block producers are finding a surprising new customer--tilt up construction. These producers are making a new veneer product for tilt-up wall panels. And they are uncovering a huge potential market for architectural products in the...

Tiny fiber in the mix: new fiber technology creates the warm and fuzzy feeling of quality, without the fuzz.
January 1, 2005... This was going to be one of those field visits that's easy to make. As Jim Speakman pulls up to the recently constructed house, he secs his customer and his customer's customer. Both men are studying the concrete driveway--a good-looking,...

Rounding up quality: pouring decorative high-quality concrete is made easy with volumetric mixers on a remote California ranch.
January 1, 2005... Brian Cowen is one of those guys you want to meet. In fact, you may even want to arrange for a plant visit. That's because Cowen's plant is located in one of the world's most beautiful settings to batch concrete. And after the day's hard...

Slag cement steps up: Collaboration and communication make the project a success.
January 1, 2005... Drive on a busy stretch of interstate in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and you realize the stakes are high if you replace the surface and impede traffic. You may keep someone from catching his flight at one of the world's busiest...

Changing the coloring process: A new approach to coloring concrete is gaining acceptance.
January 1, 2005... The advent of granulated pigments has brought an innovative approach to coloring ready-mixed concrete. Using a unique dry-to-wet automated pigment metering system, concrete producers can now use dry pigment granules to create their own liquid...

Green passion & greenbacks: the USGBC combines environmentalism with good business practices.(U.S. Green Building Council)
January 1, 2005... There was a definite buzz at the Portland Convention Center. For the 2000 environmental faithful gathered in the Portland Room, it was the moment they had been waiting for. Most lingered in the outer hall sharing a healthy breakfast of...

Cover up: receive a commemorative pin for everything.(World of Concrete)
January 1, 2005... THE CONCRETE PRODUCER cover model contest at World of Concrete is becoming more popular each year. The rules are simple. Simply fill out an entry blank at any of the three World of Concrete Bookstores or at the Hanley Wood LLC corporate...

Industry insights.(World of Concrete)(Building materials industry)(Calendar)
January 1, 2005... Informative Industry Insights are free sessions that give attendees the latest and best information to take advantage of emerging trends. Two sessions each will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Don't wait until the last moment. The...

Special events.(World of Concrete)(Calendar)
January 1, 2005... Be sure to step outside the Las Vegas Convention Center to take advantage of all that World of Concrete has to offer. In addition to additional exhibitors and equipment demonstration areas, be sure to check out these other popular events. ...

Get a load of this! Watch the most skilled front-end loader operators at World of Concrete.(World of Concrete)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... THE CONCRETE PRODUCER is teaming up with John Deere for the 2nd Annual Producers' Challenge-2005 Load America Competition at the exhibition area outside the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event will run each day of the show, Jan. 18-21. ...

New books at the World of Concrete bookstore: producers who are interested in decorative concrete should'nt pass up these books.(Bookshelf)(Book Review)
January 1, 2005... Decorative concrete is always a hot issue at the World of Concrete. So this year editors of CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, THE CONCRETE PRODUCER's sister publication, have put together two books to guide contractors, artists, and producers who...

Place your bets on WOC's best: select the winners of the third annual Most Innovative Products contest at the 2005 World of Concrete.(World of Concrete)
January 1, 2005... Manufacturers have worked hard again this year so that Hanley Wood's Most Innovative Products contest get better and better. Now in its our industry. While the manufacturers can win in two categories, the Experts' Choice and Attendees' Choice...

Concrete marketplace.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... The exhibit floor at World of Concrete has something for everyone. It's the industry's most popular place at the show to mingle, network with colleagues, and, of course, see the latest products, innovations, and technologies the industry has to...

Trash pumps move water quickly.(Concrete Marketplace)
January 1, 2005... Multiquip has introduced its new QP Series trash pumps, improving on the original versions that have excelled in dewatering applications for more than three decades. The QP-2T and QP-3T engine-drive trash pumps are 2- and 3-inch units designed...

Aluminum forms require less hardware.(Concrete Marketplace)
January 1, 2005... The Classic Series line of forms from Durand Forms Inc. is an ideal solution for poured wall applications, including below- and above-ground structures in residential and commercial markets. Durand's aluminum forms require less hardware and...

Fiber system for consistent mixes.(Concrete Marketplace)
January 1, 2005... The DoserBoy fiber dispensing system offers 15-pound, full-truck dosing capacity, as well as a dispensing speed of 7.5 pounds per minute (with synthetic fibers). The high-accuracy unit from Nycon Inc. helps produce consistent mixes every time....

Metakaolin for high-performance concrete.(Concrete Marketplace)
January 1, 2005... Kaorock is an engineered metakaolin from Thiele Kaolin Co. that can provide added benefits in high-performance concrete. It provides significant increases in compressive and flexural strength while enhancing durability of the finished product...

Paver for steep grades.(Concrete Marketplace)
January 1, 2005... The Texture Cure 2600 is the newest product in RexCon's line of paving products. It is equipped with two 10-foot and 16-inch high-profile track systems with 12-inch-wide grouser pads. Tracks are powered by a hydrostatic torque drive with...

Class 8 truck engines.(Concrete Marketplace)
January 1, 2005... Kenworth Truck Co. introduces its Caterpillar C13 and C11 engines for its Class 8 models. The C13 engine, with new 470-hp rate, is available with torque ratings of 1550-lb.-ft. and 1650-1b.ft. for Kenworth's T2000, T800, T600, W900, and C500...

Innovative hydraulic pump.(Concrete Marketplace)
January 1, 2005... The new ZU4 hydraulic pump by Enerpac combines the proven and the innovative. It is compact, light-weight, and has a thermally insulated handle. An optional tubular steel skid frame adds an extra-wide stance and two-person carrying ability to...

Computer measures concrete moisture.(Concrete Marketplace)
January 1, 2005... The BT-6000 Water Batching Computer by Bikotronic uses high-frequency engineering technology to measure the exact moisture of concrete in the mixer. The microwave probe produces an electric field which is influenced by the water molecules in...

ICF for various wall configurations.(Concrete Marketplace)
January 1, 2005... The new Fastening Strip insulating concrete form panel can be used to form six different wall configurations. The fastening strip in the panel by Quad-Lock Building Systems is held by the ties, providing an uninterrupted vertical attachment and...

New structural bulletin.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute has made available a new Structural Design Bulletin for engineers and others in the construction industry. The 16-page 4-color bulletin, Reinforced Concrete and Secure Buildings: Progressive Collapse,...

Bonding primer for textured look.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... SkimStone Bonding Primer by Rudd Co. allows SkimStone decorative finishes to be used on non-porous substrates, such as plastic laminate or ceramic tile. The primer is specially formulated to enhance inter coat adhesion and may also be used on...

Connect rebar in the field.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... The Lenton taper-threaded splice from ERICO Inc. can quickly and easily connect two pieces of rebar in the field. The taper-threaded design assures strength, consistency, and reliability while simplifying installation. The product meets ACI's...

Reclaimer line with options.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... Schwing America's washing drum principle reclaimers provide low water consumption, minimal wear, and very little required maintenance. The quality of reclaimed aggregates and cut size of sand fines washed out with the gray water is extremely...

Protect your plans.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... Easi File's Pro-One protective envelope is a simple, economical way to protect construction plans, maps, drawings, and other important documents related to a job. The product is a rugged, transparent envelope large enough to fully cover...

Carry tools with ease.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... The 26-pocket, three-piece ComfortLift framer's combo system from Custom Leathercraft is made of tough, double-layered ballistic nylon. The easy-carry handle design provides for quick adjustments and transport without spillage. The stay-open...

Fibers improve concrete durability.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... Bon Tool Co.'s Anti-Crak fibers offer three to four times greater tensile strength than steel and 10 times greater elasticity than polypropylene. Adding the specially formulated fibers controls early plastic shrinkage and strengthens the...

Cement for brighter color.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... GranCem is a slag cement from Holcim US Inc. that can replace a portion of the portland cement in a mix. Concrete made with the cement is typically whiter, and colors brighter, than with concrete made with portland cement. Use of the product...

Admixture for improved concrete quality.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... Fritz-Pak's Mini Delayed Set is a dry, powdered admixture designed to stabilize residual concrete wash water or extend the setting time of concrete, while improving concrete quality. Water or concrete treated with the product can be reused...

Fiber system is quick and safe.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... The Big Shot fiber transport and dispensing system is designed to quickly and safely move fibers from ground-level storage to upper-level trucks and batching systems. The product from Forta Corp. provides a simple, cost-effective method to add...

Batching control, dispatching systems.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... Marcotte Systems Ltd. has released its hatching control, dispatching, and construction ERP systems under one Windows-based platform using XML. The user-friendly product can be used by ready-mix, precast, block, or paver makers. The fully...

Web program for pumpers.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... DispatchThis.com is a Web-based program from NOGU Technologies that enables concrete pumpers to manage their daily dispatch responsibilities, report on productivity, and manage invoicing, equipment, and contacts. Companies of virtually any...

Maintenance-free production.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... The SCD2-50 stationary concrete dispenser is compact; when set up, it can fit into a mid-sized parking spot. It produces 1 cubic yard of high-quality concrete every 4 to 6 minutes (or 12 to 15 cubic yards every hour). The 30-cubic-foot cement...

Bracket eliminates concrete buildup.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... Wyco Tool Co. has introduced a single isolator mounting bracket that attaches its hydraulic vibrators to any brand of paving machine, reducing concrete buildup and improving consolidation. The design eliminates the problem of concrete buildup...

Customized batch plant.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... The EconoBatch low-profile concrete batch plant from Mixer Systems Inc. has a wide array of component options that enable users to construct and customize it to meet different production needs, and to change it along with changing needs. It...

Wheel loader has many features.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... Komatsu America Corp.'s WA200-5 wheel loader has a 120-hp engine, operating weights ranging from 21,870 to 22,782 pounds, and bucket capacities from 2.2 to 3.1 cubic yards. Its productivity-enhancing features include lower engine speed, lower...

Grid is stronger than steel.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... C-GRID from TechFab LLC is a non-woven, carbon-fiber, epoxy-based grid designed for internal reinforcement of concrete. The product is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making it stronger and easier to use than steel. In addition, using the...

Accelerator maintains durability.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... Rapid 1 is a hardening accelerator for cast-in-place concrete. Unlike set accelerators, the product initiates very high early strengths in concrete while maintaining slump life and workability. This allows easy batching and delivery in a...

Reliable, efficient generators.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2005... A new line of innovative, high-powered generators from Makita USA Inc. delivers performance, reliability, and efficiency. The G2800L (2800 W) and G4300L (4300 W) have EX Series engines, air-cooled units that have high-performance, chain-driven...

Primed for action.(Product Pulse)
January 1, 2005... There's a saying that you can't put your foot in the same river twice. It's much the same when it comes to delivering concrete. One day the jobsite is an easy shot. Other days, the pour requires a team of traffic engineers to plan truck routes....

Built-in conveyor unit.(Product Pulse)
January 1, 2005... The Mixveyor conveyor mounts on a mixer truck, offering a flexible delivery package that is both convenient and economical. It has a reach of 51 feet anywhere in a 300-degree arc around the truck. It allows you to pour in different directions...

Multipurpose concrete pump.(Product Pulse)
January 1, 2005... The MightyMag 30HV and 30HP concrete pumps use state-of-the-art hydraulic circuits for delivering high pressures, and S-tube technology for low slump materials. They are perfect for shotcreting, bridgework, slabjacking, and pressure grouting....

One-step mixer.(Product Pulse)
January 1, 2005... The HM Self-feed Hopper/Mixer is designed to carry material and equipment, discharge the material, and mix it in one easy step. The unit, mounted on a single or tandem axle, comes in 7.5, 10, and 11 cubic yard sizes, with a twin shaft mixer,...

Four-section boom pump.(Product Pulse)
January 1, 2005... The Putzmeister 38Z-Meter truck-mounted concrete boom pump has a four-section, 124 feet Multi-Z boom with X-style outriggers. This unique combination allows for setup on restrictive jobsites and offers operator maneuverability. The boom is...

Advance technology makes pumping easier.(Product Pulse)
January 1, 2005... The K47 XRZ is a 47-meter, five-section, RZ concrete boom pump with closed-loop hydraulics. An advanced electronic technology makes pumping concrete is easier and safer. A proportional remote control technology improves the operating...

Telescoping outriggers ensure maximum reach.(Product Pulse)
January 1, 2005... The S 61 SX concrete pump has a four-section, overhead roll, and fold boom with 198 feet of reach, enabling contractors to reach out, up, and below grade with no dead spots. Because the boom's first section can be angled back, the other three...

Concrete pumping boom.(Product Pulse)
January 1, 2005... The VersiPlacer is a multi-function boom capable of pumping concrete and lifting loads, and it also can be fully deployed horizontally. This allows it to be used reside a low-ceilinged building or in confined areas. It also saves precasters...

Mobile concrete transporter.(Product Pulse)
January 1, 2005... The Tuckerbilt T-630 concrete transport vehicle is a durable, highly maneuverable machine for concrete placement. Featuring a 110-hp John Deere engine, it has a maximum speed of 8 mph, and can climb a 6% grade. This four-wheeled unit has a...

Posi-Turner[R] rotation beams.(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2005... This Posi-Turner[R] quickly, easily, and safely rotates concrete molds from the pour position to the stripping position and back again in minutes. Posi-Turner's can be used for any application that required mold or product rotation in the...

Mixer truck pumps and motors.(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2005... Ready mix is our specialty. New hydrostatic pumps and motors are expensive. Why not go with a quality rebuilt pump and motor at a fraction of the cost? With factory trained technicians on staff and free troubleshooting advice, you get REPAIR...

Helix concrete reinforcement.(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2005... Add strength and durability to concrete with Helix. Each toothpick-sized, coated metallic wire locks like a tiny screw, instead of slipping like a nail. Helix combines with concrete to form a matrix of strength, durability, and crack resistance...

Concrete stamping tools.(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2005... Award winning projects begin with award winning materials. CHROMIX[R] Admixtures for Color-Conditioned[TM] Concrete are colored, water-reducing, set-controlling admixtures for ready mixed architectural concrete. Coloring concrete integrally,...

TF System[R].(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2005... The Vertical ICF was designed to mimic traditional concrete forms, combining the benefits of ICF construction with conventional concrete forming techniques. Lightweight components assemble from the ground or floor level. The vertical...

Portable batch plant.(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2005... The Port-A-Pour batch plant is easy to set up, completely self contained, truly portable and highly productive. On site dedicated service increases productivity, reduces truck demand and guaranties fresh concrete. The plant can blend products...

I earn money with my excess concrete. What do you do with yours?(Plant Production)
January 1, 2005... Don't dump excess concrete! There's money to be made. Excess concrete isn't a problem, it's an opportunity. Pour that concrete into a Design Pro Form and you will have attractive, versatile blocks to sell for profit. And, because...

Concrete sets sail.(In the Mix)
January 1, 2005... Attendees at NRMCA's 32nd Annual Operations, Environmental and Safety Forum and Expo in San Francisco last fall heard a fascinating account of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge replacement project from Al Kaufman, manager of technical...

Associations in the mix.(Appointment of Philip Kresge )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... ICFA The Insulating Concrete Form Association has been selected to give a series of presentations to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide insight on how HUD can assist alternative building systems overcome...

Students's memory lives on.(constructoin of memorial tilt-up for Eric Goodwin of University of Virginia )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Students at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville will remember one of their classmates whenever they pass some tilt-up construction in the Campbell Courtyard. Members of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) assisted architectural...

95 years and still pouring.(In the Mix)(Anniversaries)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Pour all of the concrete Thomas Bennett & Hunter inc. (TBH) has produced into a 4-foot-wide sidewalk and it would reach 25,000 miles, long enough to stretch across the earth. When your company has just celebrated its 95th anniversary, you can...