The Concrete Producer articles from January 2006

The Concrete Producer archives from January 2006

Past, present and future in one place.(Editorial)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... On my last trip to Las Vegas, I did something I've never done before. Well, maybe I did few things I've never done before under the mantra of "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But I'd like to share one of my extracurricular activities...

Pervious event slated.(News)
January 1, 2006... THE CONCRETE PRODUCER is teaming with NRMCA for the 2006 Concrete Technology Forum, which will focus on pervious concrete. The symposium will be held May 24-25 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Although pervious concrete has been used for...

Lafarge acquires Kansas producer.(News)
January 1, 2006... Lafarge North America has bought the Ritchie Corp.'s concrete, aggregate, asphalt, and paving operations. Based in Wichita, Kan., Ritchie Corp. was an important materials supplier and paving contractor in Kansas for almost 150 years. "This...

R&D at Grace.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Grace Construction Products, Cambridge, Mass., has restructured its research and development department. Charles Cornman is the new director of R&D for formulated products, including water reducers, superplasticizers, self-consolidating...

Columbia-Paco deal.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Columbia Machine Inc. of Vancouver, Wash., will acquire selected concrete product equipment lines of Paco Inc. of Montreal. Columbia will build and sell Paco rack transfer equipment, cubers, splitter, and other equipment. "We are very excited...

Healthy precast sales.(News)
January 1, 2006... Sales at precast concrete plants totaled $18.5 billion in 2004, a 13% increase from the previous year, according to the National Precast Concrete Association's (NPCA) Operating Performance Report. Precasters produced 48.1 million yards of...

North American paver sales.(News)
January 1, 2006... North American Paver Sales Concrete paver sales totaled 710 million square feet in 2004, a 15.4% increase over 2003. Sales have increased each of the last six years. 1999 370 2000 430 2001 480 2002 565 2003 615...

Troubling comments.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Thank you for your insight and admonition to all of us in the concrete industry. I have the pleasure of running a third-generation prestressed concrete company started by my grandfather only a couple of years after the completion of the...

Bogus comparison.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... I don't see how ready-mix and precast can be compared. In a market like St. Louis, ready-mix's profitability is based on millions of cubic yards in a year. Precast is probably responsible for 1/10 of that, and some of those manufacturers use...

Upcoming conferences & events.(Calendar)(Calendar)
January 1, 2006... World of Concrete The world's largest trade show devoted to concrete production and construction takes place Jan. 17-20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event brings together more than 1600 exhibitors in 1.3 million square feet of...

Software and more for producers: here's a short guide to Technology for Construction at World of Concrete.(E-CONCRETE)
January 1, 2006... When you think about Technology for Construction at World of Concrete, what probably comes to mind is the collection of software companies huddled in the North Hall. But that's just one of TFC's four faces. The conference sessions and the...

Blast off: there's no need to go inside a drum with this high-pressure cleaning process.(Blasters Ready Jet)
January 1, 2006... One of the least pleasant tasks in ready-mix production is cleaning hardened concrete from inside the drum of a ready-mix truck. Not only does the cleaning process take the truck out of service, managers find it difficult to train employees on...

SCC bridges the gap.(self-consolidating concrete)
January 1, 2006... Q. We are in the pre-bid planning stage of a large bridge project in a seawater port. The bridge's design engineer is calling for a heavily reinforced structure to meet seismic requirements. Anticipating the problems of placing concrete in a...

Returned crushed concrete.(using recycled concrete)
January 1, 2006... Q. Over the last few years, we have been stockpiling our crushed returned concrete. The pile has grown since we have started the process. While the price for crushed concrete debris in our market has stabilized, the price for concrete aggregate...

The great cultural divide: how a company addresses safety reflects on its values.(Safety Rules)
January 1, 2006... Along the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, there exists a point where nature divides the continent. At the Contental Divide, it is determined whether rivers will flow from west to east, or east to west. This natural division determines the slope...

Housing's hiccups: ready-mix producers will see gains in 2006, despite a slowdown in housing.(Concrete Returns)
January 1, 2006... At a Rolling Stones concert in San Diego this past fall, fliers were handed out offering condo buyers a new car with the purchase of a unit. This clearly marks a turn from a sellers' market to a buyers' market. Is the bloom off the housing...

Boxed in: tilt-up building are great places to keep lots of stuff.(As the Drum Turns)
January 1, 2006... I'm a big fan of comedian George Carlin. In one of his famous routines, he talks about "stuff." That's right--stuff. He explains how our homes are merely places where we keep all of the stuff we accumulate. "That's all your house is: a...

Tilt-up, up, and away: producers who miss out on tilt-up, miss out on profits.
January 1, 2006... With 23% annual growth, tilt-up has expanded its reach. This expansion can translate into big profits for concrete producers, as tilt-up uses 40% more ready-mix concrete than conventional construction. Consistency, speed, and strength were...

The producer of producers: there have been 175 graduates in the Concrete Industry Management program's 10 years.
January 1, 2006... Chris Davenport remembers what it was like strolling the campus of Middle Tennessee State University almost 10 years ago. Use whatever phrase you like: He was a freshman, a newbie, wet behind the ears. After starting classes his freshman...

Putting pervious to the test: managing stormwater runoff is vital in this rainy part of the nation.(Southern California Ready Mixed Concrete Association )
January 1, 2006... In the Pacific Northwest, rain is a way of life. When the skies clear, everybody wants to pour concrete--at the same time. Our legendary precipitation also creates large problems for our communities. In the city of Portland, average...

Music to producers' ears: Tennessee, the home of country music, is turning to concrete paving for a variety of projects.(concrete paving)
January 1, 2006... Several months ago, a large freighter with containers stacked five or six high was about to enter the Port of Savannah in Georgia. Thousands of these containers enter the country daily and must be unloaded and stored in large yards. Sounds...

What is good service? Not enough producers measure the service they give their customers.(service goals )
January 1, 2006... Sometimes when I visit concrete operations, I am often told that the producer has an unwritten policy that we never hurt the same customer twice in a row." All too often it is said with more than a hint of pride. Unfortunately, this policy...

Tour Concrete's past and future: unique jobsite tour takes place the Sunday before World of Concrete.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The World of Concrete 2006 Editorial Tour-Hoover Dam Bypass is the perfect opportunity to tour one of the world's most famous concrete projects. But that's not all. This is the site where a new four-lane bridge is being built one-quarter...

A world of events: plan ahead so you can attend many of World of Concrete's special events, Jan 17-20.(World of Concrete)
January 1, 2006... You still have time to sharpen your skills for the Third Annual Producers Challenge at World of Concrete. The event takes place in the Gold Lot demo area, just west of the Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall. Pre-certified drivers and...

Women's forum.(World of Concrete)
January 1, 2006... Editors of THE CONCRETE PRODUCER and CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION will host the first networking luncheon for women in concrete from noon to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, in the Las Vegas Convention Center. The forum will bring together women...

Demos & more.(World of Concrete)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Some of World of Concrete's most popular events take place outside in the sunshine and fresh air. In addition to the exhibitors, seminars, and ongoing equipment demonstration areas, be sure to check out these other popular events. Mega...

New bookstore offerings: here are two books you can find at the World of Concrete bookstore.(Bookshelf)
January 1, 2006... A new and updated Epoxy Injection in Construction, second edition, is now available. John Trout presents the science and the art that enables the successful epoxy injection of concrete. He covers an abundance of new material, as well as the...

Keepsake on wheels.(World of Concrete)
January 1, 2006... Keep the memories of 2006 World of Concrete alive with an attractive 1/34 scale collectible ready mix truck replica. Measuring more than 10 inches long, it features a rotating drum, chute assembly, side-mounted ladder, water tank with gauge,...

The polls are open: a bumper crop of MIP entries awaits you at World of Concrete.(World of Concrete)(Most Innovative Products contest)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... If you want to make sure you don't miss the latest and the greatest at World of Concrete, check out the entries in this year's Most Innovative Products contest. A total of 144 products are vying to be declared the most innovative at the show....

Battery-powered truck meter.(Concrete Production and Delivery)
January 1, 2006... The MR1-B Slump & Washout Rack Meter is a battery-operated truck meter. It is the same meter designed for concrete track applications and has all of the same advantages of durability, easy installation, and the ability to be remotely mounted...

Acid alternative lowers pH.(Concrete Production and Delivery)
January 1, 2006... SynTech, the patented synthetic hydrochloric acid replacement that powers the only OEM-approved truck washes (Mack, McNeilus, Oshkosh, and others), has now been formulated to safely lower the pH in holding ponds. It outperforms Vharsh mineral...

Small in size, large in profits.(Concrete Production and Delivery)
January 1, 2006... The Shortstop 3.5 Concrete Mixer features a 3.5-cubic-yard capacity, a 9-foot clearance, and a low curb weight, making it a convenient, maneuverable alternative to a full-size truck. It also comes with an extension chute for loading from a...

Rear discharge mixer suspension.(Concrete Production and Delivery)
January 1, 2006... The PRIMAAX HS rear air-ride tandem suspension is ideal for meeting the unique requirements of rear discharge mixers. It features superior ride quality for driver comfort and equipment protection along with excellent articulation, ground...

Gray water storage tanks.(Concrete Production and Delivery)
January 1, 2006... This recycled water storage vessel can provide a low maintenance solution to pre-heating or cooling recycled water when used with heating and cooling systems. Its vertical design allows for additional storage capacity in a small area....

Emergency pump for ready-mix trucks.(Concrete Production and Delivery)
January 1, 2006... The Drum Jumper is designed and engineered to rotate a mixer drum or discharge concrete in the event of a mechanical, electrical, or computer failure. This portable emergency hydraulic pump works on front and rear discharge trucks. It features...

Check your tires with a touch of a button.(Concrete Production and Delivery)
January 1, 2006... Tireboss Tire Pressure Control system allows a driver to optimize the vehicle's tire pressure at the touch of a button. This central tire inflation technology allows for a reduction in tire pressure to suit load and speed conditions, as well as...

White pozzolan from recycled waste.(Concrete Production and Delivery)
January 1, 2006... VCAS white pozzolans are very uniform chemistry glass powder recycled from the difficult-to-handle, snarly, spaghetti-like waste from fiberglass manufacturers. It is suitable for use as a pozzolan in white or portland cement. VCAS pozzolans are...

Protect the power train from damage.(Concrete Production and Delivery)
January 1, 2006... The Power Train Saver stops over-torque damage on gear, axle, driveshaft, and U-joints on trucks and any type of shaft-driven equipment. The product is installed into your existing drive shaft and works on a system of three shear pins called...

Admixture reduces water in mix.(Concrete Placing and Finishing)
January 1, 2006... Kalmatrom KF-A is a chemical admixture for concrete that increases the cementitious value and volume of the cement grain. With the admixture, concrete mixes require up to 30% less water. It retains better workability with lower slumps. The...

Fiber reinforcement.(Concrete Placing and Finishing)
January 1, 2006... The Performax TF Fiber is a macro synthetic engineered to address plastic shrinkage cracking in concrete while imparting increased toughness, impact, and fatigue resistance. Performax TF uses state-of-the-art TuffFinish technology designed to...

Z-fold configuration makes for long reach.(Concrete Placing and Finishing)
January 1, 2006... The Putzmeister BSF 63Z.16H model offers the longest reach of any concrete boom pump available today. It reaches over 200 feet vertically and more than 190 feet horizontally. Its five-section boom (designed specifically for the North American...

Epoxy grid reinforces concrete.(Concrete Placing and Finishing)
January 1, 2006... For reinforcement and rehabilitation of concrete structures, C-Grid Reinforcement is a carbon fiber epoxy grid that is strong, lightweight, and easy to use. It offers excellent crack control reinforcement for a wide range of uses and...

Finish systems for precast.(Decorative Concrete Equipment)
January 1, 2006... Nawkaw Finish Systems for Precast are as permanent as the concrete itself. Custom colors and textures simulate every look, from brick to natural stone. They are environmentally friendly and are applied after erection of precast panels, ensuring...

Cement with cleaning power.(Building Systems and Materials)
January 1, 2006... TX Millennium cement is formulated with photocatalytic properties to deliver self-cleaning power. Self-cleaning occurs when sun rays activate photocatalytic reaction within the concrete. As a result, organic pollutants that settle on the...

Spill containment for bulk containers.(General Construction Tools and Equipment)
January 1, 2006... The Ultra-IBC HardTop provides outdoor spill containment for intermediate bulk containers, tanks, and other large vessels. With all-polyethylene construction, it will not rust or corrode. The upper roll-top door and lower swing-out doors...

Batch plant inspection software.(Technology for Construction)
January 1, 2006... Triple the batch plant inspector's capabilities with the Batch Plant Inspection Program. This program records and calculates the loads, as well as the weights needed to bring a load back into acceptable tolerance. This means fewer rejected...

Total integration package for trucks.(Technology for Construction)
January 1, 2006... International Aware Vehicle Intelligence is a truck and engine OEM solution that maximizes uptime, increases productivity, reduces operating costs, and improves customer service. It integrates wireless communications, vehicle-monitoring...

Multi-functional device for the concrete producer.(Technology for Construction)
January 1, 2006... DigiTic/DigiTrac is a multi-functional system that sends tickets through the concrete producer's existing network to wireless communication in the track. Using GPS technology, it standardizes all communication needs into one unit. It logs all...

RC unit gives operator wealth of data.(Technology for Construction)
January 1, 2006... The Vector Control System is a breakthrough data retrieval system that enables two-way communication between the radio remote control and the concrete pump. The LED display on the remote box gives the operator a wealth of operational data in...

Pursue your products.(World of Concrete Preview)
January 1, 2006... More than 1700 exhibitors at World of Concrete are waiting with open arms for people just like you. Visit these booths to learn about the latest products, innovations, and technologies. A preview of these products follows. Booth numbers were...

Changing how we think about building: energy savings and noise reduction are some of the advantages of ICFs.(Product Pulse)
January 1, 2006... Over the past decade, the insulating concrete form (ICF) industry has focused on selling to homeowners. ICFs are appealing because of energy savings, wind resistance, and noise reduction. ICF shipments increased 26% in North America in 2004,...

A new year trucks in: impending emission legislation may prompt you to rethink your truck buying plans.(Fleet Factors)
January 1, 2006... Buying trucks used to be simple. A fleet manager would merely focus his new order on the configuration and truck style that had been successful for him in the past. When the account agreed on the next year's capital budget, the deal was...

Advanced color metering systems.(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2006... Advanced Concrete Technologies gives manufacturers of precast concrete products a range of liquid, powder and granule color metering systems designed to help them produce colorful new product more quickly, consistently and profitably than ever....

New revolution in concrete recycling.(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2006... The Badger Shredder is a twin-shaft, low-speed, high-torque concrete shredding machine. I can process concrete in either diesel or electric models, it almost eliminates vibration and dust. I can process concrete (with up to 1" rebar), mixed...

Admixtures for colored concrete.(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2006... 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,...

Universal's Twister Connector.(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2006... Designed to withstand and spread concrete forces when connecting the side of the flange of one double tee beam, wall or slab to adjacent concrete in precast parking garage floors, bridge decks and reinforced roof slabs in industrial buildings....

Pre-cast forming systems.(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2006... AFTEC's concrete fence wall forming systems are the most efficient available. The patented ComboCast[TM] unit requires the manufacturing and installation labor of any comparable walls. The column and panel are precasted in one piece resulting...

Seal saver cylinder cover.(Producer Products showcase)
January 1, 2006... Eliminate acid wash damage to cylinder rods and extend cylinder life three-fold and beyond. Over 6,000 Tag-Axle "SEAL SAVERS" in application. 2-year warranty on Bridgemaster Kevlar version. Simple wrap-around installation. Also available for...

Gimme shelter: Grant Ripper, president of Bukane Precast, hopes other producers will extol concrete's benefits as a construction material that stands up to the elements.(In the Mix)
January 1, 2006... Grant Ripper, president of Dukane Precast, a Chicago-area producer, stands on the porch of the first "fortified" concrete home in Illinois. Ripper's company built this two story home in Bolingbrook, Ill., using a double-wail precast building...

Rock on.(Holliday Rock Inc operations)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The city of Upland lacks the panache of Hollywood or Beverly Hills, but Holliday Rock Inc. has found the right formula to be successful supplying concrete and aggregate--lots of aggregate--to the surrounding area. Operating 40 miles east...

Associations in the mix.(National Precast Concrete Association )(Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... NPCA The National Precast Concrete Association is seeking nominations for its Pinnacle Awards competition, a program devoted to inspiring ingenuity and innovation. Formerly known as the Gimmicks, Gadgets & Innovations Competition, the...