NRMCA e-news

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Schwing America, Inc.
PROMOTIONS
The Green Home Institute, formerly the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability, will host "Paving the Way to Storm Water Management," a one-hour Webinar on Wednesday, March 11, beginning at noon Eastern time. The presentation will be given by Steve Sunderman, president of Roanoke, VA, architecture firm Terrazia PC. Sunderman also provides consulting work to NRMCA member Titan America for its pavement promotion efforts and is well-versed in the benefits of pervious concrete, notes NRMCA Senior Director, National Resources, Phil Kresge.

The program is targeted toward facilities owners/operators, civil engineers, architects, project managers, landscape architects, contractors, construction managers, paving suppliers/installers and anyone else interested in implementing sustainable stormwater solutions for their construction projects or existing properties. Topics will include understanding stormwater management requirements, recognizing various Best Management Practice (BMP) applications and identifying permeable paving design options and benefits.

The Green Home Institute, is a non-profit association whose mission is to empower people to make healthier and more sustainable choices in the renovation and construction of the places we live.

Click here to register. For more information, contact Phil Kresge at pkresge@nrmca.org.
 
ZF Industries, LLC
OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & HR
NRMCA has named Edward Rieper of Eastern Concrete Materials, Inc., a U.S. Concrete Company, the Ready Mixed Concrete Delivery Professional Driver of the Year for 2015. A panel of industry judges selected Rieper as the top driver from a group of outstanding applicants from all across the United States. Mr. Rieper was presented the award earlier this week at NRMCA's Annual Convention in Orlando, FL.

Mr. Rieper, whose home plant is located in Bogota, NJ, was honored for his career achievements, outstanding safety record, professionalism, driving competency and customer service skills. He has worked for Eastern Concrete Materials for more than 29 years and is a proud member of Teamsters Local 560. "I am very proud of Eddie’s accomplishments," said Teamsters Local 560 President Tony Valdner. "It is a testament to the professionalism at Eastern Concrete and their drivers as a whole." Mr. Rieper drives the "Army" mixer truck to honor the nearby West Point Military Academy.

"Eddie is a team leader, professional fireman and a great American," wrote Eastern’s Vice President of Operations Louis Petrillo when nominating Rieper for the Driver of the Year Award. "His, I can, I will attitude and his resolve to do what’s right represents the best of what Eastern Concrete Materials, Inc. has to offer."

Along with the winner, a runner-up was also selected by the judges. He is 27 year veteran mixer driver Henry "Pete" Scarborough of Concrete Supply Co., Charlotte, NC. Operations Manager Tony Hunt wrote, "Pete has a great safety record and while remaining accident free, has won multiple company clean truck awards and has 25 high productivity awards... that needs to be considered as the 'triple crown' for delivery drivers." Contractor Phillip Tarelton wrote, "Scarborough can put a concrete truck where most people can’t even put a bicycle."

As the winner of the 2015 award, Mr. Rieper received a $5,000 check from the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau. As runner-up, Mr. Scarborough received a check of $1,000. The Chicago-based trade magazine Concrete Products is a cosponsor of the Driver of the Year program.

For more information, contact Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org.
 
Earlier this week at the 2015 NRMCA’s Annual Convention in Orlando, FL, the 2015 NRMCA Joseph E. Carpenter Award was presented Greg Vickers, general manager of Monumental Concrete Co., Washington, DC. This award is named in honor of Joseph E. Carpenter of Rinker Materials, West Palm Beach, FlL, who was instrumental in the formation and early operation of the NRMCA Committee on Maintenance. The award was instituted in 1988 and is presented annually to person(s) who have demonstrated outstanding lifetime contribution to the ready mixed concrete industry in the fields of operations, environmental and safety. 

Mr. Vickers was named the award recipient for his longtime commitment to the OES Committee and the ready mixed concrete industry. He has worked more than 35 years in concrete-related industries, starting with several years of service at Miller & Long Co., the Washington, DC, area’s largest concrete contractor. He later served as quality control manager for NRMCA member company Tarmac America in Virginia (now doing business as Titan America) and in equipment sales roles for Bering Truck Corp., Schwing America, Inc. and Blasters Ready Jet, Inc. Mr. Vickers has also worked for Continental Mixers/ Navistar where he was the company  representative to the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau.

He also lead NRMCA's Operations, Environmental and Safety Division for three years during the late 1990s. Mr. Vickers is credited with many successful projects during those years, including the launch of the annual Fleet Benchmarking Survey and the revised Annual Safety Contest. He returned eight years later, heading operational efforts, including taking the lead staff role for the National Mixer Driver Championship and as the primary developer of the NRMCA Fleet Managers Course. Mr. Vickers has done extraordinary work on a national level; as one of the primary developers of NRMCA’s National Mixer Driver Championship. he has been an active planner, participant and overseer of every championship. He also has on numerous occasions volunteered his time as a speaker at various NRMCA training courses, including Short Course, Plant Manager Course, Dispatcher Course, Fleet Manager Course and Plant Manager Course.

Greg lives in Washington, DC, and has been married to his wife Gillian for 30 years. He has two grown children and four grandsons.

For more information, contact Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org.
 
Backing accident prevention and lock-out/tag-out are critical safety issues for every producer. Now, NRMCA covers these topics thoroughly, inexpensively and with 24/7 availability. Lessons are shot at ready mixed concrete plants and onsite pours with actual producers’ employees. Viewers watch their peers perform safety tasks properly so theoretical concepts become immediately applicable. Each lesson includes a quiz and certificate of completion.

Titles now include:
Concrete Mixer Truck Backing Accident Prevention Program - Mixer drivers learn about the root causes of backing accidents and 11 prevention tips. Appropriate for front and rear discharge mixers.
• Concrete Mixer Truck Rules for Using a Backing Spotter - Mixer drivers learn seven steps to use when working with a spotter, including proper hand and arms signals as well as blind spot awareness tips. Appropriate for front and rear discharge mixers. 
• Lockout/Tryout/Tagout in the RMC Industry – Part 1 This 28-minute video lesson explains the Federal OSHA Standard of Control of Hazardous Energy as it specifically relates to compliance procedures and best practice for the ready mixed concrete industry.
 Lockout/Tryout/Tagout in the RMC Industry  Part 2 How does a producer handle shift changes as well as outside contractors? What's the regulation state about a producer's duty when buying new equipment? What are the rules as they relate to old machinery that can't be locked out? How do you assure your lockout/tagout system is in compliance and how does that relate to training your employees?

Click here for details and clips about each lesson. For more information about industry-specific online safety training, please contact Jacques Jenkins at jjenkins@nrmca.org or 240-485-1165 or Eileen Dickson at edickson@nrmca.org or 240-485-1164.
 
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
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 February 23 - 27, 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 Elizabeth Fox at efox@nrmca.org.
 
NRMCA and the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau (TMMB) are pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 NRMCA Kids Art Contest. This year we received 53 entries for our second NRMCA Kids Art Contest, sponsored by TMMB. Entries were judged only against others in their grade category on originality, effort, creativity, composition and interpretation of the theme. This year's theme was: Sustainability: the Future of Ready Mixed Concrete. While it was even more difficult for our judge this year due to the amazing quality of our entrants, we are pleased to announce the following winners: 

Pre-K - K:
1st: Keney Skulick, sponsored by Tony Skulick, CEMEX, Cameron Park, CA
2nd: Oliver Kingery, sponsored by Calvin Kingery, Irving Materials Inc., Carmel, IN
3rd: Olyver Housman, sponsored by Dan Housman, Ozinga Ready Mixed Concrete Inc., St. John, IN 

Grades 1-3:
1st: Bryn Housman, sponsored by Dan Housman, Ozinga Ready Mixed Concrete Inc., St. John, IN
2nd: Cade Skulick, sponsored by Tony Skulick, CEMEX, Cameron Park, CA
3rd: Bella McCollum, sponsored by Bill Childs, Chaney Enterprises, Chesapeake Beach, MD 

Grades 4-6:
1st: Ashlyn Skulick, sponsored by Tony Skulick, CEMEX, Cameron Park, CA
2nd: Luke Killingsworth, sponsored by Brian Killingsworth, NRMCA, San Antonio, TX
3rd: Maximus Ortiz, sponsored by CalPortland, Chino Hills, CA 

Grades 7-12: 
1st: Molly Werk, sponsored by Samuel Justice, CEMEX, Birmingham, AL
2nd: Aidan Willett, sponsored by Florriene Anthony, CalPortland, Puyallup, WA
3rd: Victoria Lenzi, sponsored by Loren Dean Lenzi, CalPortland, North Las Vegas, NV 

Prizes will be sent to these artists following NRMCA's Annual Convention held earlier this week in Orlando, FL. Thanks to all the contestants and sponsors, including BARD Materials, CalPortland, CEMEX, Chaney Enterprises, Delta Industries Inc., Irving Materials Inc, Lafarge, NRMCA, Ozinga Ready Mixed Concrete Inc., Silvi Concrete, Titan Virginia Ready Mix and Wiggins Concrete for making this year's Kids Art Contest an incredible success.
 
Click here to view the entrants' submissions online.
 
EDUCATION &TRAINING
On Wednesday, March 18, from noon to 12:30 p.m. Eastern time, NRMCA will host a free Webinar titled, STEPS™  A Long Term Career Tool for the RMC Industry. Learn how STEPS®  encourages your employees to use industry-specific professional development opportunities. Through a broad range of technical, operations, sales and sustainability classes through NRMCA, state associations and through their respective companies, the program not only builds industry-wide standards for consistent performance but also illustrates to employees that they have a device to plan long-term ready mixed concrete careers.

Because STEPS® (Seminars, Training, & Education, Programs) continues to play an important recruitment and retention role in the ready mixed concrete industry,  this short, FREE Webinar will discuss what the program is and how to enroll.

Click here for registration options. For more information, contact Eileen Dickson at 240-485-1164 or edickson@nrmca.org.
 
Once a quarter, log-on for information and insight that will drive your business while helping you manage your staff! The price is a bargain and you lose no time being away from the action in your market.

• Webinar #1: Sales Management 101... for Ready Mix Sales Managers - Wednesday, March 25, noon - 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. In this 90-minute Webinar, you will learn the critical skills of effective sales management that can help you build a top performing sales team. This session is filled with tips and techniques to benefit both new and experienced ready mix managers.
• Webinar #2: Personal Leadership and Coaching -  Wednesday, May 13, noon - 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. This 90-minute Webinar is designed for every ready mix concrete manager – sales, service, dispatch, admin and executive – any manager who wants to become a more effective leader and coach.
• Webinar #3: Recruiting & Hiring Top Performing Ready Mix Sales Reps - Wednesday, September 9, noon - 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. Hiring is the #1 challenge of every ready mix sales manager. In this 90-minute Webinar you will learn how to spot potential top sales performers and how to identify the warning signs of a possible "wrong hire".
• Webinar #4: Sales Performance Assessments and Reviews... for Ready Mix Sales Managers - Wednesday, November 18, noon - 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. How do you know if your sales rep is performing at the top of his or her ability ... and if not, what you can do to help him or her? In this 90-minute Webinar you will learn to identify the specific "barriers" that may be holding back your sales reps and how to create a personal coaching and motivation strategy to improve performance.
 
Click here for more information and registration options.
 
NRMCA is offering its information packed one-day course, Handling Concrete Specifications, Low Strength Problems and Mixture Submittals, intended for concrete producers, contractors, engineers and testing labs. on Tuesday, April 28, in Orlando, FL. This one-day course will get into code and specification requirements (ACI 318, 301, ASTM C94) governing ready mixed concrete. This course will address many topics, including answering the following questions:
  • What are the durability exposure classes in ACI 318?
  • What are the changes in the new ACI 318-14 that are related to ready mixed concrete?
  • What are some specification revisions that can provide all around benefits in performance and cost?
  • What are the causes for low strength problems and who is responsible?
  • What should be on a concrete test report?
  • Non-destructive testing, coring – when and how?
  • How to do a proper mixture submittal?
Course instructors are Luke Snell, P.E., FACI, FASCE, Western Technologies and Karthik Obla, Ph.D., P.E., vice president, technical services, at NRMCA. Producers, contractors, engineers and testing labs will find the discussions on investigating low strength problems and specifications very helpful to address issues that impact partnering, project cost and schedule. Upon successful completion of the course, attendees will earn 8 professional development hours, a certificate of completion and credits toward NRMCA’s STEPS program. 

Click here for more information.
 
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Due to the increased demand, the NRMCA March Internet Spotlight, good through Tuesday, April 8, is the ASTM Standards for Concrete Technician Certification Guide. This publication includes 12 ASTM practices and test methods related to testing fresh and  hardened concrete, including those  required for ACI grade 1 field-testing and strength testing technician certification.

Purchase of this guide is for NRMCA members only. Order online today and receive 15% off the already low NRMCA member price and ASTM prices. Regular member price is $42, Internet Special $38.70, plus shipping. Use Discount Code: ISMAR15.
 
CALENDAR
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.

March 5, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Promotion & Advocacy Overview
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
March 9, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Team Building & Situation Analysis
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
March 9-11, Nashville, TN (Presented by Tennessee Concrete Association)
CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
March 10, Webinar
Roller Compacted Concrete: Another Choice for Pavement
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
March 11, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Promotion for DOTs, Counties & Municipalities
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
March 13, Free Webinar
Winning Initial Streets & Roads Projects in Counties & Municipalities
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
March 16-18, West Palm Beach, FL
Safety Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
March 18, Free Webinar
STEPS - A Long Term Career Tool for the RMC Industry
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
March 23, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Elected-Official Advocacy
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
March 24-27, Salt Lake City *Sold Out
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
March 25, Webinar
Sales Management 101...
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
March 31-April 2, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills Workshop - 24 hours
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
April 6, Free Webinar
Roller-Compacted Concrete for Streets & Roads
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
April 6-8, Nashville, TN (Presented by Tennessee Concrete Association)
CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
April 7, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Program
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
April 7, Webinar (Part I) (Part II is April 14)
Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
April 21, Webinar
Roller Compacted Concrete: Another Choice for Pavement
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
April, 28, Orlando, FL
Handling Concrete Specifications
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
April 28, Columbus, OH (Presented by Ohio Concrete)
Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
May 11-13, Miami
International Concrete Sustainability Conference
Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101
 
May 13, Webinar
Personal Leadership and Coaching
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
June 2-4, Nashville, TN
Concrete Durability Course
Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168
 
July 6, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Promotion & Advocacy Overview
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
July 13, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Team Building & Situation Analysis
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
July 20, Free Webinar
Streets & Roads Promotion for DOTs, Counties & Municipalities
Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165
 
September 9, Webinar
Recruiting & Hiring Top Performing Ready Mix Sales Reps
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
October 13-16, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module I: Concrete 101
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
November 2-6, Silver Spring, MD
Annual Concrete Technologist Training and Certification Course "Short Course"
Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168
 
November 10-12, Silver Spring, MD
Effective RMC Supervisor Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
November 18, Webinar
Sales Performance Assessments and Reviews
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
 
December 1-3, Orlando, FL
Environmental Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
December 1-3, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module II: Customer Business Knowledge
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
December 8-11, Orlando, FL
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
2016
 
February 23-25, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

March 15-17, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
 
 
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