Source: Associate Builders and Contractors, Arlington, Va.
A controversial final rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in December 2011 that overhauls procedures for union representation elections became effective on April 30. Under the rule, commonly known as the "ambush" elections rule, the amount of time between when a union files a representation petition and an election takes place is reduced from the current average of around 40 days to as few as 17-20 days.
The Internal Revenue Service has withdrawn both the final and proposed regulations it had issued to implement the now-repealed requirement for all levels of government to withhold 3 percent of the gross contract price from all their contractors to cover those contractors' potential federal tax obligations. This requirement, which would have taken effect in 2013, was repealed by Congress late last year, noted the April 27 issue of the State Laws Newsletter.
The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) issued the following Legislative Alert regarding the introduction of HR 4321:
On March 29, Representative Jim Gerlach (R-PA) introduced HR 4321, legislation to repeal the retail sales excise tax on heavy trucks (concrete pump chassis) and replace the revenue with a small increase in the diesel fuel tax rate. The bill was cosponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). The bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, of which Rep. Gerlach is a member.
Portland Cement Association (PCA), April 30, 2012 - Stronger than expected job creation and the beginning of a construction industry recovery means gains in real construction spending will materialize this year—after seven years of consecutive declines. According to the new forecast from the Portland Cement Association (PCA), increases in cement consumption will follow.
PCA revised its fall forecast upward, anticipating a modest 3.7 percent increase in 2012, followed by a 7.6 percent jump in 2013 and a 14.1 percent increase in 2014.
The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA)–a non-profit international organization that serves to expand and improve the use of Tilt-Up as the preferred construction method–has announced the release of The Construction of Tilt-Up.
The American Shotcrete Association (ASA) is pleased to announce the election of Joe Hutter, King Packaged Mate- rials Company, and the 2012 class of new officers and directors. Joe Hutter, King Packaged Materials Company, has been elected by the ASA membership to a oneyear term as president. Hutter is the vice-president of sales at King Packaged Material Company in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. He has more than 20 years of experience in the cement / shotcrete industry. Hutter is also the chair of ASA’s marketing committee.
The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA), a non-profit international organization that serves to expand and improve the use of Tilt-Up as the preferred construction method, has announced the election of new board members and the slate of officers for the 2012 year.
The Decorative Concrete Council, a specialty council of the American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis, Missouri, has announced the winners of its fourth annual decorative concrete awards competition. The winners were recognized at a ceremony at the World of Concrete, Las Vegas, on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.
The winners are:
Cast-In-Place Stamped, Over 5000 SF, 1st Place, Hyde Concrete, Annapolis, Maryland for Robinson Nature Center
Cast-In-Place Stamped, Under 5000 SF, 1st Place, Greystone Masonry, Stafford, Virginia for Hidden Oasis
The National Steering Committee (NSC) for the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program–a business intensive program that awards students with a four-year bachelor of science degree in concrete industry management–raised more than $617,750 in gross revenue at its seventh annual auction, held in conjunction with the World of Concrete on Wednesday, January 25.
Construction Forms, Inc. is pleased to announce it is now a stocking parts distributor in the southern California marketplace for Schwing America. Con Forms is stocking a complete line of parts and accessories for all models of pumps manufactured by Schwing. Owners of concrete pumping equipment in southern California are welcome to stop in at: Con Forms–Gardena, 1600 West 139th Street, Gardena, California 90249. You may also contact our branch manager, Rick Hahn, at (800) 553-6656.
Irving Equipment in Tiffin, Ohio is pleased to announce Judy Kirby has joined the company as an addition to their accounting and customer service division. Judy brings over 25 years of extensive experience within the industry to Irving. Together, her accounting qualifications and skills make her the perfect fit for Irving.
Putzmeister America, Inc. announces that Tom Redding has been named its new west central regional sales manager. He will be responsible for overseeing new and used equipment sales in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming, in addition to British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.
In his new position, Redding will work with current and prospective customers for Putzmeister America’s full line of equipment. He will report directly to Bill Dwyer, vice president of sales and marketing for Putzmeister America.
Mike Poppoff, Poppoff, Inc., Moxie, Washington, has been elected first vice president of the American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis, Missouri, for 2012-2013. Scott Anderson, Houston, Texas; Chris Plue, San Mateo, California and Thomas Zinchiak, Woodbine, Maryland were re-elected vice presidents. Keith Wayne, Kannapolis, North Carolina was elected secretary/ treasurer. Jack Cooney, Ft. Myers, Florida and Aaron Long, Rocky Mount, Virginia were elected as new directors.
The concrete industry’s Strategic Development Council, a council of the ACI Foundation, announces its new chair and board members.
New SDC Chair is Mike Schneider, senior vice president and chief people officer at Baker Concrete Construction, Inc. He started at Baker Concrete in Monroe, Ohio as a project manager in 1978 and helped open Baker’s Houston, Texas, office in 1982. During his career, he has been involved in a multitude of projects ranging from high-rise offices to automotive plants to mainline concrete paving.
Get some insight into a World of Concrete Press Conference and the latest from Schwing in videos produced by ConstructionPros.com, publishers of Concrete Contractor Magazine. Tom O’Malley, Schwing vice-president of sales and marketing presents the information to international media in three videos taped live at the World of Concrete 2012 in Las Vegas. O’Malley explains the features and benefits of the company’s new S 43 SX truck-mounted concrete pump with five-section RZ placing boom.
