Industry News

The Hammer Letter

By Rob Edwards, NBIS

What It Is, and How It Can Hurt You

Pump Operator Roundtable

Concrete pump operators meet challenges daily on the job site. Highly skilled and trained, concrete pumpers keep a constant eye on safety and often adapt to unknown conditions on site. The pumping industry has changed in many ways over the years, and today’s pump operators undergo rigorous certification to demonstrate their knowledge of safe practices and proficiency with their valuable equipment.

NBIS New Hire - Tony Inglese

ToNBIS New Hire - Tony Ingleseny joins the NBIS team as Program Manager for Concrete Pumping at NBIS in our Atlanta office on June 13th, 2016. Tony will add another perspective to the NBIS team of Experts with over 13 years of experience in Concrete Pumping operations, safety/regulatory management, leadership and product development.

Putzmeister America Promotes Alan Woods to Training Manager

Putzmeister America, Inc., has promoted longtime employee Alan Woods to training manager, responsible for coordinating, conducting and writing curriculum for the company’s training schools both in-house and in the field, as well as for continued field service customer support.

ASCC Announces New Officers

Chris Plue, Webcor Concrete, San Francisco, California, has been elected first vice-president of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, Missouri, for 2015-2016. Anthony DeCarlo, Cincinnati, Ohio; Chris Forster, Tustin, California; and Mario Garza, Southville, Michigan, were re-elected vicepresidents; and Keith Wayne, Kannapolis, North Carolina, was re-elected as treasurer.

Ramcrete Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary

In 2016, Ramcrete Incorporated, Hamilton, Ohio, a long-time leader in the concrete pumping industry, is celebrating 40 years of service to the construction industry. Founder Ron Morgan and his son Todd represent two generations of leadership in the industry, including service to the ACPA as board members. Like most early pumpers, Ramcrete overcame the bias against concrete pumps by working hard to establish the method. “We were fortunate to get in the business when reliable concrete pumps were coming on the market,” states Ron.

U.S. Cement Consumption Growth Projections Down

U.S. cement consumption will be down slightly from fall growth projections, according to the latest cement consumption forecast. PCA has adjusted its 2016 U.S. cement consumption forecast down slightly, to 3.4 percent growth compared to its fall forecast of 5 percent. Growth projections for 2017 were also adjusted down. PCA expects 2017 cement consumption will grow at a rate of 4.3 percent, compared to 5.7 percent projected in the fall.

NRMCA Announces New Hires

In a push to counter the movement of wood into the low- to mid-rise market traditionally serviced by the concrete industry, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) has made three key hires.

Carlos Moreno Joins Putzmeister’s Houston Sales and Service Facility

Putzmeister America, Inc. has hired Carlos Moreno as operations manager at its new Houston sales and service facility. As operations manager, he will oversee the staff responsible for mounting and servicing concrete transit mixers and providing service on mixers and pumps.

Schwing World Of Concrete Reception Enjoys Record Attendance

Schwing America’s Monday night reception at World of Concrete 2016 for customers and industry leaders resulted in record attendance. “As our market share grows, so does the crowd at our annual social gathering,” reported CEO Brian Hazelton, who addressed the crowded ballroom. Hazelton took the opportunity to thank everyone in the room for their loyalty, and to introduce some new Schwing employees who were attending the show for the first time.

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