CP_Concrete Currents_: Concrete Currents

High Speed Robotic Bag Palletizing

Columbia/Okura's robotic palletizers are capable of palletizing 60-lb. bags of concrete products at a rate of up to 28 bags per minute. It simultaneously stacks various bag sizes and types (including paper, poly and woven-poly) from up to four production lines. This is a cost-effective palletizing solution that utilizes minimal floor space. Every system is factory tested, UL 1740 certified and backed by U.S.-based parts and technical service support.
www.columbiaokura.com

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For additional industry news, technology, and highlights from the latest issue of Concrete Products, please visit www.concreteproducts.com

Submissions for upcoming issues of CONCRETE CURRENTS or Concrete Products can be directed to Editor Don Marsh, don.marsh@penton.com or 312/840-8483.

Latest News

Stimulus fund delays underpin industry’s 22 percent decline for 2009
Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will have minimal impact on cement consumption and concrete output this year, owing to bureaucratic delays in releasing stimulus highway project funds and long lags between outlays and construction. Click here for full story

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TXI chiefs counter dissident shareholder’s board realignment campaign
Sources: Texas Industries, Inc., Dallas; Shamrock Activist Value Fund, Burbank, Calif.; CP staff

TXI Chairman Robert Rogers and CEO Mel Brekhus have informed shareholders that management will not be discouraged by distractions from the Shamrock Activist Value Fund (SAVF), whose principals seek a board shake up through a series of motions at the company’s annual meeting, October 22 in Dallas. Click here for full story

Martin Marietta elevates CFO Lloyd
Sources: Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., Raleigh, N.C.; CP staff

The Martin Marietta board has elected Anne Lloyd executive vice president, a title in addition to chief financial officer and treasurer posts she has held since 2005 and 2006. Click here for full story

OSHA cites crane overload, shutdown device absence in prestressed handling
Sources: Occupational Safety and Health Administration Region 3, Philadelphia; CP staff

Alleging operation of overhead cranes beyond their rated load capacity, and models lacking safety devices to prevent automatic, post-power failure restart, OSHA has proposed $65,800 in penalties for precast/prestressed concrete producer Schuylkill Products Inc., Cressona, Pa. Click here for full story

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Click here for a New Digital Edition of Concrete Products

Ramsey heads Command Alkon
Source: Command Alkon, Inc., Birmingham, Ala.

Command Alkon has named Phil Ramsey president, a title in addition to the chief operating officer post he has held since 2005. A University of Tulsa graduate, with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, he joined the construction materials information technology leader in 1991, after more than a decade in industry software and hardware solutions. He will continue to report to Command Alkon Chairman and CEO Ken Robinson. Click here for full story

Crouch takes helm of realigned Propex Concrete Systems
Source: Propex Operating Company, LLC, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Thirty-year industry veteran Chris Crouch has been named executive vice president of Propex Concrete Systems, a stand-alone business unit Propex designated following its recent financial reorganization. Click here for full story

Trucking group on board with feds’ focus on distracted driving
Source: American Trucking Associations, Arlington, Va.

ATA, the leading voice for heavy-duty trucking interests in federal government affairs, supports U.S. Department of Transportation measures to curtail distracted driving and a recently introduced Senate bill, Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act of 2009 or ALERT. Click here for full story

Five states sprout first Green-Star plants; additional three certified
Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.

Bringing the total number of NRMCA Green-Star certifications to 27, eight ready mixed plants have recently upgraded their environmental management system (EMS) practices to earn the one-and-a-half-year-old designation. Click here for full story

Council documents performance of LEED-certified projects
Source: U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.

USGBC envisions its new Building Performance Initiative as a comprehensive data-collection and analysis effort from all LEED-certified projects, yielding feedback with which owners can address predicted versus actual building performance gaps. Click here for full story

Sustainable construction code, language made easier with sample ordinance
Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.

With states and municipalities seeking to adopt ordinances that require “green” or sustainable construction, code officials at every level of government are scrambling for appropriate practices and language to include. Click here for full story

Gate Precast’s LEED chief Lewis to address Design-Build Convention
Source: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago

PCI Sustainability Council Chair Jim Lewis, LEED AP will present “Design Build Team Passes the Test at Catholic University” during the 2009 Design-Build Conference and Expo, November 5-7 at the Gaylord National Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Click here for full story

“Extreme Makeover” project rises with ICF walls, pervious driveway
Sources: Chaney Enterprises, Waldorf, Md.

When ABC Television’s Emmy award-winning “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” comes to the Mid-Atlantic region, Chaney Enterprises and four customers and vendors will join forces to complete renovation of two structures--a family home and a community center--in one week. Click here for full story

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