Oldcastle Amcor Plant Completes Expansion

Oldcastle Architectural’s Amcor Utah Block masonry plant, located in North Salt Lake, Utah, has completed a 29,000-square-foot expansion, more than doubling production capacity and becoming the first plant capable of manufacturing pavers in high volume in the Mountain Region.

“Not only will this mean quicker turnarounds for the Mountain Region, but the availability of a regionally manufactured product will also equate to greater LEED credit opportunities for construction projects within a 500 mile radius,” says Paul Kamnikar, VP and general manager of Amcor.

As the first manufacturing facility, owned by parent company CRH in the United States, Amcor has been supplying a full line of Oldcastle architectural block and retaining walls for Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada and Montana since 1978. The expansion will allow the plant to add Oldcastle’s Belgard Hardscapes paver lines to their product offerings and increase overall production capabilities.

“Production capacity has increased from 4 million eight-inch block per year to 11 million eight-inch block,” says Kamnikar, “which represents the first expansion of capacity and capability at Amcor since its purchase in 1978.”

The facility has increased in overall size from 39,000 to 68,000 square feet and will be adding four to six employees during the next six months.

From Bricklayer to Franchisee: Life after retirement from masonry

Allen Tyler comes from a long line of bricklayers. He followed the footsteps of his ancestors into the family business 49 years ago, starting his bricklayer apprenticeship at Allen Tyler & Sons in Cambridge, Md.

The business was owned by his father and grandfather, but that didn’t give Tyler a free pass. He learned the business from the bottom up.

“When I got out of college in 1962, I did six months active duty in the army,” Tyler says. “After that, I stayed in the National Guard and decided I wanted to get into the family business. My father said if I wanted to advance to own and operate the business one day I would have to become a bricklayer first. It helped me earn the respect of the other employees and it was essential to running the business.”

After he completed his four-year apprenticeship, Tyler worked another 3.5 years in the field. Tyler was foreman on a number of large commercial jobs during this time period.

When Tyler’s father died and he took over the family business, they had about 85 employees working on the eastern shore of Maryland and Delaware. Tyler ran the business for more than 25 years, growing it to 275 employees and expanding into lower Virginia. He also started Capital Masonry, based out of Maryland’s capital of Annapolis, to do contract work on Maryland’s western shore.

Tyler decided to retire with the economic downturn about 20 years ago.

“After retirement, I got bored without the day-to-day schedule I had always had,” Tyler says. “My wife, Charrie, and I started looking into owning a restaurant. We considered a couple and visited a few concepts throughout sites in Maryland, but didn’t find a concept that really meshed with what we wanted to do.”

The couple temporarily gave up on finding a restaurant. Years later, Charrie was visiting her family in her hometown of Ashland, Ky. Her parents took her to a new sub sandwich restaurant they loved.

“Charrie’s family didn’t even know we were looking into franchises when they took her to Penn Station East Coast Subs,” Tyler says. “I drove down to pick her up, and we were almost back to Maryland when she mentioned Penn Station East Coast Subs and how much I would like it. We turned around so that I could try it, and Charrie was right. I was very impressed. I started talking to the team at Penn Station and things snowballed from there.”

The Tylers opened their first Penn Station Subs restaurant in Richmond, Va., in 2004 and quickly expanded with additional locations in 2005 and 2006.

“We wanted to build on the eastern shore of Maryland, but Penn Station wasn’t looking to expand in that area at the time,” Tyler says. “Richmond was about as far east as they would go and we were familiar with Richmond and liked the area. It’s a great area and it has been a great market for Penn Station.”

Cincinnati, Ohio-based Penn Station East Coast Subs looks for quality over quantity in each of their franchisees. Allen and Charrie Tyler are great examples of the type of franchisees Penn Station seeks. Tyler has a managing partner, Kyle Doughty, who is mostly in charge of running the restaurants. As the majority owner, Tyler didn’t have to attend the Penn Station training program; it is only required for the managing partner of each ownership group. But Tyler went to training and soaked up all of the knowledge it offered.

“If you’re going to run a business, you should know every aspect of that business,” Tyler said. “You have to learn the ins and outs. It applied to my bricklaying business and it certainly applies as a restaurant owner.”

Hilti's Anchor Selector App for iPhone

Hilti is on top of today's technological trends. Designed to assist professionals in choosing the best anchor for their applications, the Hilti Anchor Selector App for iPhones is now available on iTunes at no charge. The first of its kind, the Hilti app allows users to browse and choose anchors based on a variety of criteria, including load values, location, base material and baseplate geometry.

A “Find Anchor” feature makes searching for general information about a Hilti anchor easy and includes valuable information, such as hole diameter, embedment depth, setting instructions and list of tools needed for installation. Using the “My Favorites” functionality, users can save their searched or most frequently used anchors for quick reference in the future.

The App is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad with software version 4.2 or newer, and can be downloaded at www.us.hilti.com/iphoneapp.

Construction Employment Declines in 27 States, Year-Over-Year in June

Construction employment declined in 27 states between June 2010 and 2011 and dropped in 23 states and Washington, D.C., between May and June, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of state employment data released by the Labor Department. The construction industry continues to suffer from a difficult combination of weak private sector demand and declining public sector investments in construction.

“There is no getting around the fact this industry is stuck in a multi-year slump,” says Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The private sector isn’t growing fast enough to boost demand for new structures while public construction budget cuts appear to be accelerating.”

Of the 27 states with decreases over the year, the largest percentage drop took place in New Mexico (-10.2 percent, -4,400 jobs); followed by Nevada (-8.6 percent, -5,100 jobs); Minnesota (-8.1 percent, -6,900 jobs); Colorado (-7.8 percent, -8,900 jobs) and Georgia (-7.1 percent, -10,600 jobs). Georgia lost the largest number of jobs; followed by Florida (-9,400 jobs, -2.7 percent); Colorado; Minnesota and North Carolina (-6,800 jobs, -3.8 percent).

Simonson noted 22 states and the District of Columbia added jobs during the past 12 months, while construction employment was unchanged in Nebraska. Texas (26,000 jobs, 4.6 percent) added the most jobs, followed by Michigan (10,900 jobs, 9.2 percent); Illinois (8,900 jobs, 4.5 percent); California (7,800 jobs, 1.4 percent) and Ohio (4,800 jobs, 2.9 percent). The largest percentage gains occurred in North Dakota (17.3 percent, 3,600 jobs); Michigan; Oklahoma (3,100 jobs, 4.6 percent); Texas and Illinois.

Of the 24 locations that lost jobs between May and June, the largest percentage losses occurred in Delaware (-4.1 percent, -800 jobs); followed by New Mexico (-4.0 percent, -1,600 jobs); Idaho (-3.7 percent, -1,100 jobs); Kansas (-2.9 percent, -1,600 jobs) and Connecticut (-2.8 percent, -1,400 jobs). The largest number of construction job losses over the month was in Washington (-2,900 jobs, -2.1 percent), followed by Maryland (-2,800 jobs, -2.0 percent); Missouri (-2,300 jobs, -2.1 percent); Minnesota and Virginia (-2,100 jobs, -1.1 percent).

Construction employment improved in 25 states during the past month and was unchanged in Alaska, Alabama and Oklahoma. North Dakota had the largest percentage rise (7.5 percent, 1,700 jobs); followed by Vermont (5.5 percent, 700 jobs); Rhode Island (4.8 percent, 700 jobs); South Dakota (3.9 percent, 800 jobs) and Michigan (3.1 percent, 3,900 jobs). Michigan added the largest number of jobs; followed by Ohio (2,800 jobs, 1.7 percent); New York (2,200 jobs, 0.7 percent) and Georgia (2,200 jobs, 1.6 percent) and Arizona (1,800 jobs, 1.6 percent).

Association officials urged Congress and the Obama administration to reconsider recent cuts to a range of federal construction programs for federal buildings, clean water systems and flood protection. They also called on Congress to enact new, or extend existing, federal aviation legislation to ensure $2.5 billion worth of airport construction projects aren’t brought to a halt this weekend.

“The last thing this industry needs is a halt to an entire category of construction activity,” says Stephen Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “Given the state of the construction industry, the sad fact is runway and terminal projects are the only thing keeping many construction firms solvent right now.”

Turner Construction Receives 2011 Construction Safety and Excellence Award

The Associated General Contractors of America has recognized Turner Construction Co. as one of the safest construction companies in the United States with a 2011 Construction Safety and Excellence Award.

Turner Construction is a general builder in the United States. Its strong safety culture, reinforced through several safety initiatives, is one that promotes an injury-free environment, with a goal to send every worker home safe from each job, every day.

One specific and innovative safety program implemented by Turner is Predictive Solutions’ SafetyNet, which was rolled out to all safety and field personnel in 2004. SafetyNet is a technology for saving lives by predicting workplace injuries. It helps customers collect and analyze safety data to predict and prevent injuries.

Using SafetyNet, Turner collects safety observations across the entire company. Since implementing the Software as a Service (SaaS) solution in 2004, SafetyNet has been used on more than 3,000 projects at Turner. In 2011 alone, almost 1 million observations have been conducted. With such widespread use and an abundance of conducted observations, Turner continues to see a steady decrease in safety incidents since the program’s implementation.

“For many years now, SafetyNet has been an important component to our safety culture at Turner,” says Cindy DePrater, VP, director of employee health & safety for Turner. “It provides us visibility into each of our sites to know where at-risk behaviors and unsafe conditions exist, so that we can eliminate the risk and keep workers safe.”

Material Costs Outrun Finished Building Prices in June

Construction costs again outpaced other producer prices in June, but contractors remained unable to recoup the costs through higher bid prices, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials says the ongoing cost squeeze will put new pressure on construction firms to reduce staff and possibly close.

“Despite a one-month dip in the prices of some key materials in June, construction costs rose on a year-over-year basis at the highest rate since 2008,” says Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Worse, prices are rising amid continued layoffs and construction spending levels that hit an 11-year low in May.”

Simonson notes that the producer price index for all construction materials inched down 0.1 percent in June, but increased 8.3 percent during the last 12 months, whereas the index for finished goods fell 0.7 percent for the month (0.4 percent, seasonally adjusted), and climbed 7 percent during 12 months. Meanwhile, the price of finished buildings was unchanged in June and rose only 2 percent or less during the last year, depending on building type.

Simonson says outsized, year-over-year price increases for construction were attributable to the indexes for diesel fuel and metals. The index for diesel rose 1.4 percent in June and 50 percent since June 2010. Among key metals, prices for copper and brass mill shape climbed 0.4 percent and 26 percent, respectively; aluminum mill shapes rose 0.4 percent and 17 percent; and steel mill products dropped 1.7 percent in the latest month but increased 7.0 percent from a year earlier.

“All of these materials are in worldwide demand, with supplies that are either tight or threatened by international turmoil,” Simonson says. “In contrast, materials that go strictly for construction have dropped in price as demand remains weak.”

He cites as examples the price indexes for gypsum products such as wallboard, which fell 2.8 percent in June and 7.4 percent during 12 months; lumber and plywood, 0.9 percent and 4.1 percent; and concrete products, 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent.

Association officials say that, given the continued economic pressures on the construction industry, Congress and the White House should reconsider planned cuts for infrastructure maintenance that will only increase taxpayer burdens over the long-term.

“Allowing our highways, bridges and public structures to degrade will make matters worse for the construction industry and force taxpayers to pay more to fix broken buildings and infrastructure,” says Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of the AGC.

View the latest producer price index tables for construction.

Indiana Cut Stone's 2011 Masonry Contractors Event Announced

Indiana Cut Stone has opened both attendee and exhibitor registration for the 2011 Masonry Contractors Workshop, to be held on Oct. 5 and 6, 2011, on the grounds of Indiana Cut Stone.

This event has the full support of the Indiana Limestone Institute, as well as cooperation with the Indiana Limestone Co. The Masonry Contractors Workshop is a two-day event, designed specifically for masonry contractors who want to learn more about Indiana Limestone and participate in approved courses available for Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) certification credits. This training will enable mason contractors to learn more about working with Indiana Limestone.

Training for architects who want to learn more about Indiana Limestone also will be available. The Indiana Limestone Overview, "Created by Nature, Crafted by Man," is eligible for American Institute of Architects (AIA) continuing education learning units. This training will be hosted by the Indiana Limestone Co. The length of this course is 1 Hour (1 Credit) and will be held on Oct. 5, 2011, at 3 p.m. EST at the Indiana Limestone Co.'s main office.

Because of the success of the 2010 event, this year's event has been drastically expanded to include:

• Up to 10 hours of Indiana Limestone approved training courses available for MCAA certification credits
• A masonry industry trade show where exhibitors from manufacturers, suppliers and service providers can meet their core customers
• An outdoor theater where industry professionals will demonstrate their company’s new products and equipment to mason contractor attendees
• A dramatic tour of an Indiana Limestone quarry, courtesy of the Indiana Limestone Co.
• A detailed look at Indiana Cut Stones’ limestone fabrication facility.
• LEED and Indiana Limestone training for Architects and other design professionals.

The schedule for both days is identical. The event format is a “learning festival,” in that attendees will wander the grounds and attend the MCAA-approved courses, visit the trade show, see a product presentation in the theater or take part in a quarry or fabrication facility tour as they see fit. The various events will begin at scheduled times throughout the day, but attendees have complete control over what they do and what they see.

The Masonry Contractors Workshop will provide lunch on each day of event as well as buses to the Limestone Quarry Tour and the nearby event parking.

Atlas Copco Portable Air Becomes Portable Energy

Atlas Copco's Portable Air Division is changing its name to the Portable Energy Division, a name that more accurately reflects the division’s extended product portfolio. The new Portable Energy division focuses on five “pillars,” each one relating to a product group: air (on-site compressors), power (on-site generators), light (on-site light towers), water (on-site pumps), and used equipment.

The first two pillars, air and power, relate to products that the Portable Air Division has supplied for some years. Compressors were the main focus when the division was started 21 years ago and, during the last two years, the Portable Air Division has intensified its focus toward on-site generators. These products are now seen as part of its core business.

During 2010, the division added the third and fourth pillars, light and water. This was the result of special focus placed on the light tower business, and the addition of pumps to the product portfolio in September (the WEDA submersible pump line was transferred from the Construction Tools Division to the Portable Air Division).

LATICRETE International Partners With Supercap

LATICRETE International Inc. has partnered with Supercap to form LATICRETE SUPERCAP LLC. SUPERCAP System licensed applicators use patented pump trucks to blend and deliver problem-solving underlayment systems to the jobsite. Pumping is done from ground level, and material is delivered quickly and efficiently, directly from the hose to the floor on large-scale surface preparation and remediation projects. Heights of 50 stories, even in congested urban areas, can be served easily. Deliveries and technical support will be available throughout North America.

This revolutionary method of finishing concrete saves time and money for owners, general contractors, concrete and floor covering subcontractors, by creating “the Next Generation Slab.” Visit www.laticretesupercap.com for more information on the SUPERCAP System.

ProSpec Hires Loliyong, VP of Sales

ProSpec has hired Kica Loliyong as VP of sales. Loliyong will assume national sales responsibility for the full line of ProSpec products, including floor preparation, tile setting and concrete repair products.

Previously, Loliyong was manager of the consumer division at Mapei, where he managed relationships with key customers such as Lowe’s and The Home Depot, and worked with cross-functional teams in sales, R&D, product management, operations and marketing to launch new products and drive product growth/profitability. Prior to Mapei, Loliyong worked at TEC Specialty Products and Sherwin-Williams.

Along with his professional career in the industry, Loliyong brings leadership experience from his military background with the United States Marine Corps, where he was a decorated veteran of both Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

“Kica’s drive for results has led to a track record of sales and revenue growth in a challenging market,” says Gil Seco, senior VP and general manager – construction products division for Bonsal American Inc. “With Kica’s more than 15 years of experience in the building products industry, his account management, strategic planning and sales and marketing expertise will be leveraged to continue the positive momentum of the ProSpec line.”

Symposium to Offer Solutions for Building Envelope Repair

In October, building designers, facility managers and construction professionals can attend the RCI 2011 Symposium on Building Envelope Technology. The event will be held Oct. 10-11, 2011, at the Westin Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C.

The two-day program will feature 12 different educational sessions presented by leading building envelope designers. Speakers will offer experience-based insights for specification of sound, durable building exteriors. Most programs will focus on repair and sustainable design methods for strengthening and improving existing exterior envelopes.

Leading building envelope product manufacturers will be present with displays of the latest products and services. More than 200 building envelope professionals are expected to attend.

Educational Presentations Will Include:

• Common Installation Problems for Aluminum-Framed Curtain Wall Systems
  
  
• Preventing Failures in Hot-Applied Rubberized Asphalt Systems
  
  
• Recladding Case Study: CUNA Mutual Insurance Society Building
  
  
• A Rising Concern: Failures of Adhered Rigid Insulation
  
  
• The Latest and Greatest Enclosure Systems . . . Never Mind
  
  
• Nonconventional Approaches to Façade Restoration
  
  
• Going Beyond the Green Fuzzy: Measuring Runoff Reduction of Modular Vegetative Roofs
  
  
• Design Considerations for Open Joint Rainscreen Cladding Systems
  
  
• Case Study: Analysis of Condensation in Exterior Walls Clad with Precast Concrete
  
  
• Performance Concerns with Wood-Framed Attics
  
  
• Winter Rain Inside High-Rise Buildings
• 
  

For more information, visit www.rci-online.org/symposium.html or call 800-828-1902.

Sioux Promotion, Opening

Sioux has promoted Shelby Docken to the position of customer service manager. Docken began his career at Sioux in November 1988 as an inside sales manager. His position developed into a concrete market segment manager and product manager for products engineered and manufactured exclusively for this industry. Docken's promotion has created an opening for a product application specialist for the concrete industry. For more information, visit www.sioux.com, or call 888-763-8833 or 605-763-3333.