CarbonCure Technologies Signs Deal With Northfield Block

Clean technology innovator CarbonCure Technologies Inc., has signed a licensing agreement with Northfield Block, a division of Oldcastle Inc., a producer of concrete masonry and precast products in North America. Since 1949, Northfield has been a manufacturer of masonry products in the Midwest, and was acquired by Oldcastle, Inc. in 2003.

Oldcastle, Inc. is the North American arm of CRH Plc., one of the world’s leading building products and materials companies based in Dublin, Ireland. Oldcastle Inc. has 35,000 employees across four product groups – CarbonCure has signed the deal with Northfield Block, part of the Oldcastle Architectural Products Group – a North American manufacturer of concrete masonry, precast, lawn, garden and paving products and a regional leader in clay brick. Oldcastle Architectural Products Group has more than 206 operating locations across 38 states and six Canadian provinces, and has more than 7,000 employees. 

CarbonCure will install its retrofit carbon sequestering technology this month in Northfield Block’s concrete products plant in Morris, Illinois, which is 40 miles west of Chicago. By mid-summer, the plant’s three machines will be manufacturing architectural concrete products that contain sequestered CO2 using CarbonCure’s proprietary technology. Northfield supplies product directly to commercial masonry and residential projects, and through retail outlets including Home Depot and Lowe’s.

The CarbonCure technology is compatible with Oldcastle's impressive lineup of standard and green building products. “We are excited about our partnership with CarbonCure and the advanced technologies they bring for greener products in our industry,” says Oldcastle’s regional president Craig Belasco, who has been president at Northfield for 41 years. CarbonCure’s CEO, Robert Niven, shares Belasco’s enthusiasm. “We’re thrilled to announce this agreement - Northfield Block’s mandate of continuously innovating to strengthen their dominant market position aligns perfectly with CarbonCure’s,” says Niven.

CarbonCure’s retrofit technology chemically converts waste CO2 into limestone to make stronger, greener concrete products. The technology is currently available for concrete blocks, pavers and segmental retaining walls, and the Company has plans to expand to the precast and ready mix markets. The Company is currently partnering with the world’s largest industrial gas supplier, Air Liquide, and leading concrete products manufacturers across North America.

Sign of the Times: Kubota Enters Rental Market

Kubota Tractor Corp. announced today a strategic partnership with Compact Power Equipment Centers (CPEC) allowing it to offer select construction equipment for rent within various locations of The Home Depot Tool Rental. Since 2008, CPEC has provided customers with towable rental equipment for a variety of projects, which now includes Kubota’s K008-3 excavator and BX25 Tractor/loader-backhoe (TLB).

The K008-3 and BX25 TLB are currently available in about 100 Home Depot locations nationwide including The Home Depot flagship store in Georgia, as well as stores in Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, Florida and Mississippi. CPEC hopes to place Kubota equipment in each of its 280 current locations, with a 2012 expansion goal of more than 400 additional locations. A full list of Compact Power Equipment Centers carrying Kubota rental equipment is available online at www.CompactPowerCenter.com/Locations.

“Our partnership with CPEC makes Kubota available to an entirely new customer base of rental users,” said Tim Bauer, Kubota National Accounts Manager. “During these uncertain economic times, the rental option serves customers who are hesitant to invest in equipment ownership, conserving their cash flow and lines of credit.

"This partnership will expose many new consumers to the quality, durability and versatility of Kubota equipment. People who have rented Kubota products are visiting their local dealers to see more of our products, and in some cases, purchasing products for their own permanent use.”

Kubota continues to penetrate all levels of the rental market, working with large players in the industry, regional rental companies and expanding rental departments within Kubota dealerships nationwide. The company’s high-quality reputation and new focus on the rental customer is right in line with CPEC’s standards and goals.

“With people choosing to stay in their homes longer, we’re seeing a large portion of rentals going towards property improvement projects,” said Andy Lewis, director of marketing for CPEC. “Our partnership with Kubota takes us to a new level. At CPEC, we pride ourselves on providing top tier equipment and Kubota’s reputation lends further credibility to our dedication to quality. Kubota’s K008-3 excavator and BX25 TLB’s ease of operation and functionality make them high-demand rental items. And, just as important, their durability and ease of service ensure rental readiness. Having the equipment serviced and operational at all times is a key requirement of The Home Depot.”