A “Timing Agreement” will see Martin Marietta Materials and U.S. Department of Justice officials meet in April to discuss resolution of any agency antitrust concerns surrounding the company’s proposed merger with Vulcan Materials Co. Discussions will proceed toward a consent order detailing potential asset sales or other measures to gain DOJ/Antitrust Division clearance on a merger plan—itself subject to Vulcan…
Read MorePCA presents benefits of limestone-blended cement at TRB
The efficacy of limestone-blended cements was a popular topic at the recent Transportation Research Board (TRB) meeting in Washington, D.C. Paul Tennis, manager of cement and concrete technology, presented the paper, “Environmental Benefits and Performance Equivalence of Portland-Limestone Blended Cements,” which he co-authored with John Melander, Portland Cement Association’s director of product standards and technology.
Read MoreHolcim Ada plant celebrates company centennial with community outreach
The Holcim (US) Ada, Okla., cement plant is participating in a year-long, community-service initiative to mark the centennial anniversary of its parent company, Holcim Ltd.
Read MoreFlorida Antitrust parties settle prior to appellate court action
After nearly 30 months, plaintiffs and defendants appear to have closed a case alleging a price-fixing and market allocation conspiracy among four Sunshine State producers with integrated cement and ready mixed operations. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals filings throughout February cite a settlement of undisclosed terms; they culminated in an order granting plaintiffs’ withdrawal of a petition that could have…
Read MoreWorkshops to emphasize importance of disaster-resilient construction
Each year in the United States, more than $35 billion in direct property loss is caused by natural disasters. As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increase, enhanced resilience for community continuity has become a high priority in cities throughout the nation.
Read MoreTwo Holcim plants recognized for safety, environmental performance at PCA spring meeting
Holcim (US) Inc. announced recently that two of its plants—Holly Hill in Holly Hill, S.C., and Theodore in Theodore, Ala., were recognized during the Portland Cement Association’s (PCA) Spring board of directors meeting in Chicago on April 16.
Read MoreAsh Grove Durkee plant wins company’s top energy award
Ash Grove Cement Company’s Durkee, Ore., plant won top honors in the company’s annual Maintenance Excellence Program (MEP) competition for 2011. According to Ash Grove Assistant Vice President of Manufacturing Bruce Newell, “Our Durkee, Ore., plant was the MEP award recipient in 2010 and continued in its quest to keep the trophy there by maintaining a high standard of performance…
Read MoreMexico’s Cemex fined for anti-competitive practices
According to a report on Reuters.com, Mexico’s competition watchdog, known as Cofeco, fined cement giant Cemex 10.2 million pesos (US$800,500) for anticompetitive practices in a 2005 dispute regarding the company blocking a shipment of cheap Russian-made cement from entering the country. A rival group tried to import 26,000 tons of the Russian cement into Mexico, but the “Mary Nour” vessel…
Read MoreFree webinar highlights interplay of resilience, sustainable communities
The inter-dependence of sustainable communities with resilient construction will be examined during “Resilience for Sustainable Communities,” a free webinar was held by Portland Cement Association on April 10, from 2:30–4 p.m. (CDT).
Read MoreDespite improvements to economy, foreclosures continue to drag down housing starts, prices
Home foreclosures decreased dramatically in 2011, but industry experts are cautioning that this is not a reflection of improvements in the housing market, but a result of legal, process and “robo-signing” issues. At the 2012 International Builders’ Show in Orlando recently, Ed Sullivan, chief economist for Portland Cement Association, said that the 1.9 million foreclosures reported in 2011 is understated…
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