NRMCA Membership Section

Promotion │ Advocacy │ Sustainability │ Education │ Technical │ Operations, Safety & Environment

National Promotion = Local Impact

NRMCA’s promotion programs focus on increasing ready mixed concrete usage in North America. This is accomplished through developing relationships in very large organizations (National Accounts) to expand concrete usage, assisting NRMCA members and promotion partners in providing effective local promotion that delivers sales, and educating specifiers at every level. NRMCA programs have traditionally focused on parking lot opportunities and have been making strong progress with concrete’s sustainable attributes and initial-cost competitiveness. While maintaining focus on parking lot promotion, NRMCA will add streets and local roads and residential construction as new target markets in 2010.

NRMCA’s promotion accomplishments in 2009 include the following:

• Known yardage placed through NRMCA promotion influence reached almost 1.4 million cubic yards. These placements have been increasing rapidly because the multi-year promotion cycle is now paying strong dividends. Since such projects often go unreported, this metric represents only a fraction of the actual placements influenced.
   

• The National Accounts program gained new beneficial specification adoptions in 10 accounts including the Naval Facilities Engineering Group and Army Corps of Engineers.
   

• The Wal-Mart concrete alternate bid for parking lots, achieved in 2007 resulted in 12 known concrete parking lots in 2009 compared to only two in 2008. Increasing concrete placements were also realized in numerous National Accounts including O’Reilly AutoParts, Kroger, Lowes, McDonalds, Prime Outlets, Simon Properties, Target, Walgreen's, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and several of the armed forces.
   

• NRMCA National Resource Directors (NRDs) conducted 145 presentations/training sessions for specifiers with attendance of 3,195 and delivered 600 CEU credit hours to specifiers.
   

• NRDs delivered promotion training to 1,413 concrete industry employees, trained 343 industry promoters on utilizing Concrete Pavement Analyst software and gave promotion presentations to an additional 2,165 within the industry.
   

• All the NRMCA specifier websites are now ranked number one or two by Google for key search terms, including ConcreteParking.org, PerviousPavement.org, ConcreteBuildings.org, GreenConcrete.info, SelfConsolidatingConcrete.org, FlowableFill.org and GreenRoofTops.org.
   

New Promotion Initiatives for 2010:
 

Streets and Local Roads

NRMCA will provide enhanced support to members and partners to tap this market opportunity in cooperation with PCA and ACPA. The first initiative is to develop a template for engineering, economic and environmental information that can be used by promoters in consultation with state DOTs and municipalities. ACPA's latest version of StreetPave software will be used for economic comparisons of concrete and asphalt options. NRMCA will develop promotion training for states and local promoters to effectively utilize the new template and toolkit.

Residential

To provide additional support beyond that provided by PCA in this critical market, NRMCA will create awareness of concrete’s benefits in LEED-type programs that are gaining importance in residential construction and encourage decisions beneficial to ready mixed concrete producers. The program will be closely coordinated with PCA who will be available to provide technical expertise as needed to support developing relationships with the builders.

Emphasis on ACI 330 Credibility and Cost-Effectiveness

Concrete parking lots are now competitive on initial cost across much of North America but are still hampered by specifications that exceed sensible structural requirements. NRMCA will focus on educating industry peers, specifiers and owners about results that will provide decades of excellent performance at a cost well below that resulting from specifications that exceed ACI-330 guidelines.

NRMCA’s Promotion Effectiveness Report for 2009 is available for review in the “Members Only” section of the website — Click Here (login required).

Coordinated Advocacy = Industry Strength

As in years past, the NRMCA government affairs team was again fortunate enough to put numerous success notches in its 2009 “win” column. Not only did the NRMCA government affairs team successfully lobby the inclusion of billions of dollars in building and transportation construction funds in this year’s stimulus bill, but government affairs also made significant headway in securing the industry’s interests within the climate change debate, a multiyear transportation bill, and securing an industry-wide Power Take-Off tax credit.

It should also be noted that since the new administration took office, the government affairs team has found itself picking up new issues and expanding its advocacy reach. NRMCA recently joined forces with other industries, groups and companies to combat an imminent hazardous waste classification rule for fly ash, jobs-killing health care reform legislation, big labor’s encroachment into small business, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) attempts to expand its jurisdiction to include any patch of water. Government affairs also partnered with common forces to push for increased transportation funding, building codes incentives, concrete’s use for performance buildings, enhanced funding for water infrastructure projects, relaxed truck weight regulations, and to free up frozen credit markets for businesses – just to name a few.

In addition, NRMCA’s political action committee, CONCRETEPAC, supported more candidates during the 2008 election cycle than ever before. Over $360,000 was disbursed to worthy candidates who championed our industry’s top legislative priorities. CONCRETEPAC has a powerful war chest balance of $250,000 enabling NRMCA to place their stamp on the upcoming 2010 elections.

New Government Affairs Activities for 2010:

2010 holds quite a few positive opportunities for the ready mixed concrete industry. Specifically, a new, fully funded, multiyear surface transportation bill to the tune of $500 billion is right around the corner. As well, Congress is in the early stages of debating a new “jobs bill” which will include business tax breaks, extending current tax incentives, tax credits for new hires, and roughly $50 billion for various infrastructure projects which would be in addition to a multiyear bill.

NRMCA government affairs is also positioned for a mêlée with the reemergence of the Employee Free Choice Act (aka Card Check) and the Clean Water Restoration Act which would grant the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers authority over water located on ready mixed concrete plants.

Focus on Sustainability = New Opportunities

The Sustainability Committee developed the NRMCA Sustainability Initiative that outlines the vision, goals, objectives and strategies of the ready mixed concrete industry as it strives to improve its overall sustainability footprint. NRMCA worked with allied industry groups to investigate strategies and tactics to help NRMCA members make significant improvements to their manufacturing processes and products to address key sustainable development issues.

Sustainability Standards

NRMCA participates in the United States Green Building Council, the Sustainable Building Industries Council, and other green building groups to promote and defend concrete’s position with sustainability standards. NRMCA works to develop local and national standards on sustainable construction that favor concrete. NRMCA provided comments to the LEED programs this year and USGBC incorporated NRMCA comments into the standard.

LEED Reference Guide

NRMCA maintains and updates the Ready Mixed Concrete LEED Reference Guide. The guide was updated to reflect the comments and suggestions of NRMCA members and to reflect the latest requirements of LEED NC 2009. NRMCA distributes the Reference Guide through the bookstore and as a course handout.

LEED Calculator

NRMCA developed and launched the LEED Calculator for concrete producers in 2009. The Microsoft Excel-based software helps concrete producers conduct the calculations needed for LEED projects for both recycled materials and regional materials credits in LEED 2009.

Sustainable Concrete Plant Guidelines

NRMCA members are committed to continuous environmental improvement through process and product innovation. To help members realize these goals, NRMCA developed the sustainable concrete plant guideline to support the efforts of the concrete industry towards environmental excellence. The guidelines will provide specific measurable strategies for making a ready mixed operation a sustainable manufacturing operation. The guidelines will provide a structured process capable of withstanding third-party oversight and serves as a useful mechanism to recognize those within the industry who have achieved or are actively working towards environmental excellence. The guidelines were developed through funding of the RMC Research & Education Foundation.
 

Government Partnerships

NRMCA works with several government programs to represent NRMCA members at the federal level. NRMCA is a partner in The Green Highways Partnership (GHP), a voluntary, public/private initiative that is revolutionizing our nation's transportation infrastructure. Through concepts such as integrated planning, regulatory flexibility, and market-based rewards, GHP seeks to incorporate environmental streamlining and stewardship into all aspects of the highway lifecycle. NRMCA is also a partner in the Coal Combustion Products Partnership (C2P2), a program to promote the beneficial use of fly ash.
 

NRMCA Sustainability Certifications

NRMCA developed a 3-STEP process of online courses and certifications to help concrete industry professionals work their way to becoming green building experts. The green building movement continues to grow at an unprecedented pace. Developers, government agencies, and designers are building structures to minimize environmental impact and they’re using the LEED Green Building Rating System as their guide. To take full advantage of this movement and be a participant in the process, concrete industry professionals must have a detailed understanding of sustainability concepts and the design guidelines used in LEED. The NRMCA 3-STEP program was designed to help individuals work their way toward achieving the ultimate green building credential: LEED Green Associate.

Education & Training = Future Success

In 2009, the Educational Activities Committee key initiative was to move critical material to an online learning format to continue to make training accessible for each and every members’ employees in the tight economy. Emphasis was placed on converting those units of study that could immediately and directly impact a producer’s bottom line. Two units were completed for managers who had to supervise staff.

Dispatch Management

The first webinar series was developed to support managers and executives who are dealing with the strategic operational impact of a downsized delivery system that must be honed so well that doing more with less remains efficient, productive, and profitable while providing maximum customer service. The content concentrates on the tools, tips, and tactics that managers need to coach their dispatch staff about that will reduce delivery costs while maximizing efficiency and customer service. Additionally, strategically delivery concepts as they relate to pricing, changing your customer’s market environment, and dispatch incentives are introduced.

“Tough Times, Tough Sellers”

This two-part series was designed to prepare the industry for last Spring’s challenges. The first, the Concrete Sales Manager’s Coaching Series, helped concrete sales executives and business owners to help their sales reps “hang tough” – find more business, keep up margin, and strengthen customer relationships. The second, The Sales Playbook Series, gave sales reps powerful selling ideas tools, tips, and tactics to not only survive, but thrive.

Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification

The NRMCA Pervious Concrete Contractor Certification program has been much more successful than anticipated. The program now has over 40 local sponsoring groups and over 6000 certified technicians and craftsmen.

Pervious Concrete Pavement Seminars

NRMCA has delivered 35 one-day seminars titled Pervious Concrete: A Stormwater Solution to over 2000 people in the past three years. The seminar targets civil engineers and landscape architects who design stormwater management systems. Architects and engineers earn 6 Professional Development Hours. Six seminars were delivered in 2009.

Concrete’s Role in Sustainable Development

NRMCA has held the class four times in two years. In an economic effort to reach out, the class was held totally online three times in 2009 to over 300 attendees. The purpose of this course is to educate ready mixed concrete industry personnel on the environmental attributes of concrete and how the concrete industry can benefit from promoting concrete as a sustainable construction material.
 

Green Building with Concrete Course

This course targets architects and engineers. It provides detailed instruction on how to design and implement concrete construction projects to minimize environmental impact of buildings and public works projects. It will help engineers and architects utilize concrete building systems to design high performance buildings. The seminar provides detailed background on pervious concrete pavement systems, reducing urban heat islands and optimizing recycled content. The course is a one-day format and is intended to be a portable program delivered by state affiliates and members. NRMCA is registered as a USGBC Education Provider and the course is registered as a USGBC Education Provider Program. The course is also registered with AIA Continuing Education System. The course was offered twice in 2009.
 

LEED Green Associate Exam Study Course

NRMCA developed its first-ever LEED Green Associate Exam Study Course entirely online. The course runs for 8 consecutive weeks with 2 webinars per week along with self-paced online exercises and practice exams to help concrete industry personnel prepare for the LEED Green Associate (GA) exam. This course is intended for concrete industry professionals who are interested in becoming leaders in the green building movement by obtaining the LEED GA credential.

Design of Concrete Parking Lots

This one-day course provides detailed instruction on how to design and build concrete parking lots and is intended for civil engineers, geotechnical engineers, landscape architects and public works officials involved in the design and layout of concrete parking areas. Economic and environmental benefits of concrete parking areas are presented. Concrete contractors and concrete producers also benefit from this seminar. This course was offered 3 times in 2009.

New Course – How to Build a Successful Parking Lot Construction Business

This course provides an overview of the asphalt and concrete industries and compares the features and benefits of concrete and asphalt for paved parking areas. It presents the importance of marketing and effective presentation skills in the successful promotion of concrete parking areas. The course was offered 3 times in 2009.

New Educational Activities for 2010:

In early 2010, two better-known NRMCA programs will move online to support producers’ critical employee segments. In January, the first addresses a producer’s largest employee group, mixer drivers. The Concrete Delivery Professional (CDP) Certification Program© has been converted to CDP Online. It is totally self-contained for each driver with individualized, self-paced lessons, available from any computer, anytime of the day. Learning units run approximately 20 minutes with a stop/start action so the program can fit in between loads or be accessible on bad weather days. Because it does not require instructor-lead supervision for lessons or the certification exam, management can trust that the program continues to instruct drivers in core competencies as well as the ramifications of compliance/non-compliance as it relates to drivers’ duties, their companies, and their customers.

In mid-February, NRMCA will move its Sales Manager Leadership Workshop to an interactive, intense webinar format. Because sales managers will not have to travel, they can remain acutely aware of their day-to-day business while also acquiring immediately applicable and competitive skills to produce solid sales contracts. Content provides attendees with state-of-the-art strategies and methodologies to plan and execute short and long term sales performance of individuals and the team. At the end of the course, attendees will be able to:

• Manage his/her own key accounts while optimizing communication with the sales team.
   

• Move from a people management model to a decision management model so sales staff’s actions directly impact business.
   

• Develop complex solutions for more lucrative contracts.
   

• Recruit and train a higher caliber of sales professionals for a team environment.
   

• Recognize your sales reps’ road blocks and help them develop strategies to increase their productivity.
   

• Use analytical tools to judge the difference between heavy territory activity vs. time management for quality results.
   

• Increase staff’s close ratio through methods tailored to the customers’ decisions to buy.
   

Technical Expertise = Industry Know-How

NRMCA’s advocacy efforts protect and promote the interests of the ready mixed concrete industry within industry standard setting organizations. NRMCA staff’s active participation in organizations includes the American Concrete Institute (ACI), American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM), Transportation Research Board (TRB), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Some success and future efforts in the technical advocacy area:

• Revisions in ASTM C 94, Specification for Ready Mixed Concrete, including batching accuracy, limits on time and revolutions for delivery, ordering options and reuse of returned concrete and wash water.
   

• Improved procedures for acceptance testing of concrete – high strength and durability, including permeability testing and associated acceptance criteria.
   

• Proposal to include a requirement that concrete producers are provided all test reports on projects.
   

• Improved procedures and acceptance criteria for testing plastic concrete.
   

• Completed two test methods and developing additional methods for pervious concrete.
   

• Measurement of setting time and material compatibility using concrete heat signature – also as a QC tool.
   

• Developing technical briefs with the help of the fly ash organizations ACAA / EPRI to address safety issues involved in using fly ash concrete.
   

• Published several magazine articles on concrete quality, technology, performance specifications and sustainability.
   

• Prestigious awards for ACI Fellow and Young Professional Achievement Award to NRMCA staff engineer.
   

• Participated in the harmonizing of cement standards between ASTM and AASHTO.
   

• Establishing qualification requirements for testing laboratories, technician personnel and evaluation authorities.
   

• Representation on committees developing codes (ACI 318), specifications (ACI 301) and several committees that establish guidance and requirements for the use of ready mixed concrete.
   

• Representation on market areas for ICF, Residential, Tilt-up and Pervious Concrete.
   

• Representation of the industry on sustainability initiatives.
   

P2P Initiative

The P2P initiative is geared toward promoting performance specifications as a preferred alternative to prescriptive requirements for concrete. Some progress:

• The American Concrete Institute has approved the formation of a technical committee that will further the concepts of performance requirements in codes and standards.
   

• Development of documents that facilitate performance-based purchase order and associated communication between producers and contractors.
   

• Align the P2P initiative with the Sustainability Initiative.
   

• Develop a broader producer certification program.
   

• Continuing efforts to evolve codes and standards to performance based alternatives.
   

• Increase communication on performance-based alternatives through local groups.
   

NRMCA Research Supports Ready Mixed Concrete Industry Initiatives
 

The NRMCA Research Laboratory has been dedicated to applied research of immediate value to members in the areas of concrete. The laboratory supports NRMCA members by conducting reliable contract testing. The lab continues to be a location to develop technical data of high quality that is of value to producers and develops technical data to support industry positions in standards advocacy. The lab maintains accreditation status under the AASHTO Accreditation Program.

Recent laboratory reports are posted on the NRMCA website. Research findings are regularly presented at venues that include producers and users of concrete and are incorporated in NRMCA educational courses.

• Pervious concrete mixture proportioning – Based on laboratory research that has resulted in NRMCA guidelines for proportioning pervious concrete mixtures and the inclusion of new ASTM standards for pervious concrete testing.
   

• Use of crushed returned concrete as aggregate – The study funded by the RMC Research & Education Foundation has received broad distribution and addresses factors that impact the proper use of crushed returned concrete as aggregate.
   

• Effects of aggregate grading on concrete properties – The report indicates that specifications controlling aggregate grading may not necessarily improve workability or improve shrinkage characteristics as intended.
   

The lab is currently involved in the following major projects:

• Development of performance alternative to current durability provisions – Funded by the RMC Research & Education Foundation. This project is a $1.4 Million Pooled Fund Study (PFS) involving about 10 State Highway Agencies. The primary goal of this project is to develop and recommend a reliable test to measure permeability of concrete to address durability requirements in codes and specifications.
   

• Use of high volume fly ash concrete – NRMCA is a co-investigator in a study sponsored by FHWA to increase and optimize the use of fly ash in concrete. Project partners include Purdue University, Auburn University and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
   

• Optimizing cementitious materials in concrete – This FHWA research study is being coordinated through the Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE) at Iowa State. NRMCA’s participation represents a ready mixed industry focus in this project and is anticipated to establish technical data to minimize specifications that impose restrictions on cement contents and supplementary cementitious materials. Funding for NRMCA’s participation is by the RMC Research & Education Foundation.
   

Technical Education and Certifications

Technical Short Course

Was offered in 2009 in Denver in February and November in Maryland. In 2010, the course is scheduled for January in Phoenix and November in Maryland. The portable Level 2 certification training program was offered by the Arizona Rock Products Association.

Concrete Durability Course

NRMCA has offered this 2½ day course on concrete durability and codes and specifications twice in the past year. Attendees can obtain the NRMCA Concrete Technologist Level 4 certification. Two offerings are planned in 2010.

One-Day Technical Seminar

NRMCA has developed and offered a one-day seminar on specifications, submittals and testing with Luke Snell from Arizona State University. There were 2 offerings in 2009 and 2 are planned in 2010. The course covers new provisions of the ACI 318 building code related to materials, recommendations for negotiating project specifications, submittals and troubleshooting low strength problems.

Webinars

NRMCA has offered more than 40 webinars on technical topics and has several offerings planned in 2010. Highly qualified guest presenters with expertise in the subject matter deliver these webinars.

Technical Publications

The committee has published a Guide to Improving Concrete Specifications that evolved as a result of review of several commercial specifications. NRMCA also published Thermal Measurements of Hydrating Cementitious Mixtures that provides guidance on using this technology for quality control and troubleshooting field problems. NRMCA published a Guide to Proportioning Pervious Concrete Mixtures, accompanying software and research report.

The RES Committee is working on 2 new CIP topics and several Technical Information topics directed to technical personnel in ready mixed concrete companies. Also under development is a Quality in Practice series that quantifies the benefits of ready mixed concrete producers' quality control activities.

Plant Certification

The NRMCA Program for Certification of Ready Mixed Production Facilities (Plants and Delivery Vehicles) continues an annual rate of 10% increase in certifications. There are approximately 1,900 plants and 18,000 trucks certified under the program. Several revisions have been approved to establish the 11th revision of the inspection checklist. Significant revisions are being made to the Plant Inspector’s Guide that has been used to educate and approve about 400 inspectors under the program.

Operations, Safety & Environmental Support = Industry Empowerment

Operational knowledge is the backbone of the industry. NRMCA’s OES activities support the industry in many ways.

Safety:

• NRMCA created 10 Safety Modules as part of the NRMCA Safety Series – These are roughly 1 hour each and feature the training subject as well as supporting materials including practical applications, exams and training documentation sheets.
   

• The NRMCA Safety Course is 20 hours and features a variety of topics along with a concrete plant safety audit.
   

• Worked with industry partners to monitor and influence EPA on their process to regulate Fly Ash after the TVA spill from a fly ash impoundment. Possible regulations include treating fly ash as a hazardous waste.
   

Environmental:

• Worked with the National Association of Home Builders and member companies to help train mixer drivers on chute rinse-off techniques.
   

• Expanded NRMCA Green-Star from 4 sites to 53 – NRMCA Green-Star is the Association's Environmental Management System (EMS). This is an industry specific EMS for ready mixed concrete plants.
   

• Worked with US EPA and the Center for Environmental Training (MCET) on stormwater issues associated with ready mixed concrete production. The RMC industry is on the EPA priority enforcement list for stormwater pollution. By working with the EPA, we are educating members on pollution prevention.
   

• A record number of Environmental Excellence Awards were presented to companies who demonstrated the highest of standards while meeting their environmental responsibilities.
   

Operations:

• NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks was held in Indianapolis in October with more than 300 in attendance. The meeting included operations, safety, environmental, promotional and technical seminars. The event was highlighted by the 4th Annual National Mixer Driver Championship, won by Joe Zygas of Irving Material Inc.
   

• Operational Courses delivered across the country in 2009 included the Plant Manager Course (three times), Environmental Course (twice), Dispatcher Course, and Fleet Manager Course (twice).
   

New OES Activities for 2010:

• NRMCA plans to create at least five more Safety Modules to further expand the industry’s knowledge base.
   

• Continuing to make it easier for members to access educational materials, NRMCA plans to move the Safety Course to an online platform.
   

• Continue to expand the NRMCA Green-Star Program by adding an additional 50 NRMCA Green-Star plants.