Dana Holding Corporation Launches Innovative, Fuel-Efficient Drivetrain Solutions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG

Headlining the show for Dana is the introduction of the first hydromechanical variable transmission (HVT) system resulting from a cooperative effort between Dana and Bosch Rexroth AG.

“The rising price of fuel, combined with more stringent emissions regulations, has made fuel consumption a top concern for the construction industry,” said Pietro Franzosi, vice president of business development for the Dana Off-Highway Products Group. “At Dana, our integrated systems approach and commitment to research and development have produced numerous drivetrain solutions that help original-equipment manufacturers more effectively address the ever-growing demand for fuel efficiency.”

Located in booth S-17915 of the South Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Dana will present a complete 20-ton front-end loader system featuring the new HVT, as well as a driveline system for nine- to 10-ton industrial lift trucks.

20-Ton Front-End Loader System
The HVT shown at CONEXPO -CON/AGG is part of a 20-ton (18-tonne) front-end loader drivetrain system that also includes the Spicer® Hercules™ 37R axle and Spicer Model 114 axle.

NRMCA Announces New Chairman

The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has elected Karl Watson, Jr., of Cemex, West Palm Beach, FL, as chairman of its Board of Directors. Association membership chose Watson this week at NRMCA’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas, which was completed just before the opening of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show. He succeeds Tim Becken of Cemstone Concrete Products, Mendota Heights, MN.

Mr. Watson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business and an MBA. Prior to his current position, he headed the Western Division of Rinker Materials Corporation. He has previously served on the NRMCA Board and Executive Committee and various other NRMCA committees, including Government Affairs, Legal Activities, Educational Activities and Vision Strategic Planning. He is a member of the Association of Building Contractors and the American Concrete Institute. Previously, Mr. Watson served on the Board of the Florida Concrete & Products Association and served as the chairman of that organization. He also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the RMC Research & Education Foundation.

“I am extremely proud to have Karl as our chairman for 2011-2012,” said NRMCA President Robert Garbini. “He has a long history of involvement with NRMCA and is well versed in the issues confronting our industry as it moves forward from this most challenging economic times. I know that our staff and Karl’s ready mixed concrete colleagues are excited to work with him.”

Founded in 1930, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s mission is to represent the entire ready mixed concrete industry through leadership, promotion, advocacy, education and partnering. NRMCA represents over 1,500 manufacturers of concrete and 50+ state affiliate organizations. Approximately 85% of NRMCA’s members are classic American family-owned small businesses.

Read more concrete industry news at ConcreteExecutive.com

Energy Savings From the Ground Up

Money-conscious homeowners are constantly seeking out ways to reduce their energy bills. Those people fortunate enough to be considering building a new home have a way to potentially save up to 50 percent of total heat loss in a home simply by constructing with the right foundation system.

"Homeowners should be actively involved in the product decisions that go into the construction of a new home," says Jim Costello, president of Superior Walls®. "Consumers can build value from the bottom up in their new homes by using energy-efficient foundation systems.

"The steel-reinforced concrete panels created by our company are matched up in the manufacturing process with DOW® StyrofoamTM boards, which provide excellent rigid foam insulation. The resulting XiTM wall panels provide an exceptionally energy efficient foundation for a home."

According to the "Residential Foundation Insulation" report issued by Kansas State University with support of the U.S. Department of Energy, the benefits of foundation insulation are often overlooked. The study says: "heat loss from an uninsulated, conditioned basement may represent up to 50 percent of a home's total heat loss in a tightly sealed, well-insulated home."

The pre-cast insulated foundation systems provided by Superior Walls help homeowners save on energy bills and allow them to fully utilize their basement space as functioning and comfortable living areas in the home. The steel reinforced concrete walls create a permanent barrier against sidewall water penetration, making the home damp proof.

"These foundation systems are very popular with homeowners because you can create door and window openings in them to access natural light," says Costello. "By making the right decisions at the time of construction to use pre-cast insulated foundation systems, homeowners are making a long-term investment in their family's happiness and in the resale value of their house."

Superior Walls products are the first and only foundation systems to have attained the Green Approved Product designation by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center. For more information visit www.superiorwalls.com.

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Seven Simple Steps to Go "Green" on St. Patrick's Day

While for some, St. Patrick's Day invokes thoughts of shamrocks and leprechauns, one ever-present theme for all is the color green. This year, SCA's Tork® brand is encouraging you to embrace another type of green by giving our planet a bit o' Irish good luck and making more environmentally responsible choices leading up to Earth Day, and beyond.
Joshua Radoff, Tork® Green Hygiene Council^™ Member and founder of YRG Sustainability, encourages individuals to make their household more sustainable starting on St. Patrick's Day, the most famous green holiday of the year.

"Our lifestyle choices, methods of transportation and everyday routines play an important role in the condition of the environment," Radoff said.

Radoff suggests the following easy steps to "Erin Go Green!" your routine and support the effort to recycle, reuse and conserve for a lifetime of sustainable living.  

Erin Go Green! Your Routine: 7 Steps to a Greener Life

1. Reduce waste at home Hopefully you're already recycling at home, but how about being more proactive by buying fewer items that you can't either recycle or compost? You can go green by buying products that can be recycled and feature minimal packaging, or bringing your own reusable bags to the store. For those who already have the basics of recycling down, try out a compost bin and start keeping your food waste out of the landfill as well.
2. Kick plastic water bottles to the curb Although plastic bottles can be recycled, they typically end up in landfills. And even when they are recycled, it takes enormous amounts of energy and water to convert them back to a usable plastic. Fortunately, we have municipal water that is safe to drink. In fact, some studies have shown that municipal water has less bacteria content than bottled water. Go green by using reusable metal water bottles, which are cheaper and can be healthier than purchasing expensive bottled water.
3. Re-think "green" when it comes to your lawn This spring, give your lawn a makeover. Turf grass is both water and fertilizer hungry, and lawn irrigation is one of the leading uses of water in certain regions. Consequently, water scarcity is becoming a major problem. So, as you plan for and develop your home's landscape, look for region-specific plants that don't need as much irrigation or start a vegetable garden that will use water more efficiently.
4. Warmer weather means less car time What is good for you is usually good for the planet. Walking, biking, ride-sharing, taking public transportation are some of the most impactful ways to lessen your footprint. As gas prices continue to rise, using the above methods to get from place to place should become a better alternative.
5. Buy local! St. Patrick's Day means that springtime is around the corner and local farmers will have more goods for you to enjoy. Try buying 50 percent of your produce, dairy and meat from local sources either direct from a local farmer, a farmers market or even grocery stores that carry local produce in season. Go to http://www.localharvest.org/ to find a local food resource near you. Also, when going out to eat, look for restaurants that source local, organic food. Meals are likely to be tastier and healthier.
6. Do you know where your home's energy comes from? It takes quite a bit of energy to keep all of your electronics running, your lights on, and your appliances working. Be conscious of when you're using your heat, air conditioner and energy-sucking appliances. There are a myriad of ways to go green and lessen your ecological imprint by responsibly limiting energy consumption.  For example, use cold water to wash your clothes or unplug appliances when not in use.
7. Understand your footprint Want to learn more about your own impact? Visit the Global Footprint Network to use the Footprint Calculator and determine how your choices are affecting the planet. This helpful tool allows you to input details about daily habits and routine to evaluate how your lifestyle or business decisions are impacting the environment.  

For more sustainability tips from Joshua Radoff and the Tork Green Hygiene Council, please visit www.torkgreenhygienecouncil.com. For more information on Tork products, visit www.torkusa.com.

Concrete Industry Management (CIM) Program Announces Addition Of Executive MBA Degree In Concrete And Construction Management

During a press conference at the 2011 CONEXPO-Con/Agg show in Las Vegas, Nev. on March 22 at 10 a.m. in Room N249-251, the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program – a business intensive program that awards students with a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Concrete Industry  Management – will announce the addition of a unique Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Concrete Industry Management. The program – which will be offered through the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) - is designed to expand the industry-academic partnership by bringing CIM to the business world through an Executive-type MBA in CIM and stand alone in its focused curriculum on the concrete and construction industry.

“A continued interest has encouraged CIM and the National Steering Committee (NSC) to develop a master’s program that suits the needs of the concrete industry,” said Eugene Martineau, NSC Executive Director. “Since CIM is still a young degree program, most interest came from industry professionals with business, liberal arts or technical degree backgrounds.  All those expressing interest in seeking this degree desired to stay with their current position and complete a concrete industry material-infused MBA delivered primarily through a distance learning format.”

Beginning in August 2012, with an initial recruiting class of 25, the18-month-long program will be administered in 10-week blocks. The program will be presented by the Jennings A. Jones College of Business on the campus of MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The format will include distance learning, webinars and on-campus visits to MTSU. This distinctive program will be a partner structure for networking and sharing experiences, while fostering a collaborative learning environment and allowing national recruitment with limited campus visits that are intensive and focused.

According to Dr. Heather Brown, Director and Associate Professor of the CIM program at MTSU, “The Executive model for specific industries has been developed at other institutions for banking, healthcare, education and technical fields. It is our intention to make this a top-notch program that serves the entire country with a concrete and construction-infused MBA.”

“We are very pleased to have this opportunity to work with the concrete industry,” remarked Dean Jim Burton of the Jones College of Business at MTSU. “The undergraduate programs have been very successful and we intend to make this MBA an international example of cooperation between academia and industry.”
Industry professionals participating in the proposed CIM MBA program will have a minimum of five years of experience in the industry and hold at least supervisory positions or above in their respective organizations. Academically, all participants will have at least an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education. While participants must have at least a bachelor’s degree, that degree does not have to be in business.

The cost of the pilot CIM Executive MBA program will be $39,000 per participant with a minimum of 25 participants. This fee represents the total academic cost of the program per participant.
If you are interested in learning more about the CIM MBA, please contact Dr. Troy A. Festervand, Associate Dean, Jones College of Business, P.O. Box 290, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, fester@mtsu.edu, 615-898-2368 or Dr. Heather J. Brown, P.O. Box 19, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, hjbrown@mtsu.edu, 615-904-8060.

The CIM Undergraduate Program  -  Recognizing the need for people with enhanced technical, communication and management skills, the CIM program was developed in 1996.  Receiving tremendous support from the concrete industry, the CIM program was the first of its kind in United States – a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Concrete Industry Management.  The business-intensive program provides solid management skills developed specifically for the concrete industry. The program gives students many advantages including entering the concrete work force with exposure to the industry early in their careers, unlike others coming in with generic business degrees. The program entails a broad range of courses, from English and history to science and mathematics. A series of required business courses such as finance, marketing, management and business law are also taken throughout the length of the program. The concrete-specific courses teach the fundamentals of concrete, properties and testing, concrete construction and more. All of these courses provide much more than what is simply in the text – they emphasize problem solving, quality assurance and customer satisfaction.

CIM currently has programs in-place at five universities including Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Arizona State University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, California State University, Chico, and Texas State University.  The program has been successful for both the industry and the graduates. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.concretedegree.com/. Read More at ConcreteExecutive.com

Global Construction to grow +70% to $12 trillion by 2020

Global construction output will grow to US$ 12 trillion by 2020, a +70% increase on this year's figure of US$ 7.2 trillion, according to a new report by Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics. The report, Global Construction 2020, goes on to say that half of the US$ 4.8 trillion increase will come from China, India and the US.

"Construction has never seen such rapid growth above GDP, fuelled by the emerging super powers of China and India and a rebound in US construction," said Graham Robinson, one of the report's authors.
The report also says that 2010 saw China overtake the US as the world's largest construction market, driven by the government's stimulus spending plan. The Chinese construction market is expected to more than double in size by 2020 to a value of US$ 2.5% trillion - about 21% of the global total.

The report also predicts that India will overtake Japan as the world's third largest construction market by 2018.

Growth levels in the Middle East and North Africa region are expected to average +6% per year over the next five years, while Latin America will grow at +5.2%, with some countries, including Qatar, Mexico and Brazil, beating these regional growth rates.

Regarding mature markets, the report says there will be a strong rebound in the US construction market over the next five years, with annual growth averaging +7.8%. Western Europe will be flat in comparison, with average growth only expected to hit 1.7% per year.

The report also said that infrastructure is unlikely to be the same diver of growth it has been in the past, due to funding issues in the public sector.

Source: KHL Group

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AGC: Construction Industry Adds 33,000 Jobs in February

The construction industry added 33,000 jobs in February even as the industry’s unemployment rate was 21.8 percent, more than twice the national average, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. As welcome as the new figures are, association officials cautioned that it was too early to tell whether the industry is improving or simply benefitting from the more favorable weather in February compared to the previous month.

“Given what this industry has been through, figures like these are as welcome as they are long overdue,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The question now is whether these figures reflect a thaw in economic conditions for the industry, or the benefits of warmer weather and less snow in many parts of the country in February.”

Simonson cautioned that despite experiencing the single largest monthly gain in construction employment since March 2007, construction employment is still down by over 2.2 million from the industry’s April, 2006 peak, a nearly 30 percent decline. At that time over 7.7 million people worked in construction nationwide, while the industry now employs only 5.5 million people, Simonson noted. He added that for the 47th consecutive month, the February total was lower than the same month a year before.

The construction economist noted that both residential and nonresidential construction sectors added jobs in February. The largest gains came from the nonresidential specialty trade sector, which added 16,700 jobs during the month. Residential specialty trade contractors added another 11,000 jobs in February. The only segment of the construction industry to shed jobs in February was nonresidential building, which lost 2,000 jobs.

Association officials said that construction employment is likely to post modest gains at best through much of 2011 as stimulus funds dry up and private demand for construction recovers slowly. They added that continued uncertainty about the size and extent of federal budget cuts, combined with repeated delays in enacting multi-year infrastructure investment and repair programs, would make it hard for many construction firms to add jobs.

“As heartwarming as these gains are, it will be hard for the industry to build on this momentum in the face of weak demand and continued political gridlock,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “The certainty that comes with having long-term federal investment programs in place for highway, transit, airport and water programs will give this industry the stability it needs to recover.”


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