PCA Executive Report

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Concrete Alliance Launches Washington Briefing On Friday, April 1, the North American Concrete Alliance published the first issue of Washington Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter combining coverage of the government affairs activities of PCA, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, and the American Concrete Pavement Association. The three founding organizations of the Alliance will publish the newsletter each Friday. Washington news will no longer be included in the Executive Report. View this week's Washington Briefing

CalPortland Named Energy Star Partner of the Year The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has named California Portland Cement Company as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through leadership in energy management. California Portland’s accomplishments were recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2005. In addition, the Department of Energy recently announced that California Portland Cement Company was awarded a grant to perform a plant-wide assessment at its Arizona Portland Cement Plant in Rillito, Ariz. The assessment will help determine which plant systems offer the greatest energy savings potential and then identify actions to achieve those savings. On a related note, the Second Annual ENERGY STAR Focus on Energy Efficiency in Cement Manufacturing meeting has been scheduled for May 5, 2005, at the Rillito plant. The Focus brings the industry together to network and consider means to minimize the barriers to energy efficiency in cement manufacturing. More information on ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Register for Focus

February PPI: Lumber Jumps, Steel Eases According to the February Producer Price Index, lumber prices jumped 3.7% in February, while concrete products and asphalt rose 1.0% and 0.3%, respectively. Steel mill product prices declined 0.2%, the first monthly drop since July of 2003. Steel mill products stand at 37.7% higher than one year ago. Lumber is 7.3% higher, concrete is up 9.4%, and asphalt is 6.0% higher than one year ago. The Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, issues the Producer Price Index. Data are provided by PCA market research to aid in the promotion of concrete and cement-based products. Contact Craig Schulz

Professional Promoters' Workshop Set for May Organizers have announced the final program for the Professional Promoters' Workshop scheduled for May 3-5, 2005, at the North Shore Skokie Hotel, Skokie, Ill. Sponsored by the North American Concrete Alliance, the workshop features 19 sessions on a wide range of markets, strategies, and tactics. In addition, "What Works" sessions provide a lively and informal forum to exchange success stories and best practices in local promotion. Networking and social activities include a reception and Cubs-Brewers game in Milwaukee's new Miller Stadium. Visit PCA's Web site for more information

Kansas City Next Stop for Regional Economic Seminars PCA chief economist Ed Sullivan will present an economic regional seminar in Kansas City, Mo., on May 12, 2005. The seminar will focus on the outlook for economic, construction, and cement activity in the following states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Senior management and personnel responsible for corporate planning are encouraged to attend. There is no fee to attend but the sessions are open only to individuals from PCA member companies. More information Contact Karen Arneson to register

Concrete Structure Anchors Urban Renaissance A Southern California building team chose concrete for Midtown Plaza, a 350,000-square-foot mixed-use complex that will anchor redevelopment of an inner-city Los Angeles neighborhood. The four-level complex will house major retailers and extensive parking. The challenges of the mixed-use retail were met with a carefully laid out concrete framing system, points out PCA's Attila Beres. After evaluating many design options, Perkovitz and Ruth Architects and Nabih Yousseff Associates Structural Engineers opted for reinforced concrete's inherent fireproofing and vibration damping. CIM Group, a full service real estate investor and operator, is developing the retail center in one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the county, an 11-acre site near downtown Los Angeles. This property is one of the largest undeveloped lots in the area and signals a shift in retail development from suburban to urban markets. Contact Attila Beres

Pisaneschi Retires: After a 38-year career with Lehigh Cement , Ray Pisaneschi has announced his retirement on April 15, 2005. Pisaneschi joined Lehigh in 1967 as engineer-in-training upon his graduation from Penn State University. He currently heads marketing and technical services for Lehigh's white cement division. He has long been active in PCA and currently serves on the Sustainable Development Committee, Product Standards and Technology Committee, and the white cement and masonry subcommittees. MTC Changes: PCA's Manufacturing Technical Committee has announced leadership changes. Chris Taylor, Magotteaux, is vice chair, Materials Preparation and Finishing Task Committee. Eric Hansen, affiliated with Cadence Recycling, is vice chair, Pyroprocessing Task Committee. Phil Gaynor, TXI, is vice chair, Auxiliary and Control Equipment

Building in a Bag Using a cement-impregnated fabric dubbed "the concrete canvas," two British engineers have invented new method of building emergency shelters for war zones and areas devastated by natural disasters, reports Rowan Hooper in WIRED. The building is formed by adding water to the cement-impregnated fabric and inflating it. In 12 hours, the concrete tent has hardened and is ready for use. Read the complete article

Professional Promoters' Workshop May 3-5, 2005 Skokie, Ill. Contact Karalin Derencius	Regional Economic Seminar May 12, 2005 Kansas City, Mo. Contact Karen Arneson

PCA's education and training group will conduct the following courses at PCA's Skokie, Ill., facility. Customized and off-site courses are also available. For more information or to register, contact Julie Lisiecki.
Skokie Courses Concrete: Principles and Practice October 10-13, 2005 Microscopy of Clinker and Cement October 31-November 4, 2005	Troubleshooting: Solutions to Concrete Field Problems November 14-16, 2005 Mill Grinding October 17-19, 2005 Kiln Process October 3-6, 2005

Portland Cement Association 5420 Old Orchard Road Skokie, Illinois 60077 847.966.6200 info@cement.org 1130 Connecticut Avenue, N. W., Suite 1250 Washington, D.C. 20036 202.408.9494 fax 202.408.0877 ©2005 Portland Cement Association All rights reserved

04.04.05

The Executive Report is distributed free of charge to members of PCA and to individuals interested in PCA activities or the cement, concrete, and construction industries.

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The Portland Cement Association conducts market development, research, education, and government affairs work on behalf of its members—cement companies in the United States and Canada.