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Concrete Homes Newsletter
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Concrete Homes Newsletter > 2007 > November/December
November/December 2007
Concrete Home Market Share Declines as Housing Industry Slows
Concrete home market share fell as the broader housing market took a hit
in 2006. The overall U.S. concrete home market share dropped to 14.4%, down
3.5% from 2005. Florida was especially hard hit, as the state’s new
housing starts were down 31% last year. Craig Schulz, director of market
research for the Portland Cement Association (PCA), says, “Since the
vast majority of new homes in Florida are built with concrete, this accounted
for almost the entire U.S. percentage drop.” This is the first decline
since PCA started tracking residential above-grade market share in 1993.
The overall masonry market share declined 3.3%, while ICFs took a step down
to 4.5% from the previous year’s level of 4.7%. Autoclaved aerated
concrete and the “other” category of precast, removable forms,
etc., remained unchanged at 0.1% and 2.0%, respectively.
Though the above-grade wall market slumped, there is some good news: the
amount of cement per new home went up in 2006. An average of 19.4 tons per
dwelling represented a 0.3 increase in tonnage over 2005. Fiber-cement siding,
concrete roof tile, stucco, concrete floors and pavers are just some of the
products that raised the national metric. “This tells us more and more
people are discovering the benefits of these durable, low-maintenance products,” states
Jim Niehoff, PCA’s director of residential.
McCarthy Named President/CEO of Portland Cement Association
At its annual meeting on October 23, 2007, the Board of Directors of the
Portland Cement Association (PCA) named Brian A. McCarthy president and chief
executive officer.
“PCA has an outstanding and well-earned reputation as a top trade
association. I hope to continue that tradition while moving forward to meet
new challenges
and opportunities,” said McCarthy in his remarks to the Board.
McCarthy previously served as chief operating officer for the Computing
Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a trade association representing
all sectors of the information technology industry. McCarthy led efforts
to expand the group’s membership and its products and services. Today,
CompTIA has members in more than 100 countries and has become the world’s
largest provider of vendor-neutral IT certifications.
Prior to joining CompTIA in 1999, McCarthy was executive director
of the International Reprographic Association, Printing Industry of Indiana,
and Master Printers Association of Illinois. He is a graduate of University
of Illinois.
McCarthy succeeds John P. Gleason, Jr., who retired earlier this
year after serving as PCA president since 1986.
Palmer Named Residential Committee Chairman
During last month’s PCA Board meeting, Scott Palmer was named Chairman
of PCA’s Residential Committee. Mr. Palmer, Market Development Manager
for Arizona-based Salt River Materials, will work with PCA’s residential
staff to promote and expand the uses of residential concrete products.
The scope of the promotion effort includes above-grade structural wall
and floor systems, basements, traditional and decorative flatwork, concrete
roof tiles and cementitious cladding systems such as stucco and fiber-cement
siding. Jim Niehoff, Director of PCA’s Residential Program, comments “Our
department is very excited to have someone of Scott’s caliber as
our chairman. His knowledge and enthusiasm will go a long ways towards
helping us achieve our ambitious goals.” Hank Hearon of GCC America
has been named the Committee’s Vice-Chairman.
Niehoff Heads Residential Department
PCA named Jim Niehoff as Director, Residential Promotion. Niehoff, who previously
served as the program manager for residential promotion, has raised awareness
of residential applications of cement-based systems for the past decade.
In his new role, he will oversee all PCA activities to expand the use of
cement-based products in residential construction and assure coordination
with national material allies. In addition, Niehoff will have an active role
in the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Concrete Home
Building Council.
While at PCA, Niehoff has been the media spokesperson for the residential
department and was liaison to the NAHB and The New American Home program.
He is an active member of the Insulating Concrete Forms Association and currently
serves on its board of directors and as chair of its promotion committee.
Prior to joining PCA in 1997, Niehoff was a marketing services manager at
Gerber Plumbing Fixtures in Lincolnwood, Illinois. Niehoff received his B.S.
from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
ICFA Wraps Up Successful Fall Meeting
The Insulating Concrete Form Association (ICFA) recently held the most successful
meeting in its history. The 2007 ICFA Meeting & Expo in St. Louis attracted
nearly 450 attendees, along with more than 50 exhibiting companies. Various
educational sessions were presented focusing on best practices and legal
issues for contractors, an overview of building science and energy efficiency,
and marketing techniques for ICFA members. Jim Niehoff, PCA’s director
of residential construction programs, presented at the “Intro to ICFs” seminar.
In addition, he and other PCA staff members participated in several committee
meetings.
The Expo also was an opportunity for ICFA members to meet new Executive
Director Steven Heller. The 2008 Meeting and Expo will be held in Portland,
Oregon, September 29 – October 1.
Thanks to the ICFA for this article.
Get Free Admission to World of Concrete and Discount on Seminars
As a co-sponsor, PCA offers free advance registration to the World
of Concrete, in Las Vegas, January 22–25, 2008. You can also
get a discount on the many seminars starting on January 21.
Digital
Brochure
Register Online
Download Registration Form
Upcoming Events
- 39th Annual Aggregate & Ready Mix Association of Minnesota convention,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, December 12-13, 2007 More
- World of Concrete, Las
Vegas, Nevada, January 21-25, 2008 More
- International Builders' Show, Orlando, Florida, February 13-16, 2008 More
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