|
Since its founding in 1916, the Portland
Cement Association has had the same mission: "Improve and expand
the uses of portland cement and concrete."
Where cement and concrete are concerned, so is
the Portland Cement Association: in manufacturing, in raising the
quality of construction, in improving our product and its uses, in
contributing to a better environment. In practice, this mandate means
well-rounded programs of market development, education, research,
technical services, and government affairs on behalf of PCA members-cement
companies in the United States and Canada.
Affiliates
The makeup of today's PCA reflects these functions
and the industry's diversity with a network of divisions and affiliate
groups. This structure takes advantage of collaboration with allied
organizations.
The
American Concrete Pavement Association, the industry's promotional
arm for highways, streets, and airport paving, is a joint effort
of cement suppliers and paving contractors. CTL Group, conducts research, testing, and
consulting engineering. Formerly PCA's research and development
division, CTL has operated as a separate, for-profit subsidiary
of PCA since 1987. Canadian operations are carried out by the Cement
Association of Canada, with headquarters in Ottawa and regional
offices throughout Canada.
PCA Divisions
Market Promotion and Research and Technical Services conduct principal
Association activities and programs. Promotion of cement and concrete
remains the stalwart of Association work, with Market Development
forming the core of PCA activities. Market Development follows cement
use. Organized around target markets and the strategies they dictate,
programs encompass codes and standards benefiting the industry at
large, promotion aimed directly at particular construction segments,
and support for local promotion efforts of members and allies. Engineering
Services, Codes and Standards takes on the high-tech end of promotion:
bridges, high-rise buildings, and codes and standards work driven
by advances in design and construction.
Codes and Standards
Code specialists in the field promote and protect concrete interests
in national building code organizations in the
United States. Bridge and transit engineers focus on the public
works market for concrete structures — new opportunities created
by the push for infrastructure renewal. Development of new computer
programs makes the design of concrete buildings simpler and more
economical while providing valuable tools for local promoters. On
the conventional end of the building spectrum, promotion focuses
on residential and low-rise commercial buildings. Working with both
home builders and consumers, residential programs advance new concrete
products for housing — both in building systems and components
such as driveways and patios.
|
 |
|