| In The Mix February 2011- Vol 3, Issue 2 |
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| Officers / Directors | |
President
Gary Clements
Cement Products &
Supply Company
863-686-5141
Vice Presdient
Preston Sparkman
Quality Precast Co. Inc.
813-685-5615 ext 2228
Secretary
Brad Coolidge
A-1 Block Corporation
407-422-3768
Treasurer Steve Bishop Maschmeyer Concrete
Jeff Bishop
Maschmeyer Concrete
561-848-9112
Adam Freeman
A-1 Block
407-422-3768
Sherry Griswold
Griswold Ready Mix
904-751-3796
Freddie Jahna
Jahna Concrete
863-453-5155
Mark Smith, Past President
Bell Concrete, Inc.
352-463-6103
Executive Director Michele Stropoli 407-333-4694 email |
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Associate of the Month | |
Tommy Heath of
Thank you for your continued support of FICAP! |
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 Greetings! |
 It is a busy time in our industry and around FICAP. This past weekend many of the leaders in our industry met for over 8 hours over a two day period to discuss a Florida Concrete Masonry Check-off program. If you missed that meeting you missed a great opportunity to help shape the future of the masonry industry in Florida. There will be more information on that in the near future. For FICAPers, our February meeting again offered free education to the membership. Education on how to use the Florida Construction Lien Law to improve collections, and a presentation by Brian Ussery about the top ten reasons employers are sued by employees. Both are certainly issues we face everyday in the operations of our businesses. If you were at the January FICAP meeting you were privileged to hear a free presentation by one of the top engineers in our industry, Satish Seth, from Cemex, on the proposed changes by the EPA that would significantly affect the ability of producers to produce cement in a cost effective manner. The EPA is proposing to amend the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, NESHAP. This is only one of the ways that the EPA is attacking the cement industry. During a time when our government is spending billions of dollars of stimulus money (a program whose effectiveness is a debate for another forum) to build and repair infrastructure in our country, an agency of the same government is involved in an all-out effort to cripple the industry that would be supplying many of the key products to accomplish the goals of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. During the last election we witnessed a ground swell of conservatism in our country like we have not seen since the Reagan years. We now have many, albeit not enough, conservatives in office in Washington and they say they are willing and wanting to govern in a conservative manner. We need to use this opportunity to lobby our elected officials to rein in agencies such as the EPA who regulate our businesses without regard for cost to the business, possible loss of jobs, or other economic hardships. We elected the people we wanted in office, for the most part. Please take the time to remind them of why we elected them. Tell your congressman and senator that the proposed changes to NESHAP will be a job killer and a huge blow to the economic recovery. As you can see, FICAP continues to provide cutting edge education to its members. If I may steal a line from American Express, "membership has its privileges." If you are a FICAP member, take advantage of the benefits by attending all the meetings. If you are not a member, it is time to join the association that represents the independent producer in Florida. The value of the free education sessions available to you and your employees far exceeds the cost of an annual membership. Sincerely,
Gary Clements
President, FICAP
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10th Annual FICAP Clay Shoot | |
 Saturday, April 2nd
Fishhawk Sporting Clays Corp.
The FICAP Annual Clay Shoot is a great way to support your association...
...while you enjoy the company of friends, employees, customers, and suppliers.
Online registration Registration Form
Hotels/Directions
This event is open to the industry, so please join the fun! |
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| Future Leaders of Florida - March 29, 2011 |
 On Tuesday, March 29, the Future Leaders of Florida will gather for a session involving teambuilding and leadership skills. This is an industry wide event, so it is open to all Florida ready mix, block, and precast personnel.
2 to 3 pm - Goal Group 3 - Promotion
3 to 4 pm - FICAP Producer Meeting
4 to 5:30 - Opening Session
Team Buildind Exercise
5:30 to 6:30 - Cocktail Reception
6:30 to 8 - Leadership Discussion/Presentation
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| The Griswold's Home Makeover | |
Earlier this year, Griswold Concrete made a very generous donation to a Clay County family in need. Larry, Sherry and the rest of the Griswold crew joined forces with the ABC series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to make a difference in the lives of this special family. For additional details and photos of the event, follow the link and view Photos - Day 3.
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FICAP PAC Wade Mullins, Chairman | |
It seems like yesterday that we were all celebrating the defeat of Amendment 4, and now the 2011 Florida Legislative Session is upon us. Where does the time go?
Just a few short weeks ago we hardly knew anything about newly sworn in Governor Scott. Not anymore. Every bureaucrat in state government knows who he is and now he has said no to President Obama and the Federal Government's offer to help fund a High Speed Rail System in Florida. It is going to be very interesting to see how the Governor and the Legislature work with or against each other. Thus far, I have not seen much in the way of compromise on any issue coming out of the Governor's office. That isn't setting very well with legislative leadership.
The Spring Session mandated by state law begins on March 8 and runs for 60 days. Usually, there is only one charge that officially has to be done each year and that is to pass a budget. The Governor is calling for cuts everywhere and nothing is going to be passed in 2011, if it is perceived as a tax.
Several of the various committees for the 2011 Session began meeting weeks ago right after the members were given their committee assignments.
Other dates of interest:
January 28, 2011 - This recently passed date was the deadline for submitting requests for bill drafting
March 4, 2011 - Deadline for approving final drafts of general bills
March 8, 2011 Regular Session convenes
March 8, 2011 12:00 Noon - Deadline for filing bills for introduction
April 26, 2011 50th day-Last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings
May 6, 2011 60th day-Last scheduled day of Regular Session
Stay tuned for a lively session as the Governor and the Legislature prepare to see who blinks first.
Wade
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| Director's Corner |
 The Masonry (Block) Producers of Florida have just made history, and it's a history in which you can be proud. On February 18th and 19th, 86% of the production capacity of masonry block construction was represented at a meeting held in Orlando. The Masonry Association of Florida, and Pat McLaughlin, hosted this event. Various schools of thought were represented in the room, those who deal primarily in commercial construction, those who deal primarily in residential, and then those who represent both. What emerged from the meeting was a unified voice and a goal to increase market share in Florida through industry wide promotion, research and educational efforts.
Through the efforts of Mike Murtha, President of FC & PA, the Florida Concrete Coalition will gather in Tallahassee next week and walk the halls to speak with various legislators who have an impact on our industry. The Coalition consists of the following associations: FICAP, FC & PA, Florida Prestressed Concrete Association (FPCA), Masonry Association of Florida (MAF) and Florida Concrete Pipe Institute (FCPI). Each association was invited to participate and share issues of concern. Mike and his team at FC & PA will create packets from the information gathered from Coalition members to distribute under the name Florida Concrete Coalition. Concrete Days, the title given to this effort, is another first for the industry.
I am for those means which will give the greatest good to the greatest number.
Abraham Lincoln
I appreciate the efforts of Pat McLaughlin (MAF) to host the Masonry Producer meeting in Feb, and Mike Murtha (FC&PA) to plan and orchestrate Concrete Days in Tallahassee. We are an industry hit hard and together, we will make a difference. Stay tuned and pay attention to your inbox, because things are a happening regionally and nationwide and we will keep you informed and involved.
Until next month...
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2011 R.C. Martin Memorial Scholarship | |
The R.C. Martin Memorial Scholarship program is open to any dependent child of any Florida resident employee working full time for a producer or associate member company of FICAP.
Complete information including a scholarship application is available in a fill-in-able Word Form.
Deadline: May 6, 2011
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| April Roving Meeting - MFM Limestone | |
FICAP members, travel with us to MFM Limestone in Reddick, Florida where quite the day has been planned. Enjoy a Cajun low country boil, a free Clay Shoot, and giveaways. Reservations required.
Cost: Free
Time: 4 to 6 pm
Flyer
Online Registration
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| NESHAP UPDATE | |
Not clear about NESHAP or how it affects your business? Follow the More Info link to watch the June 2010 PCA webinar. The site will ask for basic contact information, but the cost is zero. More Info
Earlier this month a series of emails circulated asking for your help. The PCA Government Affairs Dept drafted a letter to Congress and asked the industry to personalize the letter and PCA would make certain it made it into the hands of your congressmen. It appears you responded.
PCA applauds halt to NESHAP funding
Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) and Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) on Feb. 15 introduced an appropriations rider to the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (H.R. 1) halting funding to implement, administer or enforce the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Portland cement industry.
The appropriations rider will allow the industry to continue its dialogue with the EPA with the goal of crafting regulations appropriate for the industry. Read more.
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U.S. House Standing Up for Coal Ash Recycling | |
The U.S. House of Representatives will likely vote later today or tomorrow to put the brakes on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency efforts to label coal ash a "hazardous waste." Lawmakers are set to consider an amendment offered by Rep. David McKinley of West Virginia that would cut off funding for any EPA effort "to develop, propose, finalize, implement, administer, or enforce any regulation" as a Subtitle C "hazardous" waste. Read More
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Researcher Replacing up to 70% of Cement in Concrete with Fly Ash
A researcher at Missouri University of Science and Technology is leading a study to increase the amount of fly ash used in concrete. If successful, the effort could divert millions of tons of the waste product away from ponds and landfills and reduce CO2 emissions. Read More
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| Congratulations to Dr. Heather Brown of MTSU and the CIM 4010 class | |
Dr. Brown's class competed in the Concrete Construction Competition and were the big winners, taking home 1st and 4th place victories. The class competed nationally against 46 teams. The teams will accept the awards at the ACI Convention being held in Tampa in April.
Congratulations Dr. Brown and the Students of CIM 4010!
1st Place Team - Matt Petree; Brandon Cornwell; Greg Schamberg; Joe Evers; Daniel Lozano
4th place team: Joe Harrison; Garren Husky; Tyler Arbuckle; Jim White; Tyler Pratt
The Construction Liaison Committee of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) sponsor this annual event. Read More
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ACI 2011 Spring Convention - Tampa, Florida |
You're invited!
On behalf of the ACI Florida Suncoast Chapter, we would like to invite you to attend the ACI Spring 2011 Convention April 3-7, 2011, in Tampa, Florida. We have been looking forward to hosting this convention and are thrilled to have the opportunity to share this experience with you.
We are proud to call Florida home and excited to show you how concrete is the "Strength of Florida." Highlights of the convention will include an Opening Session recognizing over 100 awardees, presentations about Florida Concrete, the world's tallest building, computer applications to advance your career, the Student FRP Composites Competition, and the 10th International Symposium on FRP Reinforcement for Concrete Structures. More |
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Around the Industry | |
ASTM Standards for Ready Mixed Concrete, 4th Ed.
This heavily revised new edition features the principal specifications and test methods that are referenced as part of the two ASTM standard specifications for ready-mixed concrete:
* C94 Ready-Mixed Concrete
* C685 Concrete Made by Volumetric Batching and Continuous Mixing
This collection, consisting of 38 ASTM standards, the Metric Practice Guide of Concrete and Concrete Aggregates, and the Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing, is also relevant to other methods of producing concrete, such as precast and site mixed concrete. More Info
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Economist Fishkind says Florida is in recovery
Florida is in the early stages of a recovery from "the worst recession, probably, since the Great Depression, and at least the worst since 1975," economist Hank Fishkind told about 400 Manatee County business and civic leaders on Thursday.
"This is the recovery -- right now," Fishkind said. "The momentum is growing." Read More
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One person can make a difference and every person should try. John Fitzgerald Kennedy
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NABE Expects Hiring to Pick Up
From Armada Corporate Intelligence News Brief - January 24, 2011
The latest survey from the National Association of Business Economists is looking a lot more upbeat than it has in quite a while. Almost half of the respondents asserted that they would be adding jobs this year (42%) and that compares to only 29% of respondents in the first quarter of 2010. The poll was taken of 84 companies in a wide variety of industries and there was optimism to some degree in all of the sectors. Only 7% thought they would be shrinking their payroll and that is far less than was registered in 2010. This is consistent with the data that has been coming from other sources. The rate of new claims for unemployment has fallen fairly consistently over the last several weeks and there have been no major layoff announcements since the end of last year. As has been stated repeatedly, productivity levels have been high throughout most of the recession and in the last six to nine months the numbers have been especially good as business has started to gain some momentum at the same time that most companies have resisted the urge to hire new workers. As the recovery picks up steam the ability to work the existing workforce harder is limited and it will be necessary to hire. The question now is how much pressure there will be to add jobs and how quickly.
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Small Business: A Big Impact
Bigger companies may dominate the headlines, but most of Florida's jobs are created by small businesses.
To get an idea of how important small businesses are to Florida's economy, take a look at the chart... Read More
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New Homes Sales Hit 8-Month High in December
New U.S. single-family home sales raced to their highest level in eight months in December while prices were the highest since April 2008, raising cautious optimism for a housing market recovery.
The Commerce Department said Wednesday sales jumped 17.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted 329,000 unit annual rate after a downwardly revised 280,000-unit pace in November. Read More
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My play was a complete success. The audience was a failure. Ashleigh Brilliant
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South Florida home, condo sales begin 2011 with a surge
More than 2,500 socialites gathered last month for a series of condominium building launch parties, where the free-flowing liquor, Grammy-winning recording artists and glitz-filled atmosphere evoked memories of 2005.
The festive events belied the current turbulence in South Florida's weary real estate market but pointed an intriguing reality: Even in today's economy, some condo buildings are posting respectable, even strong, sales figures. Read More
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Sustained Growth, but Not Without Some Risks
Domestic demand continues to flow from better consumer spending, solid equipment and software spending and a turnaround in nonresidential construction. This is our traditional cyclical recovery. What continues to distinguish this recovery is the weakness in residential construction and municipal government spending. These are our structural impediments. In this way, we can see how one could characterize this period as a period of economic recovery and expansion, while also recognizing that weakness still remains in certain sectors. Read More
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Cleveland Research Group - Ready Mix Survey
We believe the trends visible in Texas, California, and Florida suggests domestic concrete industry fundamentals have stabilized, and could start improving at some point in 2011. There is no smoking gun to change our rating on the shares or make changes to our models, but we are more interested in the group heading into our management meetings. Read More
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Fannie Mae: Housing Starts to Triple by 2013
Despite data indicating otherwise, Fannie Mae is predicting that it expects housing starts to triple by 2013. According to the agency's economic outlook, housing starts are predicted to increase 17.3 percent and hit 710,000 this year, with another 47 percent increase to 1.1 million in 2012 and another gain of 42 percent in 2013 to nearly 1.5 million. Read More
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"It's surprising how much you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit."
Abraham Lincoln
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Trade through South Florida ports sets records
International commerce is a bright spot in a local economy still slowly recovering from the recession.
Shrugging off the recession doldrums, international trade through South Florida ports last year surged by nearly 21 percent, smashing all records. The Miami Customs District, which includes airports and seaports from Palm Beach County to Key West, set records for total trade ($95.4 billion), exports ($58.8 billion) and imports ($36.6 billion) in 2010, according to an analysis of U.S. Census data released this week by WorldCity, a Coral Gables media company. Read More
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The Beauty of Sustainability
When Elkem Materials began selling a white microsilica product as a filler for color-sensitive plastic products, the concrete industry seemed an unlikely market. Conventional dark gray silica fume matched the color of standard concrete when it was added to create high-strength mixes. Read More
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Food Commodity Crisis Looms
The suspicion had been building for some months and the USDA's latest survey confirms what many had
feared - this is going to be one of the worst crop years in recent history. Corn harvests will likely be at levels set fifteen years ago and very close to a record low. Last year was not a great crop year but farmers harvested 12.4 billion bushels of corn. The projection for this year is less than half that amount - 675 million bushels. Read More
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We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.
Albert Einstein
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A Warming Trend in Credit
A key indicator of credit availability makes a big jump.
Trust is returning to business partnerships. Suppliers are increasingly granting credit to their customers, according to the latest monthly report by the National Association of Credit Management (NACM). Read More
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An Independent Voice
The Man (Banks) Holding Us Back
by Don Magruder
In January and July each year, I conduct account reviews with our sales team. This four-day process consists of going line-by-line through every account to see what is going on. During these account reviews, I receive good intelligence, and many times I'm alerted to potential issues and problems; but, most importantly, we clear off dead accounts, which can potentially lead to mis-billings. Frankly speaking, in the last two years the most commonly used statement by our salespeople during these reviews has been something like, "I talk to them weekly, but they just don't have any work." Read More
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| Rick Scott and Florida Inc. |
Florida Trend offers the following perspective regarding the potential of Rick Scott and his relationship with the Florida Legislature. This is a lengthy article, but well worth the read. Within the article, you will also gain insight into the mindset of the new Governor and what programs make the cut...and which ones do not. I'm sorry folks, but the marketing of alligator meat didn't make the cut.
The corporate world lacks legislative and judicial branches. This month, as the Legislature convenes, Florida's first modern CEO as governor -- and the state -- will find out what that means for his plans to transform our state government.
The job of governor and that of chief executive officer of a corporation are very similar, says Bob Martinez, Florida's governor from 1987-91.
Both governors and CEOs, he says, have to understand how a large organization functions. Both have to understand finance. Both need to know how to lead. "I think the goal setting, the visioning, the objectives ... there's a lot of carryover from private to public," says Martinez, who now works as a senior policy adviser for the Holland & Knight law firm in Tampa.
Indeed, the single most striking thing about Gov. Rick Scott since he took office in January may be the degree to which he sees the governor's job in corporate terms. So far, Scott's tactics are textbook CEO: Read More
Now, if that wasn't enough information for you regarding Rick Scott, then read the interview. |
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