| In The Mix April 2011- Vol 3, Issue 3 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
Associate of the Month | |
Tommy Heath of
Thank you for your continued support of FICAP! |
|
|
 Greetings! |
 As I look through some great pictures I took of the Blue Angels performing this weekend at the Sun-N-Fun Fly-in in Lakeland, I marveled at the precision of the maneuvers and the trust each pilot must have for the others as they meticulously carry out their mission. Every turn, climb, descent, and roll must be carried out at the precise speed and time to be successful. Each pilot, and the many support personnel that accompany the Blue Angels, must be devoted to being the best in the world at his particular function within the group. While certain factors like weather can affect the successful completion of a planned performance, the operation is the same every time and it works to perfection as long as it is carried out as prescribed. As business leaders we don't have that luxury. Even the best of plans can end with poor outcomes, even when they are carried out with precision. Our results are affected by many factors we cannot control. The Blue Angels have a perfect plan and all they need to do is execute it and almost always the results are perfect. The difference in outcomes from executing the plan is what makes operating a business exciting. The economy, our markets and customers are all dynamic and we must be as well. We have to change our routine constantly in order to achieve the desired results. 
As the Blue Angels prepared for and performed their routine, two things were clearly evident: pride and camaraderie. Pride in the uniform, pride in the position, pride in completing another successful mission, and pride in serving one's country. A kind of pride that is not unlike the pride I see in FICAP's members. Over the past couple of weeks at our monthly meeting and clay shoot I have heard some of our producers and associates talk about the past month or two as some of the best sales months in a couple of years. I noticed a certain sense of pride as they were able to say, "we are still here, our plans are working, and we are seeing some results." Maybe not "perfect results," but results nonetheless. We must, as the Blue Angels, stay the course, work our plans and the results will come. Camaraderie among the Blue Angel pilots must be strong in order to complete their assigned tasks. Camaraderie is also one of the strengths of FICAP. Many long-term friendships, trusted business relations, and friendly competition have been formed as a result of our great association. Our meetings are a place to learn, give and receive advice, and be encouraged. It was truly refreshing to talk to some of you recently about improvements in your markets and in your sales. I know you are excited and those around you were as well. Summer is almost upon us and that means our Annual Convention is just around the corner. This year we will be at the Hammock Beach Resort from July 14th - 16th. Our convention schedule has been adjusted this year, to allow more free time to enjoy with your family and friends. Convention information will be coming soon, but the rooms can be reserved today. So please contact Hammock Beach Resort at (866) 841-0287, and reserve your room. Sincerely,
Gary Clements
President, FICAP
|
|
|
|
|
17th Annual FICAP Convention - Hammock Beach Resort | |
 | | Hammock Beach Resort |
This is going to be so much fun!
We have a brand new venue and lots of new and exciting plans for this year's convention. While you wait for the registration materials, please take a moment and make your reservations with Hammock Beach Resort. Word has gotten out that they are a great place to stay and they are booked the entire summer. The only rooms available are within our room block, and we reduced the number of rooms this year, so please, please, please call now and make your reservation. I absolutely will not be able to help you with a room after our cut-off date of June 15th, or once the rooms are all booked. The best plan is to make a reservation now and if you absolutely must cancel, you may do so without penalty up to 3 days prior to our event. All that's required is one night's deposit.
The rate is fabulous...One bedroom ocean front suite for $ 189.00.
If you would prefer to fax your reservation, please use this form.
In order to get the best rate, you must tell them you are with FICAP.
Hammock Beach Resort 1-877-834-8862
. |
|
Monthly FICAP Meeting - May 24, 2011 | |
Join us on May 24 for the latest on Health Care Reform. We will enjoy our monthly reception, share a dinner, then hear from Jim Rogan of ME Wilson.
To find out more...
Goal Group 1 - "Sharing of Ideas" 2:00 PM
Goal Group 2 - "Education" 3:00 PM
Producer Board Meeting 4:00 PM |
|
FICAP PAC Wade Mullins, Chairman | |
Did you really realize just how different things were going to be with Rick Scott as our Governor? His most interesting political story, that of being a relative newcomer to even living in the Sunshine State unfolded before our own eyes in what seemed to be just a few short months. Scott spent millions to win the Republican Primary over an established political veteran. What was his reward? A job that pays just a small fraction of the kind of money a business executive like him is used to making. Would your wife have let you spend a fortune like that? Of course not, but shouldn't that have told you Rick Scott was so different we were destined for extreme change?
Since the inauguration concluded in early January, it feels like we have been on a wild amusement park ride with the new administration, and how he has dealt with the established bureaucracy of state government to the ups and downs with working with legislators.
We have had rulemaking by the various state agencies frozen, we have had the governor ask the elected cabinet members to hand over at least some of their power to him, we have seen agencies start the process of either dismantling themselves or merging into other state agencies, we have seen stalling tactics used in the delay of naming agency heads like the Department of Transportation that has hamstrung the decision making process there , we have seen the Governor take control of state aircraft away from legislative leaders and sell those planes, we have seen the Governor turn down billions of dollars in Federal Aid to start the process of building a high speed rail system in Florida, and we have seen the Governor prevail against state legislators in front of the Supreme Court over just how much power and control he had. Need I remind you that all of this took place before March 2nd, the day the legislature officially began meeting as a whole?
Then we have watched this legislative session the Governor go from being the unquestioned leader and a little dictatorial at times in Tallahassee to just this week making an unannounced appearance in the office of four senators make a plea for one of his agendaed items.
Do you think the newspapers and television stations have added extra staff just to keep up with the Governor, since the first part of January? I know I have been unable to keep up with all media has had to report on this year's interactions between the Governor and our legislators. I'm tired already. One can only imagine how much the staff and the lobbyists are looking forward to sleeping in the day after the session ends.
Sorry, but allow me to backtrack a bit here. A couple of weeks before the session began FICAP was asked to participate in "Concrete Days" at the State Capital with other concrete related trade associations to promote concrete and concrete products to the legislature and discuss many things that the 2011 Florida Legislature will be discussing that will have an impact on our companies. That in itself was a great idea and I applaud FC&PA for suggesting that endeavor. Approximately, twenty people representing the Florida Prestressed Concrete Association, Florida Concrete Pipe Industry, the Masonry Association, FC&PA and FICAP met with approximately eighty-five representatives and senators. It was a great start for our groups to work together. I am anxious to see where we go from here.
Have you considered joining FICAP's PAC? You should. Even if your company will not, you can individually. It only costs $100 a year. There are so many things being discussed in Tallahassee that have a big impact on your earning a living in this industry. Please consider joining today.
Wade |
|
2011 R.C. Martin Memorial Scholarship | |
~~ Last Call ~~
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
|
| Director's Corner |
 At a time when we simply can't afford to lose marketshare, a competing industry has targeted the Florida marketplace to increase their piece of the pie. We can't afford to wait a year, or even six months, we must work together and develop a plan of action to counter their efforts now! Which building material best suits the Florida marketplace? Concrete! No matter what part of the State is being developed, concrete works. If you want to prevent storm damage...you use concrete. If you want to avoid bugs...you use concrete. If you want a tough, sustainable product...you use concrete. If you want to use a product produced in the State of Florida, by Floridians, for Floridians...you use concrete. We know this. We can talk about it in our sleep, so let's get busy doing just that. We need a strong campaign, right here, right now, utilizing that Personal Attention...the FICAP Way motto. Make sure your customers remember why they choose concrete, time and time again. It is hands down the best product in the State and don't you let them forget it. The wood industry began their campaign against concrete weeks ago. Announced this week, free educational seminars for all Florida licensed professionals seeking continuing education credits. Each major city within the State will host an event, and the topic - how to switch Florida homes from concrete to wood. Not just the walls, but the flooring as well. Are you ready to lose your concrete slab work? Another area of attack is legislation. Thanks to your PAC chair, Wade Mullins, we became aware of activity in legislation to allow the use of wood in schools. His quick action stopped the activity this session, but they won't give up. As the largest privately owned land owners in the State of Florida, they will have clout in Tallahassee.
Earlier in the year, the potential threat was to the block producers, but the wood industry is targeting concrete...period. Take a look at the Canadian Wood Councils newest website, http://www.planetfriendlycanada.com/en/default.aspx . The Canadian Wood Council is a major supporter of the US Soft Wood Check Off Program. They are sharing their vast marketing experience with the Florida guys and they are hitting guess who...you.
The FICAP Producers will meet via a conference call on Tuesday afternoon to begin discussions on a plan of action. Any ideas you have, please forward to a producer member planning to participate on the call and we will kick them around.
Thank you!
"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."
Dr. Seuss
|
|
EPA Solicits Public Comment on Permit to Reduce
Stormwater Discharges from Construction Sites | |
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing for public comment a draft permit that will help improve our nation's waterways by regulating the discharge of stormwater from construction sites. Stormwater discharges during construction activities can contain sediment and pollutants that harm aquatic ecosystems, increase drinking water treatment costs and pollute waters that people use for fishing, swimming and other recreational activities.
The proposed Construction General Permit (CGP) includes a number of enhanced protections, including enhanced provisions to protect impaired and sensitive waters. Some of the significant proposed permit modifications include new requirements for:
· Eligibility for emergency-related construction
· Required use of the electronic notice of intent process
· Sediment and erosion controls
· Natural buffers or alternative controls
· Soil stabilization
· Pollution prevention
· Site inspections
· Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans
· Permit termination
Many of the new permit requirements implement new effluent limitations guidelines and new source performance standards for the construction and development industry that became effective on February 1, 2010. These requirements include a suite of erosion and sediment controls and pollution prevention measures that apply to all permitted construction sites. Read More
Public comment ends June 24, 2011.
|
|
Around the Industry | |
Housing Starts Rise 7.2 Percent in March
April 19, 2011 - Nationwide housing starts rose 7.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 549,000 units in March from an upwardly revised number in the previous month, the U.S. Commerce Department reported today. Coming on the heels of disappointing declines in February, this gain was represented in both the single- and multifamily sectors, and was mirrored by substantial improvements in building permit issuance for the same period. Read More
Housing Statistics
~~~~~~~~
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius
~~~~~~~~
Companies Shifting from Recovery to Growth, but Domestic Hiring Will
Likely Continue to Lag
Chief financial officers are markedly shifting their focus from cost cutting to revenue growth, but they remain wary of increased hiring at home, according to the results of the Deloitte CFO Signals quarterly survey for the first quarter of 2011. Specifically, the CFOs surveyed said nearly half of their companies' strategic focus is on revenue growth-substantially ahead of their 30%t focus on cost reduction. Read More
~~~~~~~~
Everyone you meet knows something you don't know. Be willing to learn from them.
~~~~~~~~
White House Introduces "Better Buildings Initiative"
On February 3, President Obama announced the "Better Building Initiative," aimed at improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings by 20 percent during the next 10 years. The White House estimates the plan could save businesses nearly $40 billion during the next decade in lower energy costs. The initiative is based on a package of proposals including new tax credits and a grant competition among states and cities dubbed "Race to Green." Read more
|
|
Just a little humor...
Cliff Clavin on Drinking (The Buffalo Theory) | |
From Cheers. Cliff Clavin explaining the 'Buffalo Theory' of eugenics to his buddy Norm:
"Well ya see, Norm, it's like this. A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. So when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.
The human brain works that way too. It only operates as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. So, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."
|
|
| |
Scott to EPA: Rescind water standards
Gov. Rick Scott wants the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to rescind its Sunshine State-specific stormwater runoff rules, saying it will be too expensive to implement. Read More
~~~~~~~~
Florida No. 8 in U.S. employment growth
Florida continued its upward climb from the recession in March, posting the eighth-largest employment gain of any state. The latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Florida with an increase of 51,500 nonfarm jobs between March 2011 and the same month this year. Read More
~~~~~~~~
"A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams."
John Barrymore
~~~~~~~~
Wells Fargo Sketches Beginning of 'Arduous' Housing Recovery
New home sales rose 11.1% in March to a 300,000-unit annual pace. Previous months' data were upwardly revised by a net 32,000 units. Median and mean home prices both fell on a year ago-basis. Sales of existing homes rose to a 5.1 million-unit pace in March, but distressed transactions accounted for 40% of overall sales. Investors accounted for 22% of sales and all-cash buyers rose to a record 35%. Read More
Despite battered economy, Florida leads nation in potential to grow jobs
A new study says Florida has the most potential in the country to compete for jobs in high-growth sectors. But only if workers are skilled enough for the jobs. Read More
|
| | |
Can a creditor actually collect from the guarantor?
State courts will generally enforce written guarantees as drafted and signed by the parties, unless the effect would be injurious to public policy. State courts often attempt to find for the guarantor.
Creditors probably cannot rely on the courts to enforce guarantees with unlimited duration. Several states have even proposed laws to automatically require renewal of all guarantees after specified time periods. It is, therefore, probably advisable to include expiration terms in commercial guarantees, and to carefully monitor renewals as needed. - Creditworthy.com
~~~~~~~~
Amid the Turmoil, Real Healing Has Taken Place
Our near-term forecast has been scaled back following an unusually turbulent month that saw gasoline prices skyrocket, U.S. armed forces drawn into a third conflict, the European sovereign debt crisis intensify and a devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan that has been followed by one of the worst nuclear disasters ever. Amid all this turmoil, the U.S. economy continues to mend itself. Read more.
~~~~~~~~
ISM Manufacturing
The ISM Manufacturing Index dipped slightly to 61.2 in March from 61.4 in February. The production index improved while the new orders index showed slightly slower expansion compared to February. The employment index also declined slightly but remained solidly in expansion territory. The supplier delivery index jumped to 63.4, the second-highest level in nearly seven years, indicating delivery times slowed as demand picked up. The prices paid index rose to the highest since July 2008 as prices for oil and other commodities continued to rise. A noticeable decline in the order backlog index in March suggests we may see a bit of a pullback in the headline index for April. The stark slowdown in the Philadelphia Fed Index for April may also portend a lower ISM reading for April. On the other hand, the rise in the Empire Manufacturing Index for April gives us hope for a stronger ISM print. Read More |
| | |
MIT scientists turn the concrete jungle green
The word "concrete" is not much fun to say out loud. It actually sounds like a cold, hard, grey word. For every ton of cement a ton of CO2 is produced. The substance itself is even dull. Not even its assured place in the history books of the Roman Empire make it a less than sexy subject from the bystander's point of view.
Let's face it - concrete is boring. Read More (it's actually a very interesting article and includes a video)
~~~~~~~~
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." James Dean
~~~~~~~~
Solar Reflectance for Walls
New green requirements have been established for vertical surfaces.
Solar reflectance has garnered attention due to requirements under the U.S. Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy and Environmental Development credits for reduction of urban heat-island effect. Solar reflectance has garnered attention due to requirements under the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED credits for reduction of urban heat-island effect. The LEED credits related to solar reflectance, or rather the solar reflectance index (SRI), apply only to roof and hardscape surfaces. Read More
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
