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President
Preston Sparkman
Quality Precast
813-685-5615 x 2228
email
Vice President
Steve Bishop
Maschmeyer Concrete
561-848-9112
email
Secretary
Wade Mullins
Quality Precast Co
813-685-5615 x 2226
email
Treasurer
Adam Freeman
A-1 Block
407-422-3768
email
Past President
Gary Clements
Cement Products &
Supply Company
863-686-5141
email
Board of Directors
Jeff Bishop
Maschmeyer Concrete
561-848-9112
email
Bobbi Griswold
Griswold Ready Mix
904-751-3796
email
Freddie Jahna
Jahna Concrete
863-453-5155
email
Mark Smith
Bell Concrete
352-463-6103
email
Executive Director
Michele Stropoli
407-333-4694
email
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Greetings!
As we move through the month of February and get closer to spring, I am thinking about so many things going on in our lives. I am not sure what is happening in your life right now, but for those of us with children it is just hectic to say the least. Little League season is just starting again, while the soccer is winding down. Then there is high school track along with softball all upon us, and then there are the dance lessons, cheerleading and some even have theatrical performances to add in the mix. No wonder I often feel like I don't know whether I am coming or going.
Another of my favorite things about spring is the coming of Spring Gobbler season and if you're my son, it is the never ending competitive paintball season. So with all that being said when you throw in our work, our daily routine as parents is packed full each and every day.
When I was young I never thought much about my mom or dad taking me all over the county. It was just what we did. Now that I have walked a few miles in their shoes, I certainly have a better understanding of things for sure. Sometimes I think our house is just a rendezvous point for Janae and me, but you know there is not a parent among us that would trade this hectic life for anything in the world. I applaud all the parents and grandparents who have raised or are raising children. We truly do have the future in our hands for guidance and mentoring. The love we have in our families, and our spirituality will help set the foundations for these young people.
I want to take a moment and remind everyone about the up coming Concrete Industry Forum and Economic Presentation, along with a meeting of the Future Leaders group at our FICAP meeting in March. This event is an open event to anyone in the building industry including home builders, commercial builders as well as sub-contractors all welcome. Please invite your customers. We also welcome our partners in the Concrete Coalition, the Florida Concrete and Products Association, the Masonry Association or Florida, the Florida Concrete Pipe Institute and the Florida Prestressed Concrete Association. Make your plans now to attend this very important and informative evening. Wade Mullins has heard Chris Kuehl, our guest speaker, and speaks very highly of his presentation. If you need additional information, or want to make your reservation now, visit the FICAP website at www.ficap.org.
Speaking on behalf of the FICAP Board of Directors, it is important that you know we are here as an organization for our members. If any of us can be of any assistance to you, please feel free to contact one of us, our contact information is below. Our service to FICAP is for you, our members. We thank you for your involvement now and in the future.
Preston Sparkman
President of FICAP
Vice President of Sales
Quality Companies |
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Legislative News  Coming Down the Home Stretch As we head wind down the seventh week of Florida's nine week Legislative Session, redistricting sits in the hands of the courts, prison privatization and mega-casino proposals are dead for 2012. Now the focus has turned to other issues including PIP insurance, tax cuts, long awaited claims bills and of course, the budget. The Senate is proposing another raid on Trust Funds, which obviously irritates the construction industry. Read more.
Wade Mullins
FICAP PAC Chair
Quality Precast Company
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Director's Corner
Green - What's the Right Shade for You?
In a "disposable" society, it seems ironic they are also the generation promoting sustainable products, environmental awareness and energy conservation. Something made that's built to last is a completely foreign concept, and the current generation have learned that nothing lasts, so they don't understand concrete and sustainable 30, 60 100 year life cycle terminology. Computers are built to last approx. 3 years; electronic gadgets are to be traded up every year, and appliances and clothes too. We desire a new home every 4.5 years, a new car every 1.5 and a new spouse any time things get tough. How do you market to such a society the value of concrete, a product that truly is built to last?
Builders are divided, green or not green. Ultimately, it's the consumer and in some measure, government regulations, that determine green's success. Regardless, concrete is a green product, so why waste the opportunity to promote it as such? Bombard me with information regarding the green movement, and how it relates to our industry. Who are the major players? What are the issues on the table or in the works? Documents, articles, websites - please help me gain a better understanding by providing the reading material. We will use this information to jazz up the website and promote our industries products. With little effort, we can utilize two valuable and useful resources and start promoting right now...our website and the newsletter.
Do you know how many shades of green exist? 59? An infinite number? The limit is determined by how many shades the person viewing the color can discern. Green isn't one single color - it's a rich palette and a complex grouping of colors...reminds me of our industry.
I look forward to reading what you send.
Michele Stropoli
Executive Director
(I apologize now to the environmentalist, sustainable consultants, and pollution and conservation agents. It's easier to use the term green for the purpose of this article than to differentiate. Read More)
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Upcoming Events
FICAP Monthly Meeting - February 28, 2012
Transportation Educational Session, 2010 Emissions
+Goal Group 1 - 2:30
+Block Producer Meeting - 3:30 pm
+Producer Board Meeting - 4:30 pm
Concrete Industry Forum - March 27th
Dr. Chris Kuehl of Armada Corporate Intelligence + Future Leaders of Florida + Florida Concrete Coalition Read More
FICAP Roving Meeting - April 24, 2012 - Echo Rock
Orlando Plant - 4 to 6 pm
+Reclaimed Concrete Presentation
Read More
Annual FICAP Clay Shoot - Saturday April 28, 2012
Fishhawk Sporting Clays Corp.
Industry Wide Event
Read More |
Legal Corner
New Mediation Rules in Florida
On November 3, 2011, the Florida Supreme Court amended the mediation rules and specifically required that each party provide a certificate of authority identifying those who will attend. There are mandatory sanctions if one of the parties fails to appear with full authority to settle. The rules were amended to specifically provide that everyone attending on behalf of a party has decision-making authority to settle and will be physically present (as opposed to attending by telephone). Read more.
If you have a question, please submit it to the FICAP office and we will
try to get you an answer and publish it in the next newsletter.
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Around the Industry
Concrete and Climate Change: How Does Concrete Stack Up Against Other Building Materials?
Climate change or global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans as a result of the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Read more.
Strength Comparison - MASONRY vs. Wood Frame
LOWERING DESIGN VALUES for SOUTHERN PINE
Wood frame construction in Florida has a problem. Actually, wood frame construction inFlorida has numerous problems: higher insurancecosts, fire; termites; rot from moisture leakage andcondensation inside the wall just to name a few.But those are not the topic for today. Read more.
Concrete's Contribution to LEED 2009 NC
Using concrete in new buildings and major renovation projects can facilitate the process of obtaining LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major renovations certification. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a point rating system devised by the United States Green Building Council to evaluate the environmental performance of buildings. Read more.
 ProMasonry Meeting - April 3, 2012
Attend the next ProMasonry meeting on Tuesday, April 3, 2012. This informative event will bring you up to speed on the important commercial and residential marketing activities of the committee as well as upcoming MAF events.
The meeting is open to all MAF members, however, we provide lunch to the attendees, so please make sure to "RSVP/Register Now!" if you would like to attend.
RMC Research & Education Foundation Walk for Sustainability Sponsorship Opportunities
Last year, the RMC Research & Education Foundation held its first-ever Walk for Sustainability to rave reviews. The Walk will again be held in conjunction with NRMCA's International Concrete Sustainability Conference on May 9th, in Seattle, WA. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer LeFevre at 240-485-1151 or jlefevre@nrmc-foundation.org.
NRMCA Selects Speakers for 2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference
Speakers have been selected for the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association's 7th annual International Concrete Sustainability Conference to be held May 7-10 in Seattle. Over 60 world-renowned experts will present the latest developments related to design, specifying, manufacturing, testing, construction, maintenance and research of concrete as it relates to sustainability. Read more.
Not their parents' home; Concept home in Florida designed for a new generation of buyers
Houses are getting smaller. No, houses are getting larger. And "green" building is hot. Well, no, actually - green cooled off before it even got warm. Read more.
New commercial cell phone
ruling summary. Read more.
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Credit Corner
Just Who is Your Customer?
Credit investigation can get intricate and dense. The information that is being gathered could be getting strewn or scattered all over the place. It is best when there is an established policy in place to investigate new customers and to monitor existing ones. Read more. 
Credit Question of the Month
Q: Who in our company should be responsible for informing and explaining our credit terms to new customers?
A: Ideally, it should be the sales representative who made the sale and obtained the order from the customer. Unfortunately, sales often look upon the discussion of terms and payment as a negative. Therefore, it falls to the credit department who approves open credit terms to inform the customer not only that their application for credit has been approved but also the payment terms and what is expected of the customer with regard to payment, disputes, returns, etc. This can be done either verbally or in writing depending how the application was originally received. However it is accomplished, it should always be done prior to the first order being processed. Customers then have the choice to accept the terms or take their business to another firm. - From Creditworthy eNews Feb. 13, 2012
If you have a question, please submit it to the FICAP office and we will
try to get you an answer and publish it in the next newsletter.
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Florida growth at '06 levels, Philly Fed says
Florida's rebound shifted into high gear at the end of last year, with an index of economic growth increasing faster than it has since 2006. The Federal Reserve's state-by-state index of economic activity posted a 32-month high in Florida for December as hiring expanded and wages improved. Read more.
Florida mortgage delinquencies drop
Florida ranked first in foreclosures started during the fourth quarter, but was 18th in delinquencies, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Read more.
Movement in the Credit Markets?
For the past two years the major issue as far as business recovery is concerned has been access to credit. In 2008 it was the utter collapse of credit that propelled the recession and throughout the recovery period there has been a lack of available cash for business to expand - assuming that they wanted to borrow money in the first place. Read more.
Pending home sales surge in Manatee, Sarasota
Even though sales dropped after the holidays in Manatee and Sarasota counties as they always do, there has been a 50 percent surge in homes going under contract in the region. Meanwhile, there has been a 38 percent surge in homes and condos going under contract statewide, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Read more.
An 18-Minute Plan for Managing Your Day
Yesterday started with the best of intentions. I walked into my office in the morning with a vague sense of what I wanted to accomplish. Then I sat down, turned on my computer, and checked my email. Two hours later, after fighting several fires, solving other people's problems, and dealing with whatever happened to be thrown at me through my computer and phone, I could hardly remember what I had set out to accomplish when I first turned on my computer. I'd been ambushed. And I know better. Read more. |
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