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Masonry & Hardscape
March 2014
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Allied Concrete Company's Oyster Castle® Block Provide New Habitat
The oyster populations in the United States and other parts of the world have declined an estimated 85% over the past 100 years. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates the Chesapeake Bay area population is less than 5% of what it used to be. With this decline, natural reef cultch (shell) have disappeared along with many of the estuarine banks they protected for years.
In 2007, Virginia based Allied Concrete Company partnered with The Nature Conservancy / Virginia Coastal Reserve & The Nature Conservancy / South Carolina chapter to focus on finding a solution to this problem. Through tedious research, study, and trial and error, the Oyster Castle® concrete block was born. The Oyster Castle® unit is easily deployed and uses a "Cradle-to-Cradle" environmentally friendly, certified blend of proprietary materials conducive to attracting and fostering oyster settlement, attachment and growth.
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Oyster Castle units fit together much like Legos, providing a three-dimensional surface for oysters to grow on. When placed in an area where there are oysters or oyster spat is present nearby, they will attach themselves to the block and flourish, building up their own oyster reef over time.
The Oyster Castle proudly boasts a 100% success rate and is leading the fight to return inter-tidal oyster reefs and oyster population back to acceptable and healthy levels of the past. Oyster Castles have been successfully used in more than five states over the past six years. Welcome by-products of this restorative process are shoreline remediation and salt marsh preservation.
Production of Oyster Castle® Units:
Allied produces Oyster Castle units using a V3-12 Vibrapac® concrete products machine outfitted with a Besser mold designed through a collaborative effort between Allied and Besser staff. Cycle after cycle the Vibrapac consistently produces dense, dimensionally precise units that are fostering the resurgence of the Oyster population in coastal waterways.
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 Allied Concrete was founded in 1945 as Allied Supply Company by Wilson McNeely, a 1943 graduate of the School of Architecture at The University of Virginia. In the beginning, Allied Supply Company manufactured concrete block, done manually using wooden molds.
Sixty-eight years later, Allied Concrete is still locally owned and has grown to be the premier manufacturer and supplier of a complete range of concrete products, brick, hardscapes, block and other building supplies to contractors and homeowners with three locations in Central Virginia.
Learn more about Besser molds by contacting one of our Mold Specialists:
Brian Budnik, bbudnik@besser.com, +1.989.354.1012
Dave Miller, dmiller@besser.com, +1.989.354.1031
Jean-Guy Richer, jricher@besser.com, +1.450.966.3006
Information provided by www.lynnhavenrivernow.org/lynnhaven-oysters.aspx and www.alliedconcrete.com
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Besser Featured in "I am a Factory" Ad
Walmart is currently running a series of ads promoting the role of US manufacturing in creating new jobs for American workers. Besser is pleased to be represented in the "I Am a Factory" ad, highlighting the longevity and unharnessed power of a Besser block machine waiting patiently to roar back to life. "We are proud to be an American company and are thrilled to be included in this message about the value of American manufacturing," said Besser Company's President & CEO, Kevin Curtis.
Although many concrete products producers were fortunate to withstand the impacts of the recession, in many cases aggressive measures were taken to do so. Many producers are seeing an improvement and as a result business is better, plants are running more cycles, owners are ordering new equipment as well as investing in training and hiring.
For 110 years, Besser has been a partner in the industry and offers start-up assistance, plant evaluations, equipment rebuilds, support and training, in addition to durable and long-lasting equipment, molds and parts. As the economy and the industry make a comeback, Besser is positioned to assist our customers for many years to come.
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Training Opportunities
The World Center for Concrete Technology (WCCT) is holding the following courses at our state-of-the-art facility in Alpena, Michigan, USA. These courses are filling up fast and guaranteed to be held.
Concrete Masonry Technology 14-18 April 2014
Students attending the Concrete Masonry Technology course will quickly see their return on investment after learning what it takes to produce concrete masonry units. This course covers how to improve efficiencies in all aspects of blockmaking and includes the following topics:
- Mix designs
- Batching
- Material grading and blending
- Cementitious material
- Admixes
- Pigment
- Curing
In addition, students will produce units in our state-of-the-art training and research facility using designs learned in the classroom. We encourage you to bring your aggregate samples to test.
Vibrapac 21-25 April 2014
The Vibrapac concrete products machine course is a hands-on study of the proper machine adjustments, electronics and electrical schematic print reading of the V3 Vibrapac concrete products machines. Students are given troubleshooting problems as a practical application of these topics.
Additional Upcoming Courses
- August 19-21: Executive Session
- September 8-12: Concrete Masonry Technology
- September 15-19: Vibrapac
- October 13-17: Product Handling
- October 21-23: Recycled Materials - NEW COURSE
- December 1-5: Concrete Masonry Technology
- December 8-12: Vibrapac
To learn more about these courses please contact Kari Schellie by e-mail kschellie@besser.com or call +1.989.906.5621, register online or register by mail or fax.
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Headlines
we're creating
Lafarge purchases a Besser manufactured Vapor Generator, a cost-effective, state-of-the-art curing system backed by professional sales & service representatives. Learn more about intelligently designed curing solutions.
Read More
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Training
we're providing
The Concrete Masonry Technology course runs 14-18 April and Vibrapac® 21-25 April, followed by the Executive Session 19-21 August in conjunction with our 110th anniversary celebration. Register early to ensure your seat.
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Trade Shows
we'll be exhibiting
The Besser team will be at several trade shows this year including Build Ural, Khabexpo, Concrete Show - Mexico, and Bauma China. Make plans to visit our team to learn why our customers have placed their trust with Besser for 110 years.
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About Us
Trusted since 1904, Besser Company is recognized as the leader for quality concrete products equipment and parts for the masonry, hardscape, pipe and precast markets of the industry.
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