FEBRUARY 2016
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Are you following Besser on social media yet?  If not, you're missing out on our most up-to-date news and information! From customer and employee news, training and trade show schedules, new parts and machinery promotions, to general company updates, we are committed to increased and improved social media presence.  

Please be sure to follow us, like us, and share us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Links to all of our social media sites and our company blog can be found at the bottom of this newsletter. We look forward to connecting with you!

Warm regards,

Candie Guthrie
Corporate Communications Manager

CONCRETE EXCITEMENT IN ORLANDO

There were smiles on the faces of attendees and optimism abounded as a week of association meetings and the ICONXchange took place in Orlando.  The members of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute began their slate of committee meetings and events in Orlando on Sunday, 21 February. Besser staff participating included Kevin Curtis, President & CEO, John Reedy, Director of Sales - Americas, Terri Rondeau, Director of Corporate Advertising, and  Sales Representatives Rodney Lang, Terry McNamee, and Ralph Schlereth.

During the General Session luncheon, Besser Company was recognized for our new financial support to the ICPI Foundation. Our first pledge to the Foundation was recently completed and we were approached for a new investment. Because we believe in supporting the industry that supports us, we gladly recommitted. The ICPI Foundation invests in the future of the industry by providing funding for research into many projects relating to improving interlocking concrete pavements.


WORLD OF CONCRETE 2016 DELIVERS GLOBAL AUDIENCE

The World of Concrete certainly lived up to its name this year with a geographically diverse global attendance gathering to see what's new in the concrete industry. During the show, the Besser team was fortunate to visit with people from many different parts of the world; from Algeria, China, and Suriname to Honduras, Israel, Kazakhstan, Nicaragua, and Mexico, as well as from across Canada and the US.  Their needs were just as diverse as the counties they were visiting from - some people were just testing the waters to see if they want to enter the concrete products manufacturing business, while others were looking to expand their current product lines and production facilities or diversifying into new product categories.

NEED MIXER BLADES?
Now is the time to order! 

We've reduced pricing on one-piece 80, 100, and 120 cubic foot mixer blades. All mixer blades sold separately or in pairs will be furnished as a complete Set of Parts. Each Set of Parts will include the blade(s), liners when applicable, and required mounting accessories. Instructions are included. 

Get more information on these durable Ni-Hard blades from your Besser Sales or Customer Service Representative.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE:  JED WINQUIST
"Ours are the best pipe machines out there! Our BiDi� is hands down the best machine for making round pipe fast and good," proudly stated Jed Winquist, Installation Specialist. This pride he feels goes beyond his voice, it transcends into everything he does. He and Scott Kennedy, Production Specialist, are currently combining their talents on the installation of two pre-owned machines, a PH-24 and PH-84, in Panama. 
Jed has been installing and troubleshooting Besser pipe equipment around the globe since 2007. He's installed and provided technical support for plants, operating the full gamut of Besser pipe machines, in the Middle East, Europe and Central America as well as throughout North America.  Jed shared that the highlight of his job is when he restores a plant to full production of high quality pipe. Assuring that our customers' employees can earn their paychecks is what drives him.
TIME TO REGISTER FOR BLOCKMAKERS WORKSHOPS

Investing in the training of your staff will pay dividends for years to come including a more efficient operation, production of higher quality products, and higher profits. Now is the time to send your machine operator to the World Center for Concrete Technology (WCCT) for specialized training. 

The hands-on Vibrapac� and Advanced Vibrapac� Blockmakers Workshops are being held 7-11 and 14-18 March 2016 at the WCCT in Alpena, Michigan.  Both of these sessions are conducted in the WCCT's fully operational block plant.

The Vibrapac course covers proper machine adjustments, electronics, and electrical schematic print reading of the V3 Vibrapac concrete products machines. This course will be held again in October. The Advanced Vibrapac course provides more extensive hands-on work for practical application in concrete products production, both mechanical and electrical. Students are required to adjust a concrete products machine to low height and to manufacture concrete products in class. Electrical sessions cover Allen-Bradley programmable controllers. Greater concentration is applied to schematic print reading and ladder logic diagnosis. Before attending this course, students must complete the Vibrapac course. This is the only time that this course will be offered in 2016!
 
More information about these courses and the rest of the sessions can be found at wcct.net or by calling +1.989.354.1072.  
CALIFORNIA PRECAST CONCRETE PIPE ASSOCIATION HOSTS MEETING

Besser is proud to support the CPCPA's mission to be the spokesperson for the concrete pipe industry in all matters affecting the industry's welfare in California. We recognize that the activities of state associations are critical to the continued viability and growth of our industry so we are happy to contribute and participate as much as possible. Recently Jerry Cowden, Sales Representative, and Gary Ericson, Director of Sales Pipe and Precast, attended the California Precast Concrete Pipe Association meeting in Stockton, California. 

BESSER PARTERS WITH ECONCRETE

We are pleased to announce that Besser Company and ECOncrete Tech Ltd. have jointly embarked on a project that has an ultimate goal of producing Bio-Enhanced (environmentally friendly) dry cast concrete products. ECOncrete was founded in 2012 by Dr. Shimrit Perkol-Finkel and Dr. Ido Sella, renowned marine biologists specializing in the ecological enhancement of both urban and coastal environments. The company provides a series of fully constructive environmentally active concrete products that enhance the biological and ecological value of infrastructure like seawalls, breakwaters, piers, while also contributing to their stability and longevity.  Our agreement with ECOncrete is specific to developing a high production dry cast system to use ECOncrete's proprietary additives and designs to produce Bio-Enhanced concrete products.

FREE ONLINE TRAINING

Have you had the opportunity to join one of Besser's FREE online training courses, hosted by Technical Service Representative, Ron Scherer?  If not, you fortunately still have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of this excellent schedule. 

The next class is scheduled for Friday, 25 March.  To provide the most flexibility to interested participants, the class is available at both 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM (EST).  The March session will focus on SPLITTING PRODUCT: The do's and don'ts for high quality splitsIn this training session, we will cover all aspects of splitting (including competitive molds) and how to change blades and set-up the splitter to get the highest quality splits from the first product to the last.  

25 March 2016:  11:00 AM & 2:00 PM (EST)

2016 BESSER TRADE SHOW SCHEDULE

We hope you're able to join us at one or more trade shows this year! Visit besser.com for links to these exciting upcoming events.
 
THE PRECAST SHOW
3 - 5 March,  Nashville, Tennessee
We're looking forward to meeting you in booth 306 at the Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Contact your Besser Representative at [email protected] to receive a coupon for free admittance to The Precast Show trade show floor.
 
BAUMA
11 - 17 April, Munich, Germany
Every three years we are privileged to greet the industry in Munich. We'll be showcasing what's new in Hall B1, Stand 149. Contact us to receive your personalized invitation that will provide you with complimentary registration. 

Besser Company | +1.989.354.4111 | [email protected]  | www.besser.com

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