Best known in manufactured-concrete production for its Envirocure technology, CDS has unveiled the R-O2 Drying System, whose reduced oxygen, superheated steam atmosphere serves as an energy-wise medium for bringing sand, gravel and stone moisture levels to zero.
Read more: CDS elevates energy efficiency with steam-based aggregate drying method
The Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) of nonresidential and infrastructure segments expanded to 9.67 months during the fourth quarter of 2017, its highest level ever, and finished the year up 1.36 months—16.3 percent higher than 2016.
Read more: Contractors’ nonresidential building backlog hits record levels
Drawing 4,500-plus attendees late last month to Denver, The Precast Show continues a steady, post-recession growth trajectory as North America’s largest annual, precast-specific trade show. This year’s event had 375 exhibitors across 73,000 net square feet of Colorado Convention Center space.
Read more: NPCA, PCI members exhibit optimism at The Precast Show 2018
Auto protection product manufacturer WeatherTech Direct LLC, Bolingbrook, Ill., offered the 100 million-plus viewers of this year’s Super Bowl a quick sampling of precast concrete construction methods’ speed and efficiency in a 30-second spot aired during the second quarter.
Fired-clay brick trends for 2018 feature whites, grays, black, deep reds, painted and glazed brick with overall larger unit sizes. Brick Industry Association (BIA) producer members report that clean, cool shades top product favorites at all home price ranges, primarily whites with white mortar and all grays from light to charcoal and steel. Sandy earth tones are also trending, reflecting how fired-clay brick is made from abundant natural resources.
