MC Magazine

People & Products

LAP Laser introduces new laser gauges
LAP Laser, based in Cincinnati, has introduced its new series of laser level and thickness gauges along with the CAD-PRO laser pattern projector for use in precast concrete applications. The Polaris, Antaris and Atlas level and thickness gauges determine precise levels and thicknesses within 0.001 inch to 0.015 inch, depending upon the specific application.

Through the use of LAP Laser’s level sensors, a concrete manufacturer can expect precision precast form fills every time, regardless of surface quality. This saves on production time, because the non-contact gauge allows for a faster fill rate while ensuring quality, says the company.

The CAD-PRO laser template projector projects any shape or pattern created by a CAD program onto a two- or three-dimensional surface in a perfect one-to-one scale. This allows precasters to quickly locate placements for structural support (rebar), window openings, reveals, etc.

For more information, visit www.Lap-Laser.com, call (513) 271-3821 or e-mail.

BASF acquires Degussa
BASF, the widely known chemical company based in Germany, completed its acquisition of the Degussa AG construction chemicals business. The global BASF construction chemicals division consists of admixture systems and construction systems businesses. In North America, the BASF admixtures business will continue to market the Master Builders brand of products and solutions to the manufactured concrete products market.

For more information about BASF, contact Ann Erney by e-mail or call (216) 839-7688.

Arto Brick featured on Home & Garden TV
Arto Brick, a producer of tiles, pavers, moldings and more, was featured on HGTV’s Urban Outsider series that transforms cramped urban spaces from New York to Los Angeles into uniquely comfortable garden retreats.

In “Modern Mediterranean,” the episode featuring Arto Brick’s products, a gaudy Echo Park, Calif., back yard with purple and green walls was transformed into a modern Mediterranean look. The precaster’s handcrafted 8-inch Hexagons in Spanish Cotto were used for the patio floor along with custom-designed, handmade, glazed ceramic hexagonal deco tiles by local artisan Mary Bianca of Venice, Calif.

Arto Brick has handcrafted unique building products in Southern California since 1966, including tiles, pavers, brick veneer, stepping stones, wall caps, pier caps, balusters, moldings, pool copings, countertops and more. Visit www.artobrick.com for more information.

Hanson opens large automated plant
Hanson Pipe & Precast, Southeast Region, recently announced the groundbreaking for what will be one of the largest automated pipe plants in the United States. The 171,000-square-foot facility will reside on 91 acres of land in Winter Haven, Fla. The groundbreaking ceremony was held July 27, and the plant is scheduled to begin operations in August 2007.

With two completely automated pipe production plants, the Winter Haven facility is set to become Hanson’s flagship pipe plant in the Southeast Region. The facility will feature the latest technology in quality control and testing, and automated production lines will yield a priority on safety.

The plant will employ about 50 people and will operate two shifts five days a week. The central location will enable it to provide service to all of Florida.

For more information about Hanson, visit www.hansonpipeandprecast.com.

Mixer Systems announces new twin-shaft mixer
Mixer Systems Inc. of Pewaukee, Wis., has added a 54-cubic-foot twin-shaft mixer to its line of mixers. Each model comes with a counter-current mixing design that achieves 100 percent mixing coverage in as little as 60 seconds, says the company.

The company’s twin-shaft mixers use a two-stage gear reducer that operates more efficiently than three-stage reducers. The paddles, end scrapers and liners are cast for long life, and they can be quickly adjusted and replaced. Standard equipment includes a self-diagnostic system that monitors oil and motor temperatures as well as fluid levels in the hydraulic system and gear case. Also included is a hydraulic adjustable discharge door for full or partial discharge.

For more information, call (800) 756-4937, e-mail or visit www.mixersystems.com.

SIMEM purchases American operations
SIMEM America Corp. announced that SIMEM SrL has purchased all outstanding interest in its American operations based in San Antonio from Robert Ober. The North American business operations of SIMEM were founded by Ober in 1994 arising from his concrete machinery distributorship based in Chicago.

SIMEM SrL will purchase the remaining 40 percent of its outstanding stock from Ober, making SIMEM America Corp. a wholly owned subsidiary of the parent company, which is based in Verona, Italy. The purchase of the outstanding shares allows SIMEM SrL to continue its global corporate structuring and allows Ober to resume his plant and mixer development and design activities, including SIMEM products that first brought the parties together.

For more information on SIMEM products, contact David Webb at
(800) 581-8600 or e-mail. Ober’s company, Plant Architects LLC, can be reached at (210) 569-9262 or plantarchitects@aol.com.

SIMEM announces management succession
As part of its continued growth in the U.S. market, SIMEM America Corp. announced that Claudio Carpano has been named chief executive officer of the company, and David Webb has been named director of sales and marketing.

Carpano, who has been associated with SIMEM for more than a year, was a Simem board member, and he brings more than 20 years of top management and consulting experience to the company. He has consulted for a number of companies on global organizational strategic issues and has published and lectured on the topic at major universities in the United States, Latin America and Europe.

Webb joined SIMEM earlier this year after working with the company as a supplier. He brings 15 years of managerial experience and nearly 20 years of mining, aggregate, cement and concrete industry experience to the company. His focus has been managing numerous industrial sales and distribution companies’ startup operations as well as directing industry marketing and sales programs, employee sourcing and training initiatives, and new business development processes.

For more information about SIMEM, contact David Webb at (210) 581-8600 or visit www.simemamerica.com.

Spancrete expands at two locations, offers tours
The Spancrete Group Inc. of Waukesha, Wis., has announced the completion of two building expansions at production facilities in Valders, Wis., and Crystal Lake, Ill. As a result of the newly expanded buildings, Spancrete will increase manufacturing capacities of structural and architectural product lines.

The expansion at the Valders facility focused on expanding the architectural and structural wet-cast product lines. In Crystal Lake, the focus was on Spancrete hollowcore plank. Both facilities feature state-of-the-art concrete batch plants, the company says.

Individuals or groups interested in touring the new facilities are invited to take a plant tour this September and October. Spancrete is offering guided tours of the newly expanded production facilities and its production facility in Waukesha. Register online at www.spancrete.com to arrange a plant tour and earn learning credits for attending.

Sika names marketing director of new construction
Sika Corp. of Lyndhurst, N.J., has announced the appointment of Rusty Winters as director of marketing, new construction. In this position, he will be responsible for the marketing of concrete admixtures and related products in the United States.

Winters possesses a strong professional concrete background in technology and marketing. He has held key positions of manager technical services, group product manager and contractor marketing manager.

MAX USA introduces PowerLite 400 psi systems
MAX USA Corp. of Mineola, N.Y., has introduced its line of PowerLite high-pressure pneumatic nailing systems to the North American market. The 400 psi system’s tools are 40 percent lighter and 20 percent smaller than most other tools without sacrificing power, says the company.

One of the system’s many tools is the PowerLite HN120 Concrete Pinner. The HN120 can drive 0.300-inch head pins into concrete with very little recoil. Its metal housing ensures strength and longevity, yet it weighs just 6.4 pounds. The magazine holds 50 pins and shoots pins from 1 inch to 2.5 inches in length.

The tool comes with three attachments: wood to concrete, drywall to concrete and wood to steel. The HN120 replaces powder- and gas-actuated tools, and does not require cleaning.

For more information, call (800) 223-4293 or visit www.maxusacorp.com.

MAX USA announces new account manager
MAX USA Corp. has promoted Alex Conger to his new position of national HPKD account manager. Conger was first hired by MAX USA in October 2000 as Southeast regional sales manager.

Conger’s responsibilities include introducing the new PowerLite 400 psi System to the North American market and training all existing dealers on the new system.

Hawkeye recognized as ‘Iowa Innovator’
The Hawkeye Group of Mediapolis, Iowa, was recently named an “Iowa Innovator.” The Innovator series is a joint project of the Iowa Newspaper Association and the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Innovator articles describe Iowa companies on the leading edge of technology, business expansion, workforce development and recycling.

Hawkeye, which makes sophisticated equipment and robotics systems for a worldwide customer base of concrete manufacturers, was described as one of southeast Iowa’s best-kept manufacturing secrets in the Innovators article. The company was recognized on many fronts of its 50-year history, including its increased sales to worldwide customers, its current $2 million expansion project that will create 47 new jobs, and custom-designed systems that can take anywhere from 16 weeks to one year to produce.

For more information about Hawkeye, visit www.hawkeye-pipe.com.

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