PCI Update

As of March 1st, PCI will have a fresh and intuitive look with our redesigned website. The site has been designed and scripted to deliver significantly simplified navigation tools. Also part of this upgrade are a massively improved search routine, the latest up-to-date news, and increased member content.

Visit www.pci.org and see what the new PCI has to offer!

Cement: The number of states experiencing cement shortages is down about half to about 15 states. Cement supplies will remain tight as demand keeps rising faster than domestic production or transport capacity (available ships for imports). Cement shortages have driven prices in the Minneapolis area up 14% over February 2005’s level. This follows an 11% price increase during the previous year. For a 20 city average, prices in February are up 4.8% over a year ago. Normally Portland cement prices hold steady during the winter months, waiting for the traditional spring price increase. However, the weather has done little to chill price activity. Portland cement prices rose 1.1% in February. More >>

The first PCI Public School was the week of January 30. There was a Level I, II, and III school that started on Monday and ended Saturday morning. In addition, Ed McDougle taught a Certified Field Auditor (CFA) School that also started Monday morning. He finished Wednesday afternoon. Thursday and Friday morning there was a Certified Company Auditor (CCA) school. This year (2006) all erectors must be PCI Qualified to erect product in Groups A and C, produced by a PCI Producer Member. To know what is involved, the easiest way is to attend one of the PCI Certified Field Auditor (CFA) Schools scheduled for this year. More >>

The broad use of precast, prestressed concrete pavements (PPCP) may be closer than you think. PCI has been monitoring and fostering this market for more than five years. Numerous presentations have been made by federal, state and consulting engineers at the PCI Annual Convention or National Bridge Conference over the years.

PCI was asked to present the industry's perspective at an international concrete pavement conference last August in Colorado Springs.

During the later part of last year, PCI produced a 19-minute video on DVD, titled, "Precast, Prestressed Concrete Pavement: Paving the Road to the Future." The video was funded by the American Wire Producers Association (strand producers), the Post-Tensioning Institute and PCI. The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Manufacturers Association of California and Doug Mooradian were instrumental in starting the project. Limited copies of the DVD are available to PCI members. Contact John Dick at JDick@PCI.org

The PCI 2004 Annual Financial Cost Data Survey is now available. Please contact Cindi Ward at 312-360-3214 or email cward@pci.org.

Costs
Non-participants: $720/copy
Participants: $360 first copy, $25 for each additional copy

Have you ever wondered how people end up in the precast concrete industry? Most of today's leaders got involved with precast when it was still a new business. They were young men, fresh from college or the military, who were looking for a career path and they were daring enough to give a new industry a chance. Thanks to their enterprising spirit the precast industry is now a multi-billion dollar business. In honor of those experts, Fister Quarries has teamed up with Upper Canada Stone to bring you the stories of the people who made this business great. These "Industry Icon" profiles tell the tales of such familiar pioneers as Charles Wilson, Mario Bertolini, Bruce Taylor, Jim Clark, and many others. More >>

A Committee on Transportation (COT) has been formed to better serve this market. Formerly known as the Bridge Coordinating Committee, the COT will reside in the PCI Market Plans group. The COT will have the following committees under its oversight:

Bridge Producers Committee
Sound Walls Committee
Marine Structures and Foundations Committee
Highway Pavements Committee (proposed)

The new committee will have a limited number of members who represent the committees listed above as well as representatives of the Pile Committee and Bridge Committee. COT's role is to provide overall coordination for PCI's bridge and transportation-related activities, provide guidance for the maintenance and promotion of the Bridge Design Manual, help determine market needs, contribute advice on issues of advertising and public relations, and be a catalyst for the development of technical documents needed by the design community. The co-chairs of the new committee are Chuck Prussack and Reid Castrodale of Central Pre-Mix Prestress Co. and the Carolina Stalite Company respectively.

If you're a bridge producer or have an interest in transportation markets, PCI Committee Days is the place to be. PCI's many committees meet from Wednesday, April 26 through Saturday, April 29. More >>

In response to several requests, the development of a Precast Concrete Pavements Committee is being proposed. The committee will meet at PCI Committee Days on Friday, April 28th, from 1:30-5:00 P.M. Anyone interested in attending this meeting to stay abreast of this unfolding market is urged to contact John Dick at PCI headquarters to get more information about the agenda and preparation material to help you prepare for the meeting. We'll further keep you informed as details develop. Call 312-360-3205 or write to JDick@PCI.org

PCI-FHWA National Bridge Conference
Presentations are being sought for this year's conference that will be held alongside PCI's Annual Convention at Grapevine, Texas, October 23-25.

Producer Members are especially encouraged to submit an abstract for a PowerPoint presentation at the Conference. Select a project that involves production, handling or construction that would be of interest to your fellow producers. Some pictures and an interesting story is all that's required. These project reports are in demand and always greatly appreciated.

Professional Members are likewise encouraged to submit an abstract for a paper to be published in the Proceedings and presented at the Conference.

The procedures and website link to submit the abstract can be found on PCI's website, HERE

2006 Bridge Design Awards
PCI Bridge Producers should note that the Call for Entries is now on the website. Deadline for entries is May 19, 2006. Consider all of the favorite projects you participated in over the past two years. Contact the designer of record and encourage them to enter. They'll be flattered that you care and appreciate their work. You might even volunteer to help them get good photography if needed. We can help encourage them to enter. Just let me know of the project and contact name and we'll extend a complimentary invitation. Remember, the Design Awards Program is arguably the most important promotional program conducted by PCI. From the judges to the press releases to the award winners, this is a win-win for you and the industry. Help make it a success. Write JDick@PCI.org

Bridge Design Manual Seminars
Your PCI bridge committees have created a one-day seminar program that does two things: 1), describes the contents of the 1,400-page Bridge Design Manual in an interesting format, and 2), presents a detailed design example using the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. The design example is in demand as all of the state DOTs are finalizing their transition to the LRFD Specs. The seminars are designed to be promoted and conducted by producers or state and regional PCI offices. Often, these will be in co-sponsorship with a state DOT. Later this spring, detailed seminar planning assistance will be mailed to all PCI Producer Members. In the meantime, if producers want to get an early start, just contact me at headquarters, JDick@PCI.org

PCI Committee Days
PCI Committee Days will take place at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel April 26-30, 2006 in Chicago, IL. PCI committees convene at Committee Days to discuss current and future PCI initiatives as well as our efforts to promote the industry and fight for the issues faced everyday. Attendees are invited to register online or by downloading the registration form below.

A full Committee Days schedule and event/hotel registration information are available online HERE

TechnoQuest 2006 (DUBLIN)
The annual PCI technology tour will visit Dublin, Ireland and the surrounding area for eight days (seven nights) beginning May 3. The primary purpose of TechnoQuest is to allow executives to familiarize themselves firsthand with new plant technologies and make contacts with the people who use and supply these technologies. Many of these plants are normally closed to visitors and made accessible only by special arrangement. The tour will also offer cultural tours for all companions. We have secured attractive rates at the five-star Westbury Hotel in Dublin, but only for a limited number of participants. If you are interested, please visit http://www.pci.org to review the announcement and to register for this exciting opportunity.

Appeal for Bridge Project Information
PCI staff has an important need to be knowledgeable about current applications of the industry's products and expertise. We field questions about possible bridge solutions and techniques. We are asked to speak at various venues about the industry's capabilities and examples of current projects. A very simple way for us to stay current is YOU! From the time a project is awarded through the time it is finished; please think of us and forward descriptions and photos. Email to JDick@PCI.org or just call 312-360-3205. We will certainly appreciate your help!