Concrete Pumping Software by DispatchThis.com

This issue of the Dispatchthis.com newsletter highlights the possibilty of a concrete shortage this year, brought to light by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Washington, D.C.-The Associated General Contractors of America called on Commerce Secretary Gutierrez to intervene in the increasingly dire supply for cement in the U.S. before major economic disruptions occur. In the past week alone, AGC has received reports from contractors and concrete suppliers nationwide documenting quotas, delays and possible layoffs due to cement shortages in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Florida.

"What makes these reports especially alarming is that they are coming at the beginning of the high-demand season for cement, meaning more severe problems are almost certain in the near future," said AGC CEO Stephen E. Sandherr.

In addition, some of the states named had no shortages last year, or at least not so early, meaning that shortages are likely to be even more widespread than in the 35 states where the Portland Cement Association noted shortages or "tight" supplies as of November 2004.

"We urge the Secretary to head off a crisis that could spread throughout the economy by concluding agreements with domestic cement producers to suspend the anti-dumping duty on Mexican cement," Sandherr added.

Mexican cement could reach the U.S. in days by barge or rail, which would reduce congestion and delays for ocean carriers, U.S. ports, and their customers, as well as the construction industry.

AGC has members in every state, including general contractors, specialty and subcontractors, and suppliers of construction goods and services. They perform all types of nonresidential and multi-family construction projects, nearly all of which use cement at some stage and are therefore vulnerable to shortages.

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There was some positive news from the ACPA at the end of May regarding the Fuel Tax Exemption for concrete pumpers.

According to an e-mail update from Christi Collins, Executive Director of the ACPA, the Senate has approved the Transportation Equity Act of 2005. This act includes language introduced by Senator Maria Cantwell to help preserve an exemption of fuel taxes for concrete pumpers.

Section 5307 of the Act calls on the Secretary of the Treasury to "review the technical and administrative feasibility of exempting... nonpropulsive use of highway fuels for the highway motor fuels excise taxes" and to then "propose options for implementing exemptions for classes of vehicles whose nonpropulsive fuel use exceeds 50 percent." These responsibilities are to be completed no later than July 1, 2006.

Though this is a significant step forward, it's not a done deal yet. The senate-proposed bill has a budget figure of $295 billion, which is $11 billion higher than the limit proposed by President Bush. The president has threatened to veto the bill if it comes in higher than $285 billion.

According to the senate website, the most recent action (dated May 26, 2005) taken on the Transportation Equity Act of 2005 was the Senate's designation of conferees to meet with the House to confer about the Resolution. It does not seem that Section 5307, the section apparently including the nonpropulsive fuel language is being debated. For the most current information on this issue, and to find out how you can help, please contact the ACPA.

We appreciate the leadership role the ACPA is taking with this issue which could have an effect on all concrete pumpers.

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Hanley Wood, presenters of the World of Concrete is to be acquired by JP Morgan Partners.

Hanley Wood, based in Washington, D.C., is one of the ten largest business to business media companies in the U.S. with five operating divisions. Hanley Wood Exhibitions (based in Dallas) produces 15 premier construction industry events, four of which are among North America's 200 largest, including World of Concrete, a top 20 trade show.

"This is one of the great b-to-b media franchises in the U.S.," said Mike Hannon, a Partner at J.P. Morgan Partners. "We are excited to work with the management team to accomplish the next phase of the company's growth."

"Our goal is to continue the dramatic growth that Hanley Wood has achieved during our partnership with Veronis Suhler Stevenson," Anton said. "We have a five-year plan in place, called HWX (Hanley Wood Accelerates), to double our existing businesses, and we expect to remain an active acquirer of construction industry magazines, trade shows and data businesses."

How this acquisition will affect the World of Concrete remains to be seen. The added resources of of J.P. Morgan partners could increase the size of the show, bringing in more exhibitors and guests.

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When: July 9th, 2005, 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Claremont Resort and Spa, Berkeley, CA
RSVP: Contact us prior to June 30th. Space is limited.

A year ago, before DispatchThis had even launched, we held a focus group to help us make sure we were designing a product which was right for the industry. Since our product launch at the World of Concrete, we've had a fair amount of success, and attribute much of it the input and feedback we received during our focus group.

Our first focus group included a variety of companies, ranging from a 4 line-pump pumper to a 50 pump company. Reps from CIFA and Schwing also came and shared their knowledge. To the 2004 attendees, we say thank you!

This year attendees will have a chance to hear about what we currently have in development and provide us with feedback and input on future development.

And we'll be serving lunch.

We understand the importance of listening to what concrete pump industry professionals have to say; by attending, you'll have a voice in helping build the industry's newest and most innovative software solution.

If you are interested in attending, please contact us prior to June 30th. We need your help to continue the success of DispatchThis!