ICPI Represented at National Watershed & Stormwater Conference
ICPI staff provided two presentations on permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) at the annual National Watershed & Stormwater Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida. Stormwater agency representatives, consultants, and suppliers from across the U.S. learned about University of Toronto research funded by the ICPI Foundation for Education & Research. Specifically, the research demonstrated as much as a 50% reduction in deicers on PICP compared to asphalt and another presentation was on evaluating cleaning equipment to restore infiltration of highly clogged (i.e., unmaintained) PICP. There was particular interest in cleaning technologies to remove accumulated sediment from neglected permeable, stone-filled joints between the pavers. The stone-filled joints were characterized as an essential component to reducing pollutants compared to other permeable systems’ pavement that allow sediment-filled stormwater runoff to enter vacant spaces between paving units. While claiming essentially no maintenance needed, runoff does directly enter and pass into the open-graded aggregate reservoir layer. In contrast, PICP’s stone-filled joints were characterized as an essential surface filter for capturing and providing a means for routinely removing sediment left by stormwater runoff rather than allowing it to enter the pavement’s reservoir, thereby accelerating sediment accumulation, reducing soil infiltration, and potentially increasing sedimented outflows. Attended by almost 200 people, the national conference was the second where ICPI staff provided presentations. The conference sponsor, The Center for Watershed Protection, has received continued support from ICPI over the past several years by enabling training on PICP design, construction, and maintenance.
ICPI Releases Tech Spec 24 on Structural Design of Slabs and Planks
ICPI Tech Spec 24 entitled “Structural Design of Segmental Concrete Paving Slab and Plank Pavement Systems” provides the amount of vehicular traffic on a range of slab and plank dimensions.
Base options are compacted aggregate or concrete over an aggregate subbase. Designs specifically address weak soil subgrades and lifetime traffic loads up to 30,000 equivalent singe axle loads. Unlike interlocking concrete pavement, slabs and planks offer little if any interlock to spread loads. Therefore, traffic is limited to occasional use by cars and light trucks. Developed from modeling and full-scale load tests, the design method provides tables from which designers can select paving unit dimensions and soil strength to determine the appropriate traffic level. The easy-to-use bulletin aimed at landscape architects and civil engineers is available for download.
ICPI Presents Design Guidance for Slabs and Planks Subject to Vehicular Traffic
With the increasing number of ICPI members manufacturing and installing concrete paving slabs and planks, a key design question is how much vehicular traffic can they take? While most at-grade applications are for pedestrian use only, designers are pushing slabs and planks into a growing number of vehicular applications unaware of the risks for damage. On March 31, 2022, Bryan Horr, P.E. presented the latest guidance on the limited amount of vehicular traffic slabs and planks can accept. Key points in his presentation included:
Differences between slabs and pavers
Design elements and applications for slabs and planks
Modeling and full-scale load testing outcomes (see below photo)
Structural design guidance in the new ICPI Tech Spec 24: Structural Design of Segmental Concrete Paving Slab and Plank Pavement Systems
The recorded webinar is available to view.
Free for members; $50 for non-members.
Pat Dubbert Bestowed With NCMA Lifetime Achievement Award
Patrick C. Dubbert, retired from Midwest Block & Brick, Inc., Jefferson City, Missouri, was presented with NCMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award on March 2, 2022, at the association’s Annual Meeting held at The Westin at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
This award is NCMA’s highest recognition for achievement or service by individuals through a member company (or companies). The award recognizes those individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to directly advance the industry and/or the association in a profound and lasting manner.
Pat was raised in the small rural community of Meta, Missouri. The population at the time of Pat’s birth was about 350 people. Throughout his life, Pat has made quite an impression on his hometown.
As a young man, Pat excelled in sports, playing high school football and competing as an accomplished competitive wrestler. He set a high school wrestling record in 1969 for quickest pin – 7 seconds – a state record that still stands today. After high school graduation in 1970, Pat continued participating in both sports at Central Missouri State University. In college, Pat helped lead the football team to the 1970 Division II national championship game. He also excelled in college wrestling, going all the way to the National Tournament in 1973. Pat was later inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in both football and wrestling.
In his freshman year of college, his path crossed with his future wife Marsha. They originally met in grade school but attended different high schools and colleges. He graduated with a B.S. in marketing from Central Missouri State University in 1974 and he and Marsha were married in August of that same year.
His summers were spent working construction jobs, but, just out of college, Pat joined Proctor and Gamble, and for a couple of years he sold a variety of consumer products.
Pat was lured away from Proctor and Gamble to become a sales rep for the Missouri Portland Cement Company. While he was a successful sales rep for the cement producer, his true goal was to pursue opportunities where he could have ownership of a company. In 1983 when one of Pat’s block customers asked him to partner in their company, he jumped at the chance. Then simply known as the Midwest Building Block Company, Pat went on to serve as CEO from 1983 to 2019 where he oversaw all aspects of the company, including production, sales and marketing, distribution and accounting.
He took great pride in building homes, businesses, and the economy of mid-Missouri. Under his tenure, the original one-plant company grew to over 20 locations, becoming Missouri’s largest masonry supplier.
Pat became an active member of NCMA in the late 80s. He was one of the founders and key promoters of the original ‘Fastest Trowel on the Block’ program. He even emceed the national competition at NCMA tradeshows.
Pat always viewed tradeshows as a vital way to ensure producers and suppliers worked collaboratively. For over a decade, his leadership kept tradeshows relevant, navigating through industry consolidation and challenging economic times. He worked to come up with new tradeshow formats (such as the popular Business to Business Exchange) and introduce new features (like virtual plant tours).
He always understood the critical role these events played in the prosperity and success of NCMA as a national trade organization. NCMA is indebted to Pat for his personal level of investment in this area.
Pat Dubbert’s passion for business was frequently recognized. He won the Missouri/Kansas Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002, the same year he was the Chairman of NCMA. He was also nominated for an Ernst & Young national award.
From a plan sketched out on the back of a napkin, Pat, along with Scott Weber, conceived and founded Concrete Products Group (CPG), a consortium of top concrete masonry producers. CPG was organized to provide consistent, top-quality products to regional and national customers.
Very few past chairs of NCMA have demonstrated Pat’s continual level of engagement. In the 20 years since his term as Chairman, he remained a passionate supporter of the association, investing his own personal energy to create opportunities for industry growth.
Pat has always been an advocate for innovations that improve the manufacturing, design and construction of concrete masonry. He personally led a campaign to raise $500,000 to support the Building Information Modeling for Masonry (BIM-M) initiative.
His relationships and advocacy efforts were critical to the passage of the 2018 Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education and Promotion Act. Pat’s proximity to and relationship with Senator Roy Blunt, one of the original sponsors of that bill, were instrumental in getting this vital legislation through Congress.
Pat’s wife Marsha has always played an active role in supporting the company and the industry. They have been married 48 years. Together with their three children– Jodi, Jami and Bo and six grandchildren, the two represent the very meaning of family.
In retirement, Pat admits he’s still “a bit of a workaholic”. He has a new venture, Triumph Solutions, where he’s working with both of his daughters and son to establish a new successful company
“Congratulations. Thanks for being a mentor and an even better friend. – Johnny Fizzano, Vice President, Fizzano Brothers Concrete Products, Inc.
For all his industry accomplishments and long-time unwavering support, NCMA is pleased to award its Lifetime Achievement Award to Pat Dubbert.
Kent Waide Inducted into NCMA’s Hall of Fame
Kent Waide, former owner of Ruby Concrete Company in Madison, Kentucky, was presented with NCMA’s Hall of Fame award on March 2, 2022, at the association’s Annual Meeting held at The Westin at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
NCMA’s Hall of Fame award is presented to the industry’s most valued participants whose careers are highlighted by continual accomplishments on the industry’s behalf, and who have demonstrated unquestioned dedication to NCMA’s highest values. Induction into the Hall of Fame also bestows Honorary Membership to the association.
Kent grew up in, and derives much of his identity from, his hometown of Madisonville in Western Kentucky. He briefly left his home state for Oklahoma to swim competitively for Oral Roberts University before returning home to work and complete the next phase of his education, obtaining an MBA degree in finance from Murray State University in 1991.
Like many of NCMA’s Hall of Famers, Kent’s path to the concrete masonry industry originated with family. Kent’s father, Harry Waide, started working at Ruby Concrete in 1953. Harry worked his way up in the business and eventually became the owner. After 12 years in banking, Ken joined his father in the family business in 1998.
With his return to the concrete masonry business, Kent knew he needed to update his understanding of the industry and hone new leadership skills. He turned to NCMA and learned from the top innovators of the day.
In 2008, the family embarked on the construction of a new production facility, designed to help the company move beyond its roots as a supplier to the coal-mining industry.
His competitive drive and his natural activism led him to become a passionate advocate for the commodity checkoff program for concrete masonry.
In 2018, Kent was named NCMA’s Chair of the Board. Many were surprised that he could convert his deadpan stoicism into impressive oration. He delivered one of the more notable addresses in which he challenged the audience to imagine what the future can be for concrete masonry.
During his year as Chair, the association embarked on a new branding effort. His only request in the process was “any color other than orange!” And yet… that’s what he got.
With a great appreciation for history, Kent could not have been more honored to serve as the association’s chair during NCMA’s 100th Anniversary and to preside over the centennial celebration in Chicago.
In the fall of 2018, Kent hosted key meetings of the NCMA Board in his home state of Kentucky. Asked what he appreciates most about his experience with NCMA, he notes the relationships and shared experiences with true friends cultivated through a common mission and vision.
Things changed dramatically for Kent in his family in 2019 when the bank recalled the loans that Ruby Concrete had undertaken to help transform and diversify their business for the future. While frustrated and disappointed, Kent never lost faith that God simply had other plans for him.
Today, Kent is still helping Western Kentucky businesses, and in particular, manufacturing companies grow and thrive. He is educating and consulting with manufacturing companies through the Advantage Kentucky Alliance, part of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a state-federal program under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
His analytical nature lends itself to other passions, such as golf, where he has been known to “school” a few of his other industry colleagues.
But his competitive drive can clearly be traced to swimming. An accomplished competitive swimmer himself, to many in his hometown, he is known better as Coach Waide.
Kent has been blessed to share his life and successes with his family that he adores and who equally loves him back.
“No one is more deserving than you are for all the hard work and effort you put into our association over the years. You focused your efforts on the entire masonry industry and I thank you for that. – Tom Finch, Vice President Sales & Marketing, RCP Block & Brick, Inc.
Kent is humbled by this recognition for which he is so deserving. NCMA is pleased to induct Kent Waide into its Hall of Fame.
Contractors Report 27% Increase in Sales in 2021
Gross sales for concrete paver contractors in the United States and Canada increased by 27% during 2021, according to a new survey released by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI).
The 2022 ICPI Contractor Industry Report identified trends based on responses from 177 segmental concrete pavement installation contractors. Survey respondents included ICPI members and non-members and was conducted by Industry Insights of Columbus, Ohio for ICPI.
“Concrete paver contractors continue to experience substantial growth in sales each year,” said Paul Pignatelli, ICPI Board Chair. “This report also confirms the ongoing challenge of recruiting and hiring employees. ICPI and NCMA remain dedicated to workforce development initiatives through HardscapingIs to attract new people and provide ongoing training to those already in the industry through installer courses.”
Other key findings include:
A 10% salary/wage increase for employees
64,615 average total square feet of pavers installed per company
Product availability reported as a challenge for 70% of respondents
The study includes insight on gross sales, employment situations, technology data, as well as company promotion and certification trends.
Joe Bowen Inducted Into NCMA’s Hall of Fame
Joe Bowen, retired President and current Executive Chair of Mutual Materials of Bellevue, Washington, was inducted into the NCMA Hall of Fame on March 2, 2022, at the association’s Annual Meeting held at The Westin at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
NCMA’s Hall of Fame award is presented to the industry’s most valued participants whose careers are highlighted by continual accomplishments on the industry’s behalf, and who have demonstrated unquestioned dedication to NCMA’s highest values. Induction into the Hall of Fame also bestows Honorary Membership to the association.
Joe Bowen grew up in Great Falls, Montana. Great Falls is known for its rich history, going back to the Lewis & Clark expedition. In 1805, adventurers spent a month in the region after they were forced to carry their canoes ten miles around the river. While there, the explorers discovered Giant Springs, one of the largest freshwater springs in the United States.
Joe was the oldest of five children, attended Great Falls High School and went on to study at the University of Montana in Missoula.
It was during college that Joe began dating his future wife, Therese. They had both grown up in Great Falls and first met in Junior High while snow skiing. The two were married in 1977 and September 2022 will mark their 45th wedding anniversary.
Joe studied economics before switching his major to accounting. He graduated from the University of Montana Business School in 1979. He later passed his CPA exam and moved from Missoula to Seattle, WA, where he joined the nationally known accounting and consulting firm Touche Ross.
Joe’s primary practice areas were financial institutions, construction, and real estate development.
In 1985, Joe was hired away by a former firm partner and mentor who represented NC Machinery, a long-time family-owned Caterpillar dealer with operations in Washington and Alaska.
Joe worked in both finance and corporate roles and by 1989, he was promoted to manage and lead four branch operations in Alaska. It was during his time at NC Machinery that he developed lifelong leadership and management skills.
In 1993, when the 4th generation owners of the historic CAT dealer decided to sell the business, Joe returned to Seattle to assist in the sale of the private company.
By 1995, a recruiter pursued Joe for a position at Mutual Materials Company, another long-time family-owned business, founded back in 1900.
Within two years of joining Mutual Materials, Joe took over distribution and was promoted to Vice President. With the support of management and shareholders, Joe was able to increase the market penetration of Mutual Materials further across the Pacific Northwest.
That expansion earned him a 2003 promotion to president and chief operating officer. Over the course of Joe’s tenure, the size of the Company continued to grow. Mutual Materials went from base operations in Washington and Oregon to manufacturing and distribution investments in Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia.
Early on, Jim Anderegg, one of the owners and president of Mutual Materials, introduced Joe to both NCMA and the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute. Jim’s philosophy was to not only provide monetary support but to also contribute human capital to participate in committees and serve in leadership roles.
Over the years, Joe served on a number of important NCMA committees and on the Board of Directors and the NCMA Foundation Board of Trustees. He was named NCMA Chairman of the Board in 2015 and believes that experience made him a better president and later, Executive Chairman of Mutual Materials.
He says being a part of NCMA, working with its staff and collaborating with talented people from around the country was a wonderful experience for him. He became friends with many industry leaders and to this day, greatly values those relationships.
With Mutual Materials being a major hardscape producer, Joe also served as Chair of ICPI in 2006-2008. It’s believed he’s the first individual to have been chair of both organizations.
He was also an active supporter of the Concrete Masonry Checkoff program, making many trips to Washington D.C. to lobby for legislation to create the program.
Today, Joe actively enjoys a number of outdoor activities including snow skiing, cycling and mountain climbing. Joe had an amazing experience participating in ten grueling stages of the Tour of Italy, a prestigious multiple-stage bicycle race that’s been held since 1909.
And, like all true Washingtonians, he has spent much time at Mount Rainer utilizing his mountaineering skills to take on climbs of ‘The Mountain’.
Going forward, Joe and Therese hope that as COVID subsides they will be able to return to traveling internationally. In the meantime, they are enjoying spending time with their large family, including their three married children, daughter Sarah, and twins Meghan and Tyler. All of their children are married to fabulous partners and have given them five grandchildren to spoil.
“I’ve enjoyed working with you these past fifteen years, and I’ve seen your commitment to the industry and your leadership ability addressing important issues at both the state and national level.” – Tom Young, Executive Director, Northwest Concrete Masonry Association.
NCMA is pleased to add Joe Bowen to its Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant accomplishments and contributions to both the concrete masonry and hardscape products industries.
Hardscape Installation Draws a Crowd at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition
From March 16-19, 2022, students from across the United States gathered at the North Carolina State University for the 46th Annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) organized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).
The NCLC is the largest national competition and career recruitment event for college students studying horticulture and landscaping, with approximately 530 students from 41 colleges competing each year in 31 events. Students demonstrate their skills in tree climbing, patio building, identifying horticulture specimens, skid steer operation, sales presentations, exterior/interior design, irrigation troubleshooting, wood construction, and more.
On March 16, students attended workshops to sharpen their knowledge and abilities on a wide range of topics related to the landscape industry and completed qualification exams that would allow them to participate in the competitive events. A Career Fair started on March 17 which several ICPI members participated including Belgard, Ewing, Grunder Landscaping Co., Lifescape, Para Space Landscaping, Permaloc, SiteOne, Southview Design, and Weller Brothers Landscaping. In the afternoon competitive event briefings were held to inform the students about the details, procedures, and requirements of the events. On March 18 each student was allowed to participate in up to three events. ICPI staff provided support for the workshop, competition briefing, and hardscape installation event.
In the Hardscape Installation event, 31 teams constructed an 8 ft x 8 ft interlocking concrete pavement patio in a basketweave pattern with a soldier course and L-shaped seat wall. Teams were given 110 minutes to compete the task. All teams did well, and each fought the clock right to the very last second. Afterwards each installation was evaluated by a team of judges and scores were awarded for accuracy, structural soundness, site cleanup, and safety. In the end the following students/schools were named the Top 3.
HARDSCAPE INSTALLATION
First Place
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS – AMHERST
JOSEPH CONTARDO and AMANDA RAMSDELL
Second Place
COLUMBUS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
OWEN FORCHIONE and AJ MCCOY
Third Place
SUNY COBLESKILL
MICHAEL FASANELLA and NICHOLAS KIMBALL
Belgard and Permaloc will be sponsoring the first and second place teams to compete at Hardscape North America, October 19-21, in Louisville KY, in the 2022 HNA Installer Championship.
ICPI staff also took the opportunity to promote the licensing of the Concrete Paver Installer Course to schools that are currently not qualified to teach the course to their students.
Landscape and horticulture graduates are in high demand. The chronic workforce shortage in the landscape industry means there is plenty of opportunity for students to select their desired career paths and locations. The NCLC brings students and companies together to build a strong future for the industry.
ICPI Contributes to ASCE Stormwater Operation & Maintenance Conference
As part of ICPI’s continued efforts to increase awareness of permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) advantages and best maintenance practices, ICPI members and staff presented two technical sessions on PICP deicing and maintenance equipment at the ASCE Operation and Maintenance of Stormwater Control Measures Conference in Wilmington, NC on March 13-16, 2022.
Bryan Horr, P.E. presented ICPI Foundation-funded research by the University of Toronto demonstrating as much as a 50% reduction in deicer use in a breakout session attended by 23 people. Another breakout session on best PICP cleaning equipment and practices attracted 26 attendees.
Organized by ICPI members, an outdoor demo of cleaning equipment attracted 35 participants. The demo brought home the effectiveness of cleaning with high-pressure air and vacuum by measuring before and after-cleaning surface infiltration rates on 12-year-old, clogged PICP. Overall, the ASCE conference highlighted advances in operation and maintenance of gray and green stormwater control infrastructure, life cycle cost analysis, lessons learned from the field, and more. The conference attracted hundreds of academic instructors, state and municipal engineers, planners, public works staff, consultants, and stormwater regulators.
ICPI and NCMA Members Approve Unification
The votes have been submitted and tallied, and the memberships of both ICPI and NCMA have approved unification by wide margins. Both organizations achieved the 2/3 majority vote required for approval with ICPI members voting 81% in favor and NCMA members voting 97% in favor, with both associations significantly exceeding quorum requirements for the vote. Thanks to all voting members for their attention to this important issue and to the ICPI-NCMA Unification Committee members for their hard work.
With this approval, NCMA and ICPI will unify effective July 1, 2022 under the transition name ‘ICPI-NCMA’. Until that time, each association will operate as they do now.
The unified association will accomplish more for members as a stronger, more influential single organization focused on the advancement and greater use of manufactured concrete products.
A Transition Committee is in place to work through the details of facilitating unification. This committee, jointly appointed by the Boards of ICPI and NCMA, consists of the officers of each association, the chairs of the Unification Committee, and Transition Task Group chairs.
Until July 1, 2022, each association will continue to operate as normal. You will continue to receive all the member benefits of the association(s) of which you are a member and dues will be remitted to your association(s) as usual. The Transition Committee will keep you informed of its efforts and plans for transition to the unified association. The first official meeting of the unified association will be the Midyear Meeting.