RockBlog
Marketing Your Construction Firm on the Cheap
This article byNick Ganaway, Construction Business Management, LLC, comes from Reed Construction Data. Tolearn more, please visit: http://app.learn.reedconstructiondata.com/e/es.aspx?s=2521&e=2561&elq=827dcd80b5764fb591934ae7ad9f7125If you're a smaller contractor, don’t make the mistake of thinking marketing and business development apply only to the big guys. A marketing program is needed to make your company known to your potential customers and give them reasons to do business with you. And even if you intend to stay small, you have to stir the pot of ... Read More
Just Say Yes
Editor’s Note: This July 2010 issue of Aggregates Manager highlights the customer service approaches championed by Bruce W. Woolpert, President and CEO of Graniterock from 1987 to 2012.Just Say YesNext to price and product quality, customer service is the key for contractors who purchase aggregates. Nearly two in three say that it is very important in their procurement decisions.By Therese Dunphy, Editor-in-ChiefThree simple words underlie the success of Watsonville, Calif.-based Graniterock: Yes, we will. More than ... Read More
California Business Leaders Speak Out on the Economy
The California Federation of Commerce and Education released its 2012 survey of business executives. Business executives are slightly more optimistic about the State’s economy as well as the prospects for their own businesses. But they continue to have a poor outlook on the long-term California business climate, mainly citing overregulation as the main problem. Eighty percent stated California was "on the wrong track" while only 19% felt that California is "going in the right direction." While ... Read More
CONGRESS PASSES 90-DAY TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION
Facing expiration of the latest extension of highway spending authorization on Saturday, March 31, the House and Senate passed a 90-day extension (the 9th) allowing for funding of the highway and transit programs and collection of the federal motor fuels taxes (the gas tax) to continue through the end of June. The bill will now go to the President who is expected to sign it before the current extension expires. With both the House and Senate ... Read More
Permeable Aggregate Systems for Playing Fields
It’s no doubt that synthetic athletic fields are becoming more popular. Organizations that decide to install synthetic fields have realized lower maintenance costs and better playability. Using a sophisticated system of drainage channels, filter fabrics and specialized aggregate, a well-designed field draws water quickly from the turf layer allowing year-round play and reliable playability in wet weather.The aggregate blends underlying the turf are extremely important components of the athletic field system and must be designed correctly ... Read More
Tender Asphalt Mixes - Causes and Cures
A“tender” asphalt mix usually refers to a mix that is difficult to compact. It may have a tendency to shove under the roller wheels and/ or leave longitudinal cracks at the edge of the steel drums. Either a lack of friction between particles or a lack of shear strength in the mix essentially causes tenderness. Both these problems can be the result of many factors, the most common of which we will discuss.Aggregate Properties: 1. Particle ... Read More
Fog Sealing Older Pavements
In its “A Basic Asphalt Emulsion Manual”, the Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association and theAsphalt Institute describe a fog seal as a “light application of slow-setting emulsion sprayed on an existing asphalt surface.” Properly applied and applied at the right time, a fog seal can be a valuable aid in the maintenance of an asphalt pavement. The question is, what is the proper application and when is the right time to use fog seals in a pavement ... Read More
Tender Pavements
A tender or slow-setting asphalt pavement is defined as one that scuffs under horizontally applied shearing loads after compaction has been completed, such as when power steering turns are made by a stationary vehicle. There are several causes of “tender pavements” including a faulty mix design, low compaction, and liquid asphalt saturation. Although each of these causes contributes to tender pavement, the most common root cause of a tender asphalt pavement is premature application of a ... Read More
Trouble Brewing…The Disaster of California State Pensions
Trouble Brewing…The Disaster of California State PensionsBy Stuart Buck, Distinguished Doctoral Fellow, Department of Education Reform, University of Arkansas, (abridged)\California has promised its public employees lavish pensions and retiree healthbenefits without setting aside nearly enough money to pay for those benefits. As aresult, California already admits to a $75.5 billion shortfall in paying for those promisesto public employees—$40.5 billion for the teachers’ retirement plan (California StateTeachers’ Retirement System, or CalSTRS) and $35 billion for the California ... Read More
Be Aware: New Sales And Use Tax Rates And Changes In Vehicle Registration Renewals
Effective July 1, 2011, the statewide sales and use tax rate is set to decrease from 8.25% to 7.25%. In municipalities where there are voter-approved district taxes, the total tax related to sales will be the statewide base tax rate of 7.25% plus the applicable district tax. Please see http://www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/pdf/Pending_Rates-07-11.pdf for a complete list of changes and RatesAlso, for vehicle registration renewal fees due July 1, 2011 and later:• State law requires DMV to implement changes ... Read More
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