Aggregate Choices for concrete

Aggregate is the particulate material that provides structure to concrete, such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone. Choosing the appropriate aggregate for the concrete mixtures is extremely important to the performance of the concrete. Aggregate can occupy up to 75% volume of the concrete. There are also more recent types of concrete, such as Confoam by Conco, that use only fine aggregate to create lightweight concrete. That means that the choice of aggregate greatly affects the strength, weight, cost, and other properties of the concrete.

Sustainable Concrete - The Environmental Benefits of Concrete

Concrete is part of the movement towards more environmentally sustainable built environments. As cities and urban centers grew throughout the 20th century and environmental impacts of the built environment became better understood, sustainable building practices have become a focus of industries and states across the country. Documented by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Certification, sustainable building practices include concrete as a major building material. Concrete’s capacity to recycle materials, its thermal properties, and other characteristics make it a sustainable choice for many building projects, including concrete contractor projects in Portland.

ICF Wall Systems

Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) systems are being used in everything from single story buildings to 20+ story high-rises.  Common types of projects include single and multifamily residential housing, hotels, offices, educational and healthcare facilities, manufacturing and warehouse buildings and others.    

Our Geographical Footprint has Grown Over the Last Several Years

If you have not followed The Conco Companies over the last several years, you may not know that our geographical footprint has considerably grown.  Our service areas now include: the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Jose, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego, CA,  Reno, NV,  Seattle, WA,  Portland OR, and Denver and Colorado Springs, CO.   

Quality Used Equipment for Sale

The Conco Companies owns and operates one of the industry’s largest fleets of state-of-the-art concrete pumps, cranes, Telebelts and other ancillary equipment.  As we are fortunate to be in a position to be able to buy brand new equipment, we occasionally sell off our older pumps and trucks that still have plenty of life in them to the public.  Currently we have two HTC 8670 fully equipped Link-Belt Telescopic Truck Cranes for sale.  The two trucks, a 1999 and a 2001, have had the benefit of receiving regular maintenance performed by our trained specialty mechanics throughout their lifetime.    

Our Crane #11951 is a 1999 Model HTC-8670, Serial #F219-2475.  The truck has a Detroit Series 60 engine with 21,138.5 hours of usage.  It has a capacity of 70.00, and two winches as well as a load block and ball.  The boom extends to 115 feet and the 2-piece jib to 61 feet.  It also comes with an auxiliary sheave.  The truck is located in California and is rated as “very good” condition.   

Conco’s other truck for sale, Crane #11952, Serial #F2J2-5418 is a 2001 Model HTC 8670 and is also offered fully equipped.  The Link Belt Telescopic Truck Crane’s specifications include a Detroit Series 60 engine, 18,923.6 hours of usage and two winches.  The crane truck has a load block and ball and is equipped with a 115 foot boom and a 2 piece jib that extends 61 feet as well as an auxiliary sheave.  The 2001 HTC-8670 is also located in California and rated as “very good” condition.   

Please visit Conco’s website for contact information regarding the trucks’ prices and any other questions you may have.  While you are there, take a look at some of our projects we have been involved with throughout the Western United States. 

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services throughout the Western U.S.  We got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products and are now one of the foremost concrete contractors in the region. Our concrete services include commercial, educational, industrial and public works projects as well as parking structures.

Conco Proudly Supports Innovative CSU-Chico Concrete Program

The Conco Companies are a proud supporter of the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program at California State University, Chico. As one of the only programs of its kind in the Western half of the United States, CIM uniquely combines the academic curriculum of concrete sciences with practical business management skills and networking opportunities. CIM Graduates are prepared to become future leaders within the large and thriving concrete industry. In fact, in the last two years, 100% of program graduates have landed jobs in the concrete industry.  

CIM is truly unique not only in its ability to teach fundamental concrete industry skills to young, excited students. It also leverages the expertise of leaders from across the concrete industry, including Conco, who have contributed over $2 million in direct support for the programs efforts. CEOs and executive leaders at Fortune 500 companies in the concrete industry are frequent program lecturers, mentors, and speakers. Giving students the ability to rub elbows with the industry’s most respected leaders inspires and educates them on how to become the leaders of tomorrow.  

The CIM program is also hands on. Jerry Hight, Assistant Dean and Development Director at CSU Chico raves about student involvement in real construction projects in their area. “The Alcatraz project, the I-80 Cal-Trans project, are all opportunities for students to take the technology that they have learned in the classroom and apply it in a hands on fashion,” says Hight. Conco encourages anyone seeking a strong foundation in both the business and science of the concrete industry to check out CSU’s program. Donors and supporters of the program are constantly recruiting these amazing students and career opportunities for hardworking graduates are plentiful. 

Conco is one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  While we tackle projects both big and small, our experience includes providing the entire cast-in-place concrete for the Wilshire Grand, the tallest building west of the Mississippi, along with other notable projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

 

5 Concrete Sustainability Facts

Builders looking to work with environmentally conscious materials should look no further than concrete. Concrete is abundant, locally available, and conveniently highly energy efficient and sustainable. Don’t just take our word for it, check out these five facts about concrete’s sustainability and see why concrete outshines the rest.

Thermal Mass

Thermal mass measures a materials capacity to absorb and release heat. Concrete has a high thermal mass, allowing it to absorb lots of heat and then release that heat slowly over time. This creates a consistent temperature (eliminates wild temperate fluctuations) and reduces the energy needs of the building.

Emission Free

Concrete is completely chemically inert once fully cured; thus, it does not contain any toxic chemicals nor will it release any harmful gases or toxic materials if it comes in contact with outside chemical agents.

Recyclable

Concrete can be broken down into an aggregate dust or large chunks and reused as material for roads, walls, and other applications. This, combined with a culture of recycling in the construction community, creates a situation where very little concrete ends up in landfills. This is great because concrete is not biodegradable.

Cost Effective

Given how durable, versatile, energy efficient, and low maintenance concrete is, it is one of the most cost-effective building materials to use in the long-term.

Low Carbon Footprint

Innovations in concrete, such as low carbon cement, combined with its unparalleled sustainability features listed above make concrete one of the lowest carbon footprint building materials. In fact, concrete is the building material of choice for LEED certified buildings: possibly contributing 20 points towards the minimum 26 points necessary to quality for LEED certification.

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development.

Our Expanded Geographic Footprint Includes Reno, NV

The Conco Companies are the premier commercial concrete contractors for the Western United States and offer exceptional services to clients in the Reno, Nevada area.  We bring our vast experience to projects both big and small and offer the unique perspective of   executing innovative, cost-effective solutions.  In addition we have earned a reputation for delivering projects on time and on budget, and do so by utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and modern, technologically advanced facilities to serve our growing markets.   

For each of our projects, Conco’s team of highly skilled professionals collaborates and partners with clients starting in the pre-construction phase right through to the finished product.  Our portfolio includes many of the most notable and challenging projects constructed throughout the West over the last several decades.  Our extensive experience includes multi-residential, educational, healthcare, parking structures, and industrial construction as well as public sector work. 

Furthermore, our fleet of modern, up-to-date boom pumps and equipment allow us to provide the safest, most efficient concrete pumping for even the most challenging projects. All of our concrete pump operators are ACPA certified and adhere to the highest industry safety standards. We are proud of our pumping division’s excellent safety record and work every day to make sure we keep it.

Much of Conco’s success can be attributed to our willingness to advance and implement the latest concrete industry’s methodologies and techniques.  We also continue to invest in state-of-the-art equipment to do the job more cost-effectively as well as to purchase equipment that helps to reduce emissions at the jobsite.  In addition our entire workforce is routinely trained in the latest safety regulations and protocols.  Please visit our website for contact information, and while you are there, take a look at our featured portfolio of projects for examples of the scope of Conco’s experience. 

The Conco Companies’ mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Sustainable Building Practices are Good for the Environment and Business

Chris Martin, of AC Martin, and the lead architect on the Wilshire Grand project in downtown L.A., wrote an article a few years ago for the Los Angeles Downtown News about the sustainable practices used for the “green deconstruction” of the old hotel on the site.  He states the fact that, “From demolition to construction to maintenance, the new projects in Downtown are incorporating green construction. It’s not only for environmental or PR reasons — done right, the moves can also save money.”  He goes on say that deconstruction of the old Wilshire Grand exhibited the best in today’s new green practices. 

Going the way of a wrecking ball for the old hotel was not practical as it had been constructed in 1951 and was filled with high levels of asbestos.  Without care taken to remove the asbestos, it would have contaminated the valuable building materials that included glass, steel, aluminum and concrete, and have made them unusable.  By carefully deconstructing the building, crews were able to properly remove the harmful asbestos as well as to recycle the greatest amount of materials.

Concrete from the structure’s columns, walls, and floors was broken into pieces at the jobsite and then taken away to recycling plants to be crushed.  This type of crushed rock is excellent for backfill, roads and building pads.  The steel that was recovered from the old hotel was sent to a plant to be melted down and reformed into new rebar.  

Furthermore, the new Wilshire Grand tower is using many recycled building materials and will incorporate sustainable practices.  Mr. Martin suggests that, “We can all look for new ways to focus on sustainability and environmental protection. It’s not just good for the environment, it’s also good business.”   

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development.

Construction Industry Experiencing Shortage of Skilled Labor

An article from Tradesmen International reports on a recent survey from the Associated General Contractors of America that close to 80 percent of construction businesses are having problems finding skilled labor.  The survey indicates the labor shortage was first noticed around 2011 and is “now in full bloom, with repercussions being felt throughout the nation.”  In fact a spokesperson for the NAHB notes that the building industry could be growing faster if the labor shortage was not an issue. 

Much of the problem stems from that fact that during the last recession, construction and manufacturing were two of the hardest hit industries.  According to the publication, Finance and Commerce, “The U.S. lost about 2.1 million construction jobs from December 2007 when the recession began through January 2011, when industry employment hit its lowest level since 1996.” 

This resulted in many workers leaving the industry and going back to school or retraining for jobs in the business or service sectors.  Furthermore, without the prospects of jobs, the number of young people enrolling in vocational and technical programs declined.  Another problem is that our skilled construction workers are growing older.  In fact a 2012 report from EMSI states 53% of skilled-trade workers in the U.S. were 45 years or older. 

However there is some good news for the industry.  Many companies are making an effort to recruit young workers and get the word out about the benefits of well-paying jobs in construction.  Also to train more skilled workers, states are expanding community college and vocational training programs to help meet the demand. The celebrity, Mike Rowe, is even getting into the act by leading a campaign to promote skilled labor careers and alternative education programs.

At The Conco Companies, we are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  Our experience includes providing services for commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Sources: tradesmeninternational.com/news/the-construction-labor-shortage-where-did-all-the-skilled-labor-go/

finance-commerce.com/2013/08/labor-shortages-slow-us-home-rebound/#ixzz2tgl8ed7w