The Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association (IRMCA) has been named the 2006 National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) State Association of the Year, an award which honors state and area associations for their contributions to the industry in the areas of research, education, advocacy and promotion. IRMCA was selected from a field of outstanding nominations for associations around the country.
According to the nomination submitted by NRMCA producer member Steve Fidler of Kuert Concrete Inc., “the association has been able to move forward despite the challenges we have faced within our industry in Indiana. The organization has been proactive in promotion efforts, education, advocacy and community involvement.”
Steve Turner of Huntington Ready Mix Inc. also nominated IRMCA, noting the association is “innovative, creative and motivated to grow our industry, membership and performance as an organization to levels that are second to none.”
Some of IRMCA’s promotion accomplishments during its 2006 fiscal year include becoming an American Institute of Architects training provider, developing a one-hour pervious training video and partnering on an all-inclusive playground utilizing pervious concrete as a base for a rubber surface accessible to all children.
IRMCA brought six NRMCA education programs to its members in 2006 to enhance its own offerings, which include the IRMCA Short Course, tilt-up programs and pervious concrete seminars.
In the advocacy arena, IRMCA’s executive director serves as a board member of the Build Indiana Council, which is working to fix a serious statewide shortfall in funding for roads and bridges.
IRMCA also partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a home utilizing Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) technology. Work with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture resulted in a pervious section added to the Pathway to Water Quality exhibit at the state fairgrounds.
IRMCA contributed funding for a concrete paving industry professorship at Purdue University, as well as a research scientist for one of the state DOT research labs. IRMCA staff also has researched pervious mix designs and placement methods that specifically address issues that have occurred with pervious placements in other markets.
IRMCA has been an NRMCA State Affiliate organization since May 2005 and in 2006 filled the first of three Great Lakes Regional Affiliate seats on NRMCA’s Board of Directors (Steve Fidler).
The award was presented to IRMCA Executive Director Pat Kie1 at the 2007 NRMCA Annual Convention. Previous winners of this award include the Arkansas Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Florida Concrete & Products Association, Mississippi Concrete Industries Association and the Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association.
