Membership Info

ADVANTAGES OF APRMCA MEMBERSHIP

1. CONCRETE PRODUCTION FACILITIES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM - Adapted from the National Ready Mix Concrete Association to meet the requirements of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA A23.1), this program is a prerequisite for producer membership, and ensures that plants, equipment, and raw materials are maintained to a level capable of producing quality concrete. This program is one of the cornerstones of APRMCA. We seek to have our certification program specified as a tool for consultants and government authorities to ensure the concrete products they specify can be produced, and to put all ready mixed concrete producers on a level playing field. The NS Department of Transportation and Public Works, the NB Department of Transportation, the NB Department of Supply and Services, the NF Department of Works Services and Transportation, the NF Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, the PEI Department of Transportation and Public Works, the cities of Fredericton and Corner Brook, and other specifying authorities, have written into their concrete specifications that concrete supplied for their projects must come from an APRMCA certified facility.

2. SEAL OF QUALITY CONCRETE - This is a supplementary program to the Concrete Production Facilities Certification Program and allows producers to qualify for a certificate which indicates their further commitment to the quality and consistency of their products.

3. MARKETING DIRECTOR - John Connely was hired in late 1991 to provide professional representation of the interests of APRMCA members within the business/construction community throughout Atlantic Canada, to develop promotional programs and materials, and to motivate members into action which will help to improve the ready mixed concrete industry.

4. OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF - APRMCA opened its own office in late 1995, with a part-time administrative assistant. The generous financial support of the cement companies through the Cement Association of Canada (CAC), Shaw Resources, and the Stevens Group, as well as the commitment by the Association to become a stronger, more effective organization, led to this venture. Now our Administrative Assistant, Patricia Reddick, is a full time employee, providing office support services to APRMCA, CAC and the Merit Contractors Association of Nova Scotia. These three groups have shared office facilities since June 2001.

5. MARKETING - This most important program, fundamental to the ongoing success of APRMCA, is a proactive, multi-media diverse approach to promote the producer and associate members, products available from producers, and those messages from the ready mixed concrete industry which will raise the level of awareness about concrete usage in the Atlantic Region. There are a number of specific activities which benefit members directly:

Liaison with designers and specifiers, the construction industry, and the general public - APRMCA uses its promotional materials, network of contacts, and media relations to promote its message, products and members. APRMCA also works with associated industry organizations like construction associations, homebuilders’ associations, four Atlantic engineering schools, insulating concrete form (ICF) system manufacturers, Construction Specifications Canada, Canadian Construction Research Board/IRAP/NRC, Concrete Foundations Association, Tilt-Up Concrete Association, American Concrete Institute, and the Cement Association of Canada.

Liaison with Canadian Ready Mixed Concrete Association - CRMCA is an affiliation of all the ready mixed concrete associations across Canada. CRMCA provides a forum for exchange of ideas and flow of information about promotional and technical programs, success stories, issues of national interest, and national standards. CRMCA has a modest marketing program including promotional literature about whitetopping and insulating concrete form (ICF) systems, which is for the benefit of members and the industry.

Liaison with Government - APRMCA representatives meet with all levels of government to promote the ready mixed concrete industry, to seek new and additional uses of concrete products and to discuss issues which are important to APRMCA members, like new technology, taxation, safety and concrete specifications, and their use of the APRMCA Concrete Production Facilities Certification Program.

Dura-Mix® - is concrete designed to meet the demands of our climate for exterior flatwork applications. Dura-Mix® is both a product and a program, targeted primarily to the residential market, to satisfy the need for a recognizable name that identifies quality, durable concrete.

Home/Trade Display Booth and LCD Projector - Available for use by members to promote APRMCA, for use at local events sponsored by members, and in limited situations, for individual company promotional efforts.

Advertising - APRMCA occasionally develops television and print advertising campaigns for specific, limited time promotions and through the cooperation and financial support of members.

Web Site – www.aprmca.com is a relatively new initiative by APRMCA, and is still under development. The web site will soon be a valuable tool for communication and marketing of the Association’s message. It will also be a useful source of information for both members and the general public.

The Ready Mix News - is published twice each year, with circulation of approximately 15,000 in Atlantic Canada. Its purpose is to raise APRMCA’s profile, and inform the public and construction industry about the ready mixed concrete sector, new technologies, and innovative concrete products and applications.

6. ORGANIZATION - Numerous changes have been made in recent years to develop APRMCA into a more efficient, stronger voice for the ready mixed concrete industry. This has been accomplished to a great degree by strengthening and adding to our committee system, by encouraging more of our members to involve themselves in the operations of the APRMCA, by opening the APRMCA office and through the formulation of a five-year Strategic and Operational Plan. Some of the more active committees include:

Marketing Committee - is responsible for carrying out the marketing activities noted in (5) above, by overseeing the five-year Strategic Marketing Plan, by providing guidance to the Marketing Director, and by developing new promotions and programs to further the interests of the Association.

Plant Certification and Technical Committee - is mandated to (a) review and examine standards and technical matters of concern to members, locate technical information or expertise when required, and represent APRMCA at technical discussions with owners, government and other specifiers, (b) oversee the smooth operation of the Concrete Production Facilities Certification Program, ensure timely inspection of plants, review the program periodically to see it meets current industry requirements, and to deal with any complaints, problems, or deficiencies which arise from non-compliance, and (c) oversee the Seal of Quality Program.

Education and Training Committee - seeks program information, funding and training opportunities which can be used to improve quality and workmanship in the ready mixed concrete industry. APRMCA also cooperates with other industry organizations to sponsor training and information programs, especially for decision-makers like consultants and various levels of government. APRMCA is developing programs to assist members’ staff to increase their knowledge in areas like basic concrete technology and sales/promotion techniques, which will help their companies and the industry.

Safety Committee - was established to address safety issues, develop programs which will improve awareness for safety, prepare and distribute detailed safety information, and represent APRMCA members to Departments of Labour and Workers Compensation Boards, as may be required. APRMCA also produced two safety manuals, titled “Safe Operating Procedures for Concrete Pumps and Placing Booms”, and “Safety Handbook for Mixer Truck Drivers”. APRMCA was a founding member of the Nova Scotia Construction Safety Association (NSCSA) and the New Brunswick Construction Safety Association (NBCSA), and has a representative on both the NS and NB board.

Environment Committee – was established to consider environmental issues that affect the ready mixed concrete industry and represent APRMCA members and their concerns to relevant government departments or agencies that impact ready mixed concrete production. We have played an active role, with other members of the CRMCA, in the drafting of a National Code of Environmental Practice for Ready Mixed Concrete Facilities.

The Board of Directors unanimously reaffirmed APRMCA’s position that all members should support their producer and associate colleagues through the purchase of goods and services, whenever possible. Members should always be given an opportunity to quote, at the very least. APRMCA promotes this policy publicly, at special events, through various mailings and the Ready Mix News. The development of loyalty among members through supplier-customer relationships strengthens APRMCA, builds members’ businesses, and provides greater purchasing power for members.

Instituted by APRMCA in 1998, and guided by a policy steering committee, the objective of this policy is to improve product quality control by members during the process of manufacturing concrete, and especially during final mixing, discharge, and placing. The policy emphasizes No customer-added materials, and a dedication to quality end results. Although this policy is currently recommended, members are encouraged to adopt it as a standard course of operations. There may be a gradual transition to making this a mandatory policy.

Insurance Services - through our members in the insurance business, such as Stanhope Simpson Insurance Ltd., group plans with savings to APRMCA members and their full time staffs, for home, tenants, condominium and personal automobile, comprehensive general insurance program interruption, boiler and machinery, and other, are available.

Promotional Literature - designed and produced by APRMCA to promote its key products and programs, is readily available to members. Promotional and technical literature distributed by the Canadian Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the Cement Association of Canada is also available through the Association. A small video library on concrete-related subjects is at the disposal of members.

· Annual General Meeting and Convention usually held in February or March is rotated to centers around the region and occasionally to a warmer climate location. The AGM features the Annual Errol Praught Memorial Hockey Game between producer and associate members, a luncheon with invited guests from the local construction industry and business community, the President’s Dinner & Dance, Associates’ Day featuring display tables and product presentations, information sessions, interesting speakers, awards, ladies’ program and an outside event like bowling, curling or skiing.

· Annual Industry Golf Tournament for members, clients, and friends of APRMCA, is held in late May or early June, and includes a reception, barbecue, prizes, and full day of golf. This event provides members with an opportunity to entertain their customers, meet their supplier associates, and reward their staff for a job well done.

· Summer Board Meeting and Family Weekend, usually held on the 2nd or 3rd weekend of August each year, and is rotated to one of many beautiful Maritime resort hotels. This annual event provides lots of fun and entertainment, golf, family functions and a barbecue, for young and old alike.

· Board Meetings, held at least quarterly, are open to all APRMCA members, and are opportunities to exchange views about the affairs of the Association and meet members from across the region.

Based on total combined volume of main and satellite plants for the previous year, in cubic meters:

Fifty percent (50%) of current annual membership dues shall be paid as an initiation fee, plus current annual membership dues. The initiation fee is paid one time only, for producers joining APRMCA for the first time, or for producers who have at sometime in the past opted to leave APRMCA, but who wish to reinstate their membership.

Members should note that a plant certification assessment of $200.00 per plant will be invoiced after plants are re-inspected every second year.

15% HST (7% GST in P.E.I.) must be added to your total. APRMCA HST (GST) REG. #R122374572

ADVANTAGES OF APRMCA MEMBERSHIP

Send mail to admin@aprmca.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2003 Atlantic Provinces Ready Mix Concrete Association Last modified: 06/08/05

Send mail to admin@aprmca.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2003 Atlantic Provinces Ready Mix Concrete Association
Last modified: 06/08/05