C&D News

CONSTRUCTION EXECS EXPECT MORE GROWTH

Construction executives expect new orders and production levels to stay strong for the coming three months, according to The Dun & Bradstreet Corp.’s monthly survey of 200 construction executives.

"The level of optimism expressed by construction executives indicates that the construction industry will probably grow modestly over the next few months," says Douglas Handler, manager of econometric analysis for D&B. "Opportunities for profitable expansion still exist in the industry, but they’re more difficult to find than last year."

CITY RECYCLES STOCKPILED CONCRETE

Ocean City, Md., has been stockpiling and crushing waste concrete for the past two years. Atlantic Material and Contracting supplies the city with a crushing unit. In fiscal year 1994, Ocean City crushed 8,900 tons of stockpiled concrete, representing a cost savings of $293,878 to the town -- $222,500 in avoided landfill costs and $71,378 of road base material that did not have to be purchased. Recycled concrete has been used in a number of local construction projects.

OLD PALLETS BECOME FIBERBOARD

The CanFibre Group Ltd, Toronto, has been formed to manufacture medium-density fiberboard from demolition wood and old pallets, according to reports in Environmental Building News. The company has signed a contract with Laidlaw Waste Systems for a supply of 100,000 tons of waste wood annually. Conversion of an existing building is expected to begin in early summer, with production commencing in early 1997. MDF, a high-grade particleboard, can be used to manufacture products such as furniture. If the facility succeeds, additional plants may be built in the U.S.

PRANA COMPETES TWO ACQUISITIONS

Pallet Recycling Associates of North America, Roseville, Minn., has completed the acquisition of American Century Pallet Co., Oklahoma City, Okla. American Century was previously owned by Kelley O’Neal and Dan Giger.

In addition, PRANA has completed the acquisition of Woodgo Enterprises, Orlando, Fla. Woodgo was formerly owned and operated by Grady Gould, who will join PRANA as an employee. Woodgo is PRANA’s second pallet recycling facility in Orlando.

These two acquisitions bring PRANA’s facilities to 14 across the U.S.