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Capturing the South Texas Market: Southwest Concrete Products, L.P. Opportunities for Concrete Education Expand The Importance of Testing Concrete Masonry Units Learning the Benefits of Concrete Masonry All About OSHA - Post Inspection (Part 3 of 3) Company Exceeds Industry Prediction: Bark River Concrete Products Expand Your Product Line: Antiquing Machine and Founders Spray Machine Besser Block Talk: Bullnose Concrete Masonry Units
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 Opportunities
for Concrete Education ExpandWorld Center for Concrete Technology Alpena, Michigan
Students attending the Blockmakers Workshops have overwhelmingly responded with positive feedback about the new facility. They appreciate the smaller classroom that creates an environment conducive to intense one-on-one attention. Students also appreciate the smaller class sizes that provide more opportunity for questions and discussion relative to each student’s facility. The layout of the fully equipped production facility has ample room for students to get close to the equipment for firsthand learning. Moving to the large production lab at the WCCT resulted in a plant layout that features a complete line of equipment. The training facility includes: V3-12 Vibrapac® concrete products machine, Multi-Spade Besser-Matic® loader / unloader, LSC-40 rack transporter system, splitter / turnover, large kiln area, pigment dispenser, bins, 60 cubic foot mixer, Easy Blend Batching System, Cure Trol VII curing system, cuber, Allen-Bradley SLC500® and PanelView 1000 panels. The plant also offers variable curing options.
Computers will soon be available for use during the Blockmakers Workshops. This will allow students to check diagnostics and go online with the different machines to work with plant integration software. This year, three new courses have been added to the curriculum schedule. The Executive Session debuts in April 2001 and both the Specialty Products and Preventive Maintenance courses will be introduced in June 2001. The Executive Session Blockmakers Workshop is a condensed version of the Concrete Masonry Technology and Vibrapac Blockmakers Workshops tailored to upper management. New products, programs and current issues are also discussed in a round table format with industry executives and professionals. This 2-1/2 day session begins on Tuesday morning and concludes at noon on Thursday.
3-5 April 2001 Specialty Products is an in-depth study of the material requirements, machine adjustments and production methods required for specialty concrete products. The products covered include concrete pavers, retaining wall units, concrete brick and other architectural products. 25-29 June 2001 Preventive Maintenance covers the maintenance procedures of Besser concrete products machines and related equipment such as the Multi-Spade Besser-Matic loader / unloader, cubers, mixers and LSC-40 rack transporter systems. Practical applications are exercised on all equipment. 18-22 June 2001 Additional information about how you can benefit from the WCCT is available at www.wcct.net or by calling (989) 356-9021 extension 7404. Meet the Blockmakers Workshop® Instructors
As the new WCCT opened for business, the roles of three Besser Company personnel expanded. Eric Krebs was promoted to director of Besser research and training, Jeffrey Oliver accepted the position as training specialist and Pete Alexander was hired as a full time training specialist. These employees are coordinating efforts to provide specialized training through the Blockmakers Workshops®. Eric Krebs began a career with Besser Company in August 1978 as a management trainee at the research and training center on the campus of Alpena Community College. In 1979 Eric moved to the state of Virginia, assuming the role of Besser service representative. Two years later, he transferred to Texas and was promoted to sales representative. After another transfer, Eric was working in the Cleveland, Ohio area. In 1988 Eric accepted a position as a training specialist for the Blockmakers Workshops and has been teaching for the past twelve years. Eric has extensive concrete production experience gained from the customer relations and equipment installations he encountered throughout the United States, Canada, England and Australia. In his new position, Eric is responsible for coordinating the activities of Blockmakers Workshops by providing targeted education to members of the concrete products industries. Eric looks forward to working with the Besser strategic business units to further expand the WCCT education curriculum. Jeffrey Oliver earned an associate degree in science with a focus on chemistry. In 1980 he was hired as a plant supervisor at Featherlite Corporation in Lubbock, Texas. While working for Featherlite, Jeff attended courses in electrical engineering technology at Texas Technical University. Later he took management courses at the University of Texas. After nine years with Featherlite, Jeff moved to Alpena, Michigan to work for Ameri-Shred Industrial as an office manager. In June of 1990 Jeff began his career at Besser as a service specialist, installing Besser equipment around the world. Pete Alexander began a career in the concrete products industry after graduating with an associate degree in concrete technology from Alpena Community College in 1988. After graduation he accepted a position with Betco Block in Gainesville, Virginia and was later promoted to operations manager. Pete later had the opportunity to move closer to his Alpena "home" and began working for Grand Blanc Cement Products in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Within two years he was working toward a plant superintendent position and in January 1996, Pete accepted the position of technician in the concrete products laboratory at Alpena Community College. In 2000, he joined Besser as a training specialist. Pete is currently continuing his education by pursuing a bachelors degree in management from Spring Arbor College in Alpena, Michigan. The knowledge and experience that Eric, Jeff and Pete possess will enhance the value of the Blockmakers Workshops and play a key role in the growth of the World Center for Concrete Technology.
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According to Eric Krebs, director of Besser research and training,
more students have attended the Blockmakers Workshops®
this calendar year than in any other year. The increase can be
attributed to two additional classes in December as well as the
comprehensive capabilities offered by the WCCT and the interactive
educational experience.
