Foundation Releases Quality Management System for Ready Mixed Concrete Companies

Staff -- Associated Construction Publications, 4/17/2008

The RMC Research & Education Foundation recently released its latest project in support of the Prescription-to-Performance (P2P) Initiative – the "Quality Management System for Ready Mixed Concrete Companies."

The purpose of this tool is to establish the credibility of ready mixed concrete producers to bid on and provide concrete for performance-based specifications.

This new tool was prepared by William C. Twitty Jr., P.E. and reviewed by NRMCA’s P2P Steering Committee. The guideline document provides an outline to assist ready mixed concrete companies in developing their own quality plan along the lines of ISO 9000 principles and includes a sample quality plan of a fictitious ready mixed concrete company and an external quality audit checklist.

The Quality Management System (QMS) was unveiled last month at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s Annual Convention and the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show in Las Vegas as part of a CD of all Foundation-sponsored P2P reports. The CD was well-received and over 300 copies were distributed at the two venues.

"The Foundation’s Board of Trustees has long been a supporter of the P2P Initiative as evidenced by the numerous projects it has funded in the area. The QMS is particularly important since it will ensure that ready mixed concrete producers are qualified to provide concrete for performance-based specifications, which is essential to the success of the P2P Initiative," said Foundation Chairman George Gregory, adding "The Foundation’s reports and studies, along with the work of NRMCA and the P2P Steering Committee, continue to demonstrate the value of performance specifications to all parties in a concrete construction project." Foundation Executive Director Julie Garbini also noted, "This important new tool is a stellar example of how the Foundation’s work is helping to improve the concrete industry."

The QMS may be downloaded from the Foundation’s website at www.rmc-foundation.org. Hard copies are also available upon request. The mission of the RMC Research & Education Foundation is to support research and educational programs that will increase professionalism and quality in the concrete industry. Additional information about the RMC Research & Education Foundation and those programs funded by it may also be found at the website.