Texas Industries Announces SPEC MIX Partnership

The new venture targets the North Texas marketplace, where TXI is the largest manufacturer and supplier of cement and construction aggregates as well as a major producer in packaged cements/concrete mixes and ready-mixed concrete.

TXI Venture to Serve North Texas

Texas Industries Inc., based in Dallas, recently announced it has entered the preblended mortar industry through a partnership with SPEC MIX Inc., headquartered in Mendota Heights, Minn. As a result of the partnership, TXI will be the exclusive SPEC MIX licensee serving the region.

In the early 1980s, SPEC MIX developed a broad line of preblended mortars and grouts along with a proprietary delivery system that enables workers to dramatically increase efficiency and quality. SPEC MIX currently has a licensed manufacturer in every major market across the U.S. and its product line has expanded into stucco and shotcrete.

TXI, founded in 1951, has grown into a major national participant in the building materials industry through innovation.

"We recognized that there was a tremendous opportunity to better serve the commercial masonry marketplace through a preblended mortar system," said James B. Rogers, vice president of TXI's Consumer Products Group. "The SPEC MIX program is a natural fit with TXI's growth philosophy, combining quality, service, consistency and innovation."

Perry Welcomes Fluor

Gov. Rick Perry recently joined Fluor Corp. officials in formally announcing the company moving its headquarters from California to Texas. The relocation brings 170 jobs to the Metroplex.

"Fluor has considered the benefits of increasing its presence in Texas, and the company has made the same decision that hundreds of other businesses around the nation have made in recent years," Perry said.

"[. . .] Texas is proud to welcome Fluor's decision to bring its corporate headquarters and 170 jobs to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in early 2006."

Fluor already has a presence in Texas with offices in Houston, Sugar Land, Austin and Dallas. When the headquarters opens early next year, Fluor will become the 49th Fortune 500 Company to call Texas home and the 27th largest employer in the state based on gross revenue, which totals nearly $10 billion each year.

"Approximately 70 of the positions at Fluor headquarters will be filled by local employees opening new doors of opportunity for North Texas workers and giving more families a chance to live the American dream," Perry said. "And by planting their flag in Texas, Fluor is sending an important message to employers worldwide who are looking for a place to grow and prosper: You couldn't pick a better state to run a business."

BOMA Cheers Adoption of I-Codes

BOMA Austin, the Building Owners and Management Association's Austin affiliate, applauded a new law passed recently by the Texas Legislature. The bill makes International Building Codes (I-Codes) established by the U.S.-based International Code Council the new law of the Texas real estate land.

"We are very excited that the I-Codes are being implemented in Texas," said Kyle Gillman, legislative chair, BOMA Austin. "They represent the highest standards of building safety codes in the world. BOMA Austin has been a pointed supporter of the I-Codes, and we firmly believe the community as a whole will benefit from the streamlined, more effective system."

Texas' adoption and implementation of I-Codes also will create greater consistency in the interpretation and enforcement of building regulations at the state and local levels. I-Codes cover all aspects of building design and construction with the broader purpose of safeguarding public health, safety and welfare.

Ivy Steel & Wire Expands

Ivy Steel & Wire, a division of MMI Products Inc. of Houston, recently announced plans to open a second welded wire reinforcing manufacturing facility in Houston. The 155,000-sq.-ft. facility will house the latest high-tech welding machines, adding significant structural WWR capacity as well as additional concrete pipe reinforcing capacity to the region. Shipments from the new facility were scheduled to begin in mid- summer.

The latest announcement is part of a major expansion program started in 2004 and comes on the heels of a 15,000-ton capacity addition of concrete pipe and structural WWR in Ivy's St. Joseph, Mo., facility.