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ACI Press Release

  
     

 

American Concrete Institute Certified Flatwork Finishers in High Demand

Wal-Mart - the world's largest retailer - takes steps to ensure quality concrete flatwork finishing in the construction of new stores


FARMINGTON HILLS Mich., September 10, 2004 - Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has enacted stronger requirements for the construction of new stores and facilities. Beginning in early 2004, Wal-Mart began specifying that its flatwork finishing crews must be certified by the American Concrete Institute.

"The performance of concrete, particularly concrete flatwork, is dependant on the skill and knowledge of the craftsmen who constructed it," said John Nehasil, managing director of certification, American Concrete Institute. "By requiring ACI-certified flatwork finishers and technicians, corporations are seeking superior quality in the construction of new facilities."

Domestically, Wal-Mart plans to open approximately 270 new discount stores and Supercenters, and the Sam's Club division will open 35 to 40 clubs. The planned square footage growth for the coming year represents approximately 50 million square feet of new retail space, and represents more than an 8% increase over the estimated fiscal 2004 year end of 606 million square feet.

Wal-Mart's requirement for ACI-certified finishers comes on the verge of ACI's updated Specifications for Structural Concrete, due to be released in spring of 2005. These updated specifications will require at least one ACI-certified flatwork finisher/technician on each finishing crew. Wal-Mart now requires three ACI-certified finishers on all flatwork construction projects. 

In anticipation of these updated specifications from the American Concrete Institute, flatwork finishers are taking the time to get certified now. According to Jerry Woods of the Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association, "Overnight we have experienced an increase in demand for the ACI flatwork finisher and technician certification." The ACI certification program is administered through an international network of 105 sponsoring organizations. 

As demand for ACI-certified flatwork finishers is increasing, local associations are feeling the impact. Robert Varner of the Mississippi Concrete Industries Association has been working to educate the local industry of the benefits of using ACI-certified flatwork finishers and technicians. Coupled with the new specifications from Wal-Mart and similar specifications from other corporations, he has had to offer additional certification programs to meet the demand for finishers wanting to be ACI-certified.

"The bottom line," adds ACI's Nehasil, "is that construction professionals know the best construction materials and engineering design deserve the best construction personnel."

The American Concrete Institute offers the flatwork finisher and technician certification program throughout the year in locations across America. Additionally, ACI will administer the certification directly at World of Concrete this coming January in Las Vegas. Last year, over 200 people registered for the flatwork finisher certification program at World of Concrete, and even more are expected in 2005. Visit www.concrete.org for a complete list of locations or to learn more.

ABOUT WAL-MART
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the world's largest retailer, with $244.5 billion in sales in the fiscal year ending Jan. 31, 2003. The company employs more than 1.3 million associates worldwide through more than 3,200 facilities in the United States and more than 1,100 units in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, China, Korea, Germany and the United Kingdom. More than 100 million customers per week visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam's Club locations worldwide. Learn more at www.walmartstores.com

ABOUT THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE
The American Concrete Institute has 17,000 members and 96 chapters worldwide and produces technical documents, code requirements, specifications and guides for the best uses of concrete. The institute also conducts more than 150 seminars annually and manages 14 certification programs for concrete practitioners. To learn more about how ACI flatwork finishers are in high demand or about Wal-Mart's new specifications, contact John Nehasil at 248-848-3788 or visit www.concrete.org

Downloadable photos with captions:

  • IMAGE 1: Beginning in 2004, Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, began specifying that its flatwork finishing crews must be certified by the American Concrete Institute.

  • IMAGE 2: The planned square footage growth for Wal-Mart and Sam's Club in the coming year represents approximately 50 million square feet of new retail space.

  • IMAGE 3: The demand for ACI-certified flatwork finishers is increasing - many finishers are taking the time to get certified now, either at January's World of Concrete in Las Vegas or various sites throughout the US and Canada. 

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Contact:

Kevin Mlutkowski 
American Concrete Institute 
38800 Country Club Dr., Farmington Hills, MI 48331
Phone: 248.848.3716
Fax: 248.848.3825
E-mail: kevin.mlutkowski@concrete.org