Dive Brief:

• The chief economist for the Portland Cement Association says the group is looking for 8% growth in sales this year, based on a belief that housing construction will provide a solid foundation for the industry.
• Edward Sullivan says PCA also expects to do more business for nonresidential construction and the public sector, too, and thinks its members will be utilizing 90% of their capacity by New Year's 2015.
• The organization's president and CEO, Greg Scott, says, however, that vendors have one issue in front of them that puts them in the same boat as the builders and contractors who buy their product —​ finding qualified drivers for trucks that have sat on the sidelines for several years.

Dive Insight:

The concrete industry's annual trade show, World of Concrete, had a three-day run in Las Vegas last week, but was smaller this year than last year, with fewer attendees and less vendor space. Some said that may have been due to a decision by equipment manufacturers to put their exhibit dollars into the CONEXPO show that is being held this year instead of doing both shows.