The votes are in and counted. We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2007 Most Innovative Products contest. Held each year at the World of Concrete, the contest showcased just a fraction of the new products that appeared at the show held last January at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
In all, 137 entries competed in 14 different categories, and awards were given in each category for Attendees' Choice and Experts' Choice. In one case, Cementec won both awards in the Concrete Making Materials category. In Placement Tools & Equipment, two companies, Somero Enterprises and Lura Enterprise, both were awarded Experts' Choice Awards.
The winners represent the range of thinking required to solve particular problems. So take another look at the products considered by professionals like you to be some of the best and brightest at our largest World of Concrete ever. If you would like to learn more about how these products can help you do your job, circle the corresponding number on the reader service card and mail it.
Below is a sample of the winners of most interest to producers. For a full list of winners, visit the press release section at www.hanleywood.com. For a list of all of the entries, visit www.mip2007.com.
World of Concrete 2008 takes place Jan. 22–25 in Las Vegas. For more, visit www.worldofconcrete.com.
Attendees' Choice: Flying bucket system
The ACT 2250 flying bucket concrete delivery system features an integral chute that eliminates the need for multiple transfer chutes and, because only one chute needs cleaning, saves time and money. It also gives concrete producers the added flexibility to quickly and easily retool plant extensions with additional transfer points. It is also available in single or dual-rail and roll-over type or clamshell bottom discharge. Advanced Concrete Technologies Inc. 603-431-5661. www.concretebiz.com..
Experts' Choice: Wireless truck tracking
Clutch Concrete is a wireless platform for providing mobile managers a blend of fleet GPS business analytics and user-defined alerts from their existing dispatch system. It extends the mobile enterprise by providing real-time wireless access to key business indicators, including late customer deliveries, onsite performance, slow-loading plants, and excessive driver startup times. It provides personal daily driver productivity reports for each driver. Jonel Engineering. 800-432-4567. www.jonel.com..
Attendees' & Experts' Choice:Concrete Hardener
With the ability to enhance both air-entrained and non air-entrained concrete, Hard-Cem is an integral concrete hardener developed for ready-mix and pre-cast concrete applications. It's a fine powder that is added to the mix during batching and reduces mass loss associated with abrasion by up to 66%. Cementec Industries Inc. 866-256-1367. www.cementec.ca..
Attendees' Choice:Fiber reinforcement dispenser system
The UltraFiber 500 Dispenser System precisely and uniformly adds fibers for high-quality concrete. The dispenser accepts 500-pound bags for high-volume loading and eliminates the need to climb on trucks to add fiber to the mix. Integrated controls allow for the printing out of data to the batch ticket. Buckeye Technologies Inc. 866-663-8999. www.bkitech.com..
Experts' Choice: Non-entry cleaning system
The Ready Jet mixer drum cleaning system uses high-pressure water to safely remove residual hardened concrete from mixer drum interiors, cleaning right down to the bare metal without damaging the mixer drum's shell or blades. No jackhammers, explosives, or chemicals are needed—just supply water to this mobile, self-contained unit. Powered by a John Deere 325-hp diesel engine. Blasters Inc. 800-327-6799. www.blasters.net..
Attendees' Choice:Concrete watering system
The Cure Tender time-released concrete watering system automatically releases water required for concrete curing onto the concrete and under the cure blankets, allowing the concrete to be unattended. Self-contained and solar-powered, the system can be used on vertical or flat concrete. Hook up the specially designed watering hoses and the concrete will cure for 50 to 60 hours with a constant supply from the 725-gallon tank. The gas-powered pump hoses come in 100- or 200-foot lengths. Cure Tender. 714-299-0671. www.curetender.com..
Experts' Choice: Quick-drying gloss
For high-gloss and long-term wear resistance, Certi-Vex AC1315 Super Gloss forms a hard, clear, permanent film that allows moisture to pass through while preventing pealing and flaking. It is chemical- and slip-resistant, water-repellent, and dustproof, and it won't yellow, blush, or whiten. This low-VOC gloss is designed for interior and exterior applications on stamped and decorated concrete surfaces and can be applied in temperatures as low as 20° F. Vexcon Chemicals Inc. 888-839-2661. www.vexcon.com..
Attendees' Choice: Bracket system for forms
The Cimple Forms system consists of two components. The form support bracket (FSB) fastens to the form material by bolts, screws, or nails and can be used with all types of form materials. The ground support bracket (GSB) is used as a support bracket attached to the FSB and ground by #5 rebar passing through both brackets. A driving mechanism drives the rebar into the ground, eliminating the need for a sledgehammer. McBryde Enterprises Corp. 512-734-3000. www.cimpleforms.com..
Experts' Choice: Forms for tight curves
With more than 100 reuses, the Xtra-Flex radius forms are designed to shape tight radii for walkways, patios, curbs, and decorative flatwork. A standard 10-foot length will form a 38-inch diameter circle. It can even be further bent to achieve a radius as small as 6 inches. Constructed of high-density polyethylene, which doesn't absorb water, setting and stripping are easy with no nails. The stake pocket-locking knob permits vertical adjustment without tools. Metal Forms Corp. 414-964-4550. www.metalforms.com..
Attendees' Choice: Flexible pavement system
Drivable Grass is a concrete pavement system manufactured from poly-reinforced concrete and designed to flex and conform to irregular ground surface contours. Pre-manufactured holes and cracks allow for root penetration through the mat, which enables permeability, flexibility, and plantability. The system is designed for areas where a permeable, vegetated vehicle access or parking surface is required. Soil Retention Systems Inc. 800-346-7995. www.soilretention.com..
Experts' Choice: ICF masonry anchor
The Reward TieKey is an easy-to-install, cast-in-place masonry anchor. It's designed to provide an anchor when installing brick or stone veneer finishes. Available in hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel, it works hand-in-hand with the company's wall tie. Reward Wall Systems. 800-468-6344. www.rewardwalls.com..
Attendees' Choice: Far-reaching concrete pump
Bobcat's redesigned concrete pump attachment can pump material up to 250 feet horizontally or up to two stories vertically. Used in conjunction with the company's high-flow skidsteer loader, the pump can place concrete at speeds up to 28 cubic yards per hour. It attaches to either side of the loader for precise positioning and eliminates the need for mud buggies, loaders with buckets, wheelbarrows, shovels, and chutes. Bobcat, an Ingersoll Rand Co. 866-823-7898. www.bobcat.com..
Experts' Choice: Concrete hose mover
The HoseHog is designed to pick up and move concrete hose, eliminating heavy dragging and lifting of the hose by the concrete crew and increasing productivity. A 13-hp engine provides the power necessary to move 3-, 4-, or 5-inch hoses. Keeping breakdowns and stoppages to a minimum, using the device also significantly decreases line surge. Somero Enterprises Inc. 603-532-5900. www.somero.com..
Experts' Choice: Articulating concrete screed
The Lightning Strike concrete rollerscreed features a wall plug to get close to basement walls and a flex joint to create slopes and crowns. Working well with a 4-inch slump and higher, a patented coupling method allows customization to any pour. The motor is electric and environmentally friendly, and the screed's lightweight allows for easy transportation around the jobsite. Lura Enterprise Inc. 701-281-8989. www.luraconcretescreed.com..