American Concrete Pumping
Association educational
conference in Dallas
includes topics relevant
to Canadian members
Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature
The 2017 American Concrete Pumping Association
(ACPA) Education Conference will take place Oct. 2 and 3
at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Centre in Dallas,
TX. Filled with a variety of educational and networking
opportunities, the event will be co-located with NRMCA
(National Ready Mixed Concrete Association)’s
ConcreteWorks. ACPA has members representing Canada and Mexico
and issues and educational topics will be of interest to
members, wherever they work.

ACPA specific components of the conference are
tailored directly to concrete pumpers and their businesses.

Topics will include: Pumpable Mixes: Designing a Mix that
Works; Building (upon) Your Company’s Culture of Safety;
The Risks and Rewards of a Growing Concrete Pumping
Company; and Never Back – Always Forward: Sales
Techniques for Expanding Your Market.

One of the event’s key feature sessions is called Building
Your Financial Foundation: A Hands-On Workshop for
Business Decision-Makers that will focus on a variety of
items that are essential parts of financial management
including tracking pump usage and pump expenses,
identifying profit and cash flow leaks; financial goals and
targets; and review and accountability.

18 – Summer 2017 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
Another feature component: Call for Leaders: Practical
Skills for Inspiring and Communicating to Your Team, will
focus on the differences between managers and leaders;
and practical skills including building credibility,
accountability and strategic thinking.

While the concrete pumping specific programs will
clearly be of interest, organizers say that holding the event
in conjunction with NRMCA will provide distinct networking
advantages and opportunities. There will also be some
crossover in sessions on common topics of interest.

Beyond the education conference, ACPA offers training
programs, including its Operator Training Program, safety
bulletins on a variety of topics, and Dos and Don’ts sheets
covering everything from delivering to pumps to hose
handlers. Press releases announce changes to legislation
that impact the industry while events such as the July
Safety Summit bring members together to learn about
changes that could impact safety certification and training
models. For more information on the education conference,
visit http://www.concretepumpers.com/content/2017-acpa-
education-conference. To learn more about ACPA and
other safety
and training
information, visit
http://www.concretepumpers.com.




Our Rental Pumps LLC builds on high
standards as it takes on complex challenges
Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature
A certified woman owned business by both New York
City and New York State, Our Rental Pumps LLC has grown
slowly over time, focusing on high standards, a true
understanding of the industry and client needs, and the
basic idea that no project is too complex.

Samantha Ruttura, president, says since its founding in
2011, the company’s fleet has expanded to include 10
concrete pumps and a telebelt. The company’s operations
are lean with four competent staff maintaining the office
and shop. “We provide trained, capable and American
Concrete Pumping Association Safety certified operators
to run the equipment but they work directly for our
customers. Because of our strong relationship with our
customers they trust we are providing the best operators
for the project and employ them for their projects.”
Focused on projects in the New York Tri-State Area, Our
Rental Pumps works largely with commercial contractors
working on civil projects including bridges,
MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
work, stadiums, and other large scale
projects in the Tri-State Area. The company
recently placed concrete for the base of One
Vanderbilt. “We are proud to have been a part
of the largest continuous pour in midtown
Manhattan.” Ruttura says, as part of ensuring each job runs
smoothly and safely, Our Rental Pumps’ sales
manager visits each site to ensure the right
equipment is provided for the specific job. “Often
in the city there are space limitations which can
affect what size pump that can be used. It is our
job to ensure the customer gets the correct
equipment for any given job.”
The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer 2017 – 19