May 2026 Edition

MCA Hosts the 6^th Annual Stanley Mangum Memorial Sporting Clay Shoot

The Mississippi Concrete Association recently hosted the 6th Annual Stanley Mangum Memorial Clay Shoot at Providence Hill in Jackson, MS. The event once again was a huge success, bringing together 110 shooters, along with MCA members and guests, for a day of friendly competition, networking, and great fellowship.

The shoot featured both a morning and afternoon flight, with teams of five competing across 14 stations that tested participants’ shooting skills. A delicious lunch was generously sponsored and prepared onsite by Truckworx for attendees.

Congratulations to this year’s winning teams!

Morning Shoot Winners

1st Place – MMC Materials Team #1

2nd Place – Waring Oil

3rd Place – Sika

Afternoon Shoot Winners

1st Place – Empire Truck

2nd Place – Stribling Equipment

3rd Place – Rozier Construction

This year’s event raised $21,000 which was distributed equally among three outstanding nonprofit organizations - Mission First, Northeast Mississippi Habitat for Humanity and The 3-D School.

MCA would like to express our appreciation to all the generous sponsors and participants who helped make this year’s clay shoot a tremendous success. It is because of your support that MCA can provide quality events and opportunities for our members throughout the year.

2026 SPONSORS

Platinum Sponsor

MMC Materials, Inc.

Gold Sponsors

APAC-MS, Inc.

Rozier Construction

Stribling Equipment / Empire Truck Sales

Silver Sponsors

American Field Service Corporation

Amrize Cement

Buzzi Unicem USA

Key Constructors, LLC

MMC Materials Gulf Coast LLC

Sika Corporation

Tri-State Truck Center, Inc.

Quikrete

Waring Oil Company

Awards Sponsors

Bulldog Construction

Chryso

Eco Material Technologies

Fiberforce by ABC Polymer

Heidelberg Materials

Phillips Contracting

TCR Logistics

Station Sponsors

Beck Industrial

Bulldog Construction

Burns Cooley Dennis

Canton Concrete

Fiberforce by ABC Polymer

Legacy Inspection

Master Builders Solutions

Puckett Machinery

Raymond James

Slats Lucas Aggregates

Lunch Sponsor

Truckworx

Breakfast Sponsor

Green Brothers Gravel Co.

Team Sponsors

B & B Concrete

Delta Industries

Fowler GMC

Lyle Machinery

Malouf Construction

Slats Lucas Aggregates

Solid Rock Transportation



Mark your calendar now for MCA's 7^th Annual Clay Shoot on April 8, 2027, at Providence Hill!

USM Hosts NRMCA for Training on Concrete for Students

MCA and ACIA Hosts Joint EPD Webinar with Climate Earth

On May 4th, the Mississippi Concrete Association and the Alabama Concrete Industries Association co-hosted a free joint webinar about the carbon requirements for mix designs showing up in project specifications across our region. Drew Schlegel with new MCA member Climate Earth led this practical EPD 101 webinar. Topics covered include:

• How carbon requirements are showing up in specs
• Real projects across Alabama and Mississippi where EPDs are being required
• What are EPDs and GWP and how are they being used
• What data you need to get started with the EPD process
• A real example of a producer navigating EPD requirements for the first time

Thank you Climate Earth for providing this needed educational event. To rewatch this webinar, please click on the following link. REWATCH WEBINAR

B & B Concrete Hosts

Ole Miss CE Students

On April 10th, 2026, MCA member B & B Concrete Co., Inc. hosted thirty (30) civil engineering students from Ole Miss at its Tupelo ready-mix plant location. The visit included a full tour of the Tupelo plant where students observed the complete production process from raw material delivery and storage to batch weigh-up and truck loading, and load inspection and tempering. 

The students were able to visit B & B's Southern Area Dispatch center where they learned about the technology that is working behind the scenes for every load of concrete. The students were also able to "get their hands dirty" (while wearing gloves of course!) when they assisted the Quality Control team by collecting and testing samples of fresh concrete. 

With the help of industry partners like MDOT and Chryso we held a mock ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician-Grade 1 practical exam. This gave the students the opportunity to experience what a certified technician must demonstrate and pass in order to hold the proper credentials to test concrete on the job site. 

Investing in the future influencers and decision makers will make a big difference for our industry moving forward. Thank you B & B Concrete for being proactive and pouring into these students!

Concrete Promotions 

The following article states what many of us inherently know because we have been exposed to this messaging for decades. However, with new employees coming into this industry we need to keep reinforcing the positive attributes of concrete, so when they have that chance to influence a decision maker they are prepared to do so. This is the first of many periodic promotional articles about concrete so please forward it to anyone needing to hear this message.

Concrete vs. Asphalt Parking Lots: Why Concrete Is the Smarter Long-Term Choice

For property managers, business owners, and HOAs, choosing between concrete and asphalt for parking lots is more than just a surface decision—it impacts costs, safety, appearance, and maintenance for decades. Concrete parking lots deliver clear advantages that make them the superior investment.

Superior Durability and Lifespan

Concrete parking lots typically last 20–30+ years with proper installation, compared to asphalt’s 10–15 years (if that long) before major repairs or resurfacing are needed. Properly designed concrete resists cracking from heavy vehicle loads and oil/gas spills far better than asphalt. This longevity means fewer disruptions and lower lifetime costs for this pavement choice.

Lower Long-Term Maintenance

Asphalt requires regular sealing to prevent water damage and oxidation. Concrete needs minimal upkeep—occasional cleaning and joint sealing every 8–10 years is usually sufficient. Over 20 years, the reduced maintenance on concrete can save thousands of dollars while keeping a facility's lot looking professional year-round.

Better Heat Management and Environmental Benefits

Concrete’s light color reflects sunlight, keeping surface temperatures 10–20°F cooler than dark asphalt. This reduces the urban heat island effect, lowers cooling costs for nearby buildings, and creates a more comfortable environment for customers and employees during hot summers.

Enhanced Safety and Aesthetics

Unlike asphalt, a concrete parking will not rut or have potholes which are safety hazards. The reflectivity of the concrete pavement also allows significantly fewer lighting fixtures to be used for safety and cost efficiency purposes.



The bottom line is a concrete parking lot provides a lower total cost of ownership than an asphalt parking lot. For new construction or major resurfacing projects, concrete proves to be the more durable, attractive, and cost-effective solution. If you know of anyone planning a parking lot project, have them consult with their local ready-mix producer or the MCA staff for guidance on getting a proper concrete design. 

MCA Wraps Up Spring Concrete Training

MCA recently wrapped up its spring concrete certification classes, with strong participation from across the state. A total of 171 individuals attended the four courses offered this spring, bringing the 2026 year-to-date total to 208 industry professionals pursuing certification through our programs.

The spring certification began on March 3-4 in Pearl, where MCA hosted an ACI Field Testing Technician certification class with sixty-one (61) students in attendance.

MCA’s largest class of the spring took place in Tupelo on April 14-15, with seventy-eight (78) students enrolling in the ACI Field Testing Technician course. Due to record-setting attendance, MCA secured a larger venue for the classroom portion of the training.

The final two classes of the spring session were held in Pearl on back-to-back weeks. They included ACI Strength Testing Technician certification with nineteen (19) students and MDOT Class 3 certification with thirteen (13) students.

The success of MCA’s certification program depends on the dedication and support of its instructors, volunteers, and industry partners. Thank you to Robert Varner with Burns Cooley Dennis and Warren Sawicki with Chryso for their time and preparation throughout the spring classes. MCA also thanks Kenneth Watkins with MDOT Central Lab and Shane Satterwhite with MDOT District 1 for coordinating more than 60 MDOT and industry volunteers who served as supplemental examiners and proctors.

Lastly, thank you to our generous ready-mix members, B & B Concrete, Co. Inc. and MMC Materials, Inc., for donating the concrete used for the hands-on testing portions of the classes.

Registration is now open for MCA’s Fall certification classes. To view the schedule and register for upcoming classes, visit our website at www.mississippiconcrete.com. 

Early Bird Registration Ends Soon for Quad-State Summer Meeting

It’s not too late to take advantage of early bird pricing and register for the 2026 Quad-State Summer Meeting, hosted by the Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee Concrete Associations. This year’s meeting will be held June 18–21, 2026, at the beautiful Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach.

Registration fees will increase after June 1, so don’t wait to reserve your spot. Please note that the room block is now full.



All registrations will be processed through the Tennessee Concrete Association. Use the link to register and become a sponsor today! REGISTER NOW

Why It Is Important to Be

an MCA Member

In Mississippi’s fast-changing economic and construction environment, it requires strong industry support, resources, and a collective voice. That’s where membership in the Mississippi Concrete Association (MCA) has made and continues to make a difference. Since 1957, MCA has served as the definitive voice and resource for the concrete industry across our state.

As a non-profit trade association representing ready-mix producers, suppliers, contractors, engineers, and related professionals, MCA works tirelessly to improve the quality of concrete construction, expand markets for concrete products, and strengthen the industry’s image. If a business operates in the concrete, aggregate, cement, or associated sectors in Mississippi, they should not view membership as just beneficial—it should be seen as essential.

Key Benefits of MCA Membership

• Business Growth Through Promotion: MCA conducts targeted marketing and promotional activities that help members generate more business and increase concrete market share.
• Training and Certification: Members enjoy discounted rates on essential training, certification programs (including ACI certifications), and technical seminars that keep teams skilled and compliant.
• Strong Advocacy: MCA provides robust representation on legislative and regulatory issues, lobbying effectively to protect and advance industry interests.
• Technical Expertise: Get direct access to technical guidance, technical literature, design references, and video libraries.
• Networking and Information: Connect with peers, customers, vendors, and officials at the meetings and convention. Stay informed through the newsletter.
• Professional Community: Join a premier organization committed to excellence, where members collaborate to raise standards and tackle challenges together.



When you are an MCA member, you don’t just support your own company, you invest in the entire Mississippi concrete industry’s future. Please share this article with non-member companies whether they are a material supplier, vendor, engineering firm, concrete contractor, or even a competitor. You can also put them in touch with the staff at MCA so we can provide them more details. (lhowell@mississippiconcrete.com)

MCA 2026 CALENDAR

June 18 - 21, 2026 | Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida with AL, TN, & KY

September 29 - 30, 2026 | ACI Field Testing Technician Grade 1 in Pearl

October 20 - 21, 2026 | ACI Field Testing Technician Grade 1 in Gulfport

October 29, 2026 | Glyn Porter Memorial Golf Tournament in Flowood

November 3 - 4, 2026 | ACI Aggregate Testing Technician Level 1 (MDOT Class 2) in Pearl

November 4, 2026 | Written Retest Exams in Pearl

December 1 - 2, 2026 | ACI Strength Testing Technician in Pearl

December 2, 2026 | Written Retest Exams in Pearl

Future MCA Summer Meetings