Author
ACG Materials acquires Art Wilson Co.
ACG Materials, headquartered in Norman, Okla., acquired Art Wilson Co. (AWC), which mines, processes and markets anhydrite, gypsum and limestone products used in agricultural, industrial and commercial applications. AWC, which serves customers across Nevada, California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho, owns and operates a quarry and downstream production facility in Carson City, Nev., with additional nearby reserves under development. “We are excited about the continued expansion of our operations into the Western U.S.,” says Paul Harrington, CEO of ACG Materials. “Art Wilson Co. not only allows us to acquire the market leading supplier of agricultural gypsum serving California’s Central Valley and surrounding areas, but also broadens our customer footprint, product portfolio, and end market diversification.” ACG Materials is a portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital, a global private equity investment firm that specializes in providing debt and equity capital to small and mid-sized companies. Keval Patel, managing director at H.I.G. Capital, expressed the significance of the acquisition in regard to ACG’s expansion. "We are pleased to support ACG Materials in its acquisition… Keep Reading
CDE Global releases line of primary screens
CDE Global launched its R-Series range of primary screens, which were designed to optimize feed to turnkey wash plants and reduce the requirement for operators feeding the processing plant. The new range includes two new machines: the R1500 and R2500. The R1500 has a maximum feed capacity of 200 tph, while the R2500 has a maximum feed capacity of 500 tph. The machines are capable of screening a variety of materials, including sand and gravel, crushed rock, C&D waste, coal, salt, iron ore and more. The R-Series incorporates the company’s new galvanized infinity screens, which were designed to screen better, last longer and cost less to run. They include sidewall technology that eliminates welds and results in a stronger, lighter screen, according to CDE Global. The R1500 features the Infinity P1-36R screen, and the R2500 includes the Infinity P2-75R screen. Both machines also feature SKF bearings with double seal arrangements, 800-mm galvanized walkways and higher sidewalls to prevent rogue rocks from bouncing off the top deck of the screen. Additionally,… Keep Reading
Xylem relocates New Jersey rental branch
Xylem, headquartered in Rye Brook, N.Y., relocated its East Brunwick, N.J.-based pump rental location to Edison, N.J. The company moved the rental branch to a larger office in order to better accommodate the rental needs of its customers. According to the company, the new location features a larger office and shop with more than 60,000 sq. ft. The location also includes a yard for storage of additional inventory, including pumps, HDPE pipe and accessories for rent or sale. "We are excited that our new building will allow us to more efficiently serve our valued New Jersey and New York Metro Area customers, whose needs have grown over the years,” says Ryan Booth, branch manager for Xylem. “Our expanded space allows us to offer a higher level of inventory and broader service capabilities." Keep Reading
NSSGA, others sue EPA over waters rule
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. According to NSSGA, WOTUS radically expands federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, posing serious concerns for the aggregates industry and the nation. Prior to filing the lawsuit, NSSGA expressed its concerns to the EPA both in person and through written comments. Despite NSSGA’s efforts, EPA plans to enact the final WOTUS rule Aug. 28. As a result, many areas of previously unregulated land will fall under federal jurisdiction and require costly federal permitting, correction or mitigation, NSSGA argues, causing delays in public-works projects. “The WOTUS rule is one of the most egregious examples of federal agency overreach that I have ever seen,” says Mike Johnson, NSSGA president and CEO. “We tried to work with EPA early on in the process, but see this suit as necessary to combat the threat of federal control of private land use. We are committed to supporting our members… Keep Reading
Martin Marietta boasts second quarter improvements
Martin Marietta Materials released the results for the second quarter. The company reported consolidated net sales of $850.2, a 41 percent increase compared to the second quarter of 2014. The aggregates product line volume increased 7.8 percent and the aggregates product line price increased 8.5 percent compared to last year’s second quarter. In addition, Martin Marietta had cement business net sales of $100.4 million, a gross profit of $30.4 million and EBITDA of $37.8 million. In the second quarter of 2015, the heritage aggregates product line shipments increased 0.7 percent, excluding shipments from the third-quarter 2014 divestiture of three operations from the prior-year quarter, reports the company. The nonresidential market represented 32 percent of quarterly heritage aggregates product line shipments, and the residential end-use market accounted for 16 percent of quarterly heritage aggregates product line shipments. “Second-quarter results reflect continued strong performance,” says Ward Nye, chairman, president and CEO of Martin Marietta. “Among other things, each heritage aggregates business reportable segment significantly improved gross profits, generating an incremental gross margin… Keep Reading
Vulcan reveals second quarter progress
Vulcan Materials has released its second quarter 2015 results. Compared to the second quarter of 2014, Vulcan’s total revenues increased $104 million, or 13 percent, to $895 million. Gross profit increased $60 million, or 34 percent, to $234 million as well. In addition, aggregates freight-adjusted revenues increased $75 million, or 15 percent, to $558 million, with shipments increasing 9 percent and segment gross profit increasing 28 percent. Finally, the asphalt mix, concrete and calcium segment gross profit improved $14 million. According to the company, severe wet weather disrupted shipments across many of the company’s key markets in the aggregates segment. However, on a same-store basis, aggregates shipments increased 5 percent in May, 2 percent in April and 9 percent in June. Additionally, the freight-adjusted average sales price for aggregates increased 6.4 percent on a same-store basis, or 71 cents per ton, compared to the second quarter of 2014. In the second quarter of 2015, concrete segment gross profit was $5 million, compared with $3 million in the second quarter of… Keep Reading
Martin Marietta, Vulcan report second quarter results
Martin Marietta Materials and Vulcan Materials reported their second quarter results. Read below to see how the companies did in the second quarter of 2015. -Martin Marietta boasts second quarter improvements -Vulcan reveals second quarter progress Keep Reading
Cat launches equipment operator monitoring service
Caterpillar has launched a 24/7 equipment operator monitoring service designed to provide customers with the ability to see, mitigate and manage operators. Caterpillar can now supply its customers with both machine and operator information with its 24/7 Monitoring Center, where analysts correlate data about the health and productivity of operators and equipment. “Our customers want better visibility to the interaction between operators and machines, and how behavior impacts safety and productivity,” says Tim Crane, Caterpillar safety services manager. “This innovative solution offers our customers the opportunity to mitigate risk and improve productivity.” Using Seeing Machines’ Driver Safety Systems (DSS) and Cat Smartbands, Caterpillar is able to determine the status of operators. The DSS includes an in-cab camera and alert system to notify the operator when fatigue or a distraction occurs, while the Smartband captures operator sleep quantity and quality information. According to Caterpillar, the DSS and Cat Smartband are part of a growing suite of tools that assist customers in improving safety. Data from the DSS and Smartband, along with… Keep Reading
Groff Tractor acquires Trico Equipment Services
Mechanicsburg, Penn.-based Groff Tractor & Equipment acquired Trico Equipment Services, expanding its reach into Vineland, Totowa and Freehold, N.J. The company now has 11 locations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Ohio. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition makes Groff one of Case Construction Equipment’s largest dealers, with 10 Case locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic United States. “Groff is one of CASE’s strongest dealers in terms of product knowledge, application understanding and the ability to match each customer with the right product,” says Jim Hasler, vice president of CASE Construction Equipment. “That’s important in such a diverse region that includes everything from urban development to the oil and gas industry.” Mike Savastio, Groff CEO and president, expressed how this acquisition will allow the company provide enhanced customer service. “These are dynamic markets and we’re committed to delivering a high level of service through each location,” he says. “The larger footprint and inventory will help us better serve customers across all locations, and our commitment to service, customer partnership… Keep Reading
