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Martin Marietta releases successful fourth-quarter, full-year results
Martin Marietta released the reports for its fourth quarter and full year ending Dec. 31, 2014. In fourth quarter 2014, earnings per diluted share were 94 cents compared to 77 cents in fourth quarter 2013. Consolidated net sales were $779.5 million in the 2014 fourth quarter, a 59 percent increase from the 2013 fourth quarter at $491.4 million. The aggregates product line volume increased 18.8 percent and the aggregates product line price increased 6.7 percent in fourth quarter 2014. In addition, the heritage aggregates product line volume increased 7.6 percent and the heritage aggregates product line price increased 6 percent. In the aggregates business for the 2014 fourth quarter, the nonresidential market represented 32 percent of the heritage aggregates product line shipments and the residential end-use market accounted for 15 percent of these shipments. Finally, cement business net sales in fourth quarter 2014 were at $100 million. In the full year of 2014, adjusted earnings per diluted share were $3.74 compared with $2.61 in 2013. Consolidated net sales in 2014… Keep Reading
CRH purchases Lafarge, Holcim cement assets for $7.3 billion
According to The Street, Irish cement maker CRH announced that it will be purchasing the cement assets of Lafarge and Holcim Ltd. for $7.3 billion. This purchase marks the company’s largest deal ever and clears the way for the sellers to merge. After announcing their $39 billion deal to merge, Lafarge and Holcim launched an auction to dispose of its cement assets to receive approval to merge. CRH took the lead in the auction last month, beating out a joint offer from Blackstone Group and Cinven, The Street reports. The assets CRH agreed to buy account for “the vast majority of the divestments” requested by regulators in return for their approval for the merger, says Holcim CEO Bernard Fontana. Keep Reading
Dodge Momentum Index falls in January
According to Dodge Data & Analytics, the Dodge Momentum Index fell 4.8 percent in January to 121.1, down from a revised 127.2 in December. Compared to January 2013, the index was up 5.8 percent. The fall in the index was a result of decreased planning activity in both the commercial and institutional sectors, with the commercial sector falling 0.4 percent and the institutional sector falling 10.2 percent. However, during the month of January, there were three commercial building projects exceeding $100 million and four institutional projects over $100 million that entered planning. Despite the fall, Dodge Data reports that January’s activity is still in line with the moderate upward trend that has been present the past three years. Keep Reading
University of British Columbia to launch mining EMBA
The University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business will launch an executive MBA in Strategic Mining Management in September 2015. The program, which comes at the request of the sector, is designed to provide professionals with the integrated business and operational training necessary to lead the industry. The program was developed the Sauder School of Business and UBC’s Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, along with an advisory council of senior mining executives. Through the program, students will take interactive online modules and meet four times for weeklong residencies in Vancouver, London and Santiago. According to UBC, students will learn from local experts and professionals and get firsthand experience with world-leading finance companies and mining operations. “The Sauder School’s strong ties to Vancouver’s global mining community and partnership with the Keevil Institute, North America’s leading mining engineering school, have allowed us to create an unparalleled educational experience set to make an important contribution to the future of mining in British Columbia and around the world,” says Sauder’s Dean… Keep Reading
NSSGA honors Hinck for environmental leadership
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) chose Matthew Hinck, environmental manager for CalPortland, to receive its 2014 Environmental Leadership Award. This award recognizes an individual who has contributed to the industry’s environmental responsiveness, is involved in NSSGA’s environmental programs and has day-to-day involvement with his or her company’s environmental affairs. Hinck has chaired NSSGA’s Water Quality Task Force since 2011 and has helped other members with unreasonable water use fees. In addition, he has commented on storm water requirements and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s silica rule. “On one of the most crucial regulatory issues facing our industry, EPA’s unwarranted expansion of the Clean Water Act, Matt has led by example,” says Mike Johnson, president and CEO of NSSGA. “His willingness to meet with members of Congress and testify at a House Science Committee Field hearing helped the entire industry by fostering congressional opposition to the Waters of the U.S. rule.” The award will be presented to Hinck has a part of NSSGA’s opening general session on… Keep Reading
Rogers Group names Matson executive VP and COO
Rogers Group named Darin Matson as its executive vice president and chief operating officer. Prior to this position, Matson worked as division vice president of RGI, where he was responsible for the company’s operations in Arkansas and western Kentucky, as well as the company’s corporate functions of business development, information systems, human resources, safety and aviation. He currently serves on the board of directors and executive committee of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. He also serves on the board of the PENCIL Foundation and as chair of the advisory board for Cane Ridge High School Academy of Architecture and Construction. Photo: Rogers Group Keep Reading
Vulcan releases fourth quarter 2014, full-year results
Vulcan Materials Co. announced the results for the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2014 and for the full year of 2014. Compared to the 2013 fourth quarter, Vulcan’s total revenues increased $75 million, or 11 percent, to $755 million. Gross profit increased $52 million, aggregates freight-adjusted revenues increased $68 million and non-aggregates gross profit improved $8 million. Compared to the entire year of 2013, total revenues increased $223 million, or 8 percent. Gross profit increased $161 million, aggregates freight-adjusted revenues increased $218 million and non-aggregates gross profit improved $30 million. In the 2014 fourth quarter aggregate sales were $594 million, up 20 percent from the 2013 fourth quarter. In addition, total aggregates shipments on a same-store basis increased 12 percent and overall fourth quarter aggregates shipments increased 15 percent compared to 2013’s fourth quarter. On a same-store basis, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia each saw shipments increase by more than 14 percent compared to the 2013 fourth quarter. Compared to 2013’s fourth quarter, freight-adjusted average sales… Keep Reading
CRH to purchase Lafarge, Holcim assets for $7.4 billion
Irish cement maker CRH has agreed to pay $7.4 billion for the Lafarge and Holcim assets, says an article on Reuters. This purchase will make CRH the world’s third-largest building materials supplier and the largest building supplier in central and eastern Europe, the article reports. CRH beat a consortium led by Blackstone for the assets, says Reuters. In addition, CRH says the assets will add 15,000 employees across 11 countries to its workforce. According to the article, for CRH, the deal follows a breakneck expansion in the years before the financial crisis that CEO Albert Manifold brought to a halt by putting 20 percent of net assets up for sale. Manifold said this purchase aligned well with CRH’s operations. "This is just one that's too good to turn down," he said. "What this really does is it creates an opportunity for a whole new wave of acquisitions for the next decade." The article says shares in CRH were up 5.4 percent, shares in Holcim rose 1.7 percent and shares in… Keep Reading
Regal Beloit closes acquisition of Power Transmission Solutions
Regal Beloit announced the closing of the acquisition of the Power Transmission Solutions business from Emerson. Additional information regarding the acquisition will be provided at Regal’s quarterly conference call at 9 a.m. CST on Feb. 17. Those who would like to participate can call 888-317-6003 and enter 3880424 when prompted. International callers can dial 412-317-6061 and enter 3880424. The presentation can be viewed here. Those who would like to listen to the live audio and view the presentation via the Internet can click here. Finally, those who would like to hear a telephone replay of the call, which will be available through May 18, can dial 877-344-7529, conference ID 10058928. International callers can dial 412-317-0088, conference ID 10058928. The webcast will be available until May 18 and can be accessed here or here. Keep Reading
