Author
Caterpillar talks Tier 4
Caterpillar held a ConExpo-Con/Agg press conference hosted by company chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman. He said Tier 4 is the most significant product development in Caterpillar history. Oberhelman emphasized sustainability, saying remanufactured equipment is big business for Cat, and is economically friendly. He also touted the company's hybrid and electric-powered offerings. Oberhelman says he is "very guardedly optimistic" about the economy, and extremely encouraged to hear the president proposing a new highway bill. Oberhelman noted that the industry (including Caterpillar and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers) is supporting a standard for equipment-generated data, which will help operations with mixed-brand fleets. Also at the press event, Caterpillar discussed¬†Cat Connect, a new framework for construction technologies and services. It is designed to help customers monitor, manage and enhance operations and gain more control of jobsites. Using data from technology-equipped machines, customers get more information and insight into equipment and performance than ever before. Caterpillar is introducing some new equipment at the show, as well.¬†The new Cat 390F and 374F excavators use fuel-efficient… Keep Reading
Astec Industries highlights new offerings
At a morning press conference before the start of the show, Ben Brock, president and CEO of Astec Industries spoke to a group of journalists and employees. Brock lauded president Obama's highway-bill proposal, and highlighted a few of the Astec Group's new offerings. "It's an exciting time here," Brock said, referring to ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014. Yesterday evening, Brock's father, J. Don Brock, was inducted along with five others into the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame. Keep Reading
A fix in the works?
An article this week from NBC News cites the highway-funding drought, and the daily reminders of it – potholes. "Every spring thaw brings potholes," notes the story. "This year, one of the harshest winters in memory is turning America's highways into a historic pothole-palooza." Here in Northeastern Ohio, we're experiencing a ridiculously cold winter, and the few warm days mixed in have made for the kind of freeze-thaw cycles that create monster potholes. Already, crews have been out filling them, but we're still dodging axle-breaking craters every day. Now comes good news in the form of a proposal by the president of a four-year, $302 billion transportation reauthorization. The White House says, "The president will continue to act when he can to promote job growth in the transportation sector and put more Americans back to work repairing and modernizing our roads, bridges, railways, and transit systems, and will also work with Congress to act to ensure critical transportation programs continue to be funded and do not expire later this year."… Keep Reading
Showtime in Vegas
Organizers say ConExpo-Con/Agg is building momentum as the show prepares to open its doors March 4. ConExpo-Con/Agg will be held March 4-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding area, and this year’s event will have the most exhibit space ever. The show is set to cover a record-breaking 2.3 million net sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor exhibits. Also that week, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) will hold its Annual Convention March 3-6. And Pit & Quarry hosts its 2014 Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony at the Encore Las Vegas, March 3. ConExpo-Con/Agg attendees say key reasons for attending the event are to view new equipment and technology, and to have access to industry experts. Show management notes these reasons propel new attendees, as well, and they’ll find both at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014. “The common thread among those making their first trip to ConExpo-Con/Agg [and co-located IFPE show] is an excitement about new products and new technology,” says John Rozum, attendee acquisition manager. “The… Keep Reading
Open wallet or empty wallet?
Passage of a near-trillion-dollar farm bill this month gives hope to many of those in our industry advocating a large, multi-year, transportation-funding bill to replace the current legislation, which expires Sept. 30. My pessimism regarding the passage of such a bill has been owing to the recent reluctance of Congress to vote through long-term legislation with large price tags. Passage of the farm bill might be a sign that things in Washington are changing. Pam Whitted, senior vice president for legislative and regulatory affairs at the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), told me that passage of both the Water Resources Reform & Development Act and the farm bill are positive signs. Still, there is no guarantee that a huge highway bill will happen, especially in this, an election year. During an NSSGA webinar, Whitted quoted former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood as recently saying last week, "There's no way that a reauthorization bill can pass before the mid-term elections in November." And it appears states aren't holding… Keep Reading
Former U.S. DOT secretaries in NSSGA panel discussion
NSSGA is bringing together a distinguished panel of former U.S. Department of Transportation secretaries to share ideas and insights into how to achieve passage of a multi-year, surface transportation reauthorization bill. The panel discussion will be a part of NSSGA’s annual convention, which takes place during ConExpo-ConAgg week in Las Vegas. Specifically, it will occur during the convention's general session, Thursday, March 6, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Encore Las Vegas. The transportation panel discussion will be moderated by Michael Johnson, NSSGA's president and CEO. The group includes: Ray LaHood: Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood joined Building America’s Future (BAF) on Jan. 8 as a new co-chair. Serving alongside fellow co-chairs, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, LaHood will help lead BAF’s bipartisan coalition of current and former elected officials who are committed to raising awareness about the need to invest in the nation’s roads, bridges, airports, rails and ports. Under President Obama’s leadership, LaHood served as the U.S. Secretary… Keep Reading
Bringing you the show
It happens only once every three years, a brief opportunity for aggregate producers to see the latest equipment and technology for their operations — all in one place. The show is ConExpo-Con/Agg, and equipment manufacturers spend a great deal of time and money to showcase their offerings at this enormous event. The millions of square feet of exhibit space encompass not only the entire three halls of the Las Vegas Convention center, but also surrounding facilities and parking lots. If there’s a viable space within a stone’s throw of the convention center, you’re sure to see a piece of equipment on it. Concurrent with the ConExpo, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) will hold its annual convention, and we will host the second annual Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony. It’s all happening in Las Vegas the week of March 2. In our upcoming March issue, we dedicate 58 pages to ConExpo-Con/Agg and the NSSGA Convention. Plus, delivered with the issue, is our Aggregates… Keep Reading
Platinum record
ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014 takes place in early March, and features a new exhibit lot. A record amount of exhibit space has been sold for the upcoming ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014, and the show has been moved up from its mid/late-March time slot. The event takes place March 4-8 at its usual location – the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding area. And this year, a new Platinum Lot behind the South Hall has been added. You’ll find many companies that supply to the aggregates industry exhibiting in the Platinum Lot and Central Hall, in addition to the many other areas in and around the convention center. ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014 already covers a record-breaking 2.3 million net sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor exhibits. Show management stresses that quality, not size, is the goal. A strategic alignment with needs of the industry has led to programs and events geared toward helping attendees and exhibitors achieve the most value of their time at the event. “Attendees will find the newest products and technologies and technical experts… Keep Reading
Growth spurt
The Freedonia Group recently reported some very good news, forecasting worldwide sales of construction aggregates to increase 5.8 percent per year to 53.2 billion metric tons by 2017. And the news is good for North America, as well, with sales expected to rise over the next five years. The continent saw a decline in aggregate sales of $700 million in 2012 compared to 2007. Our Pit & Quarry Aggregates Industry Index also reflects this fall, showing the industry in North America bottoming out at the end of 2011. However, beginning in the latter half of 2012, the index has risen to its highest levels since the peaks of about seven years ago. According to the Freedonia Group, aggregates demand is expected to grow in North America over the next few years by about the same amount it fell during the previous time period. Sales are projected to be about $700 million higher in 2017 compared to 2012. Western Europe is also expected to see a growth in aggregate sales over… Keep Reading
