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Bigger than ever
Record-breaking show spotlights product innovations, industry education. ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014 is nearly upon us, and this year’s show promises to be another record breaker. At last report, with exhibit space still selling, the show is set to cover a record-breaking 2.3 million net sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor exhibits at the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding area. ConExpo-Con/Agg takes place earlier this time around – March 4-8, and coincides with the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s (NSSGA) Annual Convention, which takes place March 3-6. Also that week, Pit & Quarry hosts its 2014 Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony at the Encore Las Vegas, March 3, 7:00 p.m., following the NSSGA Chairman’s Reception. Early registration By registering early for ConExpo-Con/Agg, you can save time and money and take advantage of an opportunity to: ■ Connect with the leading U.S. and global manufacturers and service providers. ■ Take advantage of expert education. ■ Network with industry peers from around the world. Registering in advance, by Jan. 17, saves one-third off… Keep Reading
Roundtable & Conference: Give and take
Sunny Gulf Coast Florida was the setting for this year’s Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference, which was held in Ft. Myers. Following are edited transcripts from the two roundtable sessions. Participants - Session One Moderator: Darren Constantino, Pit & Quarry Rich Blake, Mellott Co. Brian Bleakney, Titan America Roland Boney, Vulcan Materials Co. Greg Donecker, Kemper Equipment/EESSCO Ron Earl, KPI-JCI and Astec Mobile Screens Tod Eberle, Polydeck Screen Corp. Dan Goethel, Rogers Group Fred Gross, FLS Minerals Warren Hawkridge, Hinkle Contracting Mike Heenan, Ogletree Deakins Jeff Heinemann, Sandvik Scott Killough, JWS - Div. Of Command Alkon Melissa Magestro, Association of Equipment Manufacturers Troy McDonald, Earthsource Inc. David Nus, Volvo Construction Equipment Corey Poppe, Superior Industries Chris Upp, Conco Quarries CONSTANTINO: Tell us some of the challenges you’ll be facing in 2014 and your reasons, if any, for optimism. Manufacturers in the room, do you expect sales increases to the aggregate sector in the near future? Are you already seeing it? Producers, is demand on the rise in your area?… Keep Reading
Reasons for optimism
At the Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association meeting in Columbus this month, Jerry Wray, director of the Ohio Department of Transportation, was less than optimistic about the chances for a large, multi-year highway bill anytime soon. “We will standing here a year from now still without a highway bill,” Wray said. “A big bucket of money from Washington is not coming.” And while Wray might be right on that point, there are many reasons for the aggregates industry to be optimistic going into 2014. When we held the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference this fall in Ft. Myers, Fla., the general outlook from both aggregate producers and equipment manufacturers was “cautiously optimistic.” During the event, Roland Boney, vice president at Vulcan Materials Co., said, “I’m based in Florida where the residential fall was steep. Now we’re starting to see the curve going back the other way. ... Residentially, there is sustainable growth in Florida for the years to come.” And Dan Goethel, vice president of aggregate operations… Keep Reading
Interview with NSSGA president
Mike Johnson is the new president and CEO of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), taking over the reigns from Gus Edwards this summer. Pit & Quarry Editor in Chief Darren Constantino asked Johnson a few questions as he transitions into his new role as NSSGA chief. Constantino: Congratulations, Mike, and welcome to the aggregates industry. We have a few questions so our readers can learn a little more about you. What was your impression of the aggregates industry before your journey to become NSSGA's new president and CEO? Johnson: I had some familiarity with the construction industry, having spent nearly five years with the National Association of Home Builders, before joining NSSGA, and a basic understanding that you really cannot build anything consequential without the products produced by NSSGA’s members. While the production of crushed stone, sand and gravel is wide-spread, occurring in communities from coast-to-coast, and while aggregates are a part of everyday life from the homes that we wake up in, the roads we travel… Keep Reading
Weissburg new Volvo president
The Wall Street Journal reports that Martin Weissburg has been appointed new president of Volvo Construction Equipment. He is currently president of the Volvo Group’s customer finance company, Volvo Financial Services. Pat Olney, departing president, will remain in his current position until the end of the year. According to Volvo CE, Olney is leaving to work with a non-competing U.S.-based engineering company. Keep Reading
Titan America sites certified by Wildlife Habitat Council
The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) has certified six of Titan America LLC's sites in the United States, including the company's Center Sand site in Clermont, Fla. The sites were honored during the 25th Wildlife Habitat Council Annual Symposium held in Baltimore last week. "Titan America LLC is being recognized as an industry leader in corporate conservation," said Margaret O'Gorman, Wildlife Habitat Council president. "It is a model for how we at the Wildlife Habitat Council connect corporations and communities to create habitat and increase biodiversity on corporate properties for the benefit of all." "Our affiliation with the Wildlife Habitat Council has allowed us to make progress on one of Titan America's goals of achieving a more sustainable future by adding biodiversity planning and projects to our operating sites," says Don Ingerson, vice president of Ready Mix - Virginia. "By our standards, we are just getting started with the council. But with the WHC's assistance, we are proud to report 100 percent of the Titan America cement plants and 50 percent… Keep Reading
Cat shows off new products
Caterpillar Inc. held a press briefing at its Edwards (Ill.) Training & Demonstration Center to introduce a number of new products. In addition to equipment overviews from the company's product application specialists, the event included equipment demonstrations, product walk-arounds and an optional tour of Tower Rock Stone Co., Ste. Genevieve, Mo. Pit & Quarry was on-hand for the event, which was highlighted by a panel discussion with Ron Inman and Rodney Linker or Tower Rock; Terry Hennesey of Fabick Cat; and Todd Tuntland of Caterpillar. Jason Hurdis, Caterpillar's senior market professional, quarry and aggregates, moderated the discussion. Fuel efficiency was a common theme throughout the product introductions, and Cat also showed off its 988K wheel loader, which was introduced earlier this year at the Bauma trade show in Munich, Germany. Following is some of the equipment introduced at the briefing: M Series 966 and 972 wheel loaders The new 966M, 966M XE, 972M and 972M XE wheel loaders have U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final ACERT engines equipped with a combination… Keep Reading
Broadcaster highlights OAIMA meeting
The Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association (OAIMA) held its Annual Meeting & Trade Show last week in Columbus, Ohio. About 550 attendees were on hand to visit with 72 exhibiting companies. The event's featured speaker was Marty Brennaman, Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds. Brennaman told stories about his broadcast-booth antics, and he signed autographs to raise money for Wounded Warriors. Also speaking was Pamela Whitted, senior vice president, legislative and regulatory affairs for the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. Whitted said, "NSSGA's number one priority is getting a surface-transportation bill." She discussed the situation in Washington in regards to the highway bill and other legislation, and she encouraged audience members to contact their congressional representatives about highway funding. Jerry Wray, director of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), addressed the group, as well. Wray told the audience we will standing here a year from now still without a highway bill. "A big bucket of money from Washington is not coming," he said. Wray also explained… Keep Reading
Upping efficiency
Bluegrass Materials partners with its dealer in the design and construction of a new aggregates plant. Operating since the 1950s, Bluegrass Materials’ Bowling Green South Quarry in Kentucky still has 90 years of life remaining, but the operation’s plant was well past its prime and plagued by costly maintenance issues. David Miles, CEO of Process Machinery, knew there would be a lot of competition for the job to design, fabricate and build the new plant, but he believed his team’s 34-year history would set it apart. “We listened to their goals and tried to provide the best engineered project we could offer them,” Miles says. “They had a vision of what they wanted this plant to be, and we worked hard to give it to them. In the end, I think we brought the best solution to the table, and at a good value, and that’s why they decided to go with us.” Challenging material The quarry manager, Bill Bob Lindsey, had been waiting to get a new plant for… Keep Reading
