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California dreaming
Meeting the state of California’s aggregate needs over the next 50 years means coming to terms with alternative processing methods. Aggregate reserves are dwindling in California and unable to supply current demands. This, coupled with global pressures to be greener and more sustainable, means there are some tough choices ahead for the aggregates industry in the United States. One company making a change is CDE Global. According to the company’s chairman, Tony Convery, recently released information from the California Geological Survey (CGS) forecasts a continuing shortage of permitted aggregate resources in California. According to the CGS, California has a resource to meet about one-third of aggregate demand over the next 50 years. “Aggregate is an essential component for commodities such as concrete, asphaltic concrete, plaster and stucco, which means a shortage may affect California’s ability to provide for new construction projects and infrastructure,” Convery says. “Further, transporting aggregate from farther distances results in increased environmental impacts such as [greenhouse gas] emissions, air pollution and traffic congestion.” California famine To give an… Keep Reading
Personal safety
With a little free time over the holidays, someone I highly regard was doing work at home. The plan was to reposition a DVD-VCR player that did not fit the shelf it was on after the cable company put in a new box. To drop the DVD-VCR to the next shelf, a hole was needed in a 1 1/2-in.-thick hardwood shelf to pass wires through. There was concern about confusion reconnecting wires so everything was left connected. It seemed simple to drill while keeping an eye on the wires to not contact them. However, the first hole at 1 in. was not large enough to accommodate a plug that needed to pass through. A 2-in. diameter saw bit was at hand, but it was a little short for a 1 1/2-in.-thick shelf. It was believed that with enough pressure, the cut could be made. With force and persistence, the hole was completed – suddenly with an explosion of electrical wires. The wires were forgotten with the exertion of pressing the… Keep Reading
Stepping into EMS
Developing an environmental management system is an organization-wide undertaking that provides tangible results. Building an Environmental Management System (EMS) might sound like an overwhelming task for a smaller organization, but it need not be. Taken in steps it’s a job that small- and medium-sized organizations can tackle. This article takes you through those basic steps: ■ Plan: Identifying environmental aspects and establishing goals ■ Do: Training and operational controls ■ Check: Monitoring and corrective action ■ Act: Progress reviews and making needed changes to the EMS Plan Building an EMS might sound like an overwhelming task for a smaller organization, but it need not be. Time and resources are limited in any organization, and it is important to use resources wisely. The information below illustrates 10 steps in the EMS planning process. Taking the time to figure out what needs to be done, how to do it, and who must be involved will pay big dividends down the road. Step 1. Define organization’s goals for EMS: The first step in EMS planning is to… Keep Reading
FMI releases fourth quarter construction outlook
FMI’s Construction Outlook for the fourth quarter of 2013 is now available, and the forecast is good. The company, which provides management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, predicts 2013 to end with 7 percent growth for the construction industry as a whole. Some of FMI’s market predictions include: Residential: Forecasts show residential construction ending 2013 with 18 percent growth. Multifamily construction has been particularly strong in the past two years with growth of 48 percent in 2012 and 38 percent in 2013. With rents still high and household formations low, multifamily construction is expected to continue growing. Power: After a booming return in 2012, power construction slowed to just 2 percent growth in 2013. However, the industry is expected to grow an additional 5 percent in 2014 to reach $101.4 billion. Manufacturing: Growth in manufacturing construction will end around 4 percent for 2013. This upward trend will continue, reaching 6 percent or more starting in 2015. Lodging: After several years of sharp decline during the… Keep Reading
Martin Marietta, Texas Industries approve merger
Martin Marietta Materials Inc. and Texas Industries Inc. approved a merger agreement whereby Martin Marietta will acquire all outstanding shares of Texas Industries’ common stock in a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction. The combined company, which will operate under the Martin Marietta Materials Inc. name, will have an enterprise value of approximately $8.5 billion based on the Jan. 27 closing market prices for the shares of both companies. The combined company will be a leading supplier of aggregates and heavy building materials, with low-cost, vertically integrated aggregate and targeted cement operations, according to Martin Marietta. “By uniting Martin Marietta’s and Texas Industries’ complementary assets and leveraging an expanded geographic footprint, we will be even better-positioned to deliver value to our shareholders and customers,” says Ward Nye, Martin Marietta’s president and CEO. “Texas Industries’ aggregates operations are strategically located in high growth markets and fit well into our existing portfolio, and its cement operations will further diversify our product and customer mix.” Under the terms of the agreement, Texas Industries shareholders will receive… Keep Reading
SME names first Health & Safety Individual Excellence winner
SME has named certified mine safety professional H.L. Boling the first recipient of its Health & Safety Individual Excellence Award. Boling has been in the mining industry nearly half a century, SME says. He wrote two chapters of the Mine Health and Safety Management book published by SME. Based on these chapters, for the past six years he has taught mining engineers at the University of Arizona about the importance of safe production. His passion for safe production earned him the name “Mr. Safety,” as well as 83 personal awards and 178 certificates of merit, according to SME. Boling also is best known for his steadfast belief in attainable, sustainable, safe production with heightened emphasis on zero incidents, zero production concerns, zero discipline matters and zero citations. SME established the Health & Safety Individual Excellence award in 2013. It is awarded to a member of the industry who demonstrates outstanding dedication, leadership or heroism in exploration, mining and/or metallurgy occupational safety and health management. The award will be presented during… Keep Reading
Double Coin Tires launches app
Tire manufacturer and marketing firm Double Coin Tires and its CMA subsidiary launched a mobile app for Apple iPhone and Android smartphones. The free Double Coin Tires app makes it possible for users to search for Double Coin dealership locations within their geographic location. They can also search within a specified radius or map route. The app also lets users call, share, email or get directions to a dealership. It also serves as a tire inflation guide. “Proper tire inflation is one of the most important aspects of proper tire maintenance – it can significantly increase the life of the tire and its performance,” says Aaron C. Murphy, vice president, CMA. “Users are able to obtain 24/7 mobile access to recommended tire inflation pressures for all Double Coin tires.” Plus, the app’s design lets users calculate tire load limits for dual and single axle applications based on tire size and pressure. The app can be downloaded at the iTunes App Store and the Android Google Play Store. Keep Reading
Johnson comments on Obama’s State of the Union address
NSSGA President and CEO Michael Johnson released a statement in support of the State of the Union address President Obama delivered January 28. Specifically, Johnson cites the Obama’s comment on rebuilding the nation’s roads. Following is his statement in its entirety. “The president once again mentioned the need to rebuild America’s surface transportation infrastructure in his State of the Union address. I hope the sixth time is the charm because it will take presidential leadership to find a long-term solution to the pending insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund. “The president’s call for corporate tax reform is a welcome development for members of the aggregates industry. By both lowering the rates and eliminating complexities within the code, everyone from mom and pop companies running a single sand and gravel operation all the way up to vertically integrated corporations employing thousands of men and women across America will see the benefits. Decreased tax compliance costs coupled with increased after tax earnings translate into stronger companies capable of providing good paying jobs… Keep Reading
MSHA releases December impact inspection results
MSHA says it issued 135 citations, 24 orders and one safeguard during special impact inspections conducted at 11 coal mines and two metal and nonmetal mines in December. The monthly inspections, which began in force in April 2010, involve mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns, MSHA says. Since that time it has conducted 700 impact inspections and issued 11,562 citations, 1,076 orders and 49 safeguards. Keep Reading
