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Aggregate production up in third quarter
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released third-quarter figures related to the production of total aggregates, crushed stone, and construction sand and gravel. Here's a breakdown of each category: Total aggregates An estimated 683 million metric tons (Mt) of total aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2014, an increase of 9 percent compared with figures from the third quarter of 2013. The estimated production-for-consumption in the first nine months of 2014 was 1.64 billion metric tons (Gt), an increase of 8 percent compared with figures from the same period of 2013. According to USGS, the estimated production-for-consumption of total aggregates in the third quarter of 2014 increased in all nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the third quarter of 2013. The largest increases in percentages were recorded in the East North Central, East South Central and Mountain divisions USGS measures. Production-for-consumption increased in 32 of the 43 states that were estimated. The five leading states, in descending order… Keep Reading
Firm provides reasons for nonresidential construction optimism
Management consulting and investment banking firm FMI released its Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) for the fourth quarter. The index increased slightly from the third quarter, moving from 62.5 to 62.8. According to FMI, the 62.8 mark is 5.5 points ahead of the index from a year ago. FMI says an NRCI above 50 indicates improvement or expansion. FMI says there are a few reasons for optimism related to nonresidential construction. The firm says businesses are starting to build again, backlogs are expanding, and future business looks good with low inflation. In addition, FMI says businesses have a sense of financial security with improved balance sheets. Still, FMI adds that the costs of labor and materials continue to rise. These factors have held the NRCI score down. In addition, a shortage of skilled laborers remains a concern. Keep Reading
Garrison joins Superior Industries
Superior Industries Inc. hired John Garrison as a business development manager. According to Superior, Garrison’s experience in bulk processing will be used to develop new opportunities for Superior’s portable plants product line, its design-build division and the company’s new wet processing division. Garrison joins Superior after spending the last decade as a market area director at Terex Minerals Processing Systems (MPS). He was responsible for directing sales, marketing, distribution and aftermarket service teams for the Cedarapids, Simplicity and Canica product lines. Garrison spent five years as a territory manager at Motion Industries before joining Terex in 2005. Keep Reading
Bridgestone brings off-road radial tire production to the U.S.
Bridgestone Americas Inc. opened its first giant off-road radial tire plant in the United States. The company marked the opening of the Bridgestone Americas Off Road Radial Tire Manufacturing Facility in Aiken County, S.C., with a ceremony that included company representatives from around the world and state and local dignitaries. The plant, which spans 1.5 million sq. ft., is producing off-road radial tires for the aggregates and mining industries. Bridgestone initially announced plans for the facility in 2011, committing $970 million to build the plant, as well as expand production capacity at its steel cord manufacturing facilities in Clarksville, Tenn., and Japan. "This plant is the biggest single investment Bridgestone has ever made," said Gary Garfield, president and CEO of Bridgestone Americas Inc., during remarks at the ceremony. Also delivering remarks during the plant's grand-opening ceremony were Ron Brooks, plant manager; Kazuhisa Nishigai, Bridgestone Corp. COO; Tomohiro Fukuda, vice president and officer of Bridgestone Corp.'s specialty tire business; and Steve Shelton, senior vice president of Bridgestone Americas' technology, manufacturing and… Keep Reading
NSSGA asks EPA to withdraw waters-rule proposal
The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider its proposal to radically expand the scope of federal authority over water and land uses across the United States. According to NSSGA, aggregates producers argue that the policy change is unjustifiable and the cost to the American taxpayer and industry would far outweigh any benefit. “At a time when Americans are concerned about our crumbling infrastructure, it is unbelievable that the EPA seeks to make an unwarranted rule change that dramatically impacts the cost of aggregates and the products that they go into – like highways, roads and bridges," says Paul Detwiler III, NSSGA chairman and president of New Enterprise Stone & Lime. "Ultimately, these increased costs are borne by the taxpayers yet there is little, if any, benefit from the rule." In its final comments on the rule, NSSGA says the federal government’s attempt to seek authority over areas that have little or no connection to flowing… Keep Reading
L.G. Everist acquires Iowa producer
L.G. Everist Inc. acquired Higman Sand and Gravel, an Akron, Iowa, aggregate producer. According to The Akron Hometowner, L.G. Everist will keep Higman's employees. L.G. Everist has operations in Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas and Colorado, the Akron Hometowner reports. The company is primarily an aggregates business, but it also operates rail trans-loading services. Keep Reading
MSHA hearings to cover civil-penalty changes
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is scheduled to hold public hearings on its proposed changes to the civil penalties rule Dec. 4 and 9. According to MSHA, the hearings will be held in Arlington, Va., and Denver. The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association plans to provide testimony at both hearings, as it is concerned with the proposed rule because of its ability to undercut the ability of operators to seek relief from the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission in contesting alleged violations. The changes will also increase penalty assessments. Keep Reading
Solar roads
A Dutch company offered a glimpse into the future of road building when it unveiled the first solar road, a 230-ft.-long bike path in the Netherlands that's made up of concrete modules with solar cells. According to CNN, the path, which is located in Krommenie, the Netherlands, is covered with a thin layer of tempered glass that absorbs energy that can be used to power street and traffic lights or households. The bike path will be tested for three years before additional solar roads are developed. The company that developed the solar path is SolaRoad. "SolaRoad is a world first that will put the Netherlands on the map as a leader in sustainable innovation," says Henk Kamp, the Dutch minister of economic affairs. Keep Reading
Distribution technology to be covered in December webinar
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) is hosting a one-hour webinar Dec. 4 titled, "Eliminate the Bottleneck on the Truck Scale." The webinar, which is part of NSSGA's AGG1 Online Webinar series, begins at 1 p.m. ET that day. According to NSSGA, its December webinar will focus on distribution at a site. The association will cover technology that companies are using today to make traffic flower safer and more efficient. The use of driver kiosks, RFID, mobile tablets and camera integration will be discussed to show how technology can bring better accuracy and improved safety to the processes around site distribution. Use of these innovations can help reduce in-yard times, keep truck drivers in their trucks, and get more accurate loading, according to NSSGA. Click here to learn more and register. Keep Reading
