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Momentum builds again for nonresidential projects
The Dodge Momentum Index, a monthly measure of the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning, rose in October to 125.5. That's a 7.6-percent jump from October’s 116.6 reading, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The momentum index had declined in each of the previous three months. The October increase returns the index to the rising trend seen during the first half of this year, says Dodge Data & Analytics. The index now stands 18 percent above last year. According to Dodge Data & Analytics, the October rise was the result of greater planning activity for its two main segments: institutional building, which is up 8.8 percent for the month; and commercial building, which is up 6.8 percent. There were six commercial building projects exceeding $100 million that entered into planning during the month, including the $200 million Potomac Yard Office Building in Alexandria, Va., and the $200 million Waterfront Office Development in Austin Texas. Keep Reading
Like father, like son
A northeast Ohio quarry operator applies decades of on-the-job training from his mentor – his dad. One moment Kevin Keeney is on a wheel loader feeding a crusher. The next he’s doing light maintenance on miscellaneous equipment. Later, Keeney is returning phone calls and meeting with potential customers. There isn’t much Keeney, the operator of Keeney Sand & Stone, doesn’t do each day at his small, family-owned business in Painesville, Ohio. “Most of my days I’m sitting on a piece of equipment and running material through to process,” says Keeney, who typically handles day-to-day operations in the quarry with just one other employee. “There are days when I’m wearing 10 different hats, from one place to another, just trying to keep things moving.” Keeney has worn just about every hat possible in his career at the operation, which has spanned nearly 25 years. He began working full-time there in 1990 after graduating high school. His dad, Dennis, led the operation back then and for a number of years thereafter. “My… Keep Reading
Submit your Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame nomination today
Nominations for the third class of the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame are currently being accepted, but the deadline to submit nominations is Dec. 15, 2014. Aggregates producers, manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, associations and allied trade representatives are all eligible for induction to the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame. A neutral board comprised of various industry segments reviews all nominations and determines which individuals earn induction to the hall of fame. Submit a nomination for a worthy individual here. The 2015 class will be inducted Sunday, March 15, 2015, during a dinner and ceremony at the Hilton Baltimore Hotel in Baltimore prior to the AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo. Pit & Quarry established an industry hall of fame two years ago to pay tribute to the pioneers of the past and present-day industry leaders. The Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame currently includes these members: Class of 2014 J. Don Brock, Astec Industries Inc. Bernie Grove, National Stone Association Howard Hall, Iowa Manufacturing/Cedarapids Inc. Chuck Lien, Pete Lien &… Keep Reading
San Antonio, Austin have new Liebherr dealer
Liebherr Construction Equipment Co. named Nueces Power Equipment its dealer for the San Antonio and Austin, Texas, markets. Nueces accepted dealer sales and service responsibilities for Liebherr's full line of earthmoving and material-handling equipment. Nueces is headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas, according to Liebherr. Keep Reading
Breckenridge Material’s parent company acquires limestone quarries
BMC Enterprises Inc., the parent company of St. Louis-based ready-mix concrete producer Breckenridge Material Co., acquired four APAC-Missouri aggregate assets. The assets BMC acquired are two operational limestone quarries – the Wright City Quarry and Defiance Quarry – and two properties with future aggregate reserves. According to BMC, the quarries will now operate as BMC Stone LLC. BMC says the acquisition is its eighth in the last five years, bringing the company's total combined aggregate reserves to nearly 2 billion tons. Keep Reading
Luck Cos. receives environmental excellence award
Luck Cos. employees accepted a Gold Medal in the 2014 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards from state government officials in Virginia. The company was recognized for its commitment to sustainability across all of its business units, resulting in improvements in water conservation, land preservation, waste generation and energy savings. “We are honored to be recognized with this prestigious award for our longstanding efforts in environmental stewardship and management,” says Charles S. Luck IV, president and CEO of Luck Cos. “We are committed to making a difference in the lives of others and building legacies for future generations. Our overarching sustainability goal is to enable current and future generations to thrive socially, economically and environmentally.” Keep Reading
Texas-based Damron Sand & Gravel acquired
PB Materials Holdings Inc. completed the acquisition of Damron Sand & Gravel, a sand-and-gravel producer based in the Lubbock, Texas, area. According to PB Materials, the acquisition expands its existing aggregate and ready-mix concrete operations in west Texas and eastern New Mexico. “We are excited to add Damron and its long history of successfully supplying sand and gravel to the region to PB Materials," says David Vickers, CEO of PB Materials. "The operations will augment our existing asset base, further enabling PB Materials to provide a high level of quality and service to our customers." Keep Reading
Pump Solutions appoints Buscher as president
Pump Solutions named Karl Buscher president. He will oversee the Wilden, Blackmer, Neptune, Almatec, Mouvex, Griswold, Ebsray and Quattroflow brands. Buscher joined Pump Solutions in November 2011 as a senior vice president. He most recently was president of PSG Americas, where he was responsible for commercial and operational responsibilities for the Americas region. Keep Reading
Mellott Co. names chief operating officer
Mellott Co. hired Jason Talbot as executive vice president and COO. According to Mellott, Talbot has 15 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, sales, and the application of quarrying and mining equipment. Talbot's predecessor, Ramesh Patel, will remain with Mellott in an advisory capacity for the foreseeable future, the company says. Keep Reading
