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Slideshow: Keeney Sand & Stone
Pit & Quarry recently visited Keeney Sand & Stone, a small family-run operation based in Painesville, Ohio. The father-and-son team of Dennis and Kevin Keeney lead the operation, which produces six salable products. Most of Keeney's products are used in the residential market to ultimately make driveways and home foundations. Keeney Sand & Stone also serves the landscaping market with decorative stone. The operation outsources its drilling and blasting and relies on portable Terex Cedarapids equipment to process its material. The father-and-son team says about 23 acres of its property have been mined over the years. Check out the slideshow below for an inside look at Keeney Sand & Stone. Photos: Pit and Quarry Magazine Keep Reading
Aggregate production up 8 percent across U.S.
An estimated 592 million metric tons of total construction aggregates were produced and shipped for consumption in the U.S. in the second quarter this year, an increase of 8 percent compared with the second quarter of 2013, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The estimated production for consumption in the first six months of 2014 was 961 million metric tons, an increase of 7 percent compared with the same period of 2013. An estimated 346 million metric tons of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the second quarter of 2014, an increase of 8 percent compared with the second quarter of 2013. The estimated production for consumption in the first six months of 2014 was 567 million metric tons, an increase of 7 percent compared with that of the same period of 2013. Also, construction sand and gravel production was up in the second quarter this year, as well. The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption… Keep Reading
Momentum building for AGG1
Exhibit space sales are tracking ahead of previous show cycles for the 2015 World of Asphalt and AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), show producer. According to AEM, attendees will find new and expanded industry education sessions at next year's event, which will be held March 17-19 in Baltimore at the Baltimore Convention Center. Keep Reading
Highway bill, MSHA inspections top of mind at Pit & Quarry event
The annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference was held Aug. 27-28 in Cleveland, where aggregate producers and manufacturers participated in discussions on the recently passed highway bill, MSHA, the economy's impact on their businesses and more. In addition to the roundtable discussion, George Reddin, managing director at FMI Capital Advisors, delivered a markets-focused presentation that zeroed in on opportunities. Mike Heenan, Pit & Quarry's safety and law columnist and an attorney at Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, offered an update on proposed changes to MSHA law. This year's Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference drew nearly 40 participants. Look for more coverage of the roundtable in an upcoming issue of Pit & Quarry. In addition to the roundtable itself, participants were treated to a reception and tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. A number of roundtable participants also played in the event's annual golf outing, which was held this year at Shaker Heights Country Club in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Photos: Pit and Quarry… Keep Reading
Report: Frac sand demand up significantly, and prices may follow
The Wall Street Journal reports that frackers are expected to use nearly 95 billion lbs. of sand this year, a figure that's up nearly 30 percent from 2013 and up 50 percent from forecasts energy-consulting firm PacWest Consulting Partners made one year ago. According to the report, the increased demand is having an effect on the price of frac sand. U.S. Silica Holdings Inc., for example, recently said it would start charging as much as 20 percent more for finer sand grades. U.S. Silica expects demand for sand to be at least 25 percent higher than supply through 2014. "Northern White is in short supply, so people are using basically whatever they can get their hands on to complete their wells," Michael Lawson, a spokesman for U.S. Silica, told The Wall Street Journal. Keep Reading
VantaCore Partners acquired in deal exceeding $200 million
Natural Resource Partners LP (NRP) signed an agreement to acquire VantaCore Partners LP, a privately held company specializing in the construction materials industry, for $205 million. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter this year. According to a press release, VantaCore was formed in 2006 and has integrated seven companies in its time. The company is headquartered in Philadelphia, and a group of investors own VantaCore, which operates three quarries, six sand-and-gravel plants, two asphalt plants and a marine terminal. Its operations are located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Louisiana. NRP, meanwhile, owns interests in aggregates, coal and industrial minerals, as well as oil and gas across the United States. VantaCore will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of NRP. VantaCore CEO Colin Oerton and COO Perry Donahoo will continue to manage the subsidiary. “With this acquisition, we are continuing down the path of diversifying NRP, building on our recent track record of smart, well-considered additions to our natural resource properties," says Wyatt Hogan, NRP's… Keep Reading
Pennsylvania governor pays visit to McLanahan
Gov. Tom Corbett (R-Pa.) visited McLanahan Corp.'s corporate headquarters in Hollidaysburg, Pa., and discussed how pro-growth policies and energy development are spurring the growth of Pennsylvania manufacturers. Corbett toured the McLanahan facility as part of his visit with company President and COO George Sidney and Chairman Michael McLanahan. Following the tour, Corbett spoke with the facility’s employees about the importance of continuing to provide opportunities for Pennsylvania manufacturers and support the business. According to the company, Michael McLanahan serves on the Governor’s Manufacturing Advisory Council (GMAC). Corbett commissioned GMAC as a public-private advisory council to identify and prioritize top issues that can help influence, sustain and advance that sector in the state. Keep Reading
7 questions with NSSGA’s Bailey Wood
The National Stone Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) brought Bailey Wood on board earlier this summer as its vice president of communications. Wood joined NSSGA from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), where he was responsible for much of NADA’s policy-related communications, handling environmental policies, tax and regulatory matters. For NSSGA, Wood will be a key leader as the association implements a strategic plan to grow the scope and influence of the aggregates industry and refortify U.S. infrastructure. Pit & Quarry caught up with Wood to ask him about the association's strategic plan, highway funding and more. P&Q: What is your first impression of the aggregates industry? Bailey Wood: Pennsylvania is one of the top three states for aggregates production and, growing up in the central part of the state, I was keenly aware of the local presence, including those facilities owned by Pennsy Supply, now a subsidiary of Oldcastle. I have seen firsthand the incredible impact that stone, sand and gravel producers have on their local communities and the… Keep Reading
IRock adds dealer in Northeast
IRock Crushers named Construction & Industrial Equipment Corp., Lodi, N.J., to its dealer network. In addition to Lodi, Construction & Industrial Equipment has two other locations in Ramsey and Ringwood, N.J. The dealer is expected to sell IRock screeners. Keep Reading
