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Crushed stone, sand and gravel consumption increase
An estimated 367 million metric tons (Mt) of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the third quarter of 2013, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This is an 8 percent increase compared with the same period of 2012. The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2013 was 904 Mt – a slight increase compared with the first nine months of 2012. For construction sand and gravel, the estimated U.S. output produced and shipped for consumption in the third quarter of 2013 was 279 Mt. That's an increase of 9 percent compared with the same period of 2012. The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2013 was 657 Mt – a 3 percent increase compared with the same period of 2012. In addition, an estimated 646 Mt of total construction aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2013. That's an increase of 8 percent compared with the… Keep Reading
Volvo CE to purchase Terex’s hauler business
Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) came to terms with Terex Corp. to acquire hauler manufacturer Terex Equipment Ltd. for $160 million. The deal will include related assets and intellectual property. Volvo CE expects to finalize the transaction during the second quarter of 2014. According to a press release, the deal includes Terex Equipment's main production facility in Scotland and two product ranges that offer both rigid and articulated haulers. The deal also includes the distribution of haulers in the United States, as well as a 25.2 percent holding in Inner Mongolia North Hauler Joint Stock Co. (NHL), which manufactures and sells rigid haulers under the Terex brand in China. The acquisition includes five models of rigid haulers, with payloads ranging from 32 to 91 tons. The introduction of rigid haulers will extend Volvo CE’s position in light mining, the company says. In addition, the deal adds three models of articulated haulers to the Volvo portfolio, with payloads ranging from 25 to 38 tons. These machines support Volvo CE’s existing position in… Keep Reading
Aggregates USA names CEO
The board of directors at Alabama-based Aggregates USA LLC unanimously elected Bill Niketas as the company's CEO earlier this year. Niketas previously served as Aggregates USA's CFO. He succeeds J. Stuart Ryan, who served the company for two years as interim CEO. Ryan, who also serves as chairman of Fortune 500 company Calpine Corp., will remain as chairman of the board. Keep Reading
House bill aims to up federal gas tax by 15 cents
Another bill was introduced in the House of Representatives related to transportation infrastructure funding. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) introduced this latest one, The Update, Promote, and Develop America's Transportation Essentials (UPDATE) Act, which would nearly double the federal gas tax from 18.4 cents per gallon to 33.4 cents per gallon. According to a press release, the bill would phase in a 15-cent-per gallon increase over three years. Several companies and organizations issued statements in support of UPDATE, including Rick Patek, group president of Astec Industries and chairman of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. "The UPDATE Act of 2013 could spur economic growth and competitiveness while improving our nation’s ability to efficiently move goods and people," says Patek, through a press release. "Investing in our national infrastructure is critical to keeping America competitive, and we appreciate Congressman Blumenauer taking these important steps to ensure we can reauthorize the federal highway bill for the long-term.” Also, The Hill reports that Blumenauer wants to study a proposal to tax drivers based on the… Keep Reading
Former employee wins retaliation case against Maine producer
Portable Pioneer Plant, a stone-crushing operation in Thomaston, Maine, will provide compensation to a former employee and take other corrective action to resolve a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. According to an MSHA press release, the former employee, a general laborer at the stone-crushing plant, filed a complaint with MSHA in November 2011 alleging that the company had terminated his employment on Sept. 30, 2011, in retaliation for him having made recurring safety complaints. MSHA’s investigation found that the complainant had engaged in protected activity when he alerted the company about unresolved safety problems. Examples of this protected activity are the complainant’s refusal to turn on the plant’s generator until required safety guards had been installed and calling MSHA to report the company’s failure to install those safety guards. As part of the settlement reached in the case, the former employee will receive $6,000 in back wages. Keep Reading
Firm: Political infighting, uncertainty slowing nonresidential construction
FMI, a management consulting and investment-banking firm with an index that measures nonresidential construction growth, released its latest report that shows a 2.9-percent fourth-quarter drop for the category. FMI gave the fourth quarter a score of 57.4 on its Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI). A score of 50 indicates growth, the firm says. Two of the reasons FMI cites for the slight decline are political infighting and economic uncertainty. Productivity slid in the fourth quarter as well, FMI says. Its 48.6 score is the lowest FMI has given since the second quarter of 2008. Ultimately, FMI says attention to productivity and profit margins will be keys to sustaining growth moving ahead. Building construction continues to improve since 2012, the firm adds, but growth is still unsteady as its score slipped 7.5 points to 64.1 this quarter. Material and labor costs also continue to rise, causing the overall NRCI to fall. Keep Reading
CalCIMA distributes awards to several members
The California Construction & Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA) recently recognized several members who made outstanding contributions during 2013. Jim Good, retired and previously with the law firm Gresham Savage Nolan & Tilden, received the association's President's Award. Good, who served CalCIMA as counsel since its inception in 2007, has been a longtime legal advisor to California mining companies, according to a press release. The Benjamin J. Licari Distinguished Member Award went to Michael Toland, president of Spragues Ready Mix. According to CalCIMA, Toland has been a leader in promoting the association and membership with his colleagues. The association's Spirit of the Industry Award was given to Toby Goyette, environmental manager at Syar Industries Inc., and John Lane, EH&S project manager with Teichert Materials. Goyette was recognized for his leadership of an industry work group to respond to a draft industrial storm water order from the state water board. Lane was recognized for his leadership in developing a new air permit for industry to use portable equipment. Another award, Associate of… 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
2014 State of the Industry
The industry is optimistic heading into the new year, and efforts are underway to lobby for an improved highway bill. Although the divide between the nation’s infrastructure needs and the funds available continues to widen, the overall economy is continuing to improve, and aggregate producers in many parts of North America continue to see an increase in business. Efforts are underway to lobby for a new highway bill, and, while the political climate in Washington hasn’t changed, the president’s administration and Congress are more aware than ever about the need to properly fund U.S. transportation infrastructure improvements. The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) is optimistic about the future of its organization following the hire of Mike Johnson, the association’s new president and CEO. Johnson stepped in for Gus Edwards, who spent 17 years with the group and honorably served NSSGA as president and CEO for nearly a year. Other big news that emerged in 2013 was the launch of the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame, which will… Keep Reading
