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NSSGA president delivers message to industry
Mike Johnson, who officially took over Aug. 1 as NSSGA president and CEO, made a special written announcement to the industry as part of his introduction. Below is most of the message from Johnson, who previously served the National Beer Wholesalers Association as executive vice president and chief advocacy officer: "I suppose it might seem strange that someone who spent the last seven-plus years representing beer distributors has become the president of an association representing the stone, sand and gravel industry. "It is ... unless you look at the similarities of purpose, rather than the differences in product. Whether at the National Association of Home Builders, where I first became familiar with the construction industry, during my six years as vice president of Government Affairs with the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America or, most recently, in my role as the executive vice president and chief advocacy officer with the National Beer Wholesalers Association, one thing remains a constant: my career has been spent with some of the most active and… Keep Reading
Nonresidential building projects moving at a steady pace
The Dodge Momentum Index, a monthly measure of the first report for nonresidential building projects in planning, held steady in July compared to the previous month, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. The index inched up 0.2 percent in July to 112.8. While July’s growth rate was modest, McGraw-Hill Construction says the momentum index continues to hold onto the gains established earlier in the year. It also remains near its four-year high. Specifically, new plans for institutional buildings rose again, while commercial plans declined. New development for institutional buildings increased 3.3 percent, bolstered primarily by a strong showing for amusement-related projects. Several casino projects entered the planning phase in July, including a $200 million slot machine complex in Tewksbury, Mass. Along with Tewksbury, three other towns in Massachusetts will be competing for the one slot parlor license to be issued by the state. Other new amusement-related planning projects for July included an $85 million performing arts complex in Lubbock, Texas, and a $75 million sports and entertainment complex in Alexandria, Va. Meanwhile,… Keep Reading
Vulcan planning to expand Georgia quarry
Vulcan Materials Co. is proposing a 279-acre expansion of its quarry in Adairsville, Ga., according to the Rome News-Tribune. About half of the 279 acres would be potentially mined. Vulcan currently owns or leases 341 acres at the existing quarry, although only 167 acres is mineable. The county in which the quarry sits filed a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) document in support of proposed expansion. DRIs must be submitted, a Northwest Georgia Regional Commission planner told the newspaper, for existing quarries that expand by at least 50 percent. Keep Reading
MSHA releases mid-year fatality report
Eighteen miners died in work-related accidents at U.S. mines during the first half of 2013, according to MSHA. Of the 18, nine were killed in the metal and nonmetal mining sector. One of the metal/nonmetal miners died in a fall of highwall; one was killed in a machinery accident; and one miner died in an accident involving explosives and breaking agents. Four miners were killed in powered haulage accidents, and two miners died in falling material accidents. “The one recurring element in the fatalities we’ve seen this year is that they were preventable," says Joe Main, MSHA's assistant secretary of labor. "The final numbers released by MSHA earlier [in July] showed that 2012 had the lowest mining death and injury rates in the history of U.S. mining. Many mines operate every shift of every day, year in and year out, without a fatality or a lost-time injury. Mining workplaces can and must be made safe for all miners.” Keep Reading
Miller consolidates Smith Equipment Products under brand
Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. consolidated the Smith Equipment oxy-fuel cutting equipment product line under the Miller brand. The consolidation expands the current Miller metal cutting offering, which includes a variety of portable plasma cutting packages. The oxy-fuel product line will continue to be manufactured in Watertown, S.D., to the same standards, the company says. The only difference is that the name on the product is now Miller. Keep Reading
Report: Sand to remain in high demand as proppant
Demand for proppants, which are key to North America's expansion of oil and gas production, is expected to increase over the next four years and surpass $9 billion, according to a Cleveland market research firm. Raw sand will continue to account for the majority of proppant demand, the firm adds. According to The Freedonia Group Inc., which produced a study called "Proppants in North America," North American proppant demand has risen sharply since 2002, rising from $250 million to nearly $5 billion in 2012. While the firm expects growth to slow from earlier years, it still expects double-digit annual gains and overall demand to reach more than 100 billion pounds in 2017. The demand is expected to be valued at $9.4 billion. Last year, sand accounted for 90 percent of proppant demand. The Freedonia Group expects sand to account for 91 percent of demand in 2017. Overall, proppant demand is expected to nearly double by 2017. Keep Reading
Transportation bill fails to pass before congressional recess
Several senators blocked a proposed $54 billion measure to fund highways and other 2014 transportation projects, and House of Representatives members canceled a vote on a lesser $44 billion proposal before Congress embarked on its five-week summer recess. Bloomberg News reports Senate Republicans rejected the $54 billion bill because it exceeded spending limits previously agreed to by both Democrats and Republicans. House Republicans called off a vote on the $44 billion measure because they likely did not have the support needed to pass it. Congress returns in September, but Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) said in a statement that passing a transportation bill then is bleak at best. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) added that Congress will have to extend current federal funding for a short period starting Oct. 1 when the government's next fiscal year begins. Keep Reading
Kaman acquires Western Fluid Components
The distribution segment for Kaman Corp. acquired Western Fluid Components Inc., a distributor of hydraulic pneumatic and industrial hose, tubing, fittings and related accessories. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Western, a Parker Hannifin distributor, operates from four locations in Washington with a team of 20 employees. The addition expands Kaman’s Parker Store network to 17. Keep Reading
Vulcan experiences second-quarter increases
Vulcan Materials Co.'s net sales and gross profit both increased in the second quarter of this year, the company said upon releasing its quarterly performance results to the public. Vulcan's net sales increased 7 percent versus the prior year, and its gross profit went up 25 percent compared with the second quarter of 2012. Aggregates shipments increased 2 percent from the prior year, the company said, and pricing went up 4 percent versus 2012. "Each of our operating segments reported solid growth in second quarter earnings, contributing to improved gross profit margin and earnings per share," says Don James, Vulcan chairman and CEO. "We achieved these results despite challenging, wet weather conditions that sharply reduced June shipments in many markets." James added that Vulcan continues to benefit from recovery in private construction activity, particularly residential construction, in many of the company's key markets. "We realized strong increases in second-quarter aggregates shipments in key states – driven mostly by housing demand," he says. "Growth in residential construction activity, and its traditional… Keep Reading
