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Lafarge sells two quarries as part of deal with Eagle Materials
Eagle Materials Inc. has agreed to purchase Lafarge North America's cement plants in Sugar Creek, Mo., and Tulsa, Okla., as well as other assets that include two quarries, six distribution terminals, eight ready-mix concrete plants and a fly ash business. Eagle Materials made the purchase for $446 million, and the transaction is expected to close by the end of this year. The company expects the acquisition to increase its U.S. cement capacity by about 60 percent. "Our stated strategy has been to grow the cement and aggregates side of our business," says Steven Rowley, Eagle Materials president and CEO. "Our first priority has been to acquire cement plants that connect but do not overlap with the market reach of our existing plants." Rowley adds that the transaction further positions his company near energy growth markets where there is growing demand for Eagle Materials' northern white frac sand. Keep Reading
Record-setting MINExpo draws 50,000
The largest MINExpo ever Sept. 24-26 attracted about 50,000 attendees from 36 countries, as well as 1,860 exhibitors, according to the host National Mining Association (NMA). The 36 countries represented were 20 more than the 2008 MINExpo drew. “The growth in international attendance, from 16 countries in 2008 to 36 represented today, mirrors the global presence of the mining industry,” said Mike Sutherlin, Joy Global president and CEO and MINExpo 2012 chairman. Greg Boyce, chairman and CEO of Peabody Energy and chairman of NMA, echoed Sutherlin's sentiment. "This is the largest single assembly of mining equipment in history, and the sheer scale of this showcase is a testament to the state-of-the-art technologies being used right across the industry," he said. "The world’s energy and industrial supply chain begins with mining, and the equipment and products on display at MINExpo show why mining is safer, more productive and more efficient than ever before." Keep Reading
Settling pond elimination a benefit of ultra-fines recovery system
Deister Machine Co. introduced an ultra-fines recovery (UFR) system at last week's MINExpo. The system is designed to recover ultra-fine sands and silts in quarry applications, as well as to recover tailings in various mining applications. Deister says the system allows operations to eliminate or greatly reduce the use of settling ponds. The Deister system enables producers to create a dry tailing or silt product, which can be stockpiled prior to removal, or used as a saleable product. The system is capable of recoveries ranging between 350 and 400 mesh. It uses a radial distribution manifold for even distribution of solids to all cyclones. The reverse-slope vibrating screen is available in sizes up to 7 ft. wide and 12 ft. long, with solids capacities up to 70 tph. Keep Reading
Bosch Rexroth names machinery applications and engineering VP
Bosch Rexroth Corp. recently named Michael Boehm vice president, machinery applications and engineering. Boehm will oversee product development, sales and operations for the company’s machinery applications and engineering business unit, which includes bulk material handling, marine and offshore, filtration systems, service, industrial manufacturing equipment and hydraulic power technologies. Boehm, who most recently served as a sales director within the company, has been with Bosch Rexroth for 22-plus years. He succeeds Winfried Hegel, who will become head of sales and an industry sector manager for industrial manufacturing equipment in the company's industrial applications unit in Germany. Keep Reading
USGS reports second quarter increases in crushed stone production
An estimated 316 million metric tons of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the second quarter of 2012, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The 316 million is a slight increase compared to the second quarter of 2011. Also, the estimated production for consumption in the first six months of 2012 was 532 metric tons, an increase of 4.3 percent compared to the same stretch in 2011. More specifically, the estimated production-for-consumption of crushed stonein the second quarter of 2012 increased in three of the nine geographic divisions USGS tallies, compared to that sold or used in the second quarter of 2011. The increases were recorded in the East North Central, West North Central and West South Central divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 24 of the 46 States that were estimated. The five leading states, in descending order of production-for-consumption, were Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 112 metric tons and represented 36 percent of the U.S. total.… Keep Reading
Crusher manufacturer acquires Ohio dealer
Crushing and screening equipment manufacturer IRock has acquired Indy Equipment, a Northeast Ohio dealer for Takeuchi, E-Z Drill and other suppliers. The acquisition was effective Sept.14 and encompasses Indy Equipment’s fabrication and manufacturing division. Indy Equipment’s full staff is now part of the IRock team. Although the acquisition is new, the relationship between IRock and Indy Equipment goes back 20 years. IRock was established in 1992, with Indy Equipment serving as a partner who provided expertise in equipment design, engineering and manufacturing. The acquisition brings the entire manufacturing process, from initial design to final quality assurance, under one umbrella for IRock. “Indy Equipment was an ideal fit for us from the start, sharing similar values in regards to customer service and quality in design, engineering and manufacturing," says Ken Taylor, IRock owner and president. "It has been a strong partnership for years, and we’re pleased to take it one step further to work more closely and seamlessly together.” Keep Reading
Aggregate Industries donates rock to Smithsonian
Aggregate Industries U.S. has partnered with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History as it embarks on hosting a festival designed to educate the public about geology. Aggregate Industries' contribution is its donation of a unique rock, rodingite, which is found in one of its local quarries. The Rock On! Family Festival in Washington D.C., is free and open to the public. Visitors can participate in events such as one that teaches them how cement becomes a rock. NSSGA is sponsoring the event, which takes place Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Keep Reading
Pit & Quarry establishes aggregates industry Hall of Fame
Pit & Quarry is paying tribute to the pioneers of the past and present-day industry leaders with the establishment of an industry Hall of Fame. The inaugural class of the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame will be inducted in March 2013 at the AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo in San Antonio, Texas, where Pit & Quarry will host a black-tie dinner with video presentations and an award ceremony honoring the inductees. "This is the first and only Hall of Fame dedicated to the pioneers who have made significant contributions to our industry," says Rob Fulop, Pit & Quarry publisher. Aggregates producers, manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, associations and allied trade representatives are all eligible for induction to the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame. Individual nominations will be accepted online at stage.pitandquarry.com during a period to be determined at a future date. A neutral board comprised of various industry segments will review all nominations and determine which individuals earn induction to the Hall of Fame. Keep Reading
Vitanza named Pit & Quarry national sales manager
Dino Vitanza has been promoted to national sales manager for Pit & Quarry, North Coast Media's flagship magazine, and sister magazine PP&E (Portable Plants & Equipment). Vitanza, who started with Pit & Quarry in 2006, will be handling accounts throughout the United States and Canada for both print and digital media. "Dino has done an incredible job covering our industry," says Rob Fulop, publisher of Pit & Quarry and PP&E. "His work ethic, persistence and organizational skills are invaluable to our publication." Keep Reading
