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AGG1 Preview: Must-attend classes
The number of educational sessions at the AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo jumped from 48 sessions last year to 53 sessions for the 2016 show. Catherine Whalen, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s (NSSGA) director of education, helped decide which educational sessions would take place at the 2016 AGG1 show. She says the show’s educational committee tries to find as much fresh content and new case studies to share with producers each year. Of this year's 53 sessions, she says only 10 percent are repeats from previous years. Some staples that returned to this year’s educational lineup include Crushing 101 with Mark Krause of McLanahan; Screening 101 with Joe Schlabach of Deister Machine Co.; and Washing and Classifying 101 with John Bennington of Superior Industries. A full program of AGG1 and World of Asphalt’s educational sessions can be found online. The following are a few new sessions Whalen anticipates will be popular among producers this year: T43 Aggregate Ticketing Innovation with Robert Cote of Dolese Bros. Co. When: 7:30… Keep Reading
AGG1 2016: Around Nashville: Robert’s Western World
Robert’s Western World is a must-visit bar, grill and honky tonk for country music lovers stopping in Nashville, Tenn. Located on Lower Broadway in Nashville’s historic district, the bar and grill features country music shows almost every night of the week. Robert's Western World opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 3 a.m. It has a 21 and older policy starting at 6 p.m. every day. The grill serves fried bologna sandwiches, burgers and more. The full menu is available online. Check out which music acts will be showing during the AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo dates and stop by to enjoy a drink and see a live performance. Keep Reading
AGG1 2016: Around Nashville: Centennial Park
For free fun in Nashville, Tenn., take a stroll around Centennial Park located on West End and 25th Ave. North. The park, which spans 132 acres, features a one-mile walking trail, a garden, a dog park and volleyball courts. The Parthenon in the middle of the park serves as the city’s art museum, and costs $6 for adults to visit. The Parthenon building and the statue of Athena outside of it are full-scale replicas of what can be found in Athens, Greece. The museum offers adults a group admission rate of $5.50 per person for groups of 10 or more people. Visitors can sign up for a guided tour of the Parthenon by calling 615-862-8431 or emailing tours@parthenon.org ahead of time. Keep Reading
NSSGA names outstanding aggregates operations for 2015
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) issued awards to outstanding aggregates operations in the United States and Canada, commending them for their commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and community involvement in 2015. NSSGA named Gold, Silver and Bronze Award winners in three categories: Safety, Environmental and Community Relations. In addition, Dufferin Aggregates' Acton Quarry in Acton, Ontario, Canada, and Martin Marietta's Beckmann Quarry in San Antonio were both named Stars of Excellence for accumulating Gold Awards in the Safety, Environmental and Community Relations categories over a five-year period. “It is our pleasure every year to highlight these companies for their innovative ideas and programs that improve safety, efficiency and relationships with their community and neighbors,” says Mike Johnson, NSSGA president and CEO. “We encourage our members to share their best practices and new ideas throughout the year so that our entire profession continues to improve operations and community relations.” A Platinum Award will be given to one company from the Environmental and Community Relations categories at NSSGA’s 2016… Keep Reading
AGG1 Preview: Before you go to the show
With the AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo steadily approaching, it might be a smart idea for attendees to plan out how they’ll spend their time at the event. Although the show is simpler than events like ConExpo-Con/Agg, it can still be daunting at times if attendees aren’t certain of what’s offered and who’s exhibiting. Pamala Bouchard, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s (NSSGA) vice president of membership and meetings, shared a couple tips with Pit & Quarry on what producers should keep in mind before they attend AGG1: Download the AGG1 app. The AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo will feature a mobile app for iPhones and Android phones again this year. Bouchard says the app serves as a tool to help show attendees plan their event, as well as track which educational sessions they want to attend. The app details both AGG1 and World of Asphalt. Bouchard says producers who used the app for last year’s AGG1 will need to download this year's version. Wake up early for educational… Keep Reading
Major Wire Industries names new president, CEO
Major Wire Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of Haver & Boecker, appointed Alain Durand as its new president and CEO. The company's previous CEO, Jean Leblond, retired after 26 years as owner of the company. Durand has more than 20 years of experience in the mining industry, including global management, strategic planning, operations management and finance. Major Wire Industries says its board of directors selected Durand to replace Leblond as the company’s president and CEO. Durand previously served as the company's vice president of international sales. “Major has grown significantly and succeeded under [Leblond’s] leadership,” Durand says. “I am grateful that the succession process allowed me to work with him. I share his belief in the power of people and in his unwavering commitment to customers.” Employees at Major Wire look forward to working with Durand. “Alain has deep expertise in business development and the mining industry, and we have every confidence that he will continue his record of success in his new role at Major,” says Walter Haver, board… Keep Reading
Running an operation from a wheelchair
A number of people start their morning with a cup of coffee. John Robbins, general manager at Louisiana-based Webster Gravel and Asphalt, says he likes to start his morning watching the sunrise onsite at a crushing or paving project. “I like taking beautiful pictures of the sunrise before heading to work on a project,” he says. “My whole family likes doing that. We’re always excited for the sun to come up before it’s rock ’n’ roll time for crushing.” When it’s time to crush, Robbins maneuvers his way into the cab of a loader or crusher. Robbins is bound to a wheelchair most of the time because he has multiple sclerosis (MS), which attacks the central nervous system. Despite his disability, Robbins tries to never miss a day of work. He says he finds unique, safe ways to get into machinery. “Typically, I can get myself onto any kind of machine,” Robbins says. “If it’s a normal crushing day, I pull a truck up close to a machine and get… Keep Reading
