Oct. 28, 2020 – Summit Materials reported that net revenue increased $38.5 million to $1,562.9 million in the nine months ended Sept. 26, primarily resulting from organic growth in aggregates and ready-mix concrete. Aggregates sales volumes increased 3.1% in the third quarter 2020 when compared to the prior-year period on higher volumes in Texas, partially offset by lower volumes in Missouri, Kentucky and British Columbia. Average…
Read More
Oct. 27, 2020 – Community projects can help aggregates and other nonmetallic minerals operations create a bond with the local community. For example, Carmeuse’s Beachville, Ontario, Canada, operation, in conjunction with the Beachville Museum and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, showcased a new community project: the “Limestone Valley Trail.” Built on old reclaimed mine property just north of the Thames River,…
Read More
Oct. 23, 2020 – Last night was the second and final debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. While many are praising the debate participants for a particularly vigorous exchange – in direct contrast to the first time they came together – I do find it disappointing that America’s infrastructure was not on the agenda. Yes, the…
Read More
Oct. 21, 2020 – Over at our sister publication Concrete Products, the latest ready mixed production numbers are out. According to the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, the estimated ready mixed concrete produced in July 2020 is 36.2 million cu. yd., 2% lower than that in July 2019. The estimated production in the United States for 2020 through July is 212 million cu. yd., 2% higher than that…
Read More
Oct. 19, 2020 – There is an interesting statistic released by the National Association of Home Builders: Home sales are outpacing starts by a historic margin. Housing demand has increased so rapidly in recent months that there is now an unprecedented gap between sales and home construction. Sales of new single-family homes in August increased 4.8% to an annual rate…
Read More
Oct. 13, 2020 – I am pleased to be presenting at CDE Global’s virtual online conference this week. At the company’s Engineering Insights virtual event, I will provide an update on the current state of the U.S. aggregates industry, the status of the infrastructure bill, the presidential election and industry trends. You can register for FREE here.
Read More
Oct. 8, 2020 – There may have been a debate in Salt Lake City last night, but of equal interest is the debate in this article from the Salt Lake Tribune, which chronicles the issues of a commercial cherry orchard trying to co-exist with nearby quarry operations. While on the surface the article may be about land-use issues facing agriculture and mining, these two…
Read More
Oct. 6, 2020 – So we decided it was time to freshen things up a bit, get some additional functionality and serve our readers a little bit better. Thus, you are reading this on our newly designed website. With greater content access on the main page, marquee positions for our columnists, and ever-more equipment and technology articles to explore, I…
Read More
Oct. 1, 2020 – The Senate approved a one-year extension for the FAST Act, the current surface transportation authorization law, which was set to expire on Sept. 30. The highway program provision was attached to a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through Dec. 11. The House approved the CR last week. President Trump signed the measure. The FAST Act extension includes $13.6 billion…
Read More
Sept. 25, 2020 – California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he has directed the state to ban gasoline-powered cars beginning in 15 years. The new executive order aims to eliminate new models of traditional cars and put more vehicles powered by clean technologies such as fuel cells and batteries on California’s roads. I get that. But, what about gasoline taxes that go…
Read More