June 27, 2019 – Rogers Group Inc. (RGI) Sales Representative Angie Thurman went to a Tennessee Concrete Association mid-year meeting and walked out with a big idea. After hearing an environmental presentation about biodiversity at ready mixed and concrete facilities, she learned that only two aggregate companies in the entire United States partnered with the Wildlife Habitat Council and built pollinator…
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Michigan Gas Tax Could Spike by 45 Cents
June 25, 2019 – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited Grand Rapids to push her plan to revitalize Michigan’s roads, a promise she’s touted since she pledged to “fix the damn roads” during her election campaign, according to a report on WWMT. Standing under a bridge along U.S. Route 131, Whitmer again pushed her gas-tax proposal, calling the state’s bridge system critical. “Michiganders are…
Read MoreInside the Dodge Report
June 20, 2019 – Dodge Data and Analytics released its latest construction-starts report. Highway and bridge construction eased back 2% in May following 8% improvement over the previous two months. May is traditionally the start of warmer weather, so it is surprising to see a decline. However, weather conditions have been sketchy, to say the least. The top five states in…
Read MoreThe Letter
June 19, 2019 – The letter has been sent. The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) joined with the U.S. Chamber and coalition partners on a letter to President Trump and leadership of the House and Senate, urging them to renew action on infrastructure investment legislation now. “Each side acknowledges the need to invest in and improve our nation’s infrastructure. Our elected leaders…
Read MoreBetween a Rock and a Hard Place
June 18, 2019 – At the recent Texas Aggregate & Concrete Association’s National Industry Leadership panel, Michael Johnson, president and CEO of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association identified the 800-lb. gorilla in the room, and how aggregates producers could end up, shall we say, between a rock and a hard place. Johnson noted that the upcoming presidential and legislative elections…
Read MoreChao Under Fire
June 17, 2019 – Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao sold stocks in two companies after a Wall Street Journal report revealed she held onto them after she pledged to sell them. A Transportation Department spokesperson told CNN the issue was due to a misunderstanding about Chao’s ethics agreement, and there was no conflict of interest with her holding those stocks, but the secretary divested…
Read MoreThe Metso-McCloskey Deal
June 13, 2019 – Big news in the world of crushing. As you probably have heard by now, Metso is acquiring McCloskey International. The deal supports Metso’s expansion plans and the company will now be able to offer customers multiple complementary product lines. The deal also brings McCloskey greater international market presence. But is the deal an early precursor to an…
Read MoreA Look Inside the New USGS Report
June 11, 2019 – According to the U.S. Geological Survey – which just released its first-quarter report – the estimated production-for-consumption of construction aggregates in the first quarter of 2019 increased in five of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2018. With a nice overall increase of almost 9%, it begs the…
Read MoreAEM to Rock Summerfest
June 10, 2019 – To help mark the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) 125th anniversary and bring awareness of the contributions of the manufacturing industry, AEM will sponsor the first-ever Manufacturing Day at Summerfest in Milwaukee on June 28th. This will be the first time off-road heavy equipment will be on display at the event. Summerfest is considered Milwaukee’s cornerstone summer…
Read MoreLindsey Aggregates’ New Sand Washing System
June 5, 2019 – Lindsey Aggregates, based in New York state, opened its doors today to showcase its new multi-million-dollar integrated sand washing system, designed and installed by full-service EPC company CDE. Rock Products is on-hand for the event. To increase product portfolio and open new business opportunities from its Red School House site, the family-run producer of alluvial sand and gravel, which…
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