Lafarge North America is investing in additional ready-mix concrete plants and trucks to support its customers in New Orleans. Recognizing the potential for increased concrete demand in the New Orleans market, Lafarge is adding three fixed ready-mix plants to its operations and 25 supplemental trucks. In addition, the company has a large number of portable ready-mix plants ready for deployment to that market. “We will be ready to serve the local construction teams in their effort to rebuild these communities,” says Dominique Calabrese, president of Lafarge North America Aggregates, Concrete & Asphalt eastern division. “We know that our products will be an important component of the reconstruction, and we are rapidly securing the necessary materials and resources to provide reliable support to our customers and this region.” The majority of Lafarge's ready-mix New Orleans plants are operating and supplying standard, as well as specialty concretes to meet market demand. In addition, two of its three Louisiana cement terminals are operational, and the company expects its New Orleans terminal to be up and running in the near term.

Vulcan Wins Sentinels of Safety Award

Vulcan Materials Company's Sun Valley Sand and Gravel plant has received the Mine Safety and Health Administration Sentinels of Safety Award. This coveted award recognizes outstanding safety records of mining operations nationwide. “Safety is our primary concern — the safety of our employees and the safety of our neighbors,” says Vulcan's Western Division President Ron McAbee. “We are honored to receive this prestigious award and we are extremely proud of Jerry Lindaman, plant manager, and our team in Sun Valley. Our employees have worked very hard. We applaud their dedication and commitment to safety and accident prevention.” The Sentinels of Safety Award program is jointly run by MSHA and the National Mining Association. It was created by President Herbert Hoover in 1925 to promote greater interest in mine safety and the development of more effective accident-prevention programs. Vulcan's Western Division operates aggregates production, asphalt and ready-mixed concrete facilities in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

California Producers Donate to Hurricane Relief

Two Watsonville, Calif.-based aggregate producers chipped in to help Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in the Gulf states. Granite Construction helped with the relief efforts by donating $75,000 to the American Red Cross, the AmeriCares Foundation and the Salvation Army. In addition, Granite matched employee donations, up to an additional $50,000. Granite Construction employees have donated over $100,000, bringing the total amount contributed to $228,556. CEO Bill Dorey says, “I am extremely proud of our employees for their generosity in helping those affected by Katrina.” Meanwhile, Graniterock employees donated $12,204, which the company matched dollar-for-dollar for a total of $24,408. Graniterock also conducted a mass collection for the Salvation Army to benefit families left in needing clothing, toys, stuffed animals, household items, blankets, towels, diapers, and school supplies.

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