Vulcan Materials Co. has purchased aggregates facilities in Indiana from the Critser Companies Inc. and Northern Indiana Materials Corp. Members of the Critser family owned both companies. The assets acquired include one stone quarry, three sand and gravel facilities, and related production equipment. All four facilities are located in northwest Indiana. The facilities will be integrated into Vulcan's Midwest Division, which has its headquarters in Chicago. Vulcan's Chairman and CEO Don James said, “The acquisition of these facilities will enhance our existing construction materials business in the Midwest and extend the geographic scope of our operations into the growing markets of northwestern Indiana.” Vulcan also purchased a crushed stone quarry in Polk County, Tenn., from Polk County Stone. The assets include the stone quarry and related processing plant, located approximately 40 miles east of Chattanooga. The facility will be integrated into Vulcan's Midsouth Division, which has its headquarters in Knoxville. “This facility will complement our existing Vulcan operations in Bradley and McMinn counties,” said Stan Bass, president of Vulcan's Midsouth Division. “It will provide operating synergies and additional stone reserves. Also, this site is near two new highway construction projects planned by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.” Terms of both transactions were not disclosed.

Indiana Quarry Sold to Investment Group

Dimension stone quarrier, Victor Oolitic Stone Co. was sold to Audax Group, a private equity investment firm. Victor Oolitic Stone was founded in 1898 and operated on more than 2,400 acres near Bloomington, Ind. Over the past two years the company made substantial capital investments in quarrying and slab production capacity. Geoffrey S. Rehnert, Co-CEO of Audax Group, says, “Victor Oolitic is a market leader that has grown consistently and generated strong cash flow over a long period of time.”

TXI Completes Steel Spin-off

In late July, Texas Industries completed the separation of its steel operations from TXI through a pro-rata, tax-free dividend of all the common stock of Chaparral Steel Co. to TXI shareholders.

Rogers Group Wins Local Award

The Kentucky Crushed Stone Association presented Good Neighbor, Safety, and Safety Milestone Awards to Rogers Group at its annual meeting. Western Kentucky SMA received the Good Neighbor Community Relations Award. Hopkinsville Aggregate, Princeton Quarry and Canton Quarry accepted the Safety Award. Hopkinsville Aggregate also received the Safety Milestone Award for five years with no lost-time accidents.

Sharpe Joins Rock Products

We're pleased to welcome a new face to Rock Products, yet one that is familiar to many in the industry. This month, James Sharpe becomes a regular columnist addressing industrial health issues (see page 16). Jim has long been on the front lines of the industry's health issues. Those who know Jim, understand that he pulls no punches and tells it like it is. Those who don't know Jim are in for a treat during the coming months.

Send news items to Rick Markley, Rock Products 330 N. Wabash, Ste. 2300 Chicago, IL 60611 or e-mail: rmarkley@primediabusiness.com Fax: (312) 840-8455