TOP NEWS
Muskoka Rock Acquires Hutcheson Sand & Gravel
Muskoka Rock Co., in the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada – which provides Muskoka granite, stone and aggregate products for landscaping, building and interior applications – recently completed the acquisition of Hutcheson Sand & Gravel, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada.
Caterpillar, Luck Stone Team Up
Caterpillar Inc. announced a collaboration with Luck Stone, the nation’s largest family-owned and operated producer of crushed stone, sand and gravel, to deploy Caterpillar’s autonomous solution to Luck Stone’s Bull Run Plant in Chantilly, Va.
Holcim US Makes Colorado Acquisition
Holcim US announced it has acquired a new aggregate operation from J-2 Contracting Co., one of Colorado’s premier general contractors. With this strategic transaction, Holcim gains a large volume of high-quality aggregate reserves and strengthens its place as a long-term, reliable aggregate supplier in Colorado, one of its fastest-growing markets in the United States.
WOMEN IN AGGREGATES
Women in Aggregates is a new group dedicated to supporting women working in the aggregates industry. The Mission Statement of the group is: “To create a supportive space for women that fosters leadership growth, networking opportunities and advocacy of the aggregate industry.” Membership in Women in Aggregates is open to any woman working in, or working in support of, the aggregates industry, including producers, manufacturers and distributors; and marketing, advertising or public relations professionals. Interested parties can go to www.womeninaggregates.com to join the mailing list and to stay apprised of future developments, meetings, events and other communications from the group. There is also a LinkedIn discussion page, at www.linkedin.com/groups/12717856/.
USGS STATS
The estimated production for consumption of construction aggregates in the third quarter of 2022 increased in six of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the third quarter of 2021. The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, California, Ohio, Florida and Missouri. Their combined total production for consumption was 206 million metric tons (Mt), a slight increase compared with that in the same period of 2021, according to Jason Christopher Willett, commodity specialist, National Minerals Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey.
MSHA WATCH
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is urging miners and operators to remain alert during the winter months as temperatures drop and safety hazards rise. The agency is stressing best practices for all, including surface operations where clearing ice and snow from roads and walkways are at the top of the list, along with applying salt or sand to walkways for better traction. Other best practices include wearing footgear that grips; checking for slip and trip hazards; maintaining equipment to operate safely in cold weather; driving slowly and keep space between vehicles; examine equipment for exhaust leaks; always wearing a seatbelt; and checking the integrity of highwalls, benches and roadways, especially after each rain, freeze or thaw.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Construction spending during October 2022 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,794.9 billion, 0.3% (±1.2%) below the revised September estimate of $1,800.1 billion. The October figure is 9.2% (±1.5%) above the October 2021 estimate of $1,644.3 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Overall housing starts decreased 4.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.43 million units in October, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total construction starts fell 18% in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $926.3 billion, according to Dodge Construction Network. During the month, nonresidential building starts lost 25%, nonbuilding shed 21%, and residential starts dropped 5%.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Construction spending during October 2022 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,794.9 billion, 0.3% (±1.2%) below the revised September estimate of $1,800.1 billion. The October figure is 9.2% (±1.5%) above the October 2021 estimate of $1,644.3 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Overall housing starts decreased 4.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.43 million units in October, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total construction starts fell 18% in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $926.3 billion, according to Dodge Construction Network. During the month, nonresidential building starts lost 25%, nonbuilding shed 21%, and residential starts dropped 5%.
ENERGY
WTI CRUDE OIL FUTURES
12/16/2022: $74.29/barrel, up $3.27 from week earlier; up $1.91 from year earlier.
RETAIL DIESEL
12/12/2022: $4.754/gal., down $0.213 from week earlier; up $1.105 from year earlier.
ELECTRICITY
9/20/2022: Average price to industrial customers 9.34 cents/kilowatt hour; up from 7.61 cents/kilowatt hour a year earlier.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration