Total construction starts rose 9% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.013 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential building starts swelled 32% due to the start of three large manufacturing facilities. By contrast, residential starts fell 3%, and nonbuilding starts fell by less than 1%. Without the three large manufacturing projects, total construction would have declined…
Read MoreYear: 2022
MSHA Reports Eighth Fatality
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that on Feb. 28, a contract miner died when he was crushed between the rib and a single boom face drill. The victim was alongside the drill using the onboard tram lever controls when the accident occurred because the remote control was inoperable. This is the eighth fatality reported in 2022, and…
Read MoreFrom the Ground Up
EHS Technology Drives Accountability In Aggregate Operations. By Ryan Janoch Over the last 50 years, enforcement initiatives and compliance requirements have continued to improve safety conditions and environmental impacts for aggregates operations. However, stricter regulations paired with the labor shortage from the plant and quarry to the office have generated concerns and gaps in the aggregate industry. It’s critical area…
Read MoreReducing Waste in the Haul Cycle
A Good Dashboard Allows Managers To Manage By Exception, And Also Look Deeper Into The Haul Cycle When Required To Compare Against Site Targets. By Chris van der Loo Optimizing efficiency is an ongoing challenge for any aggregates operator. Identifying, eliminating and controlling waste in the haul cycle is key to staying on schedule and improving the bottom line, but…
Read MoreFirst Look – April 2022
TOP NEWS Athabasca Closes AcquisitionAthabasca Minerals Inc. closed the strategic acquisition of an operational U.S. sand mine and facilities in Wisconsin. The assets include real estate of 1,100 acres, a fully functional and staffed mine and processing plant capable of 2 million tpy of sand, fixed storage, rail transload with unit-train capability (i.e. loading/unloading 100 railcar shipments), mobile equipment and…
Read MoreNew Loader Technology: The Transparent Bucket
An Exclusive Wheel Loader Option Improves Operator Visibility And Productivity. By Rachel Ori As technology evolves, manufacturers continue to develop tools and machine accessories that allow operators to move about a worksite more safely. One standout item that was introduced in 2021 is the Doosan Transparent Bucket, an exclusive technology from Doosan Infracore North America. This technology is currently available…
Read MoreThe Housing Affordability Challenge
Last month, I wrote about a recent report issued by the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index, also known as the “HOI,” which showed that just 54.2% of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of October and end of December were affordable to families earning the U.S. median income of $79,900. This is down from…
Read MoreThe Wrong Thing
There isn’t a book of sage advice that exists for operations to refer to when running their aggregates business. But if there was, I am quite sure there would be a line in there somewhere that reads, “When MSHA inspectors come to your site to do their job, don’t use a loader filled with rocks and dirt to force the…
Read MoreMore Than 11,000 Attend AGG1 and World of Asphalt
More than 11,000 asphalt paving and aggregates professionals filled a sold-out Music City Center exhibition floor in Nashville as AGG1 and World of Asphalt brought the industry back together. Organizations from across the country, including Rogers Group Inc. and Milestone Contractors sent representatives ranging from C-Suite executives to field operators, to view specialized exhibits and product unveilings, take in the latest…
Read MoreAGG1 a HUGE Success
March 31, 2022 – It has been three long years since the AGG1 Show – produced with World of Asphalt – was held in person, due to COVID-19. The show returned with vigor in Nashville. More than 11,000 attendees hit the show floor, and exhibitors reported heavy booth traffic and brisk business. Rock Products displayed an advance look at its…
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