TOP NEWS
Barry K. Wendt Award
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) presented its 2023 Barry K. Wendt Commitment Award to Charlie Luck of Luck Companies. “Throughout the industry, Charlie Luck is widely known for encouraging the advancement and bettering the aggregates industry,” said NSSGA President and CEO Michael Johnson. “His industry expertise and drive to help individuals succeed showcases he is an outstanding representation of the Barry K. Wendt Memorial Commitment Award.”
NSSGA Convention Returns to Vegas
More than 1,100 industry leaders gathered in Las Vegas for the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s (NSSGA) 2023 Joint Annual Convention. This event occurs every three years and includes collaborative programming with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) and the Portland Cement Association (PCA).
ConExpo-Con/Agg a Hit
ConExpo-Con/Agg 2023 crushed expected attendance numbers, drawing more than 139,000 construction, aggregates and fluid power professionals from 133 countries to Las Vegas from March 14-18 – making it the largest trade show in North America with more than 2,400 exhibitors from 36 countries spread out over 3 million sq. ft. of exhibit space.
USGS STATS
The estimated annual output of construction aggregates produced for consumption in 2022 was 2.44 billion metric tons (Gt), unchanged from that of 2021, according to Jason Christopher Willett, commodity specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey. The estimated annual output of crushed stone produced for consumption in 2022 was 1.50 Gt unchanged from that of 2021. The estimated annual output of construction sand and gravel produced for consumption in 2022 was 937 million metric tons (Mt), essentially unchanged from that of 2021.
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.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, construction spending during January 2023 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,825.7 billion, 0.1% (±0.7%) below the revised December estimate of $1,827.5 billion. The January figure is 5.7% (±1.2%) above the January 2022 estimate of $1,726.6 billion.
The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI), issued by Dodge Construction Network, advanced 1.9% in February to 203.0 (2000=100) from the revised January reading of 199.3. In February, the commercial component of the DMI rose 1.4%, and the institutional component increased 2.9%.
Total construction starts rose 6% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $912.8 billion, according to Dodge Construction Network. During the month, residential and nonresidential building starts rose 11% and 9%, respectively, and nonbuilding starts declined by 5%. Highway and bridge starts were down for the month, but up double digits year over year.
MSHA WATCH
MSHA reported that on March 9, a truck driver died at United States Lime & Minerals Inc.’s Johnson County, Texas, location when the tractor’s rear wheels ran over him. A front-end loader struck the tractor-trailer from behind, causing the tractor to move forward. This is the 11th fatality reported in 2023, and the second classified as “Powered Haulage.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
• Do not leave mobile equipment unattended unless the transmission is in the park position, and parking brakes of all units in a combination vehicle are set.
• Chock or turn wheels of mobile equipment into a bank when parked on a grade.
• Never position yourself in hazardous areas around mobile equipment.
ENERGY
WTI CRUDE OIL FUTURES
3/20/2023: $67.64/barrel, down $7.16 from week earlier; down $37.06 from year earlier.
RETAIL DIESEL
3/20/2023: $4.185/gal., down $0.062 from week ago, down $0.949 from year ago.
ELECTRICITY
12/20/2022: Average price to industrial customers 8.63 cents/kilowatt hour; up from 7.06 cents/kilowatt hour a year earlier.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration