The Erlen Group is a family of industrial companies focusing on aggregates, logistics and real estate. The Erlen Group operates the Springfield Underground, a 3.2 million sq. ft. network of subsurface warehouses. Although mining ceased and Springfield Underground in 2015, the Erlen Group operates three additional limestone quarries: Joplin Stone, in Joplin, Mo., opened in 1955. Westside Stone, in…
Read MoreDay: July 25, 2023
MSHA Warns About Heat Stress
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued an urgent reminder for mines and miners in regard to heat stress on the job, as well as ways to treat it when it does occur.
Read MoreTotal Construction Starts Dip in June
Total construction starts fell 9% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonresidential starts led the downturn, falling 14%. Nonbuilding starts fell 9%, and residential starts lost 4%. Highway and bridge starts also gained 19%. Year-to-date through June 2023, total construction starts were 5% below that of 2022. While residential and…
Read MoreJCB North America Collects 18,000 Items in Annual Food Drive
JCB recently held its annual food drive event, named “The Big Dunk” Benefitting America’s Second Harvest Food Bank. The event was led by a team of JCB interns, fostering the company’s culture of giving back and camaraderie. With the goal of collecting 1,500 items, their expectations were well surpassed with 18,000 total donations. This year saw the introduction of a…
Read MoreDolese Celebrates Anniversary of Higher Education, Engineering Program
On July 21, three universities gathered at Dolese Bros. Co. headquarters in Oklahoma City to celebrate a decade of advancing engineering education together. When Dolese – Oklahoma’s largest supplier of ready-mix concrete, crushed stone, gravel and sand – was looking to give back to the communities it served, it focused on higher education. Carrying out the philanthropic vision of Roger…
Read MoreMatson Resigns as President of Rogers Group Inc.
Darin M. Matson, who has served in various leadership roles at Rogers Group, Inc. over the past 25 years and has been president and chief executive officer (CEO) for the last seven years, has resigned to pave the way for new leadership. During Matson’s years at Rogers Group, he has developed a strong leadership team that will continue to drive…
Read MoreSingle-Family Starts Decline in June
Single-family housing starts fell back in June after four straight monthly gains as elevated construction costs and rising mortgage rates led to a reduction in home building activity and affordability conditions worsened for home buyers. It takes 400 tons of aggregates to construct the average modern home, according to the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. Overall housing in June decreased…
Read MoreThe Rock Products Road Show Rolls into Michigan
The Rock Products Road Show – an “Economics + Equipment” informational session – rolled into Thompsonville, Mich., on July 21 for the Michigan Aggregates Association’s (MAA) summer meeting, held at the Crystal Mountain Resort. “The session was a textbook demonstration of ‘power-learning,’” said Rock Products Editor Mark Kuhar, who moderated the Road Show. An all-star cast of presenters – including Pierre Villere, from Allen-Villere Partners;…
Read MoreNSSGA Applauds VMT Pilot Initiative
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) requires the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to establish a national pilot to “test the design, acceptance, implementation and financial sustainability” of a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) fee system. It requires the creation of a Federal System Funding Alternative Advisory Board that will provide an annual report to Congress and ultimately create…
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