TOP NEWS
BMC Enterprises
BMC Enterprises Inc. (BMC), the largest producer of aggregates and concrete in the St. Louis region, has completed acquisitions of Raineri Building Materials, Eureka Materials and Blue Grass Ready Mix within the last three months.
Vulcan Materials
Vulcan Materials Co. released its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report highlighting the company’s durable growth strategy, performance and progress on key programs and policies, as well as execution in areas that deliver value to employees, shareholders, and the communities where Vulcan operates.
Proposed Silica Rule
The U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposal by its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to amend current federal standards to “better protect the nation’s miners from health hazards related to exposure to respirable crystalline silica, or silica dust.” The proposed rule change will ensure miners have at least the same level of protections as workers in other industries.
USGS STATS
The estimated production-for-consumption of crushed stone in the first quarter of 2023 increased in six of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2022. Production-for-consumption increased in 29 of the 45 states for which estimates were made according to USGS Commodity Specialist Jason Christopher Willett. The estimated production-for-consumption of crushed stone in the first quarter of 2023 increased in six of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2022.
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/.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
- The AVP Pulse Index for July – brought to you by Rock Products and Allen-Villere Partners – increased 3.1% month-over-month, moving the Index up 7.1% year-over-year.
- According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.1 million tons in June, a decrease of 17.6% from a year ago. This June’s loadings were also below the month’s five-year average by 17.4%.
- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, construction spending during May 2023 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,925.6 billion, 0.9% (±0.5%) above the revised April estimate of $1,909.0 billion.
MSHA WATCH
MSHA completed impact inspections at 16 mines in May, issuing 279 violations and one safeguard. Among the violations, MSHA cited 83 significant and substantial violations. An S&S violation is reasonably likely to lead to a reasonably serious injury or illness. MSHA conducted inspections at mines in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
ENERGY
WTI CRUDE OIL FUTURES
7/18/2023: $75.75/barrel; up $0.92 from week earlier; down $26.85 from year earlier.
NATURAL GAS
7/18/2023: $2.629/MMBtu, down $0.102 from week earlier; down $4.850 from year earlier.
RETAIL DIESEL
7/17/2023: $3.807/gal., up $0.021 from week earlier; down $1.626 from year earlier.
ELECTRICITY
4/20/2023: Average price to industrial customers 7.62 cents/kilowatt hour; down from 7.84 cents/kilowatt hour from year earlier.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration