Dec. 27, 2023 – The AVP Pulse Index this month rose 0.6% month-over-month, while increasing 3.8% year-over-year. The proprietary AVP Pulse Index – a joint effort between mergers and acquisition advisors Allen-Villere Partners, and Rock Products – illustrates the health of the industry in one single trend line, using relevant data that is updated monthly or quarterly. “With our proprietary algorithm, a…
Read MoreAuthor: Mark Kuhar
Electric Vehicles and Transportation Revenue
Dec. 20, 2023 – According to a note in CalCIMA’s e-newsletter, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) issued a report that says the conversion from gasoline and diesel- powered cars and trucks to more efficient or electric ones will decrease annual transportation revenue noticeably by 2034-2035. Currently, dedicated transportation revenue from fuel and weight taxes and fees amounts to $14.2 billion…
Read MorePesky Pigeons: A Solution for Behavior and Control
By Mark S. Kuhar Did you ever go out to the plant and find a line of pigeons sitting on the conveyor? That’s never good. Before you’re tempted to get out the shotgun, consider a long-term plan for controlling the population. Effective pest control relies heavily on pest behavior to get the job done. For example, when baiting a pest,…
Read MoreDunning Keeps It Running
Dec. 11, 2023 – There is a great story in the Hartford Business Journal about Benjamin Dunning, fourth-generation owner of Dunning Industries Inc., a Farmington, Conn., quarry and materials supplier – who survived a plane crash – and believes in diversifying to keep business growing as the rock supply dwindles.
Read MoreThe Year in Review
As the Grateful Dead sang, “What a long, strange trip it’s been.” 2023 has been a year of surprises, excitement, progress and unexpected developments. Going into the first part of the year, I would have bet my last two-dollar bill we would see increased aggregates production in 2023. While the final numbers are not in, it is pretty apparent final…
Read MoreKomatsu’s Quarry Days 2023
Nov. 14, 2023 – Quarry Days is an annual event held at Komatsu’s Arizona Proving Grounds that offers dealers and customers the opportunity to operate Komatsu mining and construction equipment, learn about the latest technology innovations and talk to product experts. SEMCO’s Donna Schmidt, editor of North American Mining magazine is on-hand to represent Rock Products. Komatsu’s Arizona Proving Grounds is a 660-acre site…
Read MorePerfecting the Sales Process in Aggregates
Rock Products Interviews Julia Georgi of Price Bee About Process Improvement, Workforce Issues and Pricing Technology. By Mark S. Kuhar Sales process improvement and digitization are fast becoming necessary in our industry, how did you come to specialize in this area and what particular roles have you had that qualify you as an expert in this area?For the past 15…
Read MoreA Look to the Horizon
In keeping with global efforts to address the adverse impact of climate change, the Buy Clean, Carbon Neutrality, LEED v4 and Net Zero movements have evolved with dizzying speed. This is a good place to note that Rock Products’ web portal “Construction Materials Carbon Management,” has become a go-to resource for information about these fast-growing efforts. While the cement industry…
Read MoreReady Made Upgrade
Fraser Valley Aggregates Increases Production with EIW Wash Plant. By Mark S. Kuhar Fraser Valley Aggregates is a multi-generational, family-operated company headquartered in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. They are one of British Columbia’s premier aggregate producers and suppliers. With pits throughout the Fraser Valley, Fraser Valley Aggregate mines, processes and sells a variety of stone, sand and specialty products, as…
Read MoreFireside Chat With Summit
Oct. 11, 2023 – Summit Materials Inc. announced that Anne Noonan, Summit’s president and CEO, and Scott Anderson, Summit’s executive vice president and CFO, will discuss its merger with Argos USA with covering analyst Trey Grooms, from Stephens. The discussion will take place during a fireside chat at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time (6:00 a.m. Mountain time) on Thursday, Oct. 19. The conversation will highlight the strategic…
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