New Research Develops Self-Sensing Metamaterial Concrete for Smart Infrastructure Systems. By Mark S. Kuhar Concrete is the most used material in the construction industry and dates to the Roman Empire. Engineers at the University of Pittsburgh are now reimagining its design for the 21st century. New research introduces metamaterial concrete for the development of smart civil infrastructure systems. The paper,…
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Buildex Banks on Wobbler Feeder, Roll Crushers
New Equipment Has Improved Efficiency But Also Yield At Its Dearborn, Mo., Plant. by Mark S. Kuhar Buildex, a Midwestern United States producer of expanded shale lightweight aggregate, has been producing its Haydite lightweight aggregate for more than 70 years. Buildex is a Hamm Inc. company, a division of Summit Materials. With a focus on quality, consistency and service to…
Read MoreThe Rock Products Interview: Seth Hankowski
The New NSSGA Chair Talks About The Infrastructure Investment And Jobs Act, Young Leaders And The Best Business Advice He Ever Received. By Mark S. Kuhar Rock Products: As you begin your term as chair of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), what is the number-one thing you would like to accomplish?Seth Hankowski: I would like to use…
Read MoreHumor Helps – Even in Aggregates
June 8, 2023 – While doing some online research I came upon the website for Manchester Sand & Gravel Co. in Hooksett, N.H., part of the Boston Sand & Gravel family of companies. What caught my eye was the company’s motto: “Customer service & humor, sets us apart from the competition.” Intrigued, I reached out for more information on how humor fits into the company’s business plan.
Read MoreThe Price is Right
One of the key storylines in the aggregates industry over the past 12 months is the price of aggregates. Like almost every other construction material out there, the price of aggregates has gone up in keeping with the same inflationary pressures felt by other industries. This is very apparent in the recently released first-quarter reports of the industry’s publicly traded…
Read MoreNSSGA Lauds Fiscal Responsibility Act
May 30, 2023 – President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy struck a preliminary agreement on the debt ceiling over the weekend, dubbed the “Fiscal Responsibility Act,” which suspends the debt limit until 2025 and limits discretionary spending for the next two years. The bipartisan deal includes modest federal spending cuts and a series of policy provisions. National Stone, Sand & Gravel…
Read MoreCalifornia Proposes Permitting Reforms
May 24, 2023 – According to the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association, last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued broad proposals to expedite permitting for infrastructure projects. The package of reforms include an executive order and 11 legislative changes. The executive order, which takes effect immediately, creates an Infrastructure Strike Team for projects with significant challenges; a Task Force to assist with…
Read MoreJustin Bateman, Pebble Artist
By Mark S. Kuhar British artist Justin Bateman creates impermanent artwork from found pebbles and stones. The artist, who now lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand, leaves detailed pebble portraits on beaches, in forests, by railways, and up mountains. Each natural-colored stone acts as an individual paint stroke or mark that’s integral to the overall image. There are portraits of renowned…
Read MoreAggregate Wash Plants
Four Tips For A Successful Spring Startup. By Mark S. Kuhar It’s that time of year again. The weather is getting warmer, birds are heading back north for the season (or south, depending on your location) and aggregate processing plants across the globe that shut down for the winter months are gearing up to start production again. Before you start…
Read MoreRock Products Sponsors Mark S. Walsh Award
May 1, 2023 – The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s Young Leaders Annual Meeting was held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., April 23-26. At the event, the Mark S. Walsh Award – sponsored by Rock Products – was presented to Danette Swank of Philippi-Hagenbuch by Josephine Patterson, Rock Products’ managing editor. This award is given to an aggregates industry member who embodies the qualities of professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment…
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