Nov. 10, 2021 – I had the opportunity to attend Caterpillar’s annual Year-End Press Event in Peoria, Ill., where they featured the next-generation 972 front-end loader. The company stated that the machine offers significant fuel savings while lowering long-term costs. It features up to a 20% reduction in maintenance costs. It meets emission standards and is designed to improve fuel…
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Vulcan’s Hill Looks Forward
Nov. 4, 2021 – Tom Hill, chairman and chief executive officer of Vulcan Materials, was frank regarding the company’s current expectations for 2021. Hill, commenting on the heels of the company’s third-quarter report, said, “We are increasing our full-year Adjusted EBITDA range to reflect the earnings contribution of U.S. Concrete as well as the recent trends in demand, price and…
Read MoreMartin Marietta Rocks Third Quarter
Nov. 2, 2021 – Martin Marietta Materials weighed in with a solid quarterly report, with its Building Materials business achieving record products and services revenues of $1.390 billion, a 17.3% increase, and record product gross profit of $413.1 million, a 7.9% increase. The Building Materials business experienced growing product demand across its three primary end-use markets. However, contractor capacity constraints,…
Read MoreRock Products, Burgex a Winning Team
Nov. 1, 2021 – The publisher of Rock Products magazine, SEMCO Publishing, has struck a partnership with Burgex Inc., the Utah-based consulting and data-analysis company. This partnership will result in an entirely reimagined version of Rock Products’ annual Aggregates Atlas, which along with Burgex’s new Mineralocity Aggregates Platform, will provide the aggregates industry with dynamic, forward-looking tools for decision-making. The…
Read MoreGCAA Holds Fall Meeting
Oct. 27, 2021 – The Georgia Construction Aggregate Association held its Fall Membership Meeting on Oct. 5 at the Marriott on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta, Ga. There were approximately 100 producers and associate members registered for this rare fall season event. The participants spent the afternoon in session with outstanding updates from Russell McMurry, commissioner, Georgia Department of Transportation; Dan Garcia, president – CW…
Read MoreA Pizza Party
Oct. 25, 2021 – Vulcan Materials hasn’t forgotten the need for morale boosting in the health-care industry, reported the Emporia News. Its operation in South Hill, Va., recently had 17 pizzas delivered to front-line night shift workers at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. Vice President of Patient Care Services Mary T. Hardin, said, “Thank you – they were enjoyed by…
Read MoreMellott Evolves
Oct. 20, 2021 – In 2016, I was the guest of the Mellott Company – Paul, Brian and Herman Mellott – as well as President Rich Blake, to do a feature story on the company. I was treated like royalty in Warfordsburg, Pa., and the story came out great. I left understanding just how innovative, driven and committed to the community the…
Read MoreInto the Great Wide Open
Oct. 14, 2021 – Danny Gavin, from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, writes in a provocative new article that Americans are moving to rural areas in ever-increasing numbers, reflecting their increased desire to seek out more space, embrace entrepreneurial opportunities and take advantage of a lower cost of living. And whether their move is made to start a farm or a business, the…
Read MoreMines Part of Antitrust Case
Oct. 7, 2021 – According to sister publication Concrete Products, the Justice Department Antitrust Division calls for General Shale Brick and Meridian Brick LLC to divest three plants, 14 showrooms and distribution yards, plus six mines in a proposed settlement of an antitrust lawsuit challenging the producers’ merger. The agency filed the settlement and suit-triggering complaint in the U.S. District Court for…
Read MoreMartin Marietta Completes Acquisition
Oct. 4, 2021 – Martin Marietta Materials Inc. successfully completed its previously announced acquisition of Lehigh Hanson Inc.’s West Region business for $2.3 billion in cash. Consistent with the company’s Strategic Operating Analysis and Review (SOAR) 2025 Plan, the acquisition provides the company with 17 active aggregates facilities, two cement plants and related distribution terminals, and targeted downstream operations serving key…
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