March 1, 2019 – The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) has informed us of the passing of A. Frederick Gerstell, who died Feb. 23, at the age of 81. Gerstell contributed greatly to the aggregates industry over his career with Alpha Portland Cement Co., California Portland Cement Co. and later as chairman and CEO of CalMat and Vulcan Materials. In 1999, he served…
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Construction Equipment Auction Sets Records
Feb. 28, 2019 – A sea of equipment stretched across the 220-acre Ritchie Bros. auction site in Orlando last week as the company hosted its largest auction ever. Over six days the company sold more than 13,350 assets for a record $297 million – up 7 percent from last year’s $278 million total. The massive selection of equipment attracted more than…
Read MoreTaking a Quantum Leap
Feb. 27, 2019 – If you are U.S. Concrete, that Polaris acquisition is paying huge dividends. For 2018, the company’s Aggregate products revenue increased a totally crazy 101.3 percent to $182.6 million. Aggregate products volume increased 79.3 percent to 11.1 million tons. For the fourth quarter of 2018, Aggregate products revenue increased 59.5 percent to $46.4 million. Aggregate products volume increased 41.0 percent to 2.7 million tons. “Polaris continues to provide…
Read MoreWhoa on WOTUS
Feb. 25, 2019 – Aggregates producers have until April 15 to submit comments that support a clearer Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. The comment period for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed WOTUS “replacement” rule is open until April 15. It was released in December 2018, but the federal government shutdown slowed the rule’s publication in the federal register, thereby…
Read MoreA Garbini Goodbye
Robert Garbini Feb. 22, 2019 – Another long-time construction-materials industry stalwart is retiring. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) board has appointed Michael Philipps as successor to Robert Garbini, who will retire as staff president at the conclusion of the association’s 2019 convention, March 5-7, in Tampa. Philipps will arrive with 30-plus years in concrete and construction, most recently serving as vice president…
Read MoreShuster Has Landed
Feb. 21, 2019 – We knew he wouldn’t stay idle too long. Former House Transportation Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) is joining lobbying giant Squire Patton Boggs along with former Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY). They’ll be working with another pair of bipartisan lawmakers at the firm: former Sens. John Breaux (D-La.), who’s also on the board of freight rail giant CSX, and…
Read MoreNew Reserves for New Enterprise
Feb. 20, 2019 – New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc. has acquired approximately 100 million tons of estimated mineral reserves near the borough of Garrett in Somerset County, Pa. The company plans to utilize the additional reserves to support its existing operations in the area. Paul Detwiler III, the company’s president and CEO, commented, “We are pleased to add the…
Read MoreShoe on the Other Foot
Feb. 19, 2019 – I am used to being the one doing the interviewing, but at AGG1, the shoe was on the other foot, as NSSGA’s roving video team corralled me to ask about Rock Products‘ support of the Young Leaders group and luncheon. If you go to the 2:20 mark of this video, you can hear what I have to say. If you are a…
Read MoreSpeaking of . . .
Feb. 12, 2019 – The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) Young Leaders Luncheon, sponsored by Rock Products, took place Feb. 12 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. I had the honor of introducing the speaker, ex-Navy SEAL Mike Sarraille of Echelon Front, a group of decorated, combat-proven veterans with experience in building, training and leading high-performance winning teams. Echelon Front’s mission…
Read MoreGas Tax Talk
Feb. 11, 2019 – For the first time in a long time, talk about increasing the gas tax is heating up, and an increase could become a reality. According to a report on Politico, at least one Republican wants his colleagues to make the leap – and to risk their careers if they have to. John Katko (R-N.Y.), a member of the…
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