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.
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U.S. News and World Report Honors Vulcan
June 7, 2023 – Vulcan Materials Co. was named as one of the top 200 Best Companies to Work For by U.S. News and World Report. The company was also included in the 2023 Fortune 500 list of U.S. companies. “At Vulcan Materials Company we are committed to operating The Vulcan Way – doing the right thing, the right way, at…
Read MoreHere’s to Knife River
June 1, 2023 – MDU Resources announced on Aug. 4, 2022, its intent to separate its construction materials subsidiary, Knife River Corp., into an independent, publicly traded company. Brian R. Gray was named president and CEO on March 1 of this year. Gray has 29 years of experience at Knife River. Prior to being named company president, he was president…
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 MoreNew Life for Eagle Mountain?
March 22, 2023 – Exactly what is Ecology Mountain Holding, the company that bought “mineral rights” in the ghost town of Eagle Mountain, Calif., from Eagle Mountain Acquisition LLC for approximately $22.5 million? A “for sale” sign at the town’s entrance promising rock products and minerals begs some rather large questions. Is the former Kaiser Steel mining town about to get new life?…
Read MoreThis Story Stinks
May 19, 2023 – If you are a fan of Monty Python, you will be familiar with the saying, “And now for something completely different.” That is the phrase that comes to mind when reading the story “Used diapers can replace sand in concrete and mortar, study finds,” on the Interesting Engineering website. I had to look twice to make sure The Onion wasn’t publishing…
Read MoreSinkhole Controversy
May 15, 2023 – In Knoxville, Iowa, Marion County officials and residents claim that a sinkhole may be the result of a Bruening Rock Products limestone operation, according to a final site investigation report by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). The sinkhole is located in the east right of way of 135th Place, just south of…
Read MoreRadioactive Roads in Florida?
May 9, 2023 – Roads in Florida could soon include phosphogypsum – a radioactive waste material from the fertilizer industry – under a bill passed by Florida lawmakers. HB 1191 would compel the Florida Transportation Department to study using phosphogypsum in paving projects, calling for “demonstration projects using phosphogypsum in road construction aggregate material to determine its feasibility as a…
Read MoreMellott Partners with Southern Machinery
May 4, 2023 – Mellott Company has made another strong strategic move. Rich Blake, Mellott Company president and CEO, and Abbay Blankenship, Southern Machinery Co. owner and president, announced that their companies have entered into an agreement for Mellott to acquire Southern Machinery. “This is an exciting opportunity for our family, dedicated associates and loyal business partners,” Abbay said. “With…
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