my point of view…

Pride and Prejudice

As members of the aggregates industry, we often don’t take enough pride in the contribution we make to the communities in which we operate and the benefits we provide to society as a whole. As for prejudice, just about any one of us could fill in the blank as to how we are perceived and how that perception differs from the realities in which we operate.
As we begin a new year, there are many reasons to be proud of what we do for a living, not the least of which is a century of accomplishments within the aggregates industry. During the last 100 years, the aggregates industry has witnessed incredible growth in terms of production capacity, technological innovation, and market expansion. We’ve also demonstrated our respect for the environment and, aside from a recent spike in fatalities, made great strides in improving the safety and health of our work force. We should be proud of these accomplishments and eager to share them with our neighbors.
That philosophy underlies the push for producers to sponsor open houses this May. As part of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s centennial celebration, Johnny Green, NSSGA chairman, challenged the industry to open its doors and hold open houses the week of May 18. Hosting an open house provides an opportunity to educate your neighbors on the role of aggregates in their lives and the community. Whether a picnic or a fundraiser, an open house provides an informal environment for building strong ties with your neighbors and other important members of your community.
While the idea of inviting the public into your operation may seem a little like letting the fox into the henhouse, keep in mind the goals of the event. On the local level, a good relationship with your neighbors can lead to fewer complaints, smoother operations, and less difficult permitting. On the state and federal level, an understanding of aggregates may influence regulatory and legislative decisions impacting the industry.
Because Aggregates Manager believes so strongly in the need for an open-door policy, we worked with NSSGA to develop a how-to guide entitled “Hosting an Open House or Operation Tour.” Whether you are planning your first open house or you are an old hand, the guide offers some great tips. If you are interested in purchasing the guide, call NSSGA at 202-342-1100.
And speaking of pride in the industry, I’m happy to announce that Drew Meyer, Vulcan Materials Co.’s Construction Materials Group’s vice president of marketing and transportation, was selected as Aggregates Manager’s “AggMan Professional of the Year for 2002.” Through his industry leadership both within Vulcan and through various industry associations, Drew is an excellent role model for other producers. And if I seem a little biased, it’s a case of prejudice I’m happy to indulge.

Therese Dunphy, editorial director
therese@aggman.com

January 2003 my point of view... Pride and Prejudice				my point of view… Pride and Prejudice As members of the aggregates industry, we often don’t take enough pride in the contribution we make to the communities in which we operate and the benefits we provide to society as a whole. As for prejudice, just about any one of us could fill in the blank as to how we are perceived and how that perception differs from the realities in which we operate. As we begin a new year, there are many reasons to be proud of what we do for a living, not the least of which is a century of accomplishments within the aggregates industry. During the last 100 years, the aggregates industry has witnessed incredible growth in terms of production capacity, technological innovation, and market expansion. We’ve also demonstrated our respect for the environment and, aside from a recent spike in fatalities, made great strides in improving the safety and health of our work force. We should be proud of these accomplishments and eager to share them with our neighbors. That philosophy underlies the push for producers to sponsor open houses this May. As part of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s centennial celebration, Johnny Green, NSSGA chairman, challenged the industry to open its doors and hold open houses the week of May 18. Hosting an open house provides an opportunity to educate your neighbors on the role of aggregates in their lives and the community. Whether a picnic or a fundraiser, an open house provides an informal environment for building strong ties with your neighbors and other important members of your community. While the idea of inviting the public into your operation may seem a little like letting the fox into the henhouse, keep in mind the goals of the event. On the local level, a good relationship with your neighbors can lead to fewer complaints, smoother operations, and less difficult permitting. On the state and federal level, an understanding of aggregates may influence regulatory and legislative decisions impacting the industry. Because Aggregates Manager believes so strongly in the need for an open-door policy, we worked with NSSGA to develop a how-to guide entitled “Hosting an Open House or Operation Tour.” Whether you are planning your first open house or you are an old hand, the guide offers some great tips. If you are interested in purchasing the guide, call NSSGA at 202-342-1100. And speaking of pride in the industry, I’m happy to announce that Drew Meyer, Vulcan Materials Co.’s Construction Materials Group’s vice president of marketing and transportation, was selected as Aggregates Manager’s “AggMan Professional of the Year for 2002.” Through his industry leadership both within Vulcan and through various industry associations, Drew is an excellent role model for other producers. And if I seem a little biased, it’s a case of prejudice I’m happy to indulge. Therese Dunphy, editorial director therese@aggman.com