my point of view…

Shaping the Future Through Today’s Actions

As we move toward a crucial juncture—TEA-21 reauthorization—AggMan offers a look at what lies ahead (see “Top Challenges and Opportunities Facing the Aggregate Industry”, page 6). While recent months have given both our nation and our industry a great number of challenges, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future. The economy seems to be stabilizing. Production is steady. Industry leaders are spearheading efforts to promote transportation spending.
A careful analysis of the specific challenges to our industry provides clues on how to achieve future success. According to respondents to a survey sent out by Bruce Mason, executive director of the Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association, the top challenges facing the aggregate industry include the following:
• Educating the public about the role of mining in society.
• Ensuring access to future aggregate supplies.
• Meeting challenges from grassroots groups.
• Becoming better neighbors.
• Facing an increasingly hostile regulatory environment.
• Making technological advances a priority.
• Procuring adequate transportation funding.
• Building resources for a quality work force.
• Developing better training for our employees.
• Working with specifiers to develop economically viable aggregate products.
The common thread to many of these challenges is the need for improved communication between the aggregate industry and various other groups. Historically speaking, we have been slow to open our gates to surrounding communities. Hiding behind the berm seemed a safer course , but that is changing.
During the last decade, I’ve seen companies make great improvements in both their ability and their willingness to communicate. Open houses, adopt-a-school programs and community advisory groups have become common mechanisms for initiating dialogue. Members of the industry have become much more politically active. The so-called “smart growth” movement has opened the door to long-term land-use planning discussions.
Many companies have already recognized these challenges. There are many wonderful stories about how progressive companies are building bigger pools of job appliants. There are members of our industry who have become surrogate grandparents to local school children through adopt-a-school programs. Numerous industry leaders have built strong relationships with their elected representatives to effect change inside the Beltway.
At the same time, we have work to do. Many producers still duck their heads in the sand and hope the problem will go away (trust me, it doesn’t). While a solid communications program isn’t a magic wand, it can help us transform our challenges. As you will see in our cover story, one producer’s obstacle can be another’s opportunity. Make the most of yours.

April 2002 my point of view... Shaping the Future Through Today's Actions				my point of view… Shaping the Future Through Today’s Actions As we move toward a crucial juncture—TEA-21 reauthorization—AggMan offers a look at what lies ahead (see “Top Challenges and Opportunities Facing the Aggregate Industry”, page 6). While recent months have given both our nation and our industry a great number of challenges, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future. The economy seems to be stabilizing. Production is steady. Industry leaders are spearheading efforts to promote transportation spending. A careful analysis of the specific challenges to our industry provides clues on how to achieve future success. According to respondents to a survey sent out by Bruce Mason, executive director of the Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association, the top challenges facing the aggregate industry include the following: • Educating the public about the role of mining in society. • Ensuring access to future aggregate supplies. • Meeting challenges from grassroots groups. • Becoming better neighbors. • Facing an increasingly hostile regulatory environment. • Making technological advances a priority. • Procuring adequate transportation funding. • Building resources for a quality work force. • Developing better training for our employees. • Working with specifiers to develop economically viable aggregate products. The common thread to many of these challenges is the need for improved communication between the aggregate industry and various other groups. Historically speaking, we have been slow to open our gates to surrounding communities. Hiding behind the berm seemed a safer course , but that is changing. During the last decade, I’ve seen companies make great improvements in both their ability and their willingness to communicate. Open houses, adopt-a-school programs and community advisory groups have become common mechanisms for initiating dialogue. Members of the industry have become much more politically active. The so-called “smart growth” movement has opened the door to long-term land-use planning discussions. Many companies have already recognized these challenges. There are many wonderful stories about how progressive companies are building bigger pools of job appliants. There are members of our industry who have become surrogate grandparents to local school children through adopt-a-school programs. Numerous industry leaders have built strong relationships with their elected representatives to effect change inside the Beltway. At the same time, we have work to do. Many producers still duck their heads in the sand and hope the problem will go away (trust me, it doesn’t). While a solid communications program isn’t a magic wand, it can help us transform our challenges. As you will see in our cover story, one producer’s obstacle can be another’s opportunity. Make the most of yours.