my point of view…

Exploring the Other Market Opportunities

During the last year, the aggregates industry has invested a lot of effort on transportation reauthorization and its impact on the market. It is time and energy well spent. Roads and highways consume approximately 40 percent of domestic aggregate production. But what about the other 60 percent? Are those market segments getting the attention they need?
For example, the residential construction market continues to remain strong. Record-low interest rates have helped this segment of the construction industry continue to perform well in a challenging economic environment. Following the birth of my fourth child, I’ve spent a lot of time looking at residential construction. The house that fit us well when we were a family of three suddenly seems a little cramped.

Over recent months I’ve been assessing the merits of new construction versus the purchase of an existing home. It’s been an interesting journey. Along the way, I’ve seen a variety of ways that aggregates and natural stone are used in residential construction. The slate floors in the entryway of one home caught my attention. The limestone fireplace in another home provided a very appealing focal point. A brick home with a slate roof had great curb appeal, but what truly intrigued me were its poured concrete floors (the home was built in 1923).
While looking at construction, I’ve been truly impressed with the number of market options. Granite, marble, and concrete are all appealing options for the kitchen countertops. (During more than a decade of covering the aggregates industry, I never really thought of concrete and kitchen in the same sentence, but after looking at some very attractive concrete countertops I can see why they are gaining market share). Slate and limestone floors top my wishlist for the entryway and kitchen flooring. A multitude of styles and colors make a dyed and stamped concrete patio a viable alternative to brick. My architect continues to extol the virtues of fiber cement-based James Hardie siding products which are the fastest growing siding products in the United States. These are just a few of the areas where new or larger market opportunities exist.
Don’t get me wrong — transportation reauthorization is vital to the health of the aggregates industry. But while protecting that market should be a high priority, so should exploring options for the other 60 percent of your business.

Therese Dunphy, editorial director
therese@aggman.com

October 2003 my point of view... Exploring the Other Market Opportunities				my point of view… Exploring the Other Market Opportunities During the last year, the aggregates industry has invested a lot of effort on transportation reauthorization and its impact on the market. It is time and energy well spent. Roads and highways consume approximately 40 percent of domestic aggregate production. But what about the other 60 percent? Are those market segments getting the attention they need? For example, the residential construction market continues to remain strong. Record-low interest rates have helped this segment of the construction industry continue to perform well in a challenging economic environment. Following the birth of my fourth child, I’ve spent a lot of time looking at residential construction. The house that fit us well when we were a family of three suddenly seems a little cramped. Over recent months I’ve been assessing the merits of new construction versus the purchase of an existing home. It’s been an interesting journey. Along the way, I’ve seen a variety of ways that aggregates and natural stone are used in residential construction. The slate floors in the entryway of one home caught my attention. The limestone fireplace in another home provided a very appealing focal point. A brick home with a slate roof had great curb appeal, but what truly intrigued me were its poured concrete floors (the home was built in 1923). While looking at construction, I’ve been truly impressed with the number of market options. Granite, marble, and concrete are all appealing options for the kitchen countertops. (During more than a decade of covering the aggregates industry, I never really thought of concrete and kitchen in the same sentence, but after looking at some very attractive concrete countertops I can see why they are gaining market share). Slate and limestone floors top my wishlist for the entryway and kitchen flooring. A multitude of styles and colors make a dyed and stamped concrete patio a viable alternative to brick. My architect continues to extol the virtues of fiber cement-based James Hardie siding products which are the fastest growing siding products in the United States. These are just a few of the areas where new or larger market opportunities exist. Don’t get me wrong — transportation reauthorization is vital to the health of the aggregates industry. But while protecting that market should be a high priority, so should exploring options for the other 60 percent of your business. Therese Dunphy, editorial director therese@aggman.com