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Texas Aggregate LLC, located in Bastrop, Texas, started an Adopt-a-School program after county and city authorities expressed curiosity about the aggregates operation.

After opening its doors to these curiosity seekers, it sparked the idea of “adopting” a school and educating students about what aggregates are and why they are important so Texas Aggregate decided to start an “Adopt-a-School” program for Lost Pines Elementary, also located in Bastrop, Texas.

Texas Aggregate held its “Adopt-a-School” program Feb. 18-20 for third and fourth graders. Aggregates Manager’s “Cubee the Aggregate” coloring book was used for the third graders, and Aggregates Manager's “You’re on Rock” workbook was be used for the fourth graders, who also toured the operation.

The program was such a success that Texas Aggregate has been invited back to speak at the school.

In the future, Texas Aggregate hopes to open up its program to schools countywide. As the program grows, the company says it plans to adopt additional schools.

12 Indiana Companies Awarded for Providing Superior Materials to Build State Highways

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has recognized the state’s best Certified Aggregate Producers for their outstanding performance in 2007.

INDOT established the Certified Aggregate Producer Program in 1993 to allow producers to take responsibility for all aspects of aggregate production. Certified producers follow a strict quality control plan. Production, sampling and testing procedures outlined in each company’s quality-control plan are carefully monitored by INDOT.

The Certified Aggregate Producer Program saves the state time and money by reducing the amount of material testing done at project sites while maintaining superior quality control. Since the beginning of the program, 193 businesses have become Certified Producers.

This year’s Outstanding Certified Aggregate Award winners cooperate fully with INDOT, participated in an INDOT audit in 2007 and demonstrate a commitment to quality by going above and beyond the minimum requirements of the program.

The outstanding certified aggregate producers for Indiana in 2007 are S&G Excavation of Terre Haute and Irving Materials of Greenwood. Winners in each INDOT district include the following:

Northwest Indiana:

• Levy-Indiana Slag Company, Portage, Ind.
• Moose Lake Aggregate, Niles, Mich.

Northeast Indiana:

• Meshberger Brothers, Linn Grove, Ind.
• Niblock Excavating and Asphalt, Bristol, Ind.

West Central Indiana:

• S & G Excavation, Terre Haute, Ind. (statewide winner)
• U.S. Aggregate, Waverly, Ind.

East Central Indiana (including Indianapolis):

• Martin Marietta Aggregates, Indianapolis
• Irving Materials, Greenwood, Ind. (statewide winner)

Southwest Indiana:

• Evansville Materials, Evansville

• EMI, Griffin, Ind.

Southeast Indiana:

• Hanson Aggregates, Jeffersonville, Ind.
• Watson Gravel, Harrison, Ohio

NSSGA Announces New Aggregate Base Conference May 14-15

The 2008 National Aggregate Base Conference will be held in Austin, Texas, on May 14-15, immediately following the ICAR Symposium. The National Aggregate Base Conference is a new event, co-sponsored by the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) and The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), presenting the latest information on the use of unbound aggregate base materials in all types of highway systems. 

The conference is specifically crafted to communicate information about unbound aggregate base materials to technical people from state departments of transportation and other aggregate users.

Vulcan Materials Co., Martin Marietta Materials, and Capitol Aggregates, Ltd., are conference sponsors.

Attendees of the ICAR Symposium can receive a discounted registration.

Maine Construction Company Can Crush Rock But Not Asphalt, Concrete Plant Allowed

MAINE—A construction company can crush rock at a quarry in Washington, but it can’t have an asphalt or concrete plant there.

Those conditions are part of a ruling issued by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

Edmond Bearor, the attorney representing Connecticut-based Lane Construction Corp., said the ruling means the case is over.

The opinion, written by Associate Justice Jon D. Levy, is the latest in a seven-year battle in which Lane is seeking to mine parts of a 56-acre site near Vanner Road in the rural town of Washington.

Lane had appealed a ruling made by a judge in Knox County Superior Court. Oral arguments in the case were held in Portland in January.

The Supreme Court on March 11 ruled the town’s Planning Board had done several things correctly.

The board “permissibly determined that rock crushing is an integral aspect of mineral extraction and, therefore, the board properly approved the initial permit for a rock crusher.”

The board “permissibly determined that bituminous hot-mix and concrete batch plants are not permitted in the Town’s Farm and Forest District and, therefore, properly denied a permit for the plants as accessory uses.”

The high court also vacated a ruling that charged Lane $20,000 for the town’s expert witnesses. The fee is limited to the $50 permit cost, Levy wrote, and the remainder of the sum is to be absorbed by the town.

The Supreme Court also said the board did not violate the rights of 10 residents who formed the Land Association of Washington.

Lane was granted a permit to have a quarry, said Michael Hodgins, the attorney representing the town. He said that, so far, little work has been done at the site.

“We will continue to prepare the quarry site for operations,” Bearor said. “And I would assume they would start just as soon as they can.”

Bearor noted that Lane has another quarry in Washington in the same zoning district, and that that plant already has asphalt and concrete operations.

Robert Marks, a lawyer who is one of the abutters and who represents the residents’ group, was unavailable for comment on Tuesday [March 11].

(Source: Kennebec (Maine) Journal, March 12, 2008. Article by Betty Adams, Staff Writer. Adams may be reached at badams@centralmaine.com.)

Cemex, Major League Baseball Provide Scholarships for Youngsters

San Pedro, Dominican Republic—The Cemex Foundation started in March its sports scholarship program “RBI San Pedro de Macorís 2008,” its fourth consecutive year together with Major League Baseball (MLB).

Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) is a sports scholarships program granted by the Cemex Foundation to 216 young baseball prospects people of the East region, whose performance make them deserving of such an incentive, with the chance to learn from the sport’s current outstanding figures.

(Source: Dominican Today, Mar. 3, 2008)

Lafarge Shares Capital Information with Shareholders

Paris-based Lafarge has informed its shareholders that as of Feb. 29, 2008, its share capital is divided into 172,633,448 shares for 187,568,107 voting rights.

Lafarge is the only company in the construction materials sector to be listed in the 2008 “100 Global Most Sustainable Corporations in the World.”

U.S. Concrete Expects Loss Same as Wall Street Analysts

U.S. Concrete Inc. says it expects to post a first-quarter loss in line with what Wall Street analysts forecast.

The company expects a loss from continuing operations, excluding some one-time items, of between 13 cents per share and 19 cents per share on revenue of $150 million and $160 million.

Analysts, who typically exclude one-time items from their estimates, predict a loss of 17 cents per share, with revenue of $151.9 million, according to a Thomson Financial poll.

(Source: Associated Press via Forbes.com)

Cemex’s Shares Fell 9.75 Percent

MEXICO CITY—Shares of Mexico’s Cemex, the world’s No. 3 cement maker, fell hard on March 14 after its quarterly earnings guidance disappointed investors worried about the impact of the U.S. economic slowdown.

Cemex’s New York-traded stock lost 9.75 percent to $25.47 and its local shares dropped 8.36 percent to 27.75 pesos. 

Cemex said on March 13 it expects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of $920 million in the first quarter, 6 percent higher than the year-ago period.

That was lower than expected by analysts, who are worried about the impact of a downturn in the U.S. housing market at and possible recession in the United States.

Credit Suisse cut its rating on shares of Cemex, which generates about a fifth of its sales in the United States, to “neutral” from “overweight” following the guidance.

“We see a significant deterioration across Cemex markets, namely the United States and Spain,” Credit Suisse said.

Investors have been concerned that the July acquisition of Australia’s Rinker Group might broaden the Mexican company’s exposure to the anemic U.S. market, hit by a mortgage credit crisis.

BBVA Bancomer said despite the lackluster guidance, Cemex remains attractive. It recommended buying the company at current prices.

Cemex shares have lost close to 40 percent of their value since mid-2007, when they were at an all-time high.

(Source: Reuters via www.aggregateresearch.com)

Cementir Buys Danish Concrete Company Kudsk & Dahl for 21 Million Euros

Cementir SpA said it has bought 100 percent of Danish concrete company Kudsk & Dahl for 21 million euros, in a deal that will allow the Italian cement group to generate higher synergies and consolidate its presence in Scandinavia.

Kudsk & Dahl sells about 1.2 million tons of aggregates and 100,000 cubic meters of concrete per year, generating revenues of about 16 million euros and a gross operating profit of 3 million, it said.

Cementir carried out the acquisition through its Unicon subsidiary.

(Source: Thomson Financial via Hemscott)

MSHA Issues Increased Funding for State Health And Safety Training Grants

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has announced more than $8.2 million in health and safety training grants for fiscal year 2008, up from last year’s allocation of $7.9 million.

Sneak Preview from the upcoming Applications section in the April 2008 issue of Aggregates Manager.  For the final report, see next month’s print issue.

Applications

Crushers on the Move

Irish aggregates operation cuts costs and nearly doubles production by switching by adding mobility to its crushing plant.

by Jim Breen

Thanks to ongoing advances in the aggregates industry, the focus in Europe is increasingly switching from stationary to mobile crushing and screening machines. This trend is strongly evident in Ireland, where mobile plant plays a key role in the aggregates sector.

(Left to right) Mel Hourigan, general manager of Kleeman Products; Harry Byrne, Roadstone regional operations manager; and Brian Staed, also with Roadstone, worked together to get the new crushers up and running to boost production.

Roadstone, a subsidiary of CRH, is just one of the many Irish companies that have recognized the benefits that accrue from “added mobility.”

The origins of Roadstone go back to the early 1930s. Initially called Roche Brothers, and later The Castle Sand Co., the business developed steadily during the 1940s. In 1949, Tom Roche launched Roadstone Limited on the Irish Stock Exchange.

Today, Roadstone employs about 1,500 people at more than 50 locations around Ireland. It manufactures and supplies aggregate, asphalt, and ready-mixed concrete. Its growing range of concrete and masonry products includes paving, roof tiles, and clay bricks.

The Roadstone-run quarry has nearly doubled its production — from 500,000 tons per year to close to 1 million — with its new mobile crushing plants.

Roadstone’s Two-Mile-Ditch Quarry, located close to Galway City on the west coast of Ireland, churns out a very diverse mix of products, including aggregates, gravel, asphalt, lime, concrete blocks, and associated masonry products.

Until 2001, the quarry had relied mainly on a static plant for its primary crushing operation. But then the company invested in a new mobile crusher (Kleemann MR 172), associated primary screen (Kleemann MS 18), secondary plant (Kleemann MF 14), and aggregates screen (Kleemann MS 20 P4).

Harry Byrne, Roadstone’s operations manager for the western region, is an advocate of mobile crushing technology, which Two-Mile-Ditch Quarry uses. Switching to a mobile crusher allows at-the-face work instead of requiring several 50-ton dump trucks to transport the material.

This was just one of a batch of mobile crushers that Roadstone had purchased around that time. A year earlier, an MR 152 had been delivered to the company’s processing facility in Roscommon. Another MR 172, just like the unit in Galway, had been acquired for the company’s Mayo quarry. Moreover, plans were afoot to install further Kleemann mobile crushers in other locations such as southeast Ireland.

Plant selection

Maurice McLucas, location manager of Two-Mile-Ditch Quarry, says he chose Kleemann crushers for his operation because of his familiarity with the company’s products after working with a subcontractor that had been using them. “The [Kleemann] machines proved reliable and performed consistently when it came to size reduction,” McLucas points out.

The Kleemann 172 can average 450 tons per hour. Two-Mile-Ditch Quarry now crushes about 4,000 tons per day.

McLucas also cites numerous reasons as to why his aggregates operation was interested in switching from a stationary to a mobile crusher. Prior to the changeover, McLucas says, 50-ton dump trucks were typically needed to haul the extracted material back to the stationary plant. This alone was a major cost factor. “By switching to a mobile crusher that can work at the rock face, we’ve reduced the amount of internal haulage that we have to undertake,” he says. “After each blast, we no longer have to load, haul, and reload all of the extracted rock. Now, we just load it directly into the crusher, which can be positioned exactly where we want it.”

Although much of the crushed material still has to be trucked back to the operation’s onsite processing plants (such as block-making facilities), the tonnage typically amounts to 35 to 45 percent of the total extracted material. But one or two dump trucks are sufficient now, whereas previously, at least three were needed, McLucas says. 

An added bonus is that road-going trucks can travel right up to the rock face, where they can be loaded with “filling,” he notes. “Much of this is sold without any further processing, so it’s getting to the end-user with little or no re-handling,” McLucas says. “This all helps to cut costs.”

This mobile crusher is supported by a tracked excavator, which loads it, and several loading shovels.

Harry Byrne, the company’s regional operations manager, notes that changing to a mobile crusher has not only helped cut costs, but it enabled the operation to specify a machine that has allowed it to meet production targets without using subcontractors.

“Before we changed over, we could crush about 500,000 tons per year with our own static plant,” he explains. Subcontractors’ machines were hired in to bulk up production. Now, we’re extracting our production target of nearly 1 millions tons per annum using just one machine, the MR 172.”

Admittedly, on paper the MR 172 is a higher-capacity unit than the stationary unit it replaced — so it should deliver more, Byrne points out. “Nevertheless, the extra throughput is not just down to the size of the machine,” he says. “The whole system is better balanced now, and we have more control of our stockpiles.”

Impact versus jaw

Byrne says his operation chose an impact crusher rather than a jaw-type machine because the area in which the quarry is located is predominantly limestone — much less abrasive rock. An impact crusher is better suited to this softer-type material, he says.

Internal haulage and re-handling are kept to a minimum because so much processing takes place at the blast site. In some cases, ready-for-sale products are being taken directly from a machine that works at the rock face, meaning it doesn’t have to be reloaded elsewhere on the site.

“We typically crush more than 4,000 tons per day,” Byrne adds. “That’s on a nine-hour shift. We generally average about 450 tons per hour. And because the capacity of the primary crusher determines the performance of the entire quarry, the MR 172 plays a critical role.”

To simplify logistics and service backup, Roadstone opted for matching Kleemann screening equipment when installing the crusher. This enables Roadstone to crush at the face as well as carry out secondary processing there.

“Our Kleemann MR 172 is set up to crush down to six inches or smaller,” Byrne says. “The crusher’s own pre-screener removes blast fines in either 3-inch to zero or 1-3/4-inches to zero sizes. This is sold off-site or taken for further processing, depending on demand.”

The screener, which works in tandem with the MR 172impact crusher, takes the 6-inch to zero rockMSHA Issues Increased Funding for State Health And Safety Training Grants splits it up into three different sizes. These include 1-1/2 inch to zero (state-spec road base); 3-inch clean stone; and larger 6-inch clean stone.

Because so much processing takes place at the blast site, internal haulage and re-handling are kept to a minimum, Byrne says. “For example, in some cases we’re taking ready-for-sale products from a machine that works at the rock face,” he says. “That means it doesn’t have to be re-loaded elsewhere on site.”

Jim Breen (right) is a freelance writer based in Ireland and wrote this article on behalf of Kleemann/McHale. Breen writes for several machinery and equipment publications in the agricultural, forestry, and plant/construction sectors.

Photos courtesy of Kleemann/McHale Inc.

Closed circuit crushing and screening

Terex Pegson rolled out its new 1000SR mobile plant at ConExpo-Con/Agg. It combines the company’s Maxtrak mobile cone crushing plant with a double-deck sizing screen and a re-circulating system, all on a single, track-mounted chassis.

Terex Pegson recommends the unit for secondary and tertiary applications in quarrying, where high-quality, low-flake, single-size aggregate and “all-in” sub-base materials are required.

New big-bore engines

International has developed its own, completely new line of big bore diesel engines, the MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13. The new engines are available as options on International trucks — there will ultimately be six models, ranging from 330 to 474 horsepower and 1,250 to 1,700 pounds-feet of torque.

Developed with the company’s European partner, MAN, the engines are the first to use compacted-graphite iron blocks and the first big-bore engines in North America to use a high-pressure, common rail fuel system, according to International. Also new is use of twin-series turbochargers, a primary turbo for take-off at low engine speeds, and a secondary turbo to maintain peak power at high engine speeds and during grade changes.

Purpose-built ready-mix loader

Caterpillar unveiled a purpose-built 928Hz Ready Mix wheel loader at January’s World of Concrete show. The unit is specially equipped for high production and reliable operation in ready-mixed concrete plants, asphalt batch plants, and concrete products plants.

The machine is based on Cat’s highly maneuverable 928Hz loader equipped with a 3.5-cubic-yard sand and gravel bucket, and balanced by a ready-mixed counterweight package. The larger than standard bucket, good balance, and short wheelbase of the small wheel loader deliver high productivity in the limited spaces of concrete and asphalt plants, says Cat.

Also included is automatic ride control to cushion the bucket for comfort and reduced spillage and the cab includes air conditioning, exterior mirrors, floodlights, sliding glass windows, and sunscreen and sun visor.

First bogie, idler wheel conditioning program

Superior Tire & Rubber is offering the industry’s first bogie and idler wheel reconditioning program. Customers ship damaged bogie and idler wheels to the company, which has developed a unique process to remove all failed rubber and apply a proprietary, long-lasting polyurethane.

Superior says the rebuilt hub has “better-than-OEM work life standards.”

For more new products for the industry, check out the RollOuts section
in each month’s print edition of Aggregates Manager.
 

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) has announced it will elevate nine members to Fellowship status during the Honors and Awards Gala at CONSTRUCT2008 & CSI’s Annual Convention on June 6 in Las Vegas.

Fellows are nominated by their colleagues and selected by CSI’s Jury of Fellows in recognition of their accomplishments in advancing construction technology, improving construction specifications, educating people in the construction industry or advancing the goals of the Institute.

CSI members joining this distinguished group in 2008 are the following:

• Jim Balboni, CSI

• R. Michelle Beard, CSI, CDT, SEGD

• H. Michael Hill, CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA, LEED AP

• Duane Johnson, CSI, CDT

• Howard Levine, CSI, CDT

• Dru Meadows, CSI, CCS, AIA

• Mary Nowee, RA, CSI, CCS

• Thomas Rauscher, CSI

• Edward Smith, CSI, FAIA

In the organization's 60-year history, only 376 members have been elevated to fellowship. For more information on CSI Fellows or the 2008 Annual Convention, visit www.csinet.org.

(Source: Construction Specifications Institute)

Lafarge has appointed Jean Desazars de Montgailhard, executive vice president, strategy, development, and public affairs to the company’s group executive committee.

Desazars de Montgailhard joined Lafarge in 1989. He started his career at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was specialized in multilateral negotiations, strategic questions, and arms control.

He served as a diplomat in Madrid, Stockholm, and Washington, D.C., as well as at the central administration.

(Source: Aggregates Research Institute, ARI)

During the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) Annual Convention 2008, which coincided with ConExpo-Con/Agg last week, Louis Griesemer of Springfield Underground, Springfield, Mo., passed his NSSGA chairmanship to Steve Sloan of Midwest Materials, Inc., Pittsburg, Kan.

During the National, Stone & Gravel Association (NSSGA) Annual Convention 2008, which coincided with ConExpo-Con/Agg last week, the Barry K. Wendt Memorial Commitment Award was presented to Ronald W. Kruse of National Lime & Stone, Findlay, Ohio, and the NSSGA State Association Executive of the Year Award went to Bruce T. Chattin of the Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association.

NSSGA’s President and CEO Joy Wilson was honored with the “AggMan of the Year Award” presented by Aggregates Manager magazine.

The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) named Congresswoman Stephanie Tubb Jones (D-Ohio) as Great Lakes Legislator of the Year. She will be formally presented the award at the GLMTF’s 13th Annual Briefing for the Great Lakes Delegation on April 2 in Washington, D.C.

Illinois Governor Names State’s Two Most-Influential Leaders to Illinois Works Coalition

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has named two of Illinois’ most-influential leaders — former Speaker of the U.S. House Dennis Hastert and Southern Illinois University (SIU) President and former U.S. Congressman Glenn Poshard — as co-chairs of the newly created Illinois Works Coalition.

The new bipartisan working group will draw expertise from business, labor, and local leaders across the state and will focus on helping pass a statewide infrastructure plan in Illinois. Last month in his annual budget address, Gov. Blagojevich proposed Illinois Works, a $25 billion capital plan, as the central piece of a statewide stimulus proposed Illinois Works, a $25 billion capital plan, as the central piece of a statewide stimulus package aimed at boosting Illinois’ economy in the face of a slowing national economy.

In addition to naming the co-chairs, the Gov. Blagojevich announced these other members of the Illinois Works Coalition:

• Michael Carrigan — President of the Illinois AFL-CIO;

• Jerry Roper — President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce;

• Tom Villanova — President of the Chicago & Cook County Building Trades Council;

• Edward Smith — Midwest Regional Manager of the Laborer's International Union of North America;

• Tod Faerber — President of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association;

• Bob Schillerstrom — Chairman of the DuPage County Board;

• Larry Ivory — Chairman and CEO of the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce;

• Omar Duque — President and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce;

• Florence Cox — Executive Director of the Black Contractors United;

• Tim Davlin — Mayor of the City of Springfield;

• Kim Robinson — Executive Director of the Illinois Construction Industry Committee;

• Allan Reyhan Jr. — President of the Associated General Contractors of Illinois;

• Karen McConnaughay — Chairwoman of the Kane County Board; and

• Clayton Harris III — Executive Director of the Illinois Works Coalition and Chief of Staff of the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Compiled by Tina Grady Barbaccia, Aggregates Manager Senior Editor.
To contact Tina about the newsletter content, send e-mail to e-news@aggman.com or call (630) 364-2306.

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