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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a new wetlands compensatory mitigation rule (www.epa.gov/wetlandsmitigation/) on March 31 that consolidates existing regulations and guidance to establish equivalent standards for all types of mitigation under the Clean Water Act Section 404 regulatory program. The final rule was set to be published in the Federal Register on April 4 and will go into effect 60 days later.

The new rule provides one set of regulations for compensatory mitigation instead of the numerous separate guidance documents that have been used up to now. The rule establishes equivalent sets of standards based on better science, increased public participation, and innovative market-based tools.

The most significant change required is that compensation projects provided by all three compensation mechanisms (i.e., permittee-responsible mitigation, mitigation banks, and in-lieu fee mitigation) must have mitigation plans which include the same 12 fundamental components: objectives; site selection criteria; site protection instruments; baseline information; credit determination methodology; a mitigation work plan; a maintenance plan; ecological performance standards; monitoring requirements; a long-term management plan; an adaptive management plan; and financial assurances.

The rule further establishes a preferred hierarchy for mitigation options. The most preferred option is mitigation bank credits, followed by in-lieu fee program credits and, finally, permittee-responsible mitigation. Permittee-responsible mitigation has three further possible circumstances: watershed approach, on-site and in-kind, and off-site/out-of-kind.

Mitigation sequencing (i.e., avoid, minimize, and compensate) has also been retained in this rule.

(Source: National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association eDigest & Washington Watch)

Granite Construction CEO Buys 30,000 Shares

The president and chief executive of Granite Construction Inc., William Glenwood Dorey, bought 30,000 shares of common stock, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In a Form 4 filed with the SEC on March 11, William Glenwood Dorey reported buying the shares on March 10 for $28.43 to $28.45 a piece. Insiders file Form 4s with the SEC to report transactions in their companies' shares. Open market purchases and sales must be reported within two business days of the transaction.

(Source: ARI, www.aggregateresearch.com)

EPA Recognizes California Portland Cement Company with 2008 Energy Star

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded California Portland Cement Co. (CPC) a 2008 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency.

CPC’s accomplishments were recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 1, 2008. CPC, an Energy Star partner since 1996, will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency. In 2007, CPC continued its energy reduction trend by cutting energy intensity by 2.5 percent from 2006 levels for a savings of nearly 363 trillion BTU. This savings reduced CO2 emissions by 34,366 metric tons, which is the equivalent of providing electricity to 4,644 American homes.

Across the U.S., top companies and organizations are continuing to promote energy efficiency through participation in Energy Star. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $16 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles.

The 2008 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches, and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency.

These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the Energy Star program including energy-efficient products, services, new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 9,000 organizations that participate in the Energy Star program.

(Source: California Portland Cement Assocation/ARI)

Egypt Bans Cement Exports

Egypt has decided to ban cement exports from March 29 until Oct. 1 as part of measures to “control the markets and meet the needs of citizens,” the ministry of trade and industry said on March 27.

The ministry said in a statement that cement and steel factories would not be allowed to halt production without a special permit from the ministry, the statement said.

Twenty executives of local cement companies are facing trial in Egypt on charges of conspiring to fix prices.

Rising local cement prices had earlier forced the ministry to introduce an export duty on cement.

(Source: Reuters via ArabianBusiness.com. Article by Alaa Shahine)

Aggregates Manager Producing 2008 USGS Aggregates Industry Atlas

Aggregates Manager is producing the 2008 edition of the Aggregates Manager U.S. Geological Survey Aggregates Industry Atlas. The atlas compiles information on the locations of aggregates operations throughout the country.

This edition will feature updated firm data, including such demographics as addresses and location information. It includes extensive data on mines and location.

Also included as part of the atlas, is Aggregates Manager’s exclusive Permitting Guide. Because obtaining a permit is one of the most difficult challenges facing producers, this guide will provide valuable information. The atlas will be mailed to all Aggregates Manager subscribers.

For more information on the atlas, please click here.

AEM Accepting Nominations for Construction Equipment Hall of Fame

The Association of Equipment Managers is accepting nominations for inductees into the Construction Equipment Hall of Fame. Any person from the construction equipment related industries may nominate an individual, living or deceased, whose achievements were made in manufacturing, distribution rental, or end-user segments of the industry.

The contributions of the nominee may be from any aspect of the construction equipment industry to include but not limited to; innovation, achievements, leadership, corporate/social responsibility, engineering or invention accomplishments and educational impact. The nominees will be reviewed by a board of impartial judges from major industry associations augmented by an advisory panel of experts from throughout the industry.

The goal of the Construction Equipment Hall of Fame is to create wide public understanding and appreciation of the industry’s role in global economic and social prosperity with increased focus on issues such as infrastructure renewal and workforce shortages.

“We face the challenges of a shrinking workforce, insufficient funding for an overburdened infrastructure and a changing global marketplace,” says Al Cervero, AEM senior vice president. “We hope the innovation and creativity exemplified by Hall of Fame members will inspire the next generation to continue our industry’s legacy of productivity, sustainability and growth.”

For specific information on the criteria, or to submit a nomination, visit www.aem.org/news  and follow the links under the Hall of Fame icon. The deadline for the nominations is June 1st.

(Source: EquipmentWorld.com)

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Enters Into Agreement with EPA

The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) has signed an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and promote environmental management tools to help ready mixed concrete plants comply with their Clean Water Act obligations. “Beyond Compliance Principles of Environmental Stewardship — New Agreement to Reduce Environmental Footprint of Ready Mixed Concrete Operations” was signed last month at NRMCA’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

NRMCA’s efforts in this arena have long included an Environmental Certification Course and, now most recently, the addition of the Association’s new Green-Star Program. Green-Star is an environmental management system (EMS) based program developed specifically for the ready mixed concrete industry that's geared to recognize facilities that have implemented an EMS based on continuous improvement. The agreement will also further the goals of EPA’s regional Healthy Waters Priority and the Green Highways Partnership’s “beyond compliance” principles of environmental stewardship.

For more information in a downloadable PDF format, go to www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/pdf/2.0_ES_GHP%20FACT%20SHEET03.04.08.pdf.

Highlights from the April 2008 Aggregates Manager print issue: Should you go vertical? Double your production with portable crushing Track new opportunities with excavator options Wheel loader care 101

Vulcan Head Optimistic About Public Infrastructure to Balance Residential, Non-residential Decline

At the BB&T Manufacturing and Materials Conference being held in New York City last month, Vulcan Materials Co. Chairman and CEO Don James spoke of his company’s plan to move forward in the failing housing market.

With the downturn of the residential housing market, relating to the decline of housing starts, financing, and real estate prices, Vulcan Materials plans to stay buoyant with the stability of public infrastructure spending and federal highway dollars. James declared that in 2007 81 percent of the company’s aggregates demand was for the non-housing market, only 19 percent into housing (which happened to be down from 20 percent in previous years), stating, “We are not fretting about declining house prices.”

Public infrastructure and highway improvements are “aggregate-intensive” (meaning it requires more aggregates than residential, non-residential, utilities, and airport construction) creating a very stable and consistent rate of growth.

Vulcan Materials is the largest aggregate producer in the USA, with 312 production/distribution facilities. It works within eight geographical regions, determining markets and sales based on a county-by-county basis plus large construction projects, rather than state by state.

Vulcan’s prominence in the California market, with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed $200 billion budget for public infrastructure during the next 10 years, is comforting to the future sales figures and growth in that market. Vulcan has now become the largest aggregate supplier in the state and has recently commissioned a new aggregate plant in Corona between Los Angeles and San Diego.

Compared to 1997 and with the recent acquisition of Florida Rock Industries, Vulcan has increased its aggregate reserves by 57 percent (to 12.9 billion tons), with an average reserve life of 43 years. These reserves are in high population growth areas such as California, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Half of the U.S. population growth in the next 2 decades will be in these States of which Vulcan has a strong presence. This foreseen population growth also has a strong influence on federal highway spending.

EBITDA is up 3 percent from 2007 to $981.9 million (2006 - $950.0 million). In the last five years Vulcan has doubled its profitability. In 2007 the volume of shipments declined, equaling that of 2002, however, the operated earnings increased 90 percent, operating margin improved 500+ basis points and the EPS has increased 18 percent.

(Source: ARI-Communications)

Holcim to Invest 2 Billion Reais in Brazil by 2012, Source Says

Holcim Ltd., a Switzerland-based cement company, plans to invest 2 billion reais ($1.1 billion) to increase production in Brazil, Valor Economico reported, citing Carlos Eduardo Garrocho de Almeida, commercial and external relations director at Holcim’s Brazilian unit.

Holcim aims to increase production to 7 million tons a year in 2012 from 4 million tons this year, the Brazilian newspaper said. Holcim will upgrade existing plants and is studying building a new factory, according to Valor.

(Source: Bloomberg, March 25, 2008. By Joao Lima)

Terex CEO Gets $9 Million in Pay in 2007

The chairman and chief executive of construction equipment maker Terex Corp. received compensation valued at $9 million in 2007, a 66-percent decline from a year earlier, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Westport, Conn.-based company paid Ronald M. DeFeo $1.03 million in base salary for the year, compared with $875,000 in 2006. The 56-year-old executive also received performance-based bonuses of $2.4 million, compared with $8.6 million in 2006.

Terex said the 2006 figure included long-term incentive plan awards from 1999 that were granted in 2002 and fully vested in 2006.

DeFeo also received stock and option awards valued at $5.2 million on the days they were granted, compared with $17.1 million a year earlier.

Additionally, Terex awarded DeFeo $313,733 in all other compensation, which included perks such as use of company aircraft, club memberships, insurance and retirement plan contributions.

The Associated Press calculations of total pay include executives’ salary, bonus, incentives, perks, above-market returns on deferred compensation, and the estimated value of stock options and awards granted during the year. The calculations don’t include changes in the present value of pension benefits, and they sometimes differ from the totals companies list in the summary compensation table of proxy statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Terex’s earnings rose 53.5 percent to $613.9 million, or $5.85 per share, in 2007. Its revenue grew 19.5 percent to $9.14 billion.

The company’s stock rose 5 percent during the year.

Polaris Announces 2007 Year-End Results

VANCOUVER, B.C., Canada—Polaris Minerals Corp. has reported financial results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007. All financial results are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

The company reported a loss of $18.4 million ($0.52 per share) compared with a loss of $3.3 million ($0.11 per share) in 2006. Polaris generated a gross margin of $1.0 million from operations in 2007, the year in which product sales commenced. Revenue for 2007 was $15.5 million (2006 – Nil).

The loss from operations, net of stock based compensation, was $4.3 million compared with a loss of $4.4 million in the prior year. The loss for the year was impacted by several non-cash adjustments: stock-based compensation $8.2 million (2006 - $0.8 million); revaluation of debt repaid $3.4 million (2006 – Nil); provision on an investment $2.0 million (2006 – Nil); and foreign exchange of $1.5 million (2006 – $0.1 million). Net interest received in the year was $1.4 million (2006 - $1.8 million).

At Dec. 31, 2007, the company had cash and cash equivalents on hand of $15.2 million and no debt.

The company sold 1.15 million tons of sand and gravel to customers in California, Vancouver, BC, and Hawaii from its Orca Quarry, located near Port McNeill, B.C., Canada, and had 0.25 million tons of finished products in inventory at year end.

(Source: Polaris Minerals Corp.) 

Mexico’s Cemex Starts Big Asset Sale to Pay Debt

MONTERREY, Mexico—Mexico’s Cemex, the world’s No. 3 cement producer, may have to sell up to $2.7 billion in assets to repay its huge debt and avoid losing its investment grade status amid the U.S. housing crisis, analysts said on April 1.

Cemex, which last year paid $16 billion for Australian rival Rinker, said on March 31, it sold its 9.5 percent stake in local telecoms company Axtel, generating $257 million in cash.

While that amount is tiny compared to Cemex’s $18.9 billion debt load, the sale signals the start of an asset sale over the next two years in businesses ranging from cement plants to nonstrategic investments.

Chief Financial Officer Rodrigo Trevino said last month Cemex would sell about $2 billion in assets, but analysts at Credit Suisse and several Mexican banks and brokerages say it may need to sell more — as much as $2.7 billion.

“Cemex is likely to need to sell more than they say. The debt issue is a big challenge,” said a Mexico-based analyst who declined to be named.

Trevino declined to detail Cemex’s asset portfolio. Cemex is anxious to control its debt, which has surged to 4.1 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in the first quarter of this year, according to Credit Suisse.

Monterrey-based Cemex has promised investors it will cut its debt to 2.7 times EBIDTA by 2009 but faces a difficult climate in the United States, its top market, where a subprime mortgage crisis has caused residential construction to slump.

For Cemex, which competes globally with Switzerland’s Holcim and France’s Lafarge, the fall in housing construction has been particularly severe in its high-growth markets such as Florida, and Cemex sees declining cement demand this year.

“Cemex is on the borderline of losing its investment grade,” said Vanessa Quiroga, an analyst at Credit Suisse.

Rating agency Standard & Poor’s could downgrade Cemex’s credit rating of BBB if the company allowed its ratio of fully adjusted funds from operations to rise above 20 percent this year, Quiroga added.

A downgrade would increase Cemex’s financing costs and could cap its access to investment, as many institutional investors are limited to investment grade companies only.

Cemex may get away with a downgrade that does not affect its investment grade level, said Gonzalo Fernandez of Santander. “Cemex’s strength is its capacity to generate cash flow,” he said. Cemex expects 2008 cash flow of over $3 billion, a 15 percent rise over 2007.

Still, Cemex has little room to maneuver because another key market, Spain, is weakening due to lower demand for new houses as economic growth there slows.

Some investors worry that the U.S. credit crisis could hit Cemex’s non-residential U.S. construction business, too, and that a slowdown in the U.S. economy could also hurt Mexico, the country’s No. 2 trade partner and another major market for Cemex.

Cemex shares were higher in Mexico City and New York on April 1 as investors welcomed the Axtel sale. They were up $1.43, or 5.5 percent, at $27.55 on the New York Stock Exchange and up 1.10 pesos, or 3.9 percent, at 29.22 pesos in Mexico. The shares had fallen more than 35 percent in Mexico since a high of 44.04 pesos in mid-June last year.

(Source: Reuters, April 1, 2007.Article by Robin Emmott; Additional reporting by Gabriela Lopez; Editing by Gary Hill)

CRH Says it Agrees to Buy U.S. Pavestone for $540 million

DUBLIN—Irish building materials group CRH said on Thursday [March 13] it had agreed to buy U.S. Pavestone Group for $540 million in cash.

CRH said the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, included a “deferred consideration” based on future increases in profitability.

Dallas-based Pavestone operates a network of concrete paver plants at locations across the United States.

CRH, one of the world's biggest suppliers to builders, said Pavestone's operations complemented the existing retail business of its U.S. architectural products group (APG).

“The proposed acquisition of Pavestone represents an opportunity to build on our success in developing APG into the leading North American supplier of multiple landscaping products, enabling profitable growth,” CRH Chief Executive Liam O’Mahony said in a statement.

Earlier this month, CRH predicted earnings growth in 2008 despite slowing construction in the United States and Europe.

Having spent 2.2 billion euros on 78 acquisitions in 2007, O’Mahony reiterated in March he hoped the group could at least maintain the same rate in 2008, and said it had a “pipeline of potential deals.”

(Source: Reuters, March 13, 2008. Reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Louise Ireland)

CRH to Enter India with My Home Industries Limited Purchase

Acquisitive Irish building materials group CRH Plc will enter the Indian market after agreeing to buy 50 percent of cement maker My Home Industries Limited (MHIL) for 290 million euros ($456 million).

Dublin-based CRH, which has used acquisitions to grow into one of the world’s six biggest suppliers to the construction industry, said that it expected the deal to be completed in the second quarter of 2008.

“CRH and the existing owners will jointly manage MHIL and both parties will have equal board and management representation,” it said.

“As a first investment in India, we are delighted to be associated with such a strong company and look forward to developing the business with our partner as the Indian economy expands,” CRH Chief Executive Liam O’Mahony said in a statement.

Since its formation in 1970 through the merger of Ireland’s Cement Ltd. and Roadstone Limited when the group had annual sales of 26 million euros, CRH has grown into a global player employing about 80,000 people in 32 countries. It generated revenue of almost 21 billion euros ($33 billion) last year.

The group agreed to buy U.S. concrete paving maker Pavestone for $540 million. Having spent 2.2 billion euros on 78 deals in 2007, CRH has said it hopes to at least maintain the same level of acquisition spending this year.

(Source: Reuters, March 20, 2008. By Paul Hoskins)

Applications

Eye on the Future

How one father-son team has grown a rock crushing business into a profitable custom crushing business.

After 35 years in the construction industry, including four years as a consultant to heavy highway construction companies, William “Bill” Corson realized if he wanted more from this life, it was up to him to make it happen. 

William “Bill” Corson (left) started Contract Crushing/Construction Inc. in Cogan Station, Pa., in 2003. His son, Richard “Rich” Corson (right) joined the business a year later. Sometimes finishing each other’s sentences and ribbing good-naturedly, the two are committed to delivering the very best level of service to their customers.

In August 2003, Corson formed Contract Crushing/Construction Inc. Located in Cogan Station, Pa., CCI has quickly grown by giving customers what they want, when they want it, from recycled asphalt product and recycled concrete to a wide range of aggregates. CCI customers include quarry operators, construction companies, and recyclers across the Mid-Atlantic United States.

Bill has quickly built his company into the recycling and crushing specialists with his unrelenting energy.

“The driving force for me is building something for my family’s future generations,” Bill says. “I’ve worked for other companies all my life, but now I want to build something for my son’s children and my daughter’s children — something of value that will get passed down after I’m gone.”

Bill’s son, Richard “Rich” Corson, 32, joined his father in February 2004 as vice president and COO. Together, they built the company on the cornerstones of safety, integrity, and professionalism. This successful father-son team talks comfortably about their business, sometimes finishing each other’s sentences and ribbing each other good-naturedly. The shared focus of both father and son, however, is delivering the very best level of service to their customers.

“Custom crushing is not an easy business,” Bill says. “Each time you move onto a new site, you have different parameters you’re working with. You have to adapt your offer to the needs of each individual customer and seamlessly fit into an existing business for as long as you’re there.”

This can be challenging, Rich says, because, “It’s a different spec, a different raw material, and a different customer,” he says.

Dependability translates to profitability

CCI has grown quickly in five years by giving customers what they want, when they want it, from RAP (recycled asphalt product) and recycled concrete to a wide range of aggregates. Customers include quarries, construction companies, and recyclers across the Mid-Atlantic U.S.

CCI employs 30 people with four complete equipment spreads working across seven states. Having dependable equipment is often the difference between profit and loss. “We can’t afford not to have everything running,” Bill says. “If we’re down, we’re not making money — plain and simple.”

When equipment isn’t up and running it reflects poorly on the business, notes Rich. “We’re failing in the customer’s eyes if we’re not keeping up with them, or if we’re not ahead of them, and they’ve got customers waiting,” he says. “Yes, we are demanding of ourselves and our business partners, but only because of what our customers demand from us.”

When it comes to reliable equipment partners, CCI depends on Kemper Equipment and Sandvik Mining and Construction. “With Kemper Equipment and Sandvik, we have dependable equipment and a dealership with which we feel we can develop a good relationship,” Bill says. “We believe the relationship will continue to grow and be mutually beneficial for all sides.

Kemper Equipment is a full-service distributor of aggregate equipment, from sales and system design and consultation to parts, service, and repair. Sandvik Mining and Construction is a supplier of equipment, parts, and services for the mining and construction industries. Kemper is Sandvik’s authorized distributor for Pennsylvania. 

A deeper appreciation

Each month, a service technician makes a comprehensive inspection of the mobile cone, from computer parameters and filters, to oil, undercarriage components, and engine tolerances. CCI says the cone is a newer piece of equipment, and it doesn’t want to take chances in overlooking anything that might lead to downtime.

CCI’s relationship with Kemper Equipment and Sandvik dates back to Summer 2006. Chris Rettew, crushing and screening application specialist for Sandvik, has worked with both CCI and Kemper from the beginning. Rettew met with the Corsons before they purchased their first piece of Sandvik equipment to gain a deeper appreciation for their needs. 

“While Sandvik supports the distributor, the fact is we also have a responsibility to the customer,” Rettew says. “That’s how we can help cement a lasting relationship between all parties.”

Rettew acknowledges that product availability is a “huge factor” in CCI’s success. “While CCI is self-reliant, the company absolutely requires and expects product support and technical advice from Kemper and Sandvik,” he says. “The faster they are, the more capacity they can put through and the more competitive they are. By capacity, they’re not just talking about the capacity of the crusher, but their overall capacity based on product availability.”

Increased crushing efficiency

Three hard-rock job requests in 2006, and another two last year, convinced CCI to add a mobile crusher to its equipment lineup of impact and jaw crushers, screens, and support equipment.

Customer service is what compelled CCI to add a Sandvik UH440i (the “i” stands for intelligent) mobile cone crusher to its equipment fleet during the early summer of 2007. Corson says when two customers approached CCI with hard rock jobs, it persuaded the company to buy Sandvik’s new cone crusher. CCI turned down two similar projects the previous year and accepted one, a customer who was down and needed emergency crushing support for granite. This convinced CCI that the time was right to add another mobile crusher to its equipment lineup.

Rich says the Sandvik UH440i mobile crusher greatly enhances CCI’s ability to efficiently crush hard, abrasive rock such as granite, traprock, and sand rock. He credits the unit’s gyratory design with its “exceptional performance.” Ultimately, it is the reason why CCI chose the Sandvik crusher over other machines.

The Sandvik mobile crusher allows CCI personnel to move in quickly to each new site and get on with processing. “This cone has a lot of flexibility to it and has greatly expanded our ability to serve our customers,” Rich says. The mobile unit can process up to 350 metric tons per hour.

Ideal for secondary or tertiary applications, the UH440i can produce a wide range of desirable aggregate sizes, including re-circulation ballast-size (4 to 5 inches) stone into No. 8 or No. 57 stone used by asphalt and concrete plants.

“We also like the fact that we don’t have to pre-screen, which would add an additional piece of equipment to the spread,” Rich says. “You can take (from) fines all the way up to coarse product and not hurt the machine.”

This user-friendly Automated Setting Regulation system (ASRi) gives CCI operators a continual flow of information while constantly making adjustments for more efficient production, such as adjusting crusher settings automatically in order to compensate for liner wear and controlling the crusher to protect it from damaging overloads.	A mobile crusher that “walks” — even when the machine is in idle — has been a big plus for CCI, regardless of the job. The company says smooth, solid control is a big deal when backing equipment within an inch of each other.

The new crusher has a “great” automation system, according to the Corsons, providing the operator with vital information while automatically making adjustments to maximize production. The Sandvik ASRi (Automated Setting Regulation system) also adjusts crusher settings to compensate for liner wear and ensure the highest level of crusher performance.

The ASRi controls the crusher to protect it from damaging overloads. “It’s very user friendly,” Rich adds, from the system’s simple color graphics to the touch-screen interface and automatic functions.

The heavy-duty scalping screen is easily mobile. Conveyors are hydraulically foldable and walkways are fixed, for quick transport and set-up time on site.

CCI chose a radio remote control for the unit in addition to the standard tethered control. “We really like it because the operator can clearly see all around the machine and can control (the crusher) from the cab of the support equipment,” Rich points out. Adds Bill, “This kind of feature really helps an operation like ours.”

The mobile crusher “walks” and turns nicely, Bill says, even when the machine is in idle position, “no matter where you’re at, no matter what you’re into. That’s a big plus.” This provides solid control when walking the machine around, Rich says, which is particularly important when trying to back equipment to within an inch of other equipment.

“We also like the ruggedness and robustness of this machine,” Rich adds. “This is a well-engineered piece of iron, from a company with proven technology.”

Building relationships for the future

William “Bill” Corson spent 35 years in the construction industry, including four years in heavy highway construction, before forming Contract Crushing/Construction Inc. in Cogan Station, Pa., in 2003. Corson sees the business as building something for his family’s future generations.

Bill sees only continued growth in his future, and predicts that in the next five years, CCI will add one or two field crews operating up and down the East Coast, including the South. “We’ve been invited there already, and within five years, we’ll probably have a division there handling those customers,” he says. In fact, growth seems to be in the cards — in June 2007, the Corsons started a second business, Corson Asphalt Inc., with the goal being to produce asphalt for outside sales.

Bill also predicts a second fixed operation in addition to Corson Quarries Inc., their fixed operation 60 miles northwest of Cogan Station in Elysburg, Pa., that the Corsons purchased in mid-2006. “There will always be a requirement for good aggregates,” Bill notes.

Computer-designed magnet circuit

Permanent and Electro Stationary Suspension Magnets from the Magnetics Division of Global Equipment Marketing Inc. can prevent operators from experiencing the downtime that could occur if a loader or bucket tooth were to get into a crusher.

The permanent magnets do not have any moving parts and are moisture and dust proof. They also are constructed in a computer-designed magnet circuit for powerful strength. All of the magnets are enclosed in a heavy-duty mild steel casing, stainless steel, or manganese impact plates and all-welded construction. They also are furnished with eyebolts or pads for suspension together with set of adjustable suspension chains with turnbuckles and a slide tray or belt stripper. The permanent suspension magnets are available for all conveyor widths from 84 inches and a materials-burden depth from 1 to 16 inches. Each unit comes with a lifetime-limited warranty against loss of magnetic strength when used in normal operating conditions.

The Electro Stationary Suspension Magnets are best for deeper burden depths, faster-than- belt speeds, or requirements for removal of heavier-than-normal tramp iron. The magnets are available for conveyor widths to 48 inches and burden depths from 1 to 28 inches. These units do not have an external expansion oil tank, and the magnet coils and transformer oil are enclosed in a heavy-duty mild-steel casing, stainless steel impact plates with additional stainless steel wear plates, and an all-welded construction. Al the electro magnets are furnished with NEMA 4 junction boxes, as well as eyepads for suspension. A matching NEMA 12 rectifier also is available to converting the AC input power supply to the required magnet’s DC output.

Self-releasing grizzly mechanism

The new Heavy-Duty Grizzly Feeder from Masaba Mining Equipment incorporates not only a rugged design, but it is also equipped with the company’s new self-releasing grizzly mechanism that can eliminate lodged rock between grizzly bars.

The feeder hopper is 11 by 16 feet with a discharge trough lined with bolt-in flashing constructed of steel-cutting edges. The machine also has a wide-flange beam constructed chassis and a bolt-on, heavy duty 1/2-inch by 10-foot by 18-foot steel bulkhead with reinforced beams on each side of the plant.

Other features include the following:

• Triple-axle chassis
• 48-inch belt feeder
• Removable 48-inch heavy-duty channel conveyor with live shaft rubber disk impact Idlers and (two) pillow block bearings per idler
• 48-inch U.S. flex vulcanized conveyor belt
• 42-inch deep discharge trough from 3/8 inch AR400 steel lined with bolt-in steel cutting edge
• Mine-duty pulleys
• Belt speed from 0 to100 FPM
• Electrical/hydraulics
• 12-volt power unit and control valve for (two) hydraulic leveling jacks
• 15-horsepower electric/hydraulic power unit
• Remote control — portable transmitter & radio receiver to control start / stop of conveyor and raise/lower of grizzly
• All NEMA class components, ensuring reliability in the field.

Hybrid mobile crusher

Eagle Crusher has rolled out a hybrid powered track-mounted impactor plant. The Hybrid Traxx features diesel electrical power for both the impactor and the plant; the tracks are driven by an open loop, single-pump hydraulic system. The plant features the new UltraMaxII 4144 impactor, which has hydraulically adjustable curtains for precise product control and reduced wear costs. The main power plant is a 325-horsepower diesel.

Large, versatile crushers

Exhibiting at ConExpo-Con/Agg for the first time ever, Kleemann introduced two large, versatile mobile processing plants to the North American market. The impactor-based MOBIREX MR 130-Z is a closed circuit machine with a fully independent two-deck prescreen before the primary impact crusher box. Material is dropped onto a feeder, scalped over the independent pre-screen, and through an onboard screen after the crusher, where oversize is recirculated back into the crusher. Kleemann says it is two machines in one: a crusher, and a screen box.

Also debuting was the MOBICAST MC 120-Z, featuring a 48- by 32-inch jaw crusher. It has an independent double-deck pre-screen with a feeder under the crusher. The complete machine weighs 72.5 tons.

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

Peterbilt has announced plans for full production of its Model 330 and Model 335 medium-duty hybrid vehicles at their press conference during the 2008 Mid-America Trucking Show. The vehicles will be produced at Peterbilt’s Saint Therese, Quebec, Canada, manufacturing facility in the summer of 2008.

Both the Model 330 and the Model 335 Hybrid Electric vehicles feature Eaton Hybrid Power systems and offer customers fuel savings advantages. The Model 330 provides up to a 30-percent improvement in fuel efficiency and the Model 335 offers a 60-percent improvement when configured for utility applications, according to the company.

These trucks use a parallel hybrid system with an electric motor assisting the diesel engine with supplemental torque improving fuel economy. The system also stores energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking, and then uses this energy to launch and accelerate the vehicle.

Both models are eligible to receive tax credits from the U.S. Government as certified by the Department of Treasury’s Heavy Manufacturing and Transportation Group. The maximum credit of $12,000 is available for the Model 335, which falls under the Class 7 Hybrids, and $6,000 is available for the Model 330, which falls under the Class 6 Hybrids.

(Source: EquipmentWorld.com)

Deere & Co. has been ranked by Fortune magazine as the most admired company in the Industrial and Farm Equipment category. Fortune enlists the help of Hay Group, executives, directors and analysts to rate the 10 largest companies in their respective industries. The companies are judged on eight criteria, and Fortune says the 63 industry lists are “the definitive report card on corporate reputations.”

This ranking is the best achieved for Deere in the past six years by Fortune.

(Source: EquipmentWorld.com)

Under a share redemption plan Caterpillar will become the majority shareholder in Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi (SHM) with an option to achieve full ownership after five years. The agreement will result in Caterpillar owning 67 percent of SCM. When the first phase of the deal closes, expected in the third quarter of 2008, the business will be renamed Caterpillar Japan.

The value of the first phase of the share redemption is $50 billion Japanese Yen, or approximately $ 499,650,244 dollars, at the current exchange rate. Under the terms of this agreement, SCM will redeem half of MHI’s shares in SCM. Once this share redemption is complete, Caterpillar will own 67 percent of the outstanding shares of the business with MHI owning the remaining 33 percent. SCM also has an option to redeem the remaining shares owned by MHI making Caterpillar the sole owner of SCM if exercised after five years.

Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Jim Owens, MHI President Kazuo Tsukuda, and SCM President Shouichi Hirano all signed the definitive agreements at a ceremony in Tokyo. Shouichi Hirano is expected to become the President of Caterpillar Japan.

IronPlanet, an online auction company for used construction equipment, conducted a one-owner auction for SLV Earthmovers of Monte Vista, Colorado. The auction liquidated $4.22 million, nearly $700,000 more than SLV Earthmovers owner Jim Willschau was expecting to receive.

The SLV Earthmovers auction drew a record number of 15,000 potential bidders to the website achieving an average of 41 bids per item.

(Source: EquipmentWorld.com)

Dexter + Chaney has placed 15th in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s recent ranking of the Puget Sound area’s largest software developers, based on 2007 gross revenues. Dexter + Chaney was the only construction software company to make the list. 

French construction materials firm Lafarge SA will propose the nomination of Gerald Frere, Jerome Guiraud and Michel Rollier as members of its board of directors, according to a meeting notice published Monday in French official gazette Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires.

Gerald Frere is managing director of Belgian financier Albert Frere’s investment vehicle, Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (GBLB.BT), which held 20.1 percent of Lafarge as of March 4.

Guiraud is a board member of Egyptian group Orascom Construction Industries. In January, Lafarge bought Orascom unit Orascom Cement.

Rollier is French tire manufacturer Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin’s managing partner.

According to the statement, none of the men hold Lafarge shares.

The nominations will be put forward for shareholder approval at Lafarge’s general assembly meeting May 7, with all board mandates due to run for four years.

Rod Martin of Martin Stone Quarries Inc., based in Bechtelsville, Pa., was named the 2008 Aggregates in Action (A2) “Activist of the Year” at the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) annual convention held in Las Vegas earlier this month. Martin has been active in the grassroots program throughout the year — attending Washington fly-ins, participating in conference calls, responding to action alerts and providing feedback to NSSGA on information that he has learned from his contacts with elected officials and their staffs. For these and other efforts that he has taken to advance the aggregates industry through his grassroots activism, NSSGA bestows upon Martin this honor along with a check for $1,000.

 (Source: National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association eDigest & Washington Watch)

Jay Marak has been named corporate safety director for Cherry, a company specializing in high-quality demolition, aggregate supply, stabilized products, and road removal. In his new role, Marak will be responsible for overseeing Cherry’s safety department to help ensure that Cherry continue holding one of the lowest EMR rates in the industry.

For over 40 years, Marak has held executive and managerial positions in the construction industry — particularly in the area of safety. His primary responsibility in these positions were to manage the safety program of the company, which he accomplished by conducting multiple safety training courses, and implementing new employment and company policies. Most recently, Marak served as the Principal for Marak Safety Service.

In addition to his management positions in the construction industry, Marak is affiliated with the American Society of Safety Engineers and Texas Safety Association, and has also held leadership roles on numerous safety committees throughout Texas.

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) announced that it has selected Paul Edlund, FCSI, CCS, AIA, SCIP, to receive Distinguished Member status. The prestigious honor recognizes CSI members who have performed distinguished services to the design and construction industry in activities related to the purposes of the Institute.

Safety Vision, a global provider of mobile digital video solutions, has announced the addition of Michael Ondruch as CFO. As CFO, Ondruch will forge a business strategy leadership role within the company while serving as financial liaison within the business community, reinforcing relationships and maximizing efficiencies among employees, suppliers, and clients alike. In step with Safety Vision President and CEO Bruce Smith, Ondruch also will help the company achieve its goal of $100 million in top-line revenue by 2010.

The Mine Consumables (drilling and blasting) and Industrial Supplies firm headquartered in Malaga, Western Australia, named Steve Murphy as business development manager – mine consumables of their North American business, MTI Group LLC. Murphy will be based in St. Louis.

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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