Rock Products

JUL 2017

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8 • ROCK products • July 2017 www.rockproducts.com I N D U S T RY N E W S IN THE KNOW Aggregates Production Dips in First Quarter The estimated U.S. output of construc- tion aggregates produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2017 was 426 million metric tons (Mt), a decrease of 3 percent compared with the prior year. The revised estimated annual output produced for consump- tion in 2016 was 2.30 billion metric tons (Gt), a slight increase compared with the annual output for 2015. This was previously reported as 2.33 Gt. An estimated 261 Mt of crushed stone was produced and shipped for con- sumption in the United States in the first quarter of 2017, a slight decrease compared with that of the same period of 2016. The revised estimated annual output produced for consumption in 2016 was 1.36 Gt, a slight increase compared with that of 2015. This was previously reported as 1.37 Gt. The estimated U.S. output of construc- tion sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2017 was 165 Mt, a decrease of 4 percent compared with that of the same period of 2016. The revised estimated annual output produced for consumption in 2016 was 945 Mt, a slight increase compared with the annual output for 2015. This was pre- viously reported as 959 Mt. The above estimates are based on infor- mation reported to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on its quarterly sample survey by construction aggregates pro- ducers. Previously reported data are occasionally revised, and the estimated quantities for the prior quarters are then recalculated. Shipments of portland and blended cement increased slightly in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the first quarter of 2016. Annual consumption increased slightly in 2016, compared with that of 2015. This information is obtained from the USGS monthly survey of U.S. cement producers. The estimated production-for-con- sumption of construction aggregates in the first quarter of 2017 decreased in five of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2016. The largest decrease in percentage was recorded in the West North Central division. Production-for-consumption increased in 26 of the 43 states for which esti- mates were made. The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, Florida, California, Georgia and North Carolina. Their combined total produc- tion-for-consumption was 138 Mt and increased by 3 percent when compared with that of the same period of 2016. The estimated production-for-consump- tion of crushed stone in the first quar- ter of 2017 decreased in five of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2016. The largest decreases in percent- ages were recorded in the New England, the Pacific, and the West North Central divisions. Production-for-consumption decreased in 29 of the 46 states for which esti- mates were made. The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Their combined total was 95.9 Mt and represented a slight decrease compared with that in the first quarter of 2016. The estimated production-for-con- sumption of construction sand and gravel in the first quarter of 2017 decreased from that of first quarter 2016 in six of the nine geographic divisions. The largest decreases in per- centages were recorded in the West North Central, the Middle Atlantic, and the East North Central divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 23 of the 45 states for which esti- mates were made. The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, California, Arizona, Washington and Colorado. Their combined total was 61.6 Mt, which was a 6 percent decrease compared with that in the first quarter of 2016. FAST FACT Output of construction aggregates decreased 3 percent compared with that of the same period of 2016. Vulcan Materials Acquires Aggregates USA; Shamrock Materials Vulcan Materials Co. has reached a definitive agreement with SPO Part- ners to acquire its aggregates business, Aggregates USA LLC, for $900 million in cash. Aggregates USA operates 31 facilities serving high-growth markets in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and Virginia. "We are pleased to have reached agree- ment with SPO Partners for these strategic assets, which enhance our ability to serve high growth markets throughout the southeastern U.S.," said Vulcan's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tom Hill. "With the addition of these quarries and related assets, Vulcan will be able to capitalize on continuing increases in state highway funding programs in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, and on the continued private sector growth across the region. This transac- tion will provide Vulcan with long-term high-quality reserves across the entire portfolio. Aggregates USA operates effi- cient, high-productivity facilities run by strong teams, and we welcome them to our company." The acquisition complements and expands Vulcan's service offerings in Georgia with three granite quarries – two

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