Rock Products

MAR 2018

Rock Products is the aggregates industry's leading source for market analysis and technology solutions, delivering critical content focusing on aggregates-processing equipment; operational efficiencies; management best practices; comprehensive market

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www.rockproducts.com ROCK products • March 2018 • 31 2. Environmental regulations, 42.68 percent. 3. Permitting, 36.59 percent. 4. Transportation Funding, 34.15 percent. 5. Labor, 32.93 percent. 6. National economy, 25.61 percent. 7. Energy costs, 21.95 percent. 8. Healthcare, 17.07 percent. 9. Safety regulations (MSHA), 15.85 percent. 10. Insurance, 14.63 percent. 11. Transportation, 12.20 percent. 12. Liability costs (legal), 10.98 percent. 13. Trump Transportation Program, 9.76 percent. 14. Equipment capitalization, 6.10 percent. 15. Credit, 3.66 percent. 16. Other, 3.66 percent. Impacting the Industry Respondents were asked the question "What will impact the U.S. aggregates indus - try the most in the near future?" One respondent told us emphatically, "Environmental groups and government reg- ulations (EPA). We need to get ahead of these negative impacts by educating the public with facts, by electing congressman and senators who actually care about the American people, by pressing our congressionals to abolish or at the very least make positive changes to the Equal Justice Act and perhaps by getting Congress to run rough shod on the EPA." Another respondent took it to the next extreme, declaring, "MSHA needs to be done away with. It is a form of Communism, where they are right all the time and we are always at fault. There is no place in America for an outfit like MSHA to exist." But yet another survey respondent took a more measured approach, stating, "The Trump era has increased litigation. He should be working to balance environmental and fiscal issues." "The Highway Trust Fund needs to be revamped due to mandated fuel economy standards and electric vehicles," one respondent told us. "Our state needs to get a handle on funding for our highway program." Permitting and what was referred to as "neighbor issues" was also on the mind of some producers. "Continued increases in permitting and zoning restrictions is a big problem," it was noted. "Prepare by increasing awareness of aggregate needs in communities through outreach." One respondent thought that communities should "protect lands that contain quality deposits from being built on until deposits are mined out and reclaimed." Labor was noted by several respondents. "Experienced labor, or the lack thereof continues to be an issue. Autonomous mining needs to be in the forefront to allow for cost savings." One respondent cast a wide net, noting industry issues as diverse as "equipment costs, fuel and labor costs, rising healthcare and insurance." Equipment Capitalization With an eye on a new federal infrastructure bill, producers plan to spend some money in 2018, building on 2017. About 54 percent of survey respondents reported an increase in their company's capital expenditures for 2018. REDUCE www.kpijci.com

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