Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/233439
Regional Five-Year Production Volumes: Western Region Northeastern Region 100 100 90 90 Decreased 80 Decreased 80 70 70 Stayed about the same 60 Stayed about the same 60 50 50 40 40 Increased 30 20 20 10 Increased 30 10 0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 0 2014* North Central Region *Forecast figures 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014* Source: Aggregates Manager Forecast Studies 100 90 Decreased 80 70 Stayed about the same 60 50 40 Increased 30 20 10 0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014* Southern Region 100 90 Decreased 80 70 Stayed about the same 60 50 40 Increased 30 20 10 0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 east regions expect positive ratings (excellent, very good, or good), while three of four in the Northeast indicate the same upbeat trend. North Central operators were the most cautious; approximately two in three call for positive business ratings. No discernable trends were available on a product or production size category. The results of this year's survey indicate slow, but steady improvements in conditions for most operators. The results are not the best of times, as seen in 2006, but they are not the worst of times, such as 2009. Most operators are squarely in the center categories of business ratings, but trending toward the positive. One of the most striking results of this year's survey can be found among the 2.9 percent of operators who anticipate poor business results this year. It is the lowest percentage reported in that rating during 10 years of Aggregates Manager Forecast Surveys. In addition, 73.3 percent of respondents expect positive business ratings this year — the highest percentage of results reported in these surveys since 2006. This bodes well for the industry given that all of last year's forecast numbers were within 3.5 percent of their reported results, with the exception of operators who described 2013 as a very good year. In that case, positive results were 11 percent ahead of the forecast, taking into account all of the discrepancies in the other four categories of business results. To paraphrase Charles Dickens, operators may look forward to a spring of hope. AM 2014* Methodology, Objectives, and Sources Western Region Northeastern Region North Central Region Southern Region 24 The objective of the 2013-14 Aggregates Manager Forecast Survey was to determine business and production volume trends. In November 2013, Aggregates Manager e-mailed questionnaires to a random selection of readers in the crushed stone and sand and gravel, crushed stone-only, crushed gravel-only, and other materials production categories. A total of 105 useable surveys were completed, with 50 percent being completed by owners, presidents, officers, or other executives, and another 19 percent being completed by mine superintendents. AGGREGATES MANAGER January 2014 Forecast_AGRM0114.indd 24 12/17/13 3:16 PM