Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/841719
AGGREGATES INDUSTRY OUTLOOK The June Aggregates Industry Index declined for a third consecutive month to an overall score of 132.37, a 1.99-percent drop from May. Over the last three months, the index has fallen nearly 6 percent, but remains well above the neutral score of 100. Outlook responses given on a fi ve- point scale fell across the board, with the largest declines being reported in terms of the outlook for month-over-month sales and the outlook for aggregate sales over the next six months (each down 0.14 point). Weather concerns continued to plague some operators, while others are bullish on the industry's prospects. Without the federal infrastructure monies, the outlook will remain mostly neutral in this area of Kentucky and the condition of bridges and roads will continue down an even darker path. — Rick W. Hendricks, Maintenance Supervisor, Sterling Materials LLC Weather at the beginning of the year in Eastern Canada has held construction project start dates back. — Jeremy Chessell, Aggregates Performance Manager, Lafarge Canada Inc. If the rain will stop, I think more projects — that are currently on hold — can get started. — Edward Bubba Rains, Operations Manager, APAC The economy is rebounding in Houston. — Rob Van Til, Managing Partner, River Aggregates, LLC The outlook for the future of the crushed stone industry continues to improve daily. Exploration for greenfi eld sites and existing reserves at operating quarries has increased signifi cantly. It is becoming extremely diffi cult to fi nd a core drill without having to wait several weeks to months to get a drill rig on site. — Bob Fousek, President, FMR The summer production forecast looks very promising, given the seasonally warm outlook and the funding forecast for infrastructure maintenance. — Jill Shackelford, President, Jill Shackelford Consulting Editor's note: To join our panel, email Editor-in-Chief Therese Dunphy at tdunphy@randallreilly.com. 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135 140 145 150 Aggregates Industry Outlook Aug. 2016 Sept. 2016 Oct. 2016 Dec. 2016 July 2016 Jan. 2017 Feb. 2017 March 2017 April 2017 May 2017 June 2017 July 2017 Nov. 2016 111.00 140.38 139.94 132.37 128.15 135.06 111.42 109.80 122.43 139.35 124.24 108.08 119.44 * thousand metric tons Source: U.S. Geological Survey QUARTERLY CRUSHED STONE REPORT Region/Division Quantity Crushed Stone 1st qtr. 2017 Percent change vs. 1st qtr. 2016 Quantity sand and gravel 1st qtr. 2017* Percent change vs. 1st qtr. 2016 New England 2,620 -14.2 2,370 -0.5 Middle Atlantic 18,500 -5 7,680 -12.9 East North Central 31,600 7.6 12,200 -12.4 West North Central 21,000 -13.4 9,500 -16.7 South Atlantic 67,600 1.8 14,600 8.9 East South Central 26,700 0.7 5,070 5.5 West South Central 55,200 -5.2 29,000 -4.6 Mountain 14,200 11.6 30,900 2.2 Pacifi c 12,700 -13.9 27,000 -8 TOTAL 261,000 -2.3 165,000 -3.9 Northeast: Midwest: South: West: