State
OF THE Industry
While the general economy is starting to see a turnaround, the
aggregates industry waits for reauthorization of a transportation-
infrastructure spending bill.
BY DARREN CONSTANTINO
AND BRIAN RICHESSON
It’s difficult to believe that less than a year ago, the previous administration was still in the White House, the country was fac- ing the prospects of a long and deep reces- sion, and there were nationwide fears that he banking system could collapse.
Third quarter economic numbers showed
the recession is already over, and probably ended
during the summer. The financial markets have
mostly stabilized, and the turnaround was much
quicker than anyone could have hoped.
However, there’s a long way to go. Unemployment is still high, and many industries are
struggling to get back on track – including the
aggregates industry. While the economic stimulus bill has helped many
producers, it hasn’t been enough to
turn the industry around.
CHRIS UPP
More stimulus projects will be making their way into the system in 2010,
and, hopefully, a new transportation-infrastructure spending bill will be in
place in the coming year. Only then
will our industry see a light at the end
of the tunnel.
In the meantime, aggregate pro-
duction is down. The U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) says an estimated 285 million metric
tons (Mt) of crushed stone were produced and
shipped for consumption in the United States
in the second quarter of 2009, a decrease of 26
percent compared with the same period of 2008.
The estimated production-for-consumption in
the first six months of 2009 was 487 Mt, a 26
percent decrease compared with the same period of 2008.
The estimated U.S. output of construction
sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the second quarter of 2009 was
207 Mt, a decrease of 30 percent compared with
the same period of 2008. The estimated production-for-consumption in the first six months of
2009 was 344 Mt, a 29 percent decrease compared with the same period of 2008.
An estimated 492 Mt of total aggregates were
produced and shipped for consumption in the
United States in the second quarter of 2009, a
decrease of 28 percent compared with the same
period of 2008. The estimated production-for-consumption in the first six months of 2009 was
831 Mt, a 27 percent decrease compared with the
same period of 2008.
IS TOCKPHOTO. COM/ YVAN DUBÈ
