Pit & Quarry, March 2010

Monthly Construction Contract Value Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates in Millions Dec 2009 Nov 2009 Change Nonresidential Building 145176 145509 0 Residential Building 131339 129507 1 Nonbuilding Construction 149303 130221 15 Total Construction 425818 405237 5 Year to Date Construction Contract Value Unadjusted Totals in Millions 12 mo 2009 12 mo 2008 Change Nonresidential Building 162409 242933 33 Residential Building 111363 161865 31 Nonbuilding Construction 137825 151271 9 Total Construction 411597 556069 26 Industry briefs Production numbers According to USGS crushed stone production in the United States was about 111 billion tons in 2009 a decrease of 23 percent compared with 2008 U S construction sand and gravel output dropped in 2009 for the third straight year to 800 million tons This is down about 25 percent or nearly 240 million tons compared with 2008 Preventing fatalities MSHA launched an outreach and enforcement program called Rules to Live by designed to strengthen efforts to prevent mining fatalities Featured speaker Joe Main assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health spoke at NSSGAs annual board of directors meeting Main discussed improvements in the number of fatalities over the past year and the continued need for education Award winner NSSGA named Rick Feltes of Lafarge AC A Division Eastern U S Elburn Ill as recipient of the 13th annual Barry K Wendt Memorial Commitment Award for his dedication to the industry and his community Quarry sale Cemex and joint venture partner Ready Mix USA LLC completed the sale of 12 active quarries deemed nonstrategic and certain other assets to SPO Partners Co for 420 million Cemex announced FIRST OF MONTH OPENING FEBRUARY JANUARY Cemex SA 939 1225 Eagle Materials 2292 2624 MDU Resources 2082 2391 Martin Marietta Materials 7966 9006 Texas Industries 3423 3575 Vulcan Materials 4454 5341 VISIT US ONLINE @ www pitandquarry com for the latest industry news and events information and to participate in this months Pit Quarry survey Submit news and events items for consideration to brichesson@ questex com The orange chart below left shows that construction contract values for the full year 2009 were down significantly compared with 2008 The red chart however shows contract values rose 5 percent compared with the previous month