Producers often tell us the most important issue they face is the shortage of labor. According to management consultants FMI, that shortage may continue to worsen. FMI's Trends in the Highway/Heavy Construction Industry discusses the state of the nation's infrastructure. In it, Brian Moore, a senior consultant, details some of the expected changes in the industry.
He says competition for scarce resources will create “hyper-competitive” markets. "Topping the list of scarce resources is labor shortages. The pool of skilled labor/field management/project managers is shrinking." As is the case with aggregate producers, the report says this is the top issue identified by contractors.
"In 2008 alone, there were 6 million more jobs than employees and this number is expected to exceed 10 million by 2012. Basic materials such as cement, aggregates, hot mixed asphalt and ready mixed concrete are becoming scarce commodities, as well."
In this issue
If you didn't get an opportunity to visit Las Vegas in March to attend ConExpo-Con/Agg, now you have a second chance. MINExpo International 2008, September 22-24, will showcase much of the same equipment at the same venue. The Las Vegas Convention Center is the site for this once-every-four-years event, and, in addition to aggregate-size equipment, exhibitors will be showing off huge equipment for the mining industry.
For a preview of what to expect at MINExpo, and to learn how to register for the show, see our MINExpo International 2008 Preview.
The August issue is also an occasion to announce our Producer of the Year winner -- Texas producer KBDJ. Read the article and you'll learn why this family-owned producer made our job of finding a winner a very easy one. We also announce our annual web site of the year.
For years, Pit & Quarry has been your aggregates-equipment magazine. In that spirit, we've launched a new product page called On the Job. Here we spotlight some of the smaller tools and accessories workers use everyday in the field -- items such as safety glasses, hand tools, flashlights, etc.
