• AEM supports provision in stimulus package: As rebate checks go out to the American people, the U.S. economy is expected to benefit from the economic stimulus package passed by Congress and signed in February by President Bush. Businesses will also benefit from a less publicized but important provision in the package, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). AEM notes that equipment manufacturers and buyers will find the legislation’s bonus depreciation provision of particular interest. AEM strongly supported the economic stimulus legislation, especially the section that provides a bonus depreciation for businesses to deduct 50 percent of the cost of new equipment purchased and placed into service in 2008. A healthy equipment industry contributes greatly to the overall strength of the economy, helping Americans to keep jobs, AEM states.
• SAFETEA-LU technical corrections bill passes House: The House of Representatives has agreed to a Senate amendment making technical corrections to SAFETEA-LU, NSSGA reported. The bill, which provides $2.45 million annually for aggregates research over the life of the legislation, would change the share split on research for aggregates, asphalt and concrete from 50-50 to 80-20, a change NSSGA and its transportation construction industry partners had championed since passage of SAFETEA-LU. The bill, which passed 358-51, now goes to the president, and NSSGA expects the president to allow this to become law.
• Global cement demand to rise: World demand for cement is forecast to grow 5.3 percent per year to 3.6 billion metric tons in 2012. Gains will be driven by strong increases in cement consumption in the developing countries of the world, fueled by rising income levels and a focus on infrastructure development. Additionally, a rebound in cement demand in industrialized markets such as the United States, Japan and Germany will further boost advances. These and other trends are presented in "World Cement," a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.
• Atlas Copco awarded gold by Vulcan: The plant managers for Vulcan Materials Co. have honored Atlas Copco with its first ever gold award in the company’s Strategic Alliance Suppliers Program, which makes Atlas Copco a Strategic Alliance Partner. Atlas Copco has received awards since the program’s inception in 1998, winning silver last year. In 2007, only 45 companies of several thousand suppliers received an award, with few gold awards given.
• Texas quarry utilizes blog: KBDJ, LP, a limestone quarry in Hays County, Texas, south of Austin, has created a blog to answer questions and educate its neighbors. KBDJ also recently created a quarry advisory committee as a forum for ongoing communication. The company anticipates using the blog to share with the rest of the community the discussions that take place in the committee meetings.
