TACA Annual Meeting a huge draw

TACA president and CEO Josh Leftwich delivered a state of the industry report during the association’s Annual Meeting. Photo: TACA

The Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association (TACA) held its 69th Annual Meeting at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.

The theme of this year’s meeting was “Leading the Way,” with more than 500 people attending. Tim Foley, the general superintendent of City Concrete Co. who served TACA as outgoing chairman, detailed the thought process behind the theme.

“We represent the largest cement, aggregate and concrete production in the country,” Foley says. “We run safe and clean operations. We give back to the communities – both as a group and, most importantly, as individuals. We really do ‘Lead the Way.’”

Also at the meeting, Josh Leftwich, president and CEO of TACA, provided a state of the industry address that highlighted Texas’ population growth. In 2022, Texas had 9 million-plus additional residents than it did in 2020 – more growth than every other state in the nation, according to TACA.

“The state’s population growth means there is no end in sight for the construction materials needed to accommodate this expansion,” Leftwich says. “That’s where TACA member companies come in.”

In 2022, TACA says Texas produced 60.3 million cu. yd. of ready-mixed concrete, 293 million tons of aggregates and 21.1 million tons of cement. That is 2.07 cu. yd. of concrete, 10.1 tons of aggregates and 0.7 tons of cement for every person in the state.

“The industry will continue to thrive despite the many challenges of increased regulation, labor shortages, inflation and frequent misinformation about the industry,” Leftwich says. “We certainly have a great story to tell, as we work safely and efficiently to supply the materials Texas is demanding.”

TACA members also heard from Rob Mineo, director at FMI Capital Advisors, about the impact of economics and drivers for construction materials in the current market. Mike Philipps, president of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, spoke on the state of the industry nationally and recent sustainability efforts.

Related: TACA leaders meet with legislators to discuss industry issues