Plan to purchase?

Pit & Quarry, July, 2004 by Mark S. Kuhar

This year's Pit & Quarry Buyer & Supplier Guide is coming to you a little earlier than usual. In previous years, we published our industry standard reference source in September. This year, we switched it to July, as September will feature our MINExpo show issue. But look for the Buyer & Supplier Guide to move back to September next year.

The industry has received some encouraging news lately. First-quarter reports from the publically traded companies were very positive, with sales and profit increases the rule rather than the exception. The USGS first-quarter production numbers documented production increases over last-year's first quarter. In addition, many manufacturers are privately saying that business is going great right now.

Pit & Quarry's latest plan-to-purchase survey also indicates that the nation's producers are in a growth and investment phase. The top four product categories are, as always, the consumable products: oils and lubes, replacement parts, tires and maintenance equipment. But the interesting thing to note is that, compared to six months ago, more producers are indicating that they plan to purchase these items.

Capital-expense equipment purchases are also predicted to be higher. The top five products that producers plan to purchase are excavators/loaders/dredges (28 percent); pick-up trucks/utility vehicles (27.8 percent); material-handling equipment and conveyors (27.1 percent); screening and sizing equipment (26.2 percent) and haul trucks (26.1 percent).

Despite the inability of Congress to get a new transportation bill passed, the industry appears to steaming full-speed ahead. And that's a piece of news that everybody can get excited about.

Mark S. Kuhar

Editor-in-Chief/associate publisher

Winner:

1998 Robert F. Boger Award for Editorials

Construction Writers Association

Member:

Construction Writers Association

American Society of Business Press Editors

Society of Professional Journalists

Board Member:

Mineral Information Institute