Roundtable a success

Hello again from Marriott's Camelback Inn resort in hot -- very hot -- Scottsdale, Arizona. We just finished StoneSummit 2005, Pit & Quarry's annual roundtable event, a day-long discussion of aggregates-industry issues. The conversation was dominated, as you might imagine, by the economic impact of high oil and gas prices, hurricane damage and reconstruction, and the passage of SAFTEA-LU. The group also discussed the pitfalls of doing business in a hot market; the cement shortage, labor issues, equipment-buying factors, the evolution of crushing, ConExpo-Con/Agg, inventory control and a host of other topics. This was certainly one of the best roundtables we have held, with great participation by the attendees and a wide variety of ideas and opinions -- some controversial -- tossed onto the table. A big thanks to all who attended. Look for a full report in an upcoming issue of Pit & Quarry. Your comment?