How aggregate producers performed in 2020

An estimated 660 million metric tons of construction aggregate were produced and shipped for consumption in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2020 – a three percent decrease compared to the same period last year – according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Considering the second quarter was drastically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which spurred stay-at-home orders and economic shutdowns throughout the spring, many would consider 2020’s production season a success.

In fact, some producers found themselves busier than ever in 2020.

“The first nine months of the year were crazy, “ says Travis Wise, vice president and general manager at Wingra Stone, in terms of how busy his company was in 2020. “They were probably close to our record year. Through the first 8 ½ months of the year, we already had more aggregate out the door than we did all of last year.”

While production volumes across the industry may be down slightly, other key metrics lifted producers to another steady production season.

“A lot of records have been broken for us, in terms of revenue [and] projects completed,” says John Scepaniak, project manager at Wm. D. Scepaniak, an Upper Midwest contract crusher. “But the caveat to that is when we look at our total materials volumes, that might be down a little bit. We’re doing some different products for some different clients that produce at a slower speed. They’re higher-dollar products, they’re more specialized, but we’re not able to step down on the gas pedal on a lot of those, so there’s give and take with it.

“But, at the end of the day, nobody gives you a trophy for being the biggest or highest volume producer – it’s really about the revenue you’re able to produce,” Scepaniak adds.

Crushed stone

An estimated 404 million metric tons of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the U.S. during the second quarter of this year, according to USGS.

The five leading states, in descending order of production for consumption, were Texas, Missouri, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Their combined production for consumption total was 135 million tons, representing 33 percent of total U.S. production.

Through the first six months of 2020, crushed stone production for consumption decreased slightly compared to the first six months of 2019, USGS says.

Construction sand and gravel

As for construction sand and gravel, specifically, an estimated 255 million metric tons were produced and shipped for consumption in the U.S. in second quarter 2020 – a 5 percent decrease from second quarter 2019 – according to USGS.

The five leading states, in descending order of production for consumption, were California, Texas, Arizona, Minnesota and Michigan. Their combined consumption for production in the second quarter totaled 94 million tons, representing 37 percent of total U.S. production.

Through the first six months of 2020, construction sand and gravel production also decreased slightly compared to the same period last year, USGS says.

USGS’s estimates are based on information reported to the agency in a quarterly sample survey of aggregate producers across the United States.