In August 2021, I left the newspaper industry after four years of covering high school sports and community news to join a pair of magazines that report on the aggregate industry and construction equipment. I had no prior knowledge of these industries and no idea what to expect.
In that time, I have learned more than I could imagine and gotten to know some incredible people through stories I’ve done, at industry events and right within our office. I’ve gained a true understanding and appreciation for these industries, and I love that there is always something new to learn.
Now, almost a year and a half after taking this leap of faith in my career, I am proud to say that I am the editor-in-chief of Portable Plants. I will continue to serve as managing editor for our sister magazine, Pit & Quarry, every month while I handle this new position. Kevin Yanik, who has been with Portable Plants for 10-plus years, remains with the magazine in an advisory role.
What I’ve learned
I started at Portable Plants at an uncertain time.
Supply chain challenges were reaching their peak; producers, contractors and manufacturers were all trying to figure out what the rest of 2021 would look like and how they needed to plan for 2022; and the landmark Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act was just months away from passing. There were countless questions with nearly no answers.
But what immediately stood out to me about the people I talked to was their resilience and resourcefulness. In the face of a constantly changing business environment, they seemed ready and willing to adapt however necessary to keep operations up and running.
Whether it was manufacturers increasing the equipment and parts they kept on hand, or producers and contractors being flexible enough to follow trends in buying or renting equipment, construction industry stakeholders haven’t let challenges get in their way.
The outlook for 2023 is mostly positive, and this is thanks, in part, to the adaptability of everyone throughout the industry. Similarly, the future is incredibly bright for Portable Plants. In 2023 and beyond, we look forward to providing you with the high-quality content you’re accustomed to covering not only portable equipment, but also recycled materials, roadbuilding and, of course, the upcoming ConExpo-Con/Agg.
Equipment and technology will remain a focus as well as we look to arm you with the knowledge and information necessary to make your operations as efficient as possible in the coming years.