Landscape Architect Articles

LASN PMBR News March 200403-01-04 | News

Redland Brick Preserves theWetlands

A fishing path at Redland Brick?EUR??,,????'???s new Harmar plant in Cheswick, Pennsylvania. The company protected a wetlands area and trout stream.

CHESWICK, Penn.– With all the criticism of the manufacturing industry?EUR??,,????'???s supposed lack of commitment to protection of the environment, it?EUR??,,????'???s worth noting that the brick manufacturing sector has a decidedly positive story to tell in this area. As a result, a number of astute observers recognize that the clay brick industry is one of the more environmentally-friendly manufacturing sectors. One of thelatest illustrations of this stewardship is the lengths to which Redland Brick went to protect a wetlands area and regulated trout stream at its new Harmar plant in Cheswick, Pennsylvania.

Wetlands are defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an area ?EUR??,,????'??inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency to support a prevalence of vegetation generally including swamps and marshes.?EUR??,,????'?? Wetlands perform valuable service to the ecosystem. The EPA estimates up to one-half of North American bird species nest or feed in wetlands, and wetlands are home to 31 percent of America?EUR??,,????'???s plant species.

At the time Redland was developing plans for the Harmar plant?EUR??,,????'???s construction, executives identified a high quality, pristine wetland area near the expected construction site. The wetland was found to be fed by underground water, most likely coming from one of the numerous coal mines that commonly appear in western Pennsylvania. Test studies determined the water was safe for entry into a local trout stream, despite being so iron-rich that it had an orange tint upon release. But the wetlands filter the water and it becomes clear as it departs and enters the trout stream.

Redland recognized the importance of this critical filtering function by the wetlands. Redland altered the layout of its plant designs to not adversely impact the wetlands or its critical functions.

Pavestone Company Announces New Plant for Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC– Pavestone Company, the nation’s largest producer of interlocking concrete paving stones and segmental retaining walls, announced plans to build a manufacturing facility in Charlotte, North Carolina with groundbreaking and site renovations already underway. The company is headquartered in Dallas.

“The growth of Charlotte and the immediate proximity to cement and aggregate suppliers make this location ideal for our new facility,” stated Robert Schlegel, chairman and CEO, Pavestone Company. “It is also a central location for our eastern distribution channels and will serve as production back-up to our Atlanta and Maryland facilities. This strengthens Pavestone’s ability to provide faster and more efficient distribution to our national and local customers.”

Pavestone Company purchased the former Barmag facility at 1101 Westinghouse Blvd. in Mecklenburg County. The 90,000-square-foot building sits on 20 acres of land, perfect for the company’s use and storage needs.

Schlegel reports the plant in full operation will create employment for approximately 50 people in the first year of production.

“With the current growth rate in the retail and commercial sales of landscape products, we expect this plant will employee over 100 personnel when the plant is operating at full capacity in a year or two.?EUR??,,????'??

“The Charlotte facility will manufacture paving stones, segmental retaining walls, edgers, patio stones, and bagged rock,” explained Chris Cox, director of facility management and project manager for the building of this new plant. “A tumbling machine will allow us to deliver pavestones with an antique look,?EUR??,,????'?? he added.

Early Data Show Production Numbers Mixed in’03

ALEXANDRIA, Va.– According to preliminary figures released by the U.S. Geological Survey, production of crushed stone dipped in 2003 while sand and gravel production increased slightly.

USGS said 1,260 companies, operating 3,300 active quarries and distribution yards in 49 states, produced $8.6 billion in crushed stone. The estimated output of crushed stone sold in the first nine months of 2003 was 1.11 billion tons, a 5.4 percent decrease compared with the same period for 2002.

It should be noted, USGS said, that third quarter sales increased by 0.8 percent compared with the same period in 2002. The report estimated that sand and gravel, valued at $5.8 billion, was produced by an estimated 4,000 companies in 6,400 operations in 50 states. Sand and gravel sold in the first nine months of 2003 was about 851 million tons, a slight increase from the revised total for 2002.