As I continue my internship, I have learned some interesting things about the aggregate industry and the organization that employs me. The Arizona Rock Producers Association, also known as ARPA, represents a coalition of companies that produce aggregates used in all phases of the construction industry. In the open market, ARPA members compete with each to sell their products to the companies involved in virtually every construction project in the state. The role of ARPA is to bring the member companies together in a non-competitive environment. ARPA provides its members with a forum to gain education about and to discuss common issues and concerns that affect the companies and the industry in which they work. ARPA also serves as an advocate for the aggregate industry at the municipal, county, state and even national levels. As a coalition ARPA's member companies have infinitely more strength than they would have as individual companies. Collectively, the companies that form this organization contributed nearly $2.8 billion to the Arizona economy. That's a lot of rocks!
As a person who was raised in a family owned construction company I find this stuff fascinating. However, some you (my wife included!) may wonder - How does all this affect me? I thought I would share with you a some interesting facts about aggregate usage in order to illustrate just what an important role aggregates play in our everyday lives.
- It takes over 400 tons of aggregates to construct a 2000 square foot house.
- Every mile of freeway that you drive on contains over 400,000 tons of aggregates.
- Sky Harbor International Airport consists of over 2,500,000 tons of aggregates.
- It took over 13,500 tons of aggregates to construct the UCENT Building.
- Throughout their lifetime every American will use 1.55 million pounds of sand and gravel.
These figures were provided to me by the Arizona Rock Producers Association.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing internship you have. I never really thought about "rock" as a money making venture. You have opened my eyes to a very lucritive business. $2.8 billion to the economy is a staggering amount. However, after seeing how much aggregate it takes to consruct a simple house I can see how it boosts the economy. Excellent facts. Keep them coming.
Theresa
Yes, I agree with Theresa. This sounds interesting. Some of the other interns have been set right in the middle of legal processes, policy construction, and things that provide for society. I wish I could get myself into one of these, but it is hard with a full and part time job, not to mention a full schedule at ASU. I think it is so exciting to be part of something real; like your post here, about how much of a material we use on a daily basis. Many people do not realize the amount of work, the amount of minds and hands that go into providing such things that are taken for granted.
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