Sand and Gravel Market Studies
Hanam Canada has the most extensive and up to date knowledge of the west coast sand and gravel market. Our expertise includes:
 | Visits to all ready mix plants and many major construction companies in coastal California, Oregon and Washington. |
| Market studies to support sand, gravel, and crushed rock sales for more than 8 different clients. |
| Detailed knowledge of all aggregate loading and unloading ports from Ensenada, Mexico, to Sayward, Alaska. |
| Shipping company, equipment and cost information for all scales of operation. |
| Extensive government information data base. |
The largest market on the west coast of North America is in San Francisco and los Angeles. The total California market for aggregate is 213 million tonnes. About 70% of the market is within an economic truck haul from a coastal terminal. End uses of aggregates in California are shown in exhibit 1, and 2. The biggest part of the market is for concrete aggregate for residential construction. The next largest segment is for concrete for highway and street construction. Most aggregate sales are to large public construction projects. There are four broad categories of contractors: highway, heavy construction, general building (including home building), and special trade contractors. Approximately 60% of all aggregates used in California are for public works projects.
Exhibit 1. California aggregate market by end uses
|
End Use |
California % |
Vulcan % |
California million mt/y |
Los Angeles million mt/y |
|
Residential housing |
30 |
26 |
64 |
24 |
|
Highways & streets |
27 |
23 |
57 |
17 |
|
Dam, canals, airports, other major construction |
13 |
10 |
28 |
7 |
|
Commercial buildings |
10 |
27 |
21 |
22 |
|
Non construction uses, landscape, specialty sand |
7 |
2 |
15 |
3 |
|
Water and sewer facilities |
5 |
|
10 |
1 |
|
Other buildings |
4 |
6 |
9 |
5 |
|
Hospitals schools and colleges |
2 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
Rip rap for railroad ballast, transit facilities |
2 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
|
|
100 |
100 |
213 |
84 |