Producers often tell us the most important issue they face is the shortage of labor. According to management consultants FMI, that shortage may continue to worsen. FMI's Trends in the Highway/Heavy Construction Industry discusses the state of the nation's infrastructure. In it, Brian Moore, a senior consultant, details some of the expected changes in the industry. He says competition for scarce resources will create "hyper-competitive" markets. "Topping the list of scarce resources is labor shortages. The pool of skilled labor/field management/project managers is shrinking." As is the case with aggregate producers, the report says this is the top issue identified by contractors. "In 2008 alone, there were 6 million more jobs than employees and this number is expected to exceed 10 million by 2012. Basic materials such as cement, aggregates, hot mixed asphalt and ready mixed concrete are becoming scarce commodities, as well."
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