www.martinmarietta.com | November/December 2017 The Conveyor 21
s Organization
Finding Success Together
My 2016 Conveyor message also noted
that our record-setting accomplishments
last year had created a high bar
for performance in 2017. We were
cautious entering uncharted territory,
yet optimistic and realistic. We had a
degree of certainty on our side.
I was confident we would perform
well as a company nicely positioned to
once again set new financial records.
This confidence was anchored in the
fact that the macroeconomic environment
for construction activity
remained strong and we would again
benefit from various market and related
tailwinds. My feelings were bolstered
by a strong optimism. At Martin
Marietta, we have a long history of
facing external challenges head-on. No
matter the problem, we have proven
time and again that together, we will
adapt. Together, we will find success.
Naturally, many uncertainties also
existed in 2017. The first was that we
were preparing for major changes in
Washington. The occupant of the
White House was not the primary issue;
rather, it was that for the first time in
eight years, there was a new administration
bringing change to the executive
branch and its many departments.
There was also a newly elected Congress
vowing to institute reforms in nearly
every segment of American life: taxes,
health care, and, well, the list goes on.
Once again, change requires flexibility,
so despite uncertainty, we remained
optimistic about our ability to adapt
and prevail. Our final 2017 results will
show that we have prevailed and then
some; once again, we are outperforming
our peers when measured against
almost all key operating metrics.
The Financial Rocks on
Which We’ll Build
Historically, many of the biggest
challenges we face as a company arise
where we have little or no control.
This year was no different. Weather
remained the most uncertain element
we face, but we also were challenged
by the overall economy and governmental
policy changes at the national
and state levels.
Regarding the impact of weather
on our business, one word sums up
Mother Nature in 2017: extraordinary.
Work stoppages and delays caused by
an unusually wet spring followed by
historic devastation from hurricanes
Harvey, Irma and Maria in the fall
brought heartache and pain to many.
There was widescale destruction of
property and, in the most tragic
cases, lives lost. Our community will
continue to aid in the rebuilding of
homes, roads, schools and more in
these areas. We also will continue to
pray for the healing of our friends and
neighbors who have lost so much.
While the weather posed significant
challenges in 2017, we had far fewer
concerns about the economy and
shifting governmental policy.
Again, the economic climate for a
post-recession recovery is positive.
Construction activity remains strong
and, although the bounce back is not
as robust as in other periods, it is
steady and expected to last longer.
Introduced in August, Martin Marietta’s
Mission, Vision and Values will guide
the company as it becomes a world-class
organization across all industries.
Among the major challenges facing
Martin Marietta in 2017 was adapting to
change in Washington, D.C.
continued on page 22
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