Today's main business news was the asset swap between two materials-construction firms in the region. Spokane Rock Products sold its asphalt operations in Spokane to Inland Asphalt, also based in Spokane.

In return, Spokane Rock Products acquired the concrete and aggregate business of Central Pre-Mix, down in Pasco. Central is part of a big corporate family that includes Inland Asphalt.

The basic justification: Inland Asphalt consolidates its business by removing a competitor. And Spokane Rock Products gets to be a bigger concrete fish in the Tri Cities pond.  That area tends to have plenty of new construction;  thus it makes great sense to acquire a larger base there.

 

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