FLORIDA ROCK INDUSTRIES Jacksonville, Florida; Sunshine State Provides Sunny Outlook Here.(THE NEW AMERICA)

Byline: STEVE WATKINS

If you've ever driven past one of those giant stone quarries, you know there's nothing too sexy about them. They're dirty, dusty and look like the kind of place Fred Flintstone toiled in.

But to investors, the business looks as hot as a movie starlet.

One of those starlets is Florida Rock Industries, a top maker of ready-mixed concrete, cement and construction aggregates. Among other things, the company has taken advantage of the booming construction market in its home state, where it gets 61% of its sales.

"Florida Rock is riding the crest of the wave of a very strong market," said Jack Kasprzak, analyst at BB&T Capital Markets.

The Sunshine State's housing market generates about half of Florida Rock's revenue. The state also has hiked spending in road construction, another key end market. It expects to boost its spending on roads by 45% to $4.4 billion in fiscal 2006.

Heavy demand has helped push prices up. During the fiscal third quarter ended in June, Florida Rock's year-over-year prices for concrete products -- its biggest segment -- increased more than 20% in Florida. The firm's two other segments enjoyed price hikes in the 15% range.