Rising claim severity, medical inflation and regulatory change are challenging employers – and sharpening the focus on safety and claims management.

<p>The post Workers’ comp pressures ahead first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Employers, take a bow.

Your efforts to reduce workplace injuries have paid off big time.

“The number of reported accidents under the worker’s compensation system has been falling steadily in recent years,” says James J. Moore, president of J&L Risk Management Consultants. “The reason has been largely due to successful safety programs.”

The healthier workplace environment has attracted a good number of insurance companies to the workers’ compensation market, putting downward pressure on prices.

“In general, insurance companies find workers’ compensation to be a profitable line of business,” says Randy Sieberg, president of Workers Compensation Consultants. “As losses have been trending downward, the end result is a really decent claim experience.”

Danger ahead

Despite a mostly sunny workers’ compensation environment, employers should be wary of dark clouds gathering on the horizon. Foremost among them is an increase in expensive catastrophic claims, driven largely by advances in medical technology.

“While there’s been a soft insurance market for several years, those days might be numbered,” says Matt Morris, principal at World Insurance Associates. “The increasing incidence of million-dollar claims is going to start catching up with carriers.”

The mega claims are coming at the same time that more states are adjusting their fee schedules to reflect higher costs.

“We’re seeing many states increase workers’ compensation benefits across the board, adjusting for inflation, higher medical expenses and a rising cost of living,” Morris says. “And ever since COVID we’re seeing carriers covering a lot more mental health conditions and PTSD.”

Yet another danger emanates from Washington. While workers’ compensation is primarily a state-driven phenomenon, that doesn’t mean actions at the federal level can’t affect employer costs.

“We’re concerned about the possible negative effects of U.S. trade policy,” says Dennis Tierney, director of workers’ compensation claims at Marsh, a global insurance broker. “Employers who get impacted by tariffs may start cutting expenses, and that often means getting rid of employees. And reductions in force typically lead to an increase in workers’ compensation claims.”

Tierney says desperation can often feed such increases. People who lose their jobs often look for another source of income, with many finding it in the form of back pain or a similar condition that developed over the years and that could be deemed an occupational injury.

This temptation to assign workplace culpability comes while many states are passing laws reflecting a more liberal presumption – a term referring to the automatic determination that certain injuries are work-related, and thus compensable by the workers’ compensation system. It is up to the employer to prove otherwise.

Security cameras can help provide a defense against some of these instances.

“Having everything monitored is a best practice and a good way to avoid frivolous claims,” Morris says. “Many times, employees will be joking around and not doing the right things on a worksite and then claim a work-related injury when the video shows something else happening.”

Tariffs may lead to cost hikes for other reasons – escalating drug prices among them.

“Raw materials for drugs are a big part of medical spend,” Tierney says. “Duties on imported ingredients may result in bigger bills for end users.”

Tariffs can also have a deleterious effect on labor costs. A manufacturing reboot in the U.S. – the ultimate goal of the Trump administration tariff policy – may increase the demand for workers, putting upward pressure on wages.

“The administration’s restrictions on immigration could lead to the loss of cheaper labor, and thus affect workers’ compensation rates which are figured off wages,” Moore says.

Finally, trade policy can lead to more hiring of younger workers to fill the ranks of reshored employers. The replacement of retiring Boomers poses a particular risk.

“In five years, we figure that some 25 percent of employees are going to be Gen Zers,” says Rachel Shaw, a human resources consultant. “We are concerned that we may see more injuries as a result, since there is a question mark as to whether they are coming into the workforce with the same skills and training and experience.”

These upward payroll pressures are coming at a time when the federal government is deregulating workplace safety standards and reducing the number of workplace inspectors, according to Shaw.

“Some companies love the idea of deregulation because it can reduce immediate costs,” Shaw says. “But an increase in injuries might well raise costs over the longer term.”

The difficulty younger workers face in obtaining affordable health care may add fuel to the fire.

“We may see an increase in claims as people struggle with obtaining and maintaining medical care,” Shaw says. “We have in the past seen people use the workers’ comp system for either personal medical needs or as wage extension.”

More mental stress

The influx of younger workers can increase costs for two other reasons.

First, younger workers have a more liberal attitude toward the use of recreational marijuana.

“The younger generations see marijuana as more like beer or alcohol,” Shaw says. “We anticipate that as more states legalize recreational marijuana we’re going to continue to see some impact – especially in industries that require workers have balance and focus to do their job well and to be safe and not have catastrophic injuries.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that workers testing positive for marijuana were involved in 55 percent more industrial accidents, 85 percent more injuries and experienced 75 percent more absenteeism.

Additionally, mental health issues have much less stigma among members of the younger generations, who are more comfortable than Boomers discussing and claiming work-related stress. They also expect mental health support from their employers.

“Mental health claims seem to be the fastest-growing segment of the workers’ compensation picture,” Sieberg says. “While they currently don’t add up to a large percentage of overall claims, they can cost from two to five times the amount of traditional claims and run two to five times as long.”

Mental health claims are also more likely to be litigated, further escalating costs.

Many states are introducing regulations that help fuel the growth of mental health claims. For example, there is an increasing presumption of a work-related nature for reported psychological and stress-related injuries.

Furthermore, many states are no longer requiring that mental health claims be preceded by physical injuries. It used to be that a worker claiming work-related depression would have to show that a preceding event such as a back injury caused mental stress by keeping them from carrying out their normal daily routines.

“Today, employees might claim they were abused in the workplace by a coworker or a manager, or they witnessed an event that caused psychological damage,” Tierney says.

Reducing costs

Employers are not powerless to navigate the more challenging workers’ compensation landscape.

Indeed, the No. 1 defense is to establish the very workplace safety programs that have helped control costs to date.

“The claim that doesn’t happen is the least expensive claim,” Sieberg says. “Employers need to be proactive in creating programs that train employees on how to perform their work safely. That can include everything from making sure they’re wearing the right shoes and other protective equipment, to ensuring they’re lifting correctly and taking appropriate breaks.”

Quick claims processing can also help cap expenses.

“When an injury occurs, employers need to promptly report the matter to the carrier, then conduct an investigation into how the injury occurred and how the company can obviate similar incidents in the future,” Sieberg says. “When discussing the accident with employees, remember that the investigation is not about blame, but about learning how to eliminate future risks.”

Employers can also reduce costs by establishing effective claims management programs. The first step of such programs is empathetic communication with injured workers.

“One of the most expensive parts of workers’ compensation is litigation,” Shaw says. “Bear in mind that employees usually don’t sue employers because of injuries, but because they feel disbelieved, ostracized and unsupported. It’s an emotional reaction. And so I always encourage employers – especially smaller ones where lawsuits can threaten their livelihoods – to treat injured employees with concern.

“Employees should understand that you take their injuries seriously and you will stay on top of their treatment until they can return to work,” Shaw adds.

Prompt action

Prompt action is especially cost-effective for claims of psychological stress.

“The temptation by insurance companies is to delay mental health claims, especially during the first couple of months after a report,” Shaw says. “But what we know is that if we can get those people prompt behavioral support – even if we do not accept workplace responsibility – we can get them back to work more quickly and reduce claim cost and duration by up to 70 percent.”

Employers would also be wise to have a workers’ compensation attorney on call for shepherding injury cases, even if litigation is not anticipated.

“Bear in mind that insurance companies often have a self-interest in managing claims slowly, while it can be better for employers to get the workers back to work without delay,” Shaw says. “It can be cost effective to have an attorney on retainer for a couple of hours a month to push claims forward.”

While the business environment is becoming more sympathetic to the claims of injured workers, employers can take steps to mitigate the dangers.

“The financial health of the workers’ compensation system follows from businesses being in control of safety programs and managing claims effectively,” Sieberg says. “But employers have to be diligent. They have to stay on top of things.”

Phillip M. Perry is an award-winning journalist who is published widely in the fields of business management, workplace psychology and employment law.

Related: Navigating new risks in workers’ compensation

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The company says capturing fine particulate before it migrates can reduce exposure, maintenance and combustible-dust hazards.

<p>The post C&W DustTech introduces dust-collection system for transfer points first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

C&W DustTech launched a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system that is engineered for aggregate, mining and minerals producers seeking to reduce fugitive dust, improve plant safety and mitigate regulatory risk through airflow design.

The system will debut at ConExpo-Con/Agg.

While visible dust draws attention, C&W DustTech says fine particulate matter – often less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – presents the greater long-term operational risk. Without properly balanced airflow and enclosure design, transfer points can allow dust to migrate into surrounding work areas. Over time this contributes to elevated respirable exposure, increased maintenance costs, premature equipment wear, regulatory scrutiny and potential combustible dust hazards. 

“Transfer points are where many dust collection systems fall short,” says Steve Cook, mining, aggregate and cement segments manager at C&W DustTech. “Our engineers designed this dust collector to go beyond capturing dust you can see around your operations. By balancing airflow and integrating the collector with enclosure and ducting design, fine particulate is captured before it migrates into the plant, accumulates on equipment and creates safety risks.”

The new dust collector is designed to operate as part of a fully engineered dust-collection system. It includes filter media, ducting and related components.

“In heavy industry, dust is an inevitable part of moving material,” says Bill Werra, president of C&W DustTech. “What’s changed is the level of engineering and technology available to control it. Our singular focus on dust collection gives us a unique perspective.”

Those attending ConExpo-Con/Agg can see a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system in the Silver Lot (Booth SV2032) outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

<p>The post C&W DustTech introduces dust-collection system for transfer points first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

A contingent of mentors has helped Zac Barbato steadily grow Keystone Crushing over the last three years.

<p>The post How Keystone Crushing was built from the ground up first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As a friend of his once put it: Every day is school day for Zac Barbato.

That’s the approach Barbato still takes more than three years into running Keystone Crushing, a custom mobile crushing company based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Even prior to starting the company in August 2022, Barbato has always had a thirst for knowledge. Throughout his career, he’s surrounded himself with mentors who have been more than willing to share what they know.

“This whole process has been full of examples of way smarter people than me being unbelievably generous with sharing what they have already learned with me,” Barbato says. “Whether it’s time, knowledge of crushing or, often, both. I’ve been blessed time and again to learn from so many great folks.”

It’s this collection of knowledge and experience that has helped Barbato turn Keystone Crushing, which he runs single-handedly, into what it is today: a company that can handle a variety of jobs.

“We process virgin rock; we had a 50,0000-ton job earlier this year,” Barbato says. “We do site projects. Those are a decent portion of our work, as well. We also work for asphalt plants. We’ve been to quite a few asphalt plants this year, crushing RAP that they’ll recycle back into their mix. It’s kind of all over the place.”

Barbato adds that his typical jobs are usually 10,000 tons or more, but it isn’t uncommon for him to take smaller jobs, as well.

Humble beginnings

Barbato knew from a young age that he wanted to be around equipment. He was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.

“My grandfather owned a construction company, so it was kind of in my blood,” he says. “From playing with equipment in the garden to moving dirt as a little kid, I was always interested in it. Anything to get me near equipment, I was totally game for.”

That’s why in 2016, at 14 years old, Barbato joined Townsend Construction and Engineering in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He began at the company sweeping and cleaning, but as he started getting experience with construction equipment, the lessons he learned in his nearly four-and-a-half years there were invaluable.

He credits company owner Bill Townsend with relaying much of that information.

“He was integral in laying the foundation of learning the basics of things that don’t get mentioned,” Barbato says. “How to work hard, attention to detail and hands-on experience from a young age. Like anything you learn when you’re younger, it becomes second nature as you get older.”

In 2020, Barbato began college at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg studying business administration and management. It was during his time in college that Keystone Crushing was born.

Through an entrepreneurship class he was in during his sophomore year, Barbato took part in the Impact Venture Challenge, a “Shark Tank”-style competition in which students pitched business ideas and could earn funding to get their business up and running.

Because his aunt and uncle owned a concrete yard, he came up with the idea to pitch a contract crushing company. Barbato came in second place and earned $3,000.

He then took his company idea to his aunt and uncle, Deb and Jeff Pierson. His uncle came on as a business partner to help Barbato get his company off the ground.

“They were instrumental in the beginnings of the business,” Barbato says. “My uncle is more of a silent partner, but he and his wife have been hugely valuable and made a lot of the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.”

With still two years left in college, Barbato had a full plate. He was attending school, working and playing NCAA Division III volleyball while laying the groundwork for Keystone Crushing.

“In the beginning, we ran really small equipment and I tried to learn as much as I could,” Barbato says. “There was a big project that came up to bid, and I didn’t know what I was doing. I figured, why not call somebody who knows what they’re doing.”

That got him in touch with Ryan Hanson and Joe Lynne of Hanson Custom Crushing in Minnesota. The company flew Barbato out to meet with them and spent several days sharing their crushing expertise.

“It was like drinking through a fire hose,” Barbato says. “They were unbelievably gracious to teach me and let me learn from what they were doing.”

Other sources of support as he built his brand, Barbato notes, were Joe Sokoloski of Heritage Excavating & Stone and Jared Keupfer of Arrow Crushing in Canada.

Getting to work

Barbato started taking smaller jobs in 2022, but he quickly grew his production capacity.

His first job was processing 2,200 tons with a bucket crusher. After that, he rented a crusher to do a 2,800-ton job, and the ensuing job was 66,000 tons.

So far in 2025, Keystone has crushed several hundred thousand tons.

“Crushing is a pretty relentless task,” Barbato says. “It’s nonstop, one thing after another. Long hours, long days and long weeks to make it all go.”

Keystone Crushing reached this point with a simple – yet effective – three-piece spread. Barbato uses a John Deere 350 P-Tier excavator to load material into a Kleemann Mobirex MR 110 Zi EVO2 mobile impact crusher. From there, material is stockpiled using an MGL 842T conveyor.

Barbato’s familiarity with Kleemann crushers dates to his visit to Hanson Custom Crushing.

“They run Kleemann’s out there, and that was one of the first crushers I saw up close and personal,” he says. “That helped me make the decision to go with Kleemann, as well as the product support we have locally. We rented a Kleemann and then ended up buying our own. The proof was in the pudding.”

His local dealer, Groff Tractor and Equipment, has been a phenomenal partner in keeping Barbato outfitted with the right equipment. The same goes for Kleemann representatives who have worked with Barbato first-hand.

“We’ve had great support from Groff Tractor, so there’s really no reason for us to consider going any other route,” Barbato says. “As anybody in crushing knows, you break parts all the time and you need good parts support. They do a great job of working with us and keeping us up and running.

“Evan Clarke with Kleemann and Wirtgen is also a huge piece of that puzzle,” he adds. “Same with Tom Jordan, our area rep with Kleemann.”

One of the first people Barbato interacted with at Groff was Bruce McKown. While he isn’t with the dealer anymore, Barbato says he has been a crucial part of his support system and remains a friend.

“He definitely took a risk in the beginning renting out the equipment to me,” Barbato says. “He stuck his neck out for me.”

Looking ahead

Just three years into building Keystone Crushing, Barbato continues to set his sights high.

“Growth is definitely a goal,” Barbato says. “What that will look like, it’s hard to say. I look at it like a road trip. Maybe you stop in a city along the way, find you like it and want to hang out there. Maybe that’s three crushing spreads, maybe it’s 10 spreads running all over.

“I don’t know exactly where we’re going to find ourselves in the next handful of years, but the goal is to grow,” he adds. “We want to be able to take on more customers in a larger radius surrounding where we’re at, as well.”

Related: How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates

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Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The […]

<p>The post Haver & Boecker Niagara Next-Generation Niagara F-Class Vibrating Screen first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The demonstration highlights the vibrating screen’s advanced design, which delivers virtually no vibrations to the structure, even under demanding conditions. This stability translates to longer equipment life, simplified maintenance and consistent performance, making it a standout solution for aggregates producers looking to maximize uptime and efficiency and lengthen the lifecycle of their equipment.

The next-generation design retains the technical benefits the original F-Class is known for, such as improving performance in material stratification and reducing blinding and pegging. The vibrating screen can be manufactured for side-tensioned or bottom deck end-tensioned screen media. The F-class vibrating screen is primarily manufactured with vibration-resistant lockbolts instead of traditional welding. Lockbolts are more effective at maintaining structural integrity during operation.

The F-Class is available with a variety of configurations and upgrades, and can be used in both stationary and portable applications.

<p>The post Haver & Boecker Niagara Next-Generation Niagara F-Class Vibrating Screen first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center […]

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center or contact them at www.majorflexmat.com.

Its advanced durability extends the overall wear life of screen media in applications like limestone operations where the PU strips typically wear out before the steel wire and affect the integrity of the screen media. The unique chemical compound we developed for our advanced PU strips hold up well against corrosive materials to ensure the strips match the lifespan of our OPTIMUMWIRE® and maintain screening integrity up to 10 times longer. The high frequency of OPTIMUMWIRE remains — 8,000 to 10,000 cycles per minute — to speed up material separation and passing. 

Like MAJOR’s standard polyurethane composition, the advanced PU strips are available for the FLEX-MAT Modular D, S and T Series. The new variant is not intended to completely replace the standard polyurethane.

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength. Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard […]

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength.

Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard in conveyor technology. Whether you’re optimizing a new system or upgrading an existing one, it offers unmatched durability and efficiency.

See it in person at CONEXPO CON/AGG, Booth C32075.

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce new radial OTR and industrial tire sizes, while Özka highlights models from its industrial and construction lineup.

<p>The post Double Coin, Özka unveiling tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce several new sizes of its REM radial OTR and industrial tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg, including 29-in., 33-in. and 35-in. products.

Double Coin will exhibit alongside Özka Tires in West Hall (Booth W42573) of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Özka will feature models from its industrial and construction lineup.

“ConExpo-Con/Agg is an important opportunity for us to connect directly with customers and industry partners,” says Aaron Murphy, senior vice president at CMA and Double Coin. “We’re excited to showcase current and new Double Coin and Özka products and discuss new programs and solutions that support real-world applications.”

ConExpo-Con/Agg takes place March 3-7.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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Rockydale Quarries Corp., which ranks 93rd on the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers list, has 10 locations.

<p>The post Rogers Group to acquire Rockydale, B&S Contracting first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Rogers Group reached an agreement to acquire Rockydale Quarries Corp. and its subsidiaries, including B&S Contracting.

The companies expect the deal to close April 10.

Rockydale Quarries, which was founded in 1932, ranks 93rd on the U.S. Geological Survey’s latest list of the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers. The company is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia.

Upon closing, Rockydale’s 10 locations, alongside B&S Contracting, will be integrated into RGI’s Carolinas and Virginia market area under Daniel Littell, who will oversee the alignment of business processes, safety programs and operational strategies to ensure a smooth transition. The current Rockydale management team will continue to lead day-to-day operations and report to Littell.

“Rogers Group is continually evaluating opportunities to expand,” says Jimmy Patton, president and CEO of Rogers Group. “Rockydale is a great fit – both culturally and strategically. We are honored to build on the Willis family’s legacy and combine resources and people in a way that makes Rogers Group even stronger.”

Ken Randolph, president and CEO of Rockydale Quarries, characterizes the deal as a “milestone moment” for Rockydale.

“The owners of Rockydale are proud of our long history and the company we’ve built,” Randolph says. “Rogers Group provides the best opportunity for us to continue growing while ensuring our employees have every chance to reach their full potential.”

Rockydale is the 13th company Rogers Group has added over the last two years. Rockydale and B&S Contracting employ 170 people, who will join Rogers Group’s workforce of more than 3,400.

Rogers Group’s footprint now extends to 13 states.

“We look for companies that share our vision and values – safety, quality, integrity and a commitment to community,” says Dan Lechleiter, vice president of business development at Rogers Group. “Rockydale exemplifies all of these, and we’re excited to welcome them into the Rogers Group family.”

Related: Check out the top 100 crushed stone producers list

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The Texas producer is gaining momentum with a high-output plant and a reliable dealer partner to match.

<p>The post How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Zech Canfield, owner of Canfield Materials, is no stranger to mining.

With nearly 15 years of experience in frac sand and a background rooted deep in the field, Canfield took a bold step by venturing into aggregates with the purchase of a limestone quarry in Blum, Texas.

Canfield’s opportunity came through his brother, who owns a pit just down the road from the current quarry. Canfield was introduced to the site’s former owner, sparking a new chapter in his career and ultimately launching Canfield Materials into the market.

Canfield Materials now runs an all-Powerscreen fleet of two jaw crushers, a cone crusher, two scalping screens and five conveyors.

High-output operation

Canfield Materials focuses on both tan and blue limestone.

While its blue limestone is more abundant and serves a broad range of uses, its tan limestone has proven to be in high demand due to its rarity. The quarry primarily produces road base, along with byproducts such as 2- to 5-in. oversize, 4- to 8-in. rock and 1-in. utility rock.

Customers pick up most of their materials on-site, but Canfield Materials also offers a direct and efficient distribution model within a 100-mile radius around Blum.

Canfield’s eyes are firmly set on high production, with a goal of hitting 2 million tpy. He knew early on that his success in aggregates would rely on partnering with the right equipment provider. And for Canfield Materials, that partner is Powerscreen Texas.

The right setup

Canfield’s relationship with Powerscreen Texas dates back to 2017, when he was working with another company in West Texas.

It was there he was first connected with Barry O’Reilly, vice president of Powerscreen Texas.

“Back then I rented equipment from Barry to screen frac sand, and when I made the move into aggregates, I knew exactly who to call,” Canfield says.

Today, Canfield Materials runs a robust equipment lineup that includes a Premiertrak 400X jaw crusher, a Premiertrak 450 jaw crusher, a Warrior 1800X scalping screen, a 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher, a Titan 1800 scalping screen and five CT80 stacking conveyors. These machines are the heartbeat of the operation.

The Premiertrak 400X, which is ideal for medium-scale quarrying, can achieve up to 441 tph. It includes user-friendly features such as hydraulic crusher setting adjustment and overload protection.

The 450 model, meanwhile, steps it up with a two-piece grizzly feeder and a direct-drive chamber for efficient fuel use and fast setup times. The Warrior 1800X reaches up to 689 tph.

On the secondary side, the 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher plays a crucial role, producing up to 330 tph with its high-capacity hopper and Scania engine. The plant is responsible for making Canfield Materials’ utility rock, which is one of the site’s staple products.

The Titan 1800 works aggressively to size material properly, with an output capacity of 661 tph thanks to a 16-ft. x 5-ft. double-deck screenbox. With five CT80 stackers in play, material movement and organization across the site is seamless.

From trial to commitment

Canfield is currently in a rent-to-buy arrangement with his Powerscreen machines, but with the production results he’s achieved so far, he’s making the move toward ownership.

“We had to prove ourselves first,” Canfield says. “Being new to aggregates, we needed to show we could keep up with demand. Now that we’ve seen what these machines can do, it’s a no-brainer to make them ours.

“I’ve worked a lot with other machines in various industries, including Powerscreen, and Powerscreen will outperform all others in every aspect,” he adds.

According to Canfield, the people at his dealer partner are what truly set it apart.

“Powerscreen Texas is a one-stop shop,” he says. “I tell them my output goals, and they get back to me with the right setup. Their knowledge and experience make all the difference.”

In addition to the machines, Canfield speaks highly of the dealer’s parts and service departments.

“Their response time, their expertise and the fact that they’re local – those are major advantages,” Canfield says. “It’s a real partnership.”

Scaling up

With a rapidly growing operation and a reliable equipment partner in Powerscreen Texas, Canfield is already looking ahead.

His expansion plans include duplicating his current equipment setup as he increases production capabilities at his current quarry.

“The goal is to keep scaling,” Canfield says. “As long as Powerscreen equipment keeps delivering, I’ll keep investing.”

Canfield’s transition from frac sand to aggregates may have only started in late 2024, but with his deep industry knowledge, proven operational performance and supplier partnership, Canfield Materials is poised to become a bigger name in Texas limestone for years to come.

Information for this article courtesy of Molson Group.

Related: Inside McCar Companies: A Texas producer on the rise

<p>The post How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Rising claim severity, medical inflation and regulatory change are challenging employers – and sharpening the focus on safety and claims management.

<p>The post Workers’ comp pressures ahead first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Employers, take a bow.

Your efforts to reduce workplace injuries have paid off big time.

“The number of reported accidents under the worker’s compensation system has been falling steadily in recent years,” says James J. Moore, president of J&L Risk Management Consultants. “The reason has been largely due to successful safety programs.”

The healthier workplace environment has attracted a good number of insurance companies to the workers’ compensation market, putting downward pressure on prices.

“In general, insurance companies find workers’ compensation to be a profitable line of business,” says Randy Sieberg, president of Workers Compensation Consultants. “As losses have been trending downward, the end result is a really decent claim experience.”

Danger ahead

Despite a mostly sunny workers’ compensation environment, employers should be wary of dark clouds gathering on the horizon. Foremost among them is an increase in expensive catastrophic claims, driven largely by advances in medical technology.

“While there’s been a soft insurance market for several years, those days might be numbered,” says Matt Morris, principal at World Insurance Associates. “The increasing incidence of million-dollar claims is going to start catching up with carriers.”

The mega claims are coming at the same time that more states are adjusting their fee schedules to reflect higher costs.

“We’re seeing many states increase workers’ compensation benefits across the board, adjusting for inflation, higher medical expenses and a rising cost of living,” Morris says. “And ever since COVID we’re seeing carriers covering a lot more mental health conditions and PTSD.”

Yet another danger emanates from Washington. While workers’ compensation is primarily a state-driven phenomenon, that doesn’t mean actions at the federal level can’t affect employer costs.

“We’re concerned about the possible negative effects of U.S. trade policy,” says Dennis Tierney, director of workers’ compensation claims at Marsh, a global insurance broker. “Employers who get impacted by tariffs may start cutting expenses, and that often means getting rid of employees. And reductions in force typically lead to an increase in workers’ compensation claims.”

Tierney says desperation can often feed such increases. People who lose their jobs often look for another source of income, with many finding it in the form of back pain or a similar condition that developed over the years and that could be deemed an occupational injury.

This temptation to assign workplace culpability comes while many states are passing laws reflecting a more liberal presumption – a term referring to the automatic determination that certain injuries are work-related, and thus compensable by the workers’ compensation system. It is up to the employer to prove otherwise.

Security cameras can help provide a defense against some of these instances.

“Having everything monitored is a best practice and a good way to avoid frivolous claims,” Morris says. “Many times, employees will be joking around and not doing the right things on a worksite and then claim a work-related injury when the video shows something else happening.”

Tariffs may lead to cost hikes for other reasons – escalating drug prices among them.

“Raw materials for drugs are a big part of medical spend,” Tierney says. “Duties on imported ingredients may result in bigger bills for end users.”

Tariffs can also have a deleterious effect on labor costs. A manufacturing reboot in the U.S. – the ultimate goal of the Trump administration tariff policy – may increase the demand for workers, putting upward pressure on wages.

“The administration’s restrictions on immigration could lead to the loss of cheaper labor, and thus affect workers’ compensation rates which are figured off wages,” Moore says.

Finally, trade policy can lead to more hiring of younger workers to fill the ranks of reshored employers. The replacement of retiring Boomers poses a particular risk.

“In five years, we figure that some 25 percent of employees are going to be Gen Zers,” says Rachel Shaw, a human resources consultant. “We are concerned that we may see more injuries as a result, since there is a question mark as to whether they are coming into the workforce with the same skills and training and experience.”

These upward payroll pressures are coming at a time when the federal government is deregulating workplace safety standards and reducing the number of workplace inspectors, according to Shaw.

“Some companies love the idea of deregulation because it can reduce immediate costs,” Shaw says. “But an increase in injuries might well raise costs over the longer term.”

The difficulty younger workers face in obtaining affordable health care may add fuel to the fire.

“We may see an increase in claims as people struggle with obtaining and maintaining medical care,” Shaw says. “We have in the past seen people use the workers’ comp system for either personal medical needs or as wage extension.”

More mental stress

The influx of younger workers can increase costs for two other reasons.

First, younger workers have a more liberal attitude toward the use of recreational marijuana.

“The younger generations see marijuana as more like beer or alcohol,” Shaw says. “We anticipate that as more states legalize recreational marijuana we’re going to continue to see some impact – especially in industries that require workers have balance and focus to do their job well and to be safe and not have catastrophic injuries.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that workers testing positive for marijuana were involved in 55 percent more industrial accidents, 85 percent more injuries and experienced 75 percent more absenteeism.

Additionally, mental health issues have much less stigma among members of the younger generations, who are more comfortable than Boomers discussing and claiming work-related stress. They also expect mental health support from their employers.

“Mental health claims seem to be the fastest-growing segment of the workers’ compensation picture,” Sieberg says. “While they currently don’t add up to a large percentage of overall claims, they can cost from two to five times the amount of traditional claims and run two to five times as long.”

Mental health claims are also more likely to be litigated, further escalating costs.

Many states are introducing regulations that help fuel the growth of mental health claims. For example, there is an increasing presumption of a work-related nature for reported psychological and stress-related injuries.

Furthermore, many states are no longer requiring that mental health claims be preceded by physical injuries. It used to be that a worker claiming work-related depression would have to show that a preceding event such as a back injury caused mental stress by keeping them from carrying out their normal daily routines.

“Today, employees might claim they were abused in the workplace by a coworker or a manager, or they witnessed an event that caused psychological damage,” Tierney says.

Reducing costs

Employers are not powerless to navigate the more challenging workers’ compensation landscape.

Indeed, the No. 1 defense is to establish the very workplace safety programs that have helped control costs to date.

“The claim that doesn’t happen is the least expensive claim,” Sieberg says. “Employers need to be proactive in creating programs that train employees on how to perform their work safely. That can include everything from making sure they’re wearing the right shoes and other protective equipment, to ensuring they’re lifting correctly and taking appropriate breaks.”

Quick claims processing can also help cap expenses.

“When an injury occurs, employers need to promptly report the matter to the carrier, then conduct an investigation into how the injury occurred and how the company can obviate similar incidents in the future,” Sieberg says. “When discussing the accident with employees, remember that the investigation is not about blame, but about learning how to eliminate future risks.”

Employers can also reduce costs by establishing effective claims management programs. The first step of such programs is empathetic communication with injured workers.

“One of the most expensive parts of workers’ compensation is litigation,” Shaw says. “Bear in mind that employees usually don’t sue employers because of injuries, but because they feel disbelieved, ostracized and unsupported. It’s an emotional reaction. And so I always encourage employers – especially smaller ones where lawsuits can threaten their livelihoods – to treat injured employees with concern.

“Employees should understand that you take their injuries seriously and you will stay on top of their treatment until they can return to work,” Shaw adds.

Prompt action

Prompt action is especially cost-effective for claims of psychological stress.

“The temptation by insurance companies is to delay mental health claims, especially during the first couple of months after a report,” Shaw says. “But what we know is that if we can get those people prompt behavioral support – even if we do not accept workplace responsibility – we can get them back to work more quickly and reduce claim cost and duration by up to 70 percent.”

Employers would also be wise to have a workers’ compensation attorney on call for shepherding injury cases, even if litigation is not anticipated.

“Bear in mind that insurance companies often have a self-interest in managing claims slowly, while it can be better for employers to get the workers back to work without delay,” Shaw says. “It can be cost effective to have an attorney on retainer for a couple of hours a month to push claims forward.”

While the business environment is becoming more sympathetic to the claims of injured workers, employers can take steps to mitigate the dangers.

“The financial health of the workers’ compensation system follows from businesses being in control of safety programs and managing claims effectively,” Sieberg says. “But employers have to be diligent. They have to stay on top of things.”

Phillip M. Perry is an award-winning journalist who is published widely in the fields of business management, workplace psychology and employment law.

Related: Navigating new risks in workers’ compensation

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The company says capturing fine particulate before it migrates can reduce exposure, maintenance and combustible-dust hazards.

<p>The post C&W DustTech introduces dust-collection system for transfer points first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

C&W DustTech launched a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system that is engineered for aggregate, mining and minerals producers seeking to reduce fugitive dust, improve plant safety and mitigate regulatory risk through airflow design.

The system will debut at ConExpo-Con/Agg.

While visible dust draws attention, C&W DustTech says fine particulate matter – often less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – presents the greater long-term operational risk. Without properly balanced airflow and enclosure design, transfer points can allow dust to migrate into surrounding work areas. Over time this contributes to elevated respirable exposure, increased maintenance costs, premature equipment wear, regulatory scrutiny and potential combustible dust hazards. 

“Transfer points are where many dust collection systems fall short,” says Steve Cook, mining, aggregate and cement segments manager at C&W DustTech. “Our engineers designed this dust collector to go beyond capturing dust you can see around your operations. By balancing airflow and integrating the collector with enclosure and ducting design, fine particulate is captured before it migrates into the plant, accumulates on equipment and creates safety risks.”

The new dust collector is designed to operate as part of a fully engineered dust-collection system. It includes filter media, ducting and related components.

“In heavy industry, dust is an inevitable part of moving material,” says Bill Werra, president of C&W DustTech. “What’s changed is the level of engineering and technology available to control it. Our singular focus on dust collection gives us a unique perspective.”

Those attending ConExpo-Con/Agg can see a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system in the Silver Lot (Booth SV2032) outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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A contingent of mentors has helped Zac Barbato steadily grow Keystone Crushing over the last three years.

<p>The post How Keystone Crushing was built from the ground up first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As a friend of his once put it: Every day is school day for Zac Barbato.

That’s the approach Barbato still takes more than three years into running Keystone Crushing, a custom mobile crushing company based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Even prior to starting the company in August 2022, Barbato has always had a thirst for knowledge. Throughout his career, he’s surrounded himself with mentors who have been more than willing to share what they know.

“This whole process has been full of examples of way smarter people than me being unbelievably generous with sharing what they have already learned with me,” Barbato says. “Whether it’s time, knowledge of crushing or, often, both. I’ve been blessed time and again to learn from so many great folks.”

It’s this collection of knowledge and experience that has helped Barbato turn Keystone Crushing, which he runs single-handedly, into what it is today: a company that can handle a variety of jobs.

“We process virgin rock; we had a 50,0000-ton job earlier this year,” Barbato says. “We do site projects. Those are a decent portion of our work, as well. We also work for asphalt plants. We’ve been to quite a few asphalt plants this year, crushing RAP that they’ll recycle back into their mix. It’s kind of all over the place.”

Barbato adds that his typical jobs are usually 10,000 tons or more, but it isn’t uncommon for him to take smaller jobs, as well.

Humble beginnings

Barbato knew from a young age that he wanted to be around equipment. He was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.

“My grandfather owned a construction company, so it was kind of in my blood,” he says. “From playing with equipment in the garden to moving dirt as a little kid, I was always interested in it. Anything to get me near equipment, I was totally game for.”

That’s why in 2016, at 14 years old, Barbato joined Townsend Construction and Engineering in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He began at the company sweeping and cleaning, but as he started getting experience with construction equipment, the lessons he learned in his nearly four-and-a-half years there were invaluable.

He credits company owner Bill Townsend with relaying much of that information.

“He was integral in laying the foundation of learning the basics of things that don’t get mentioned,” Barbato says. “How to work hard, attention to detail and hands-on experience from a young age. Like anything you learn when you’re younger, it becomes second nature as you get older.”

In 2020, Barbato began college at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg studying business administration and management. It was during his time in college that Keystone Crushing was born.

Through an entrepreneurship class he was in during his sophomore year, Barbato took part in the Impact Venture Challenge, a “Shark Tank”-style competition in which students pitched business ideas and could earn funding to get their business up and running.

Because his aunt and uncle owned a concrete yard, he came up with the idea to pitch a contract crushing company. Barbato came in second place and earned $3,000.

He then took his company idea to his aunt and uncle, Deb and Jeff Pierson. His uncle came on as a business partner to help Barbato get his company off the ground.

“They were instrumental in the beginnings of the business,” Barbato says. “My uncle is more of a silent partner, but he and his wife have been hugely valuable and made a lot of the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.”

With still two years left in college, Barbato had a full plate. He was attending school, working and playing NCAA Division III volleyball while laying the groundwork for Keystone Crushing.

“In the beginning, we ran really small equipment and I tried to learn as much as I could,” Barbato says. “There was a big project that came up to bid, and I didn’t know what I was doing. I figured, why not call somebody who knows what they’re doing.”

That got him in touch with Ryan Hanson and Joe Lynne of Hanson Custom Crushing in Minnesota. The company flew Barbato out to meet with them and spent several days sharing their crushing expertise.

“It was like drinking through a fire hose,” Barbato says. “They were unbelievably gracious to teach me and let me learn from what they were doing.”

Other sources of support as he built his brand, Barbato notes, were Joe Sokoloski of Heritage Excavating & Stone and Jared Keupfer of Arrow Crushing in Canada.

Getting to work

Barbato started taking smaller jobs in 2022, but he quickly grew his production capacity.

His first job was processing 2,200 tons with a bucket crusher. After that, he rented a crusher to do a 2,800-ton job, and the ensuing job was 66,000 tons.

So far in 2025, Keystone has crushed several hundred thousand tons.

“Crushing is a pretty relentless task,” Barbato says. “It’s nonstop, one thing after another. Long hours, long days and long weeks to make it all go.”

Keystone Crushing reached this point with a simple – yet effective – three-piece spread. Barbato uses a John Deere 350 P-Tier excavator to load material into a Kleemann Mobirex MR 110 Zi EVO2 mobile impact crusher. From there, material is stockpiled using an MGL 842T conveyor.

Barbato’s familiarity with Kleemann crushers dates to his visit to Hanson Custom Crushing.

“They run Kleemann’s out there, and that was one of the first crushers I saw up close and personal,” he says. “That helped me make the decision to go with Kleemann, as well as the product support we have locally. We rented a Kleemann and then ended up buying our own. The proof was in the pudding.”

His local dealer, Groff Tractor and Equipment, has been a phenomenal partner in keeping Barbato outfitted with the right equipment. The same goes for Kleemann representatives who have worked with Barbato first-hand.

“We’ve had great support from Groff Tractor, so there’s really no reason for us to consider going any other route,” Barbato says. “As anybody in crushing knows, you break parts all the time and you need good parts support. They do a great job of working with us and keeping us up and running.

“Evan Clarke with Kleemann and Wirtgen is also a huge piece of that puzzle,” he adds. “Same with Tom Jordan, our area rep with Kleemann.”

One of the first people Barbato interacted with at Groff was Bruce McKown. While he isn’t with the dealer anymore, Barbato says he has been a crucial part of his support system and remains a friend.

“He definitely took a risk in the beginning renting out the equipment to me,” Barbato says. “He stuck his neck out for me.”

Looking ahead

Just three years into building Keystone Crushing, Barbato continues to set his sights high.

“Growth is definitely a goal,” Barbato says. “What that will look like, it’s hard to say. I look at it like a road trip. Maybe you stop in a city along the way, find you like it and want to hang out there. Maybe that’s three crushing spreads, maybe it’s 10 spreads running all over.

“I don’t know exactly where we’re going to find ourselves in the next handful of years, but the goal is to grow,” he adds. “We want to be able to take on more customers in a larger radius surrounding where we’re at, as well.”

Related: How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates

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Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The […]

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Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The demonstration highlights the vibrating screen’s advanced design, which delivers virtually no vibrations to the structure, even under demanding conditions. This stability translates to longer equipment life, simplified maintenance and consistent performance, making it a standout solution for aggregates producers looking to maximize uptime and efficiency and lengthen the lifecycle of their equipment.

The next-generation design retains the technical benefits the original F-Class is known for, such as improving performance in material stratification and reducing blinding and pegging. The vibrating screen can be manufactured for side-tensioned or bottom deck end-tensioned screen media. The F-class vibrating screen is primarily manufactured with vibration-resistant lockbolts instead of traditional welding. Lockbolts are more effective at maintaining structural integrity during operation.

The F-Class is available with a variety of configurations and upgrades, and can be used in both stationary and portable applications.

<p>The post Haver & Boecker Niagara Next-Generation Niagara F-Class Vibrating Screen first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center […]

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center or contact them at www.majorflexmat.com.

Its advanced durability extends the overall wear life of screen media in applications like limestone operations where the PU strips typically wear out before the steel wire and affect the integrity of the screen media. The unique chemical compound we developed for our advanced PU strips hold up well against corrosive materials to ensure the strips match the lifespan of our OPTIMUMWIRE® and maintain screening integrity up to 10 times longer. The high frequency of OPTIMUMWIRE remains — 8,000 to 10,000 cycles per minute — to speed up material separation and passing. 

Like MAJOR’s standard polyurethane composition, the advanced PU strips are available for the FLEX-MAT Modular D, S and T Series. The new variant is not intended to completely replace the standard polyurethane.

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength. Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard […]

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength.

Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard in conveyor technology. Whether you’re optimizing a new system or upgrading an existing one, it offers unmatched durability and efficiency.

See it in person at CONEXPO CON/AGG, Booth C32075.

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce new radial OTR and industrial tire sizes, while Özka highlights models from its industrial and construction lineup.

<p>The post Double Coin, Özka unveiling tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce several new sizes of its REM radial OTR and industrial tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg, including 29-in., 33-in. and 35-in. products.

Double Coin will exhibit alongside Özka Tires in West Hall (Booth W42573) of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Özka will feature models from its industrial and construction lineup.

“ConExpo-Con/Agg is an important opportunity for us to connect directly with customers and industry partners,” says Aaron Murphy, senior vice president at CMA and Double Coin. “We’re excited to showcase current and new Double Coin and Özka products and discuss new programs and solutions that support real-world applications.”

ConExpo-Con/Agg takes place March 3-7.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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Rockydale Quarries Corp., which ranks 93rd on the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers list, has 10 locations.

<p>The post Rogers Group to acquire Rockydale, B&S Contracting first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Rogers Group reached an agreement to acquire Rockydale Quarries Corp. and its subsidiaries, including B&S Contracting.

The companies expect the deal to close April 10.

Rockydale Quarries, which was founded in 1932, ranks 93rd on the U.S. Geological Survey’s latest list of the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers. The company is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia.

Upon closing, Rockydale’s 10 locations, alongside B&S Contracting, will be integrated into RGI’s Carolinas and Virginia market area under Daniel Littell, who will oversee the alignment of business processes, safety programs and operational strategies to ensure a smooth transition. The current Rockydale management team will continue to lead day-to-day operations and report to Littell.

“Rogers Group is continually evaluating opportunities to expand,” says Jimmy Patton, president and CEO of Rogers Group. “Rockydale is a great fit – both culturally and strategically. We are honored to build on the Willis family’s legacy and combine resources and people in a way that makes Rogers Group even stronger.”

Ken Randolph, president and CEO of Rockydale Quarries, characterizes the deal as a “milestone moment” for Rockydale.

“The owners of Rockydale are proud of our long history and the company we’ve built,” Randolph says. “Rogers Group provides the best opportunity for us to continue growing while ensuring our employees have every chance to reach their full potential.”

Rockydale is the 13th company Rogers Group has added over the last two years. Rockydale and B&S Contracting employ 170 people, who will join Rogers Group’s workforce of more than 3,400.

Rogers Group’s footprint now extends to 13 states.

“We look for companies that share our vision and values – safety, quality, integrity and a commitment to community,” says Dan Lechleiter, vice president of business development at Rogers Group. “Rockydale exemplifies all of these, and we’re excited to welcome them into the Rogers Group family.”

Related: Check out the top 100 crushed stone producers list

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The Texas producer is gaining momentum with a high-output plant and a reliable dealer partner to match.

<p>The post How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Zech Canfield, owner of Canfield Materials, is no stranger to mining.

With nearly 15 years of experience in frac sand and a background rooted deep in the field, Canfield took a bold step by venturing into aggregates with the purchase of a limestone quarry in Blum, Texas.

Canfield’s opportunity came through his brother, who owns a pit just down the road from the current quarry. Canfield was introduced to the site’s former owner, sparking a new chapter in his career and ultimately launching Canfield Materials into the market.

Canfield Materials now runs an all-Powerscreen fleet of two jaw crushers, a cone crusher, two scalping screens and five conveyors.

High-output operation

Canfield Materials focuses on both tan and blue limestone.

While its blue limestone is more abundant and serves a broad range of uses, its tan limestone has proven to be in high demand due to its rarity. The quarry primarily produces road base, along with byproducts such as 2- to 5-in. oversize, 4- to 8-in. rock and 1-in. utility rock.

Customers pick up most of their materials on-site, but Canfield Materials also offers a direct and efficient distribution model within a 100-mile radius around Blum.

Canfield’s eyes are firmly set on high production, with a goal of hitting 2 million tpy. He knew early on that his success in aggregates would rely on partnering with the right equipment provider. And for Canfield Materials, that partner is Powerscreen Texas.

The right setup

Canfield’s relationship with Powerscreen Texas dates back to 2017, when he was working with another company in West Texas.

It was there he was first connected with Barry O’Reilly, vice president of Powerscreen Texas.

“Back then I rented equipment from Barry to screen frac sand, and when I made the move into aggregates, I knew exactly who to call,” Canfield says.

Today, Canfield Materials runs a robust equipment lineup that includes a Premiertrak 400X jaw crusher, a Premiertrak 450 jaw crusher, a Warrior 1800X scalping screen, a 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher, a Titan 1800 scalping screen and five CT80 stacking conveyors. These machines are the heartbeat of the operation.

The Premiertrak 400X, which is ideal for medium-scale quarrying, can achieve up to 441 tph. It includes user-friendly features such as hydraulic crusher setting adjustment and overload protection.

The 450 model, meanwhile, steps it up with a two-piece grizzly feeder and a direct-drive chamber for efficient fuel use and fast setup times. The Warrior 1800X reaches up to 689 tph.

On the secondary side, the 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher plays a crucial role, producing up to 330 tph with its high-capacity hopper and Scania engine. The plant is responsible for making Canfield Materials’ utility rock, which is one of the site’s staple products.

The Titan 1800 works aggressively to size material properly, with an output capacity of 661 tph thanks to a 16-ft. x 5-ft. double-deck screenbox. With five CT80 stackers in play, material movement and organization across the site is seamless.

From trial to commitment

Canfield is currently in a rent-to-buy arrangement with his Powerscreen machines, but with the production results he’s achieved so far, he’s making the move toward ownership.

“We had to prove ourselves first,” Canfield says. “Being new to aggregates, we needed to show we could keep up with demand. Now that we’ve seen what these machines can do, it’s a no-brainer to make them ours.

“I’ve worked a lot with other machines in various industries, including Powerscreen, and Powerscreen will outperform all others in every aspect,” he adds.

According to Canfield, the people at his dealer partner are what truly set it apart.

“Powerscreen Texas is a one-stop shop,” he says. “I tell them my output goals, and they get back to me with the right setup. Their knowledge and experience make all the difference.”

In addition to the machines, Canfield speaks highly of the dealer’s parts and service departments.

“Their response time, their expertise and the fact that they’re local – those are major advantages,” Canfield says. “It’s a real partnership.”

Scaling up

With a rapidly growing operation and a reliable equipment partner in Powerscreen Texas, Canfield is already looking ahead.

His expansion plans include duplicating his current equipment setup as he increases production capabilities at his current quarry.

“The goal is to keep scaling,” Canfield says. “As long as Powerscreen equipment keeps delivering, I’ll keep investing.”

Canfield’s transition from frac sand to aggregates may have only started in late 2024, but with his deep industry knowledge, proven operational performance and supplier partnership, Canfield Materials is poised to become a bigger name in Texas limestone for years to come.

Information for this article courtesy of Molson Group.

Related: Inside McCar Companies: A Texas producer on the rise

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Rising claim severity, medical inflation and regulatory change are challenging employers – and sharpening the focus on safety and claims management.

<p>The post Workers’ comp pressures ahead first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Employers, take a bow.

Your efforts to reduce workplace injuries have paid off big time.

“The number of reported accidents under the worker’s compensation system has been falling steadily in recent years,” says James J. Moore, president of J&L Risk Management Consultants. “The reason has been largely due to successful safety programs.”

The healthier workplace environment has attracted a good number of insurance companies to the workers’ compensation market, putting downward pressure on prices.

“In general, insurance companies find workers’ compensation to be a profitable line of business,” says Randy Sieberg, president of Workers Compensation Consultants. “As losses have been trending downward, the end result is a really decent claim experience.”

Danger ahead

Despite a mostly sunny workers’ compensation environment, employers should be wary of dark clouds gathering on the horizon. Foremost among them is an increase in expensive catastrophic claims, driven largely by advances in medical technology.

“While there’s been a soft insurance market for several years, those days might be numbered,” says Matt Morris, principal at World Insurance Associates. “The increasing incidence of million-dollar claims is going to start catching up with carriers.”

The mega claims are coming at the same time that more states are adjusting their fee schedules to reflect higher costs.

“We’re seeing many states increase workers’ compensation benefits across the board, adjusting for inflation, higher medical expenses and a rising cost of living,” Morris says. “And ever since COVID we’re seeing carriers covering a lot more mental health conditions and PTSD.”

Yet another danger emanates from Washington. While workers’ compensation is primarily a state-driven phenomenon, that doesn’t mean actions at the federal level can’t affect employer costs.

“We’re concerned about the possible negative effects of U.S. trade policy,” says Dennis Tierney, director of workers’ compensation claims at Marsh, a global insurance broker. “Employers who get impacted by tariffs may start cutting expenses, and that often means getting rid of employees. And reductions in force typically lead to an increase in workers’ compensation claims.”

Tierney says desperation can often feed such increases. People who lose their jobs often look for another source of income, with many finding it in the form of back pain or a similar condition that developed over the years and that could be deemed an occupational injury.

This temptation to assign workplace culpability comes while many states are passing laws reflecting a more liberal presumption – a term referring to the automatic determination that certain injuries are work-related, and thus compensable by the workers’ compensation system. It is up to the employer to prove otherwise.

Security cameras can help provide a defense against some of these instances.

“Having everything monitored is a best practice and a good way to avoid frivolous claims,” Morris says. “Many times, employees will be joking around and not doing the right things on a worksite and then claim a work-related injury when the video shows something else happening.”

Tariffs may lead to cost hikes for other reasons – escalating drug prices among them.

“Raw materials for drugs are a big part of medical spend,” Tierney says. “Duties on imported ingredients may result in bigger bills for end users.”

Tariffs can also have a deleterious effect on labor costs. A manufacturing reboot in the U.S. – the ultimate goal of the Trump administration tariff policy – may increase the demand for workers, putting upward pressure on wages.

“The administration’s restrictions on immigration could lead to the loss of cheaper labor, and thus affect workers’ compensation rates which are figured off wages,” Moore says.

Finally, trade policy can lead to more hiring of younger workers to fill the ranks of reshored employers. The replacement of retiring Boomers poses a particular risk.

“In five years, we figure that some 25 percent of employees are going to be Gen Zers,” says Rachel Shaw, a human resources consultant. “We are concerned that we may see more injuries as a result, since there is a question mark as to whether they are coming into the workforce with the same skills and training and experience.”

These upward payroll pressures are coming at a time when the federal government is deregulating workplace safety standards and reducing the number of workplace inspectors, according to Shaw.

“Some companies love the idea of deregulation because it can reduce immediate costs,” Shaw says. “But an increase in injuries might well raise costs over the longer term.”

The difficulty younger workers face in obtaining affordable health care may add fuel to the fire.

“We may see an increase in claims as people struggle with obtaining and maintaining medical care,” Shaw says. “We have in the past seen people use the workers’ comp system for either personal medical needs or as wage extension.”

More mental stress

The influx of younger workers can increase costs for two other reasons.

First, younger workers have a more liberal attitude toward the use of recreational marijuana.

“The younger generations see marijuana as more like beer or alcohol,” Shaw says. “We anticipate that as more states legalize recreational marijuana we’re going to continue to see some impact – especially in industries that require workers have balance and focus to do their job well and to be safe and not have catastrophic injuries.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that workers testing positive for marijuana were involved in 55 percent more industrial accidents, 85 percent more injuries and experienced 75 percent more absenteeism.

Additionally, mental health issues have much less stigma among members of the younger generations, who are more comfortable than Boomers discussing and claiming work-related stress. They also expect mental health support from their employers.

“Mental health claims seem to be the fastest-growing segment of the workers’ compensation picture,” Sieberg says. “While they currently don’t add up to a large percentage of overall claims, they can cost from two to five times the amount of traditional claims and run two to five times as long.”

Mental health claims are also more likely to be litigated, further escalating costs.

Many states are introducing regulations that help fuel the growth of mental health claims. For example, there is an increasing presumption of a work-related nature for reported psychological and stress-related injuries.

Furthermore, many states are no longer requiring that mental health claims be preceded by physical injuries. It used to be that a worker claiming work-related depression would have to show that a preceding event such as a back injury caused mental stress by keeping them from carrying out their normal daily routines.

“Today, employees might claim they were abused in the workplace by a coworker or a manager, or they witnessed an event that caused psychological damage,” Tierney says.

Reducing costs

Employers are not powerless to navigate the more challenging workers’ compensation landscape.

Indeed, the No. 1 defense is to establish the very workplace safety programs that have helped control costs to date.

“The claim that doesn’t happen is the least expensive claim,” Sieberg says. “Employers need to be proactive in creating programs that train employees on how to perform their work safely. That can include everything from making sure they’re wearing the right shoes and other protective equipment, to ensuring they’re lifting correctly and taking appropriate breaks.”

Quick claims processing can also help cap expenses.

“When an injury occurs, employers need to promptly report the matter to the carrier, then conduct an investigation into how the injury occurred and how the company can obviate similar incidents in the future,” Sieberg says. “When discussing the accident with employees, remember that the investigation is not about blame, but about learning how to eliminate future risks.”

Employers can also reduce costs by establishing effective claims management programs. The first step of such programs is empathetic communication with injured workers.

“One of the most expensive parts of workers’ compensation is litigation,” Shaw says. “Bear in mind that employees usually don’t sue employers because of injuries, but because they feel disbelieved, ostracized and unsupported. It’s an emotional reaction. And so I always encourage employers – especially smaller ones where lawsuits can threaten their livelihoods – to treat injured employees with concern.

“Employees should understand that you take their injuries seriously and you will stay on top of their treatment until they can return to work,” Shaw adds.

Prompt action

Prompt action is especially cost-effective for claims of psychological stress.

“The temptation by insurance companies is to delay mental health claims, especially during the first couple of months after a report,” Shaw says. “But what we know is that if we can get those people prompt behavioral support – even if we do not accept workplace responsibility – we can get them back to work more quickly and reduce claim cost and duration by up to 70 percent.”

Employers would also be wise to have a workers’ compensation attorney on call for shepherding injury cases, even if litigation is not anticipated.

“Bear in mind that insurance companies often have a self-interest in managing claims slowly, while it can be better for employers to get the workers back to work without delay,” Shaw says. “It can be cost effective to have an attorney on retainer for a couple of hours a month to push claims forward.”

While the business environment is becoming more sympathetic to the claims of injured workers, employers can take steps to mitigate the dangers.

“The financial health of the workers’ compensation system follows from businesses being in control of safety programs and managing claims effectively,” Sieberg says. “But employers have to be diligent. They have to stay on top of things.”

Phillip M. Perry is an award-winning journalist who is published widely in the fields of business management, workplace psychology and employment law.

Related: Navigating new risks in workers’ compensation

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The company says capturing fine particulate before it migrates can reduce exposure, maintenance and combustible-dust hazards.

<p>The post C&W DustTech introduces dust-collection system for transfer points first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

C&W DustTech launched a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system that is engineered for aggregate, mining and minerals producers seeking to reduce fugitive dust, improve plant safety and mitigate regulatory risk through airflow design.

The system will debut at ConExpo-Con/Agg.

While visible dust draws attention, C&W DustTech says fine particulate matter – often less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – presents the greater long-term operational risk. Without properly balanced airflow and enclosure design, transfer points can allow dust to migrate into surrounding work areas. Over time this contributes to elevated respirable exposure, increased maintenance costs, premature equipment wear, regulatory scrutiny and potential combustible dust hazards. 

“Transfer points are where many dust collection systems fall short,” says Steve Cook, mining, aggregate and cement segments manager at C&W DustTech. “Our engineers designed this dust collector to go beyond capturing dust you can see around your operations. By balancing airflow and integrating the collector with enclosure and ducting design, fine particulate is captured before it migrates into the plant, accumulates on equipment and creates safety risks.”

The new dust collector is designed to operate as part of a fully engineered dust-collection system. It includes filter media, ducting and related components.

“In heavy industry, dust is an inevitable part of moving material,” says Bill Werra, president of C&W DustTech. “What’s changed is the level of engineering and technology available to control it. Our singular focus on dust collection gives us a unique perspective.”

Those attending ConExpo-Con/Agg can see a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system in the Silver Lot (Booth SV2032) outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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A contingent of mentors has helped Zac Barbato steadily grow Keystone Crushing over the last three years.

<p>The post How Keystone Crushing was built from the ground up first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As a friend of his once put it: Every day is school day for Zac Barbato.

That’s the approach Barbato still takes more than three years into running Keystone Crushing, a custom mobile crushing company based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Even prior to starting the company in August 2022, Barbato has always had a thirst for knowledge. Throughout his career, he’s surrounded himself with mentors who have been more than willing to share what they know.

“This whole process has been full of examples of way smarter people than me being unbelievably generous with sharing what they have already learned with me,” Barbato says. “Whether it’s time, knowledge of crushing or, often, both. I’ve been blessed time and again to learn from so many great folks.”

It’s this collection of knowledge and experience that has helped Barbato turn Keystone Crushing, which he runs single-handedly, into what it is today: a company that can handle a variety of jobs.

“We process virgin rock; we had a 50,0000-ton job earlier this year,” Barbato says. “We do site projects. Those are a decent portion of our work, as well. We also work for asphalt plants. We’ve been to quite a few asphalt plants this year, crushing RAP that they’ll recycle back into their mix. It’s kind of all over the place.”

Barbato adds that his typical jobs are usually 10,000 tons or more, but it isn’t uncommon for him to take smaller jobs, as well.

Humble beginnings

Barbato knew from a young age that he wanted to be around equipment. He was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.

“My grandfather owned a construction company, so it was kind of in my blood,” he says. “From playing with equipment in the garden to moving dirt as a little kid, I was always interested in it. Anything to get me near equipment, I was totally game for.”

That’s why in 2016, at 14 years old, Barbato joined Townsend Construction and Engineering in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He began at the company sweeping and cleaning, but as he started getting experience with construction equipment, the lessons he learned in his nearly four-and-a-half years there were invaluable.

He credits company owner Bill Townsend with relaying much of that information.

“He was integral in laying the foundation of learning the basics of things that don’t get mentioned,” Barbato says. “How to work hard, attention to detail and hands-on experience from a young age. Like anything you learn when you’re younger, it becomes second nature as you get older.”

In 2020, Barbato began college at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg studying business administration and management. It was during his time in college that Keystone Crushing was born.

Through an entrepreneurship class he was in during his sophomore year, Barbato took part in the Impact Venture Challenge, a “Shark Tank”-style competition in which students pitched business ideas and could earn funding to get their business up and running.

Because his aunt and uncle owned a concrete yard, he came up with the idea to pitch a contract crushing company. Barbato came in second place and earned $3,000.

He then took his company idea to his aunt and uncle, Deb and Jeff Pierson. His uncle came on as a business partner to help Barbato get his company off the ground.

“They were instrumental in the beginnings of the business,” Barbato says. “My uncle is more of a silent partner, but he and his wife have been hugely valuable and made a lot of the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.”

With still two years left in college, Barbato had a full plate. He was attending school, working and playing NCAA Division III volleyball while laying the groundwork for Keystone Crushing.

“In the beginning, we ran really small equipment and I tried to learn as much as I could,” Barbato says. “There was a big project that came up to bid, and I didn’t know what I was doing. I figured, why not call somebody who knows what they’re doing.”

That got him in touch with Ryan Hanson and Joe Lynne of Hanson Custom Crushing in Minnesota. The company flew Barbato out to meet with them and spent several days sharing their crushing expertise.

“It was like drinking through a fire hose,” Barbato says. “They were unbelievably gracious to teach me and let me learn from what they were doing.”

Other sources of support as he built his brand, Barbato notes, were Joe Sokoloski of Heritage Excavating & Stone and Jared Keupfer of Arrow Crushing in Canada.

Getting to work

Barbato started taking smaller jobs in 2022, but he quickly grew his production capacity.

His first job was processing 2,200 tons with a bucket crusher. After that, he rented a crusher to do a 2,800-ton job, and the ensuing job was 66,000 tons.

So far in 2025, Keystone has crushed several hundred thousand tons.

“Crushing is a pretty relentless task,” Barbato says. “It’s nonstop, one thing after another. Long hours, long days and long weeks to make it all go.”

Keystone Crushing reached this point with a simple – yet effective – three-piece spread. Barbato uses a John Deere 350 P-Tier excavator to load material into a Kleemann Mobirex MR 110 Zi EVO2 mobile impact crusher. From there, material is stockpiled using an MGL 842T conveyor.

Barbato’s familiarity with Kleemann crushers dates to his visit to Hanson Custom Crushing.

“They run Kleemann’s out there, and that was one of the first crushers I saw up close and personal,” he says. “That helped me make the decision to go with Kleemann, as well as the product support we have locally. We rented a Kleemann and then ended up buying our own. The proof was in the pudding.”

His local dealer, Groff Tractor and Equipment, has been a phenomenal partner in keeping Barbato outfitted with the right equipment. The same goes for Kleemann representatives who have worked with Barbato first-hand.

“We’ve had great support from Groff Tractor, so there’s really no reason for us to consider going any other route,” Barbato says. “As anybody in crushing knows, you break parts all the time and you need good parts support. They do a great job of working with us and keeping us up and running.

“Evan Clarke with Kleemann and Wirtgen is also a huge piece of that puzzle,” he adds. “Same with Tom Jordan, our area rep with Kleemann.”

One of the first people Barbato interacted with at Groff was Bruce McKown. While he isn’t with the dealer anymore, Barbato says he has been a crucial part of his support system and remains a friend.

“He definitely took a risk in the beginning renting out the equipment to me,” Barbato says. “He stuck his neck out for me.”

Looking ahead

Just three years into building Keystone Crushing, Barbato continues to set his sights high.

“Growth is definitely a goal,” Barbato says. “What that will look like, it’s hard to say. I look at it like a road trip. Maybe you stop in a city along the way, find you like it and want to hang out there. Maybe that’s three crushing spreads, maybe it’s 10 spreads running all over.

“I don’t know exactly where we’re going to find ourselves in the next handful of years, but the goal is to grow,” he adds. “We want to be able to take on more customers in a larger radius surrounding where we’re at, as well.”

Related: How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates

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Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The […]

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Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The demonstration highlights the vibrating screen’s advanced design, which delivers virtually no vibrations to the structure, even under demanding conditions. This stability translates to longer equipment life, simplified maintenance and consistent performance, making it a standout solution for aggregates producers looking to maximize uptime and efficiency and lengthen the lifecycle of their equipment.

The next-generation design retains the technical benefits the original F-Class is known for, such as improving performance in material stratification and reducing blinding and pegging. The vibrating screen can be manufactured for side-tensioned or bottom deck end-tensioned screen media. The F-class vibrating screen is primarily manufactured with vibration-resistant lockbolts instead of traditional welding. Lockbolts are more effective at maintaining structural integrity during operation.

The F-Class is available with a variety of configurations and upgrades, and can be used in both stationary and portable applications.

<p>The post Haver & Boecker Niagara Next-Generation Niagara F-Class Vibrating Screen first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center […]

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center or contact them at www.majorflexmat.com.

Its advanced durability extends the overall wear life of screen media in applications like limestone operations where the PU strips typically wear out before the steel wire and affect the integrity of the screen media. The unique chemical compound we developed for our advanced PU strips hold up well against corrosive materials to ensure the strips match the lifespan of our OPTIMUMWIRE® and maintain screening integrity up to 10 times longer. The high frequency of OPTIMUMWIRE remains — 8,000 to 10,000 cycles per minute — to speed up material separation and passing. 

Like MAJOR’s standard polyurethane composition, the advanced PU strips are available for the FLEX-MAT Modular D, S and T Series. The new variant is not intended to completely replace the standard polyurethane.

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength. Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard […]

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength.

Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard in conveyor technology. Whether you’re optimizing a new system or upgrading an existing one, it offers unmatched durability and efficiency.

See it in person at CONEXPO CON/AGG, Booth C32075.

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce new radial OTR and industrial tire sizes, while Özka highlights models from its industrial and construction lineup.

<p>The post Double Coin, Özka unveiling tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce several new sizes of its REM radial OTR and industrial tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg, including 29-in., 33-in. and 35-in. products.

Double Coin will exhibit alongside Özka Tires in West Hall (Booth W42573) of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Özka will feature models from its industrial and construction lineup.

“ConExpo-Con/Agg is an important opportunity for us to connect directly with customers and industry partners,” says Aaron Murphy, senior vice president at CMA and Double Coin. “We’re excited to showcase current and new Double Coin and Özka products and discuss new programs and solutions that support real-world applications.”

ConExpo-Con/Agg takes place March 3-7.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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Rockydale Quarries Corp., which ranks 93rd on the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers list, has 10 locations.

<p>The post Rogers Group to acquire Rockydale, B&S Contracting first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Rogers Group reached an agreement to acquire Rockydale Quarries Corp. and its subsidiaries, including B&S Contracting.

The companies expect the deal to close April 10.

Rockydale Quarries, which was founded in 1932, ranks 93rd on the U.S. Geological Survey’s latest list of the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers. The company is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia.

Upon closing, Rockydale’s 10 locations, alongside B&S Contracting, will be integrated into RGI’s Carolinas and Virginia market area under Daniel Littell, who will oversee the alignment of business processes, safety programs and operational strategies to ensure a smooth transition. The current Rockydale management team will continue to lead day-to-day operations and report to Littell.

“Rogers Group is continually evaluating opportunities to expand,” says Jimmy Patton, president and CEO of Rogers Group. “Rockydale is a great fit – both culturally and strategically. We are honored to build on the Willis family’s legacy and combine resources and people in a way that makes Rogers Group even stronger.”

Ken Randolph, president and CEO of Rockydale Quarries, characterizes the deal as a “milestone moment” for Rockydale.

“The owners of Rockydale are proud of our long history and the company we’ve built,” Randolph says. “Rogers Group provides the best opportunity for us to continue growing while ensuring our employees have every chance to reach their full potential.”

Rockydale is the 13th company Rogers Group has added over the last two years. Rockydale and B&S Contracting employ 170 people, who will join Rogers Group’s workforce of more than 3,400.

Rogers Group’s footprint now extends to 13 states.

“We look for companies that share our vision and values – safety, quality, integrity and a commitment to community,” says Dan Lechleiter, vice president of business development at Rogers Group. “Rockydale exemplifies all of these, and we’re excited to welcome them into the Rogers Group family.”

Related: Check out the top 100 crushed stone producers list

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The Texas producer is gaining momentum with a high-output plant and a reliable dealer partner to match.

<p>The post How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Zech Canfield, owner of Canfield Materials, is no stranger to mining.

With nearly 15 years of experience in frac sand and a background rooted deep in the field, Canfield took a bold step by venturing into aggregates with the purchase of a limestone quarry in Blum, Texas.

Canfield’s opportunity came through his brother, who owns a pit just down the road from the current quarry. Canfield was introduced to the site’s former owner, sparking a new chapter in his career and ultimately launching Canfield Materials into the market.

Canfield Materials now runs an all-Powerscreen fleet of two jaw crushers, a cone crusher, two scalping screens and five conveyors.

High-output operation

Canfield Materials focuses on both tan and blue limestone.

While its blue limestone is more abundant and serves a broad range of uses, its tan limestone has proven to be in high demand due to its rarity. The quarry primarily produces road base, along with byproducts such as 2- to 5-in. oversize, 4- to 8-in. rock and 1-in. utility rock.

Customers pick up most of their materials on-site, but Canfield Materials also offers a direct and efficient distribution model within a 100-mile radius around Blum.

Canfield’s eyes are firmly set on high production, with a goal of hitting 2 million tpy. He knew early on that his success in aggregates would rely on partnering with the right equipment provider. And for Canfield Materials, that partner is Powerscreen Texas.

The right setup

Canfield’s relationship with Powerscreen Texas dates back to 2017, when he was working with another company in West Texas.

It was there he was first connected with Barry O’Reilly, vice president of Powerscreen Texas.

“Back then I rented equipment from Barry to screen frac sand, and when I made the move into aggregates, I knew exactly who to call,” Canfield says.

Today, Canfield Materials runs a robust equipment lineup that includes a Premiertrak 400X jaw crusher, a Premiertrak 450 jaw crusher, a Warrior 1800X scalping screen, a 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher, a Titan 1800 scalping screen and five CT80 stacking conveyors. These machines are the heartbeat of the operation.

The Premiertrak 400X, which is ideal for medium-scale quarrying, can achieve up to 441 tph. It includes user-friendly features such as hydraulic crusher setting adjustment and overload protection.

The 450 model, meanwhile, steps it up with a two-piece grizzly feeder and a direct-drive chamber for efficient fuel use and fast setup times. The Warrior 1800X reaches up to 689 tph.

On the secondary side, the 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher plays a crucial role, producing up to 330 tph with its high-capacity hopper and Scania engine. The plant is responsible for making Canfield Materials’ utility rock, which is one of the site’s staple products.

The Titan 1800 works aggressively to size material properly, with an output capacity of 661 tph thanks to a 16-ft. x 5-ft. double-deck screenbox. With five CT80 stackers in play, material movement and organization across the site is seamless.

From trial to commitment

Canfield is currently in a rent-to-buy arrangement with his Powerscreen machines, but with the production results he’s achieved so far, he’s making the move toward ownership.

“We had to prove ourselves first,” Canfield says. “Being new to aggregates, we needed to show we could keep up with demand. Now that we’ve seen what these machines can do, it’s a no-brainer to make them ours.

“I’ve worked a lot with other machines in various industries, including Powerscreen, and Powerscreen will outperform all others in every aspect,” he adds.

According to Canfield, the people at his dealer partner are what truly set it apart.

“Powerscreen Texas is a one-stop shop,” he says. “I tell them my output goals, and they get back to me with the right setup. Their knowledge and experience make all the difference.”

In addition to the machines, Canfield speaks highly of the dealer’s parts and service departments.

“Their response time, their expertise and the fact that they’re local – those are major advantages,” Canfield says. “It’s a real partnership.”

Scaling up

With a rapidly growing operation and a reliable equipment partner in Powerscreen Texas, Canfield is already looking ahead.

His expansion plans include duplicating his current equipment setup as he increases production capabilities at his current quarry.

“The goal is to keep scaling,” Canfield says. “As long as Powerscreen equipment keeps delivering, I’ll keep investing.”

Canfield’s transition from frac sand to aggregates may have only started in late 2024, but with his deep industry knowledge, proven operational performance and supplier partnership, Canfield Materials is poised to become a bigger name in Texas limestone for years to come.

Information for this article courtesy of Molson Group.

Related: Inside McCar Companies: A Texas producer on the rise

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Rising claim severity, medical inflation and regulatory change are challenging employers – and sharpening the focus on safety and claims management.

<p>The post Workers’ comp pressures ahead first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Employers, take a bow.

Your efforts to reduce workplace injuries have paid off big time.

“The number of reported accidents under the worker’s compensation system has been falling steadily in recent years,” says James J. Moore, president of J&L Risk Management Consultants. “The reason has been largely due to successful safety programs.”

The healthier workplace environment has attracted a good number of insurance companies to the workers’ compensation market, putting downward pressure on prices.

“In general, insurance companies find workers’ compensation to be a profitable line of business,” says Randy Sieberg, president of Workers Compensation Consultants. “As losses have been trending downward, the end result is a really decent claim experience.”

Danger ahead

Despite a mostly sunny workers’ compensation environment, employers should be wary of dark clouds gathering on the horizon. Foremost among them is an increase in expensive catastrophic claims, driven largely by advances in medical technology.

“While there’s been a soft insurance market for several years, those days might be numbered,” says Matt Morris, principal at World Insurance Associates. “The increasing incidence of million-dollar claims is going to start catching up with carriers.”

The mega claims are coming at the same time that more states are adjusting their fee schedules to reflect higher costs.

“We’re seeing many states increase workers’ compensation benefits across the board, adjusting for inflation, higher medical expenses and a rising cost of living,” Morris says. “And ever since COVID we’re seeing carriers covering a lot more mental health conditions and PTSD.”

Yet another danger emanates from Washington. While workers’ compensation is primarily a state-driven phenomenon, that doesn’t mean actions at the federal level can’t affect employer costs.

“We’re concerned about the possible negative effects of U.S. trade policy,” says Dennis Tierney, director of workers’ compensation claims at Marsh, a global insurance broker. “Employers who get impacted by tariffs may start cutting expenses, and that often means getting rid of employees. And reductions in force typically lead to an increase in workers’ compensation claims.”

Tierney says desperation can often feed such increases. People who lose their jobs often look for another source of income, with many finding it in the form of back pain or a similar condition that developed over the years and that could be deemed an occupational injury.

This temptation to assign workplace culpability comes while many states are passing laws reflecting a more liberal presumption – a term referring to the automatic determination that certain injuries are work-related, and thus compensable by the workers’ compensation system. It is up to the employer to prove otherwise.

Security cameras can help provide a defense against some of these instances.

“Having everything monitored is a best practice and a good way to avoid frivolous claims,” Morris says. “Many times, employees will be joking around and not doing the right things on a worksite and then claim a work-related injury when the video shows something else happening.”

Tariffs may lead to cost hikes for other reasons – escalating drug prices among them.

“Raw materials for drugs are a big part of medical spend,” Tierney says. “Duties on imported ingredients may result in bigger bills for end users.”

Tariffs can also have a deleterious effect on labor costs. A manufacturing reboot in the U.S. – the ultimate goal of the Trump administration tariff policy – may increase the demand for workers, putting upward pressure on wages.

“The administration’s restrictions on immigration could lead to the loss of cheaper labor, and thus affect workers’ compensation rates which are figured off wages,” Moore says.

Finally, trade policy can lead to more hiring of younger workers to fill the ranks of reshored employers. The replacement of retiring Boomers poses a particular risk.

“In five years, we figure that some 25 percent of employees are going to be Gen Zers,” says Rachel Shaw, a human resources consultant. “We are concerned that we may see more injuries as a result, since there is a question mark as to whether they are coming into the workforce with the same skills and training and experience.”

These upward payroll pressures are coming at a time when the federal government is deregulating workplace safety standards and reducing the number of workplace inspectors, according to Shaw.

“Some companies love the idea of deregulation because it can reduce immediate costs,” Shaw says. “But an increase in injuries might well raise costs over the longer term.”

The difficulty younger workers face in obtaining affordable health care may add fuel to the fire.

“We may see an increase in claims as people struggle with obtaining and maintaining medical care,” Shaw says. “We have in the past seen people use the workers’ comp system for either personal medical needs or as wage extension.”

More mental stress

The influx of younger workers can increase costs for two other reasons.

First, younger workers have a more liberal attitude toward the use of recreational marijuana.

“The younger generations see marijuana as more like beer or alcohol,” Shaw says. “We anticipate that as more states legalize recreational marijuana we’re going to continue to see some impact – especially in industries that require workers have balance and focus to do their job well and to be safe and not have catastrophic injuries.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that workers testing positive for marijuana were involved in 55 percent more industrial accidents, 85 percent more injuries and experienced 75 percent more absenteeism.

Additionally, mental health issues have much less stigma among members of the younger generations, who are more comfortable than Boomers discussing and claiming work-related stress. They also expect mental health support from their employers.

“Mental health claims seem to be the fastest-growing segment of the workers’ compensation picture,” Sieberg says. “While they currently don’t add up to a large percentage of overall claims, they can cost from two to five times the amount of traditional claims and run two to five times as long.”

Mental health claims are also more likely to be litigated, further escalating costs.

Many states are introducing regulations that help fuel the growth of mental health claims. For example, there is an increasing presumption of a work-related nature for reported psychological and stress-related injuries.

Furthermore, many states are no longer requiring that mental health claims be preceded by physical injuries. It used to be that a worker claiming work-related depression would have to show that a preceding event such as a back injury caused mental stress by keeping them from carrying out their normal daily routines.

“Today, employees might claim they were abused in the workplace by a coworker or a manager, or they witnessed an event that caused psychological damage,” Tierney says.

Reducing costs

Employers are not powerless to navigate the more challenging workers’ compensation landscape.

Indeed, the No. 1 defense is to establish the very workplace safety programs that have helped control costs to date.

“The claim that doesn’t happen is the least expensive claim,” Sieberg says. “Employers need to be proactive in creating programs that train employees on how to perform their work safely. That can include everything from making sure they’re wearing the right shoes and other protective equipment, to ensuring they’re lifting correctly and taking appropriate breaks.”

Quick claims processing can also help cap expenses.

“When an injury occurs, employers need to promptly report the matter to the carrier, then conduct an investigation into how the injury occurred and how the company can obviate similar incidents in the future,” Sieberg says. “When discussing the accident with employees, remember that the investigation is not about blame, but about learning how to eliminate future risks.”

Employers can also reduce costs by establishing effective claims management programs. The first step of such programs is empathetic communication with injured workers.

“One of the most expensive parts of workers’ compensation is litigation,” Shaw says. “Bear in mind that employees usually don’t sue employers because of injuries, but because they feel disbelieved, ostracized and unsupported. It’s an emotional reaction. And so I always encourage employers – especially smaller ones where lawsuits can threaten their livelihoods – to treat injured employees with concern.

“Employees should understand that you take their injuries seriously and you will stay on top of their treatment until they can return to work,” Shaw adds.

Prompt action

Prompt action is especially cost-effective for claims of psychological stress.

“The temptation by insurance companies is to delay mental health claims, especially during the first couple of months after a report,” Shaw says. “But what we know is that if we can get those people prompt behavioral support – even if we do not accept workplace responsibility – we can get them back to work more quickly and reduce claim cost and duration by up to 70 percent.”

Employers would also be wise to have a workers’ compensation attorney on call for shepherding injury cases, even if litigation is not anticipated.

“Bear in mind that insurance companies often have a self-interest in managing claims slowly, while it can be better for employers to get the workers back to work without delay,” Shaw says. “It can be cost effective to have an attorney on retainer for a couple of hours a month to push claims forward.”

While the business environment is becoming more sympathetic to the claims of injured workers, employers can take steps to mitigate the dangers.

“The financial health of the workers’ compensation system follows from businesses being in control of safety programs and managing claims effectively,” Sieberg says. “But employers have to be diligent. They have to stay on top of things.”

Phillip M. Perry is an award-winning journalist who is published widely in the fields of business management, workplace psychology and employment law.

Related: Navigating new risks in workers’ compensation

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The company says capturing fine particulate before it migrates can reduce exposure, maintenance and combustible-dust hazards.

<p>The post C&W DustTech introduces dust-collection system for transfer points first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

C&W DustTech launched a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system that is engineered for aggregate, mining and minerals producers seeking to reduce fugitive dust, improve plant safety and mitigate regulatory risk through airflow design.

The system will debut at ConExpo-Con/Agg.

While visible dust draws attention, C&W DustTech says fine particulate matter – often less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – presents the greater long-term operational risk. Without properly balanced airflow and enclosure design, transfer points can allow dust to migrate into surrounding work areas. Over time this contributes to elevated respirable exposure, increased maintenance costs, premature equipment wear, regulatory scrutiny and potential combustible dust hazards. 

“Transfer points are where many dust collection systems fall short,” says Steve Cook, mining, aggregate and cement segments manager at C&W DustTech. “Our engineers designed this dust collector to go beyond capturing dust you can see around your operations. By balancing airflow and integrating the collector with enclosure and ducting design, fine particulate is captured before it migrates into the plant, accumulates on equipment and creates safety risks.”

The new dust collector is designed to operate as part of a fully engineered dust-collection system. It includes filter media, ducting and related components.

“In heavy industry, dust is an inevitable part of moving material,” says Bill Werra, president of C&W DustTech. “What’s changed is the level of engineering and technology available to control it. Our singular focus on dust collection gives us a unique perspective.”

Those attending ConExpo-Con/Agg can see a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system in the Silver Lot (Booth SV2032) outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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A contingent of mentors has helped Zac Barbato steadily grow Keystone Crushing over the last three years.

<p>The post How Keystone Crushing was built from the ground up first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As a friend of his once put it: Every day is school day for Zac Barbato.

That’s the approach Barbato still takes more than three years into running Keystone Crushing, a custom mobile crushing company based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Even prior to starting the company in August 2022, Barbato has always had a thirst for knowledge. Throughout his career, he’s surrounded himself with mentors who have been more than willing to share what they know.

“This whole process has been full of examples of way smarter people than me being unbelievably generous with sharing what they have already learned with me,” Barbato says. “Whether it’s time, knowledge of crushing or, often, both. I’ve been blessed time and again to learn from so many great folks.”

It’s this collection of knowledge and experience that has helped Barbato turn Keystone Crushing, which he runs single-handedly, into what it is today: a company that can handle a variety of jobs.

“We process virgin rock; we had a 50,0000-ton job earlier this year,” Barbato says. “We do site projects. Those are a decent portion of our work, as well. We also work for asphalt plants. We’ve been to quite a few asphalt plants this year, crushing RAP that they’ll recycle back into their mix. It’s kind of all over the place.”

Barbato adds that his typical jobs are usually 10,000 tons or more, but it isn’t uncommon for him to take smaller jobs, as well.

Humble beginnings

Barbato knew from a young age that he wanted to be around equipment. He was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.

“My grandfather owned a construction company, so it was kind of in my blood,” he says. “From playing with equipment in the garden to moving dirt as a little kid, I was always interested in it. Anything to get me near equipment, I was totally game for.”

That’s why in 2016, at 14 years old, Barbato joined Townsend Construction and Engineering in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He began at the company sweeping and cleaning, but as he started getting experience with construction equipment, the lessons he learned in his nearly four-and-a-half years there were invaluable.

He credits company owner Bill Townsend with relaying much of that information.

“He was integral in laying the foundation of learning the basics of things that don’t get mentioned,” Barbato says. “How to work hard, attention to detail and hands-on experience from a young age. Like anything you learn when you’re younger, it becomes second nature as you get older.”

In 2020, Barbato began college at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg studying business administration and management. It was during his time in college that Keystone Crushing was born.

Through an entrepreneurship class he was in during his sophomore year, Barbato took part in the Impact Venture Challenge, a “Shark Tank”-style competition in which students pitched business ideas and could earn funding to get their business up and running.

Because his aunt and uncle owned a concrete yard, he came up with the idea to pitch a contract crushing company. Barbato came in second place and earned $3,000.

He then took his company idea to his aunt and uncle, Deb and Jeff Pierson. His uncle came on as a business partner to help Barbato get his company off the ground.

“They were instrumental in the beginnings of the business,” Barbato says. “My uncle is more of a silent partner, but he and his wife have been hugely valuable and made a lot of the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.”

With still two years left in college, Barbato had a full plate. He was attending school, working and playing NCAA Division III volleyball while laying the groundwork for Keystone Crushing.

“In the beginning, we ran really small equipment and I tried to learn as much as I could,” Barbato says. “There was a big project that came up to bid, and I didn’t know what I was doing. I figured, why not call somebody who knows what they’re doing.”

That got him in touch with Ryan Hanson and Joe Lynne of Hanson Custom Crushing in Minnesota. The company flew Barbato out to meet with them and spent several days sharing their crushing expertise.

“It was like drinking through a fire hose,” Barbato says. “They were unbelievably gracious to teach me and let me learn from what they were doing.”

Other sources of support as he built his brand, Barbato notes, were Joe Sokoloski of Heritage Excavating & Stone and Jared Keupfer of Arrow Crushing in Canada.

Getting to work

Barbato started taking smaller jobs in 2022, but he quickly grew his production capacity.

His first job was processing 2,200 tons with a bucket crusher. After that, he rented a crusher to do a 2,800-ton job, and the ensuing job was 66,000 tons.

So far in 2025, Keystone has crushed several hundred thousand tons.

“Crushing is a pretty relentless task,” Barbato says. “It’s nonstop, one thing after another. Long hours, long days and long weeks to make it all go.”

Keystone Crushing reached this point with a simple – yet effective – three-piece spread. Barbato uses a John Deere 350 P-Tier excavator to load material into a Kleemann Mobirex MR 110 Zi EVO2 mobile impact crusher. From there, material is stockpiled using an MGL 842T conveyor.

Barbato’s familiarity with Kleemann crushers dates to his visit to Hanson Custom Crushing.

“They run Kleemann’s out there, and that was one of the first crushers I saw up close and personal,” he says. “That helped me make the decision to go with Kleemann, as well as the product support we have locally. We rented a Kleemann and then ended up buying our own. The proof was in the pudding.”

His local dealer, Groff Tractor and Equipment, has been a phenomenal partner in keeping Barbato outfitted with the right equipment. The same goes for Kleemann representatives who have worked with Barbato first-hand.

“We’ve had great support from Groff Tractor, so there’s really no reason for us to consider going any other route,” Barbato says. “As anybody in crushing knows, you break parts all the time and you need good parts support. They do a great job of working with us and keeping us up and running.

“Evan Clarke with Kleemann and Wirtgen is also a huge piece of that puzzle,” he adds. “Same with Tom Jordan, our area rep with Kleemann.”

One of the first people Barbato interacted with at Groff was Bruce McKown. While he isn’t with the dealer anymore, Barbato says he has been a crucial part of his support system and remains a friend.

“He definitely took a risk in the beginning renting out the equipment to me,” Barbato says. “He stuck his neck out for me.”

Looking ahead

Just three years into building Keystone Crushing, Barbato continues to set his sights high.

“Growth is definitely a goal,” Barbato says. “What that will look like, it’s hard to say. I look at it like a road trip. Maybe you stop in a city along the way, find you like it and want to hang out there. Maybe that’s three crushing spreads, maybe it’s 10 spreads running all over.

“I don’t know exactly where we’re going to find ourselves in the next handful of years, but the goal is to grow,” he adds. “We want to be able to take on more customers in a larger radius surrounding where we’re at, as well.”

Related: How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates

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Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The […]

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Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The demonstration highlights the vibrating screen’s advanced design, which delivers virtually no vibrations to the structure, even under demanding conditions. This stability translates to longer equipment life, simplified maintenance and consistent performance, making it a standout solution for aggregates producers looking to maximize uptime and efficiency and lengthen the lifecycle of their equipment.

The next-generation design retains the technical benefits the original F-Class is known for, such as improving performance in material stratification and reducing blinding and pegging. The vibrating screen can be manufactured for side-tensioned or bottom deck end-tensioned screen media. The F-class vibrating screen is primarily manufactured with vibration-resistant lockbolts instead of traditional welding. Lockbolts are more effective at maintaining structural integrity during operation.

The F-Class is available with a variety of configurations and upgrades, and can be used in both stationary and portable applications.

<p>The post Haver & Boecker Niagara Next-Generation Niagara F-Class Vibrating Screen first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center […]

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center or contact them at www.majorflexmat.com.

Its advanced durability extends the overall wear life of screen media in applications like limestone operations where the PU strips typically wear out before the steel wire and affect the integrity of the screen media. The unique chemical compound we developed for our advanced PU strips hold up well against corrosive materials to ensure the strips match the lifespan of our OPTIMUMWIRE® and maintain screening integrity up to 10 times longer. The high frequency of OPTIMUMWIRE remains — 8,000 to 10,000 cycles per minute — to speed up material separation and passing. 

Like MAJOR’s standard polyurethane composition, the advanced PU strips are available for the FLEX-MAT Modular D, S and T Series. The new variant is not intended to completely replace the standard polyurethane.

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength. Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard […]

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength.

Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard in conveyor technology. Whether you’re optimizing a new system or upgrading an existing one, it offers unmatched durability and efficiency.

See it in person at CONEXPO CON/AGG, Booth C32075.

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce new radial OTR and industrial tire sizes, while Özka highlights models from its industrial and construction lineup.

<p>The post Double Coin, Özka unveiling tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce several new sizes of its REM radial OTR and industrial tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg, including 29-in., 33-in. and 35-in. products.

Double Coin will exhibit alongside Özka Tires in West Hall (Booth W42573) of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Özka will feature models from its industrial and construction lineup.

“ConExpo-Con/Agg is an important opportunity for us to connect directly with customers and industry partners,” says Aaron Murphy, senior vice president at CMA and Double Coin. “We’re excited to showcase current and new Double Coin and Özka products and discuss new programs and solutions that support real-world applications.”

ConExpo-Con/Agg takes place March 3-7.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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Rockydale Quarries Corp., which ranks 93rd on the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers list, has 10 locations.

<p>The post Rogers Group to acquire Rockydale, B&S Contracting first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Rogers Group reached an agreement to acquire Rockydale Quarries Corp. and its subsidiaries, including B&S Contracting.

The companies expect the deal to close April 10.

Rockydale Quarries, which was founded in 1932, ranks 93rd on the U.S. Geological Survey’s latest list of the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers. The company is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia.

Upon closing, Rockydale’s 10 locations, alongside B&S Contracting, will be integrated into RGI’s Carolinas and Virginia market area under Daniel Littell, who will oversee the alignment of business processes, safety programs and operational strategies to ensure a smooth transition. The current Rockydale management team will continue to lead day-to-day operations and report to Littell.

“Rogers Group is continually evaluating opportunities to expand,” says Jimmy Patton, president and CEO of Rogers Group. “Rockydale is a great fit – both culturally and strategically. We are honored to build on the Willis family’s legacy and combine resources and people in a way that makes Rogers Group even stronger.”

Ken Randolph, president and CEO of Rockydale Quarries, characterizes the deal as a “milestone moment” for Rockydale.

“The owners of Rockydale are proud of our long history and the company we’ve built,” Randolph says. “Rogers Group provides the best opportunity for us to continue growing while ensuring our employees have every chance to reach their full potential.”

Rockydale is the 13th company Rogers Group has added over the last two years. Rockydale and B&S Contracting employ 170 people, who will join Rogers Group’s workforce of more than 3,400.

Rogers Group’s footprint now extends to 13 states.

“We look for companies that share our vision and values – safety, quality, integrity and a commitment to community,” says Dan Lechleiter, vice president of business development at Rogers Group. “Rockydale exemplifies all of these, and we’re excited to welcome them into the Rogers Group family.”

Related: Check out the top 100 crushed stone producers list

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The Texas producer is gaining momentum with a high-output plant and a reliable dealer partner to match.

<p>The post How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Zech Canfield, owner of Canfield Materials, is no stranger to mining.

With nearly 15 years of experience in frac sand and a background rooted deep in the field, Canfield took a bold step by venturing into aggregates with the purchase of a limestone quarry in Blum, Texas.

Canfield’s opportunity came through his brother, who owns a pit just down the road from the current quarry. Canfield was introduced to the site’s former owner, sparking a new chapter in his career and ultimately launching Canfield Materials into the market.

Canfield Materials now runs an all-Powerscreen fleet of two jaw crushers, a cone crusher, two scalping screens and five conveyors.

High-output operation

Canfield Materials focuses on both tan and blue limestone.

While its blue limestone is more abundant and serves a broad range of uses, its tan limestone has proven to be in high demand due to its rarity. The quarry primarily produces road base, along with byproducts such as 2- to 5-in. oversize, 4- to 8-in. rock and 1-in. utility rock.

Customers pick up most of their materials on-site, but Canfield Materials also offers a direct and efficient distribution model within a 100-mile radius around Blum.

Canfield’s eyes are firmly set on high production, with a goal of hitting 2 million tpy. He knew early on that his success in aggregates would rely on partnering with the right equipment provider. And for Canfield Materials, that partner is Powerscreen Texas.

The right setup

Canfield’s relationship with Powerscreen Texas dates back to 2017, when he was working with another company in West Texas.

It was there he was first connected with Barry O’Reilly, vice president of Powerscreen Texas.

“Back then I rented equipment from Barry to screen frac sand, and when I made the move into aggregates, I knew exactly who to call,” Canfield says.

Today, Canfield Materials runs a robust equipment lineup that includes a Premiertrak 400X jaw crusher, a Premiertrak 450 jaw crusher, a Warrior 1800X scalping screen, a 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher, a Titan 1800 scalping screen and five CT80 stacking conveyors. These machines are the heartbeat of the operation.

The Premiertrak 400X, which is ideal for medium-scale quarrying, can achieve up to 441 tph. It includes user-friendly features such as hydraulic crusher setting adjustment and overload protection.

The 450 model, meanwhile, steps it up with a two-piece grizzly feeder and a direct-drive chamber for efficient fuel use and fast setup times. The Warrior 1800X reaches up to 689 tph.

On the secondary side, the 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher plays a crucial role, producing up to 330 tph with its high-capacity hopper and Scania engine. The plant is responsible for making Canfield Materials’ utility rock, which is one of the site’s staple products.

The Titan 1800 works aggressively to size material properly, with an output capacity of 661 tph thanks to a 16-ft. x 5-ft. double-deck screenbox. With five CT80 stackers in play, material movement and organization across the site is seamless.

From trial to commitment

Canfield is currently in a rent-to-buy arrangement with his Powerscreen machines, but with the production results he’s achieved so far, he’s making the move toward ownership.

“We had to prove ourselves first,” Canfield says. “Being new to aggregates, we needed to show we could keep up with demand. Now that we’ve seen what these machines can do, it’s a no-brainer to make them ours.

“I’ve worked a lot with other machines in various industries, including Powerscreen, and Powerscreen will outperform all others in every aspect,” he adds.

According to Canfield, the people at his dealer partner are what truly set it apart.

“Powerscreen Texas is a one-stop shop,” he says. “I tell them my output goals, and they get back to me with the right setup. Their knowledge and experience make all the difference.”

In addition to the machines, Canfield speaks highly of the dealer’s parts and service departments.

“Their response time, their expertise and the fact that they’re local – those are major advantages,” Canfield says. “It’s a real partnership.”

Scaling up

With a rapidly growing operation and a reliable equipment partner in Powerscreen Texas, Canfield is already looking ahead.

His expansion plans include duplicating his current equipment setup as he increases production capabilities at his current quarry.

“The goal is to keep scaling,” Canfield says. “As long as Powerscreen equipment keeps delivering, I’ll keep investing.”

Canfield’s transition from frac sand to aggregates may have only started in late 2024, but with his deep industry knowledge, proven operational performance and supplier partnership, Canfield Materials is poised to become a bigger name in Texas limestone for years to come.

Information for this article courtesy of Molson Group.

Related: Inside McCar Companies: A Texas producer on the rise

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Rising claim severity, medical inflation and regulatory change are challenging employers – and sharpening the focus on safety and claims management.

<p>The post Workers’ comp pressures ahead first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Employers, take a bow.

Your efforts to reduce workplace injuries have paid off big time.

“The number of reported accidents under the worker’s compensation system has been falling steadily in recent years,” says James J. Moore, president of J&L Risk Management Consultants. “The reason has been largely due to successful safety programs.”

The healthier workplace environment has attracted a good number of insurance companies to the workers’ compensation market, putting downward pressure on prices.

“In general, insurance companies find workers’ compensation to be a profitable line of business,” says Randy Sieberg, president of Workers Compensation Consultants. “As losses have been trending downward, the end result is a really decent claim experience.”

Danger ahead

Despite a mostly sunny workers’ compensation environment, employers should be wary of dark clouds gathering on the horizon. Foremost among them is an increase in expensive catastrophic claims, driven largely by advances in medical technology.

“While there’s been a soft insurance market for several years, those days might be numbered,” says Matt Morris, principal at World Insurance Associates. “The increasing incidence of million-dollar claims is going to start catching up with carriers.”

The mega claims are coming at the same time that more states are adjusting their fee schedules to reflect higher costs.

“We’re seeing many states increase workers’ compensation benefits across the board, adjusting for inflation, higher medical expenses and a rising cost of living,” Morris says. “And ever since COVID we’re seeing carriers covering a lot more mental health conditions and PTSD.”

Yet another danger emanates from Washington. While workers’ compensation is primarily a state-driven phenomenon, that doesn’t mean actions at the federal level can’t affect employer costs.

“We’re concerned about the possible negative effects of U.S. trade policy,” says Dennis Tierney, director of workers’ compensation claims at Marsh, a global insurance broker. “Employers who get impacted by tariffs may start cutting expenses, and that often means getting rid of employees. And reductions in force typically lead to an increase in workers’ compensation claims.”

Tierney says desperation can often feed such increases. People who lose their jobs often look for another source of income, with many finding it in the form of back pain or a similar condition that developed over the years and that could be deemed an occupational injury.

This temptation to assign workplace culpability comes while many states are passing laws reflecting a more liberal presumption – a term referring to the automatic determination that certain injuries are work-related, and thus compensable by the workers’ compensation system. It is up to the employer to prove otherwise.

Security cameras can help provide a defense against some of these instances.

“Having everything monitored is a best practice and a good way to avoid frivolous claims,” Morris says. “Many times, employees will be joking around and not doing the right things on a worksite and then claim a work-related injury when the video shows something else happening.”

Tariffs may lead to cost hikes for other reasons – escalating drug prices among them.

“Raw materials for drugs are a big part of medical spend,” Tierney says. “Duties on imported ingredients may result in bigger bills for end users.”

Tariffs can also have a deleterious effect on labor costs. A manufacturing reboot in the U.S. – the ultimate goal of the Trump administration tariff policy – may increase the demand for workers, putting upward pressure on wages.

“The administration’s restrictions on immigration could lead to the loss of cheaper labor, and thus affect workers’ compensation rates which are figured off wages,” Moore says.

Finally, trade policy can lead to more hiring of younger workers to fill the ranks of reshored employers. The replacement of retiring Boomers poses a particular risk.

“In five years, we figure that some 25 percent of employees are going to be Gen Zers,” says Rachel Shaw, a human resources consultant. “We are concerned that we may see more injuries as a result, since there is a question mark as to whether they are coming into the workforce with the same skills and training and experience.”

These upward payroll pressures are coming at a time when the federal government is deregulating workplace safety standards and reducing the number of workplace inspectors, according to Shaw.

“Some companies love the idea of deregulation because it can reduce immediate costs,” Shaw says. “But an increase in injuries might well raise costs over the longer term.”

The difficulty younger workers face in obtaining affordable health care may add fuel to the fire.

“We may see an increase in claims as people struggle with obtaining and maintaining medical care,” Shaw says. “We have in the past seen people use the workers’ comp system for either personal medical needs or as wage extension.”

More mental stress

The influx of younger workers can increase costs for two other reasons.

First, younger workers have a more liberal attitude toward the use of recreational marijuana.

“The younger generations see marijuana as more like beer or alcohol,” Shaw says. “We anticipate that as more states legalize recreational marijuana we’re going to continue to see some impact – especially in industries that require workers have balance and focus to do their job well and to be safe and not have catastrophic injuries.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that workers testing positive for marijuana were involved in 55 percent more industrial accidents, 85 percent more injuries and experienced 75 percent more absenteeism.

Additionally, mental health issues have much less stigma among members of the younger generations, who are more comfortable than Boomers discussing and claiming work-related stress. They also expect mental health support from their employers.

“Mental health claims seem to be the fastest-growing segment of the workers’ compensation picture,” Sieberg says. “While they currently don’t add up to a large percentage of overall claims, they can cost from two to five times the amount of traditional claims and run two to five times as long.”

Mental health claims are also more likely to be litigated, further escalating costs.

Many states are introducing regulations that help fuel the growth of mental health claims. For example, there is an increasing presumption of a work-related nature for reported psychological and stress-related injuries.

Furthermore, many states are no longer requiring that mental health claims be preceded by physical injuries. It used to be that a worker claiming work-related depression would have to show that a preceding event such as a back injury caused mental stress by keeping them from carrying out their normal daily routines.

“Today, employees might claim they were abused in the workplace by a coworker or a manager, or they witnessed an event that caused psychological damage,” Tierney says.

Reducing costs

Employers are not powerless to navigate the more challenging workers’ compensation landscape.

Indeed, the No. 1 defense is to establish the very workplace safety programs that have helped control costs to date.

“The claim that doesn’t happen is the least expensive claim,” Sieberg says. “Employers need to be proactive in creating programs that train employees on how to perform their work safely. That can include everything from making sure they’re wearing the right shoes and other protective equipment, to ensuring they’re lifting correctly and taking appropriate breaks.”

Quick claims processing can also help cap expenses.

“When an injury occurs, employers need to promptly report the matter to the carrier, then conduct an investigation into how the injury occurred and how the company can obviate similar incidents in the future,” Sieberg says. “When discussing the accident with employees, remember that the investigation is not about blame, but about learning how to eliminate future risks.”

Employers can also reduce costs by establishing effective claims management programs. The first step of such programs is empathetic communication with injured workers.

“One of the most expensive parts of workers’ compensation is litigation,” Shaw says. “Bear in mind that employees usually don’t sue employers because of injuries, but because they feel disbelieved, ostracized and unsupported. It’s an emotional reaction. And so I always encourage employers – especially smaller ones where lawsuits can threaten their livelihoods – to treat injured employees with concern.

“Employees should understand that you take their injuries seriously and you will stay on top of their treatment until they can return to work,” Shaw adds.

Prompt action

Prompt action is especially cost-effective for claims of psychological stress.

“The temptation by insurance companies is to delay mental health claims, especially during the first couple of months after a report,” Shaw says. “But what we know is that if we can get those people prompt behavioral support – even if we do not accept workplace responsibility – we can get them back to work more quickly and reduce claim cost and duration by up to 70 percent.”

Employers would also be wise to have a workers’ compensation attorney on call for shepherding injury cases, even if litigation is not anticipated.

“Bear in mind that insurance companies often have a self-interest in managing claims slowly, while it can be better for employers to get the workers back to work without delay,” Shaw says. “It can be cost effective to have an attorney on retainer for a couple of hours a month to push claims forward.”

While the business environment is becoming more sympathetic to the claims of injured workers, employers can take steps to mitigate the dangers.

“The financial health of the workers’ compensation system follows from businesses being in control of safety programs and managing claims effectively,” Sieberg says. “But employers have to be diligent. They have to stay on top of things.”

Phillip M. Perry is an award-winning journalist who is published widely in the fields of business management, workplace psychology and employment law.

Related: Navigating new risks in workers’ compensation

<p>The post Workers’ comp pressures ahead first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The company says capturing fine particulate before it migrates can reduce exposure, maintenance and combustible-dust hazards.

<p>The post C&W DustTech introduces dust-collection system for transfer points first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

C&W DustTech launched a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system that is engineered for aggregate, mining and minerals producers seeking to reduce fugitive dust, improve plant safety and mitigate regulatory risk through airflow design.

The system will debut at ConExpo-Con/Agg.

While visible dust draws attention, C&W DustTech says fine particulate matter – often less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – presents the greater long-term operational risk. Without properly balanced airflow and enclosure design, transfer points can allow dust to migrate into surrounding work areas. Over time this contributes to elevated respirable exposure, increased maintenance costs, premature equipment wear, regulatory scrutiny and potential combustible dust hazards. 

“Transfer points are where many dust collection systems fall short,” says Steve Cook, mining, aggregate and cement segments manager at C&W DustTech. “Our engineers designed this dust collector to go beyond capturing dust you can see around your operations. By balancing airflow and integrating the collector with enclosure and ducting design, fine particulate is captured before it migrates into the plant, accumulates on equipment and creates safety risks.”

The new dust collector is designed to operate as part of a fully engineered dust-collection system. It includes filter media, ducting and related components.

“In heavy industry, dust is an inevitable part of moving material,” says Bill Werra, president of C&W DustTech. “What’s changed is the level of engineering and technology available to control it. Our singular focus on dust collection gives us a unique perspective.”

Those attending ConExpo-Con/Agg can see a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system in the Silver Lot (Booth SV2032) outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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A contingent of mentors has helped Zac Barbato steadily grow Keystone Crushing over the last three years.

<p>The post How Keystone Crushing was built from the ground up first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As a friend of his once put it: Every day is school day for Zac Barbato.

That’s the approach Barbato still takes more than three years into running Keystone Crushing, a custom mobile crushing company based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Even prior to starting the company in August 2022, Barbato has always had a thirst for knowledge. Throughout his career, he’s surrounded himself with mentors who have been more than willing to share what they know.

“This whole process has been full of examples of way smarter people than me being unbelievably generous with sharing what they have already learned with me,” Barbato says. “Whether it’s time, knowledge of crushing or, often, both. I’ve been blessed time and again to learn from so many great folks.”

It’s this collection of knowledge and experience that has helped Barbato turn Keystone Crushing, which he runs single-handedly, into what it is today: a company that can handle a variety of jobs.

“We process virgin rock; we had a 50,0000-ton job earlier this year,” Barbato says. “We do site projects. Those are a decent portion of our work, as well. We also work for asphalt plants. We’ve been to quite a few asphalt plants this year, crushing RAP that they’ll recycle back into their mix. It’s kind of all over the place.”

Barbato adds that his typical jobs are usually 10,000 tons or more, but it isn’t uncommon for him to take smaller jobs, as well.

Humble beginnings

Barbato knew from a young age that he wanted to be around equipment. He was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.

“My grandfather owned a construction company, so it was kind of in my blood,” he says. “From playing with equipment in the garden to moving dirt as a little kid, I was always interested in it. Anything to get me near equipment, I was totally game for.”

That’s why in 2016, at 14 years old, Barbato joined Townsend Construction and Engineering in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He began at the company sweeping and cleaning, but as he started getting experience with construction equipment, the lessons he learned in his nearly four-and-a-half years there were invaluable.

He credits company owner Bill Townsend with relaying much of that information.

“He was integral in laying the foundation of learning the basics of things that don’t get mentioned,” Barbato says. “How to work hard, attention to detail and hands-on experience from a young age. Like anything you learn when you’re younger, it becomes second nature as you get older.”

In 2020, Barbato began college at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg studying business administration and management. It was during his time in college that Keystone Crushing was born.

Through an entrepreneurship class he was in during his sophomore year, Barbato took part in the Impact Venture Challenge, a “Shark Tank”-style competition in which students pitched business ideas and could earn funding to get their business up and running.

Because his aunt and uncle owned a concrete yard, he came up with the idea to pitch a contract crushing company. Barbato came in second place and earned $3,000.

He then took his company idea to his aunt and uncle, Deb and Jeff Pierson. His uncle came on as a business partner to help Barbato get his company off the ground.

“They were instrumental in the beginnings of the business,” Barbato says. “My uncle is more of a silent partner, but he and his wife have been hugely valuable and made a lot of the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.”

With still two years left in college, Barbato had a full plate. He was attending school, working and playing NCAA Division III volleyball while laying the groundwork for Keystone Crushing.

“In the beginning, we ran really small equipment and I tried to learn as much as I could,” Barbato says. “There was a big project that came up to bid, and I didn’t know what I was doing. I figured, why not call somebody who knows what they’re doing.”

That got him in touch with Ryan Hanson and Joe Lynne of Hanson Custom Crushing in Minnesota. The company flew Barbato out to meet with them and spent several days sharing their crushing expertise.

“It was like drinking through a fire hose,” Barbato says. “They were unbelievably gracious to teach me and let me learn from what they were doing.”

Other sources of support as he built his brand, Barbato notes, were Joe Sokoloski of Heritage Excavating & Stone and Jared Keupfer of Arrow Crushing in Canada.

Getting to work

Barbato started taking smaller jobs in 2022, but he quickly grew his production capacity.

His first job was processing 2,200 tons with a bucket crusher. After that, he rented a crusher to do a 2,800-ton job, and the ensuing job was 66,000 tons.

So far in 2025, Keystone has crushed several hundred thousand tons.

“Crushing is a pretty relentless task,” Barbato says. “It’s nonstop, one thing after another. Long hours, long days and long weeks to make it all go.”

Keystone Crushing reached this point with a simple – yet effective – three-piece spread. Barbato uses a John Deere 350 P-Tier excavator to load material into a Kleemann Mobirex MR 110 Zi EVO2 mobile impact crusher. From there, material is stockpiled using an MGL 842T conveyor.

Barbato’s familiarity with Kleemann crushers dates to his visit to Hanson Custom Crushing.

“They run Kleemann’s out there, and that was one of the first crushers I saw up close and personal,” he says. “That helped me make the decision to go with Kleemann, as well as the product support we have locally. We rented a Kleemann and then ended up buying our own. The proof was in the pudding.”

His local dealer, Groff Tractor and Equipment, has been a phenomenal partner in keeping Barbato outfitted with the right equipment. The same goes for Kleemann representatives who have worked with Barbato first-hand.

“We’ve had great support from Groff Tractor, so there’s really no reason for us to consider going any other route,” Barbato says. “As anybody in crushing knows, you break parts all the time and you need good parts support. They do a great job of working with us and keeping us up and running.

“Evan Clarke with Kleemann and Wirtgen is also a huge piece of that puzzle,” he adds. “Same with Tom Jordan, our area rep with Kleemann.”

One of the first people Barbato interacted with at Groff was Bruce McKown. While he isn’t with the dealer anymore, Barbato says he has been a crucial part of his support system and remains a friend.

“He definitely took a risk in the beginning renting out the equipment to me,” Barbato says. “He stuck his neck out for me.”

Looking ahead

Just three years into building Keystone Crushing, Barbato continues to set his sights high.

“Growth is definitely a goal,” Barbato says. “What that will look like, it’s hard to say. I look at it like a road trip. Maybe you stop in a city along the way, find you like it and want to hang out there. Maybe that’s three crushing spreads, maybe it’s 10 spreads running all over.

“I don’t know exactly where we’re going to find ourselves in the next handful of years, but the goal is to grow,” he adds. “We want to be able to take on more customers in a larger radius surrounding where we’re at, as well.”

Related: How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates

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Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The […]

<p>The post Haver & Boecker Niagara Next-Generation Niagara F-Class Vibrating Screen first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The demonstration highlights the vibrating screen’s advanced design, which delivers virtually no vibrations to the structure, even under demanding conditions. This stability translates to longer equipment life, simplified maintenance and consistent performance, making it a standout solution for aggregates producers looking to maximize uptime and efficiency and lengthen the lifecycle of their equipment.

The next-generation design retains the technical benefits the original F-Class is known for, such as improving performance in material stratification and reducing blinding and pegging. The vibrating screen can be manufactured for side-tensioned or bottom deck end-tensioned screen media. The F-class vibrating screen is primarily manufactured with vibration-resistant lockbolts instead of traditional welding. Lockbolts are more effective at maintaining structural integrity during operation.

The F-Class is available with a variety of configurations and upgrades, and can be used in both stationary and portable applications.

<p>The post Haver & Boecker Niagara Next-Generation Niagara F-Class Vibrating Screen first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center […]

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center or contact them at www.majorflexmat.com.

Its advanced durability extends the overall wear life of screen media in applications like limestone operations where the PU strips typically wear out before the steel wire and affect the integrity of the screen media. The unique chemical compound we developed for our advanced PU strips hold up well against corrosive materials to ensure the strips match the lifespan of our OPTIMUMWIRE® and maintain screening integrity up to 10 times longer. The high frequency of OPTIMUMWIRE remains — 8,000 to 10,000 cycles per minute — to speed up material separation and passing. 

Like MAJOR’s standard polyurethane composition, the advanced PU strips are available for the FLEX-MAT Modular D, S and T Series. The new variant is not intended to completely replace the standard polyurethane.

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength. Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard […]

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength.

Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard in conveyor technology. Whether you’re optimizing a new system or upgrading an existing one, it offers unmatched durability and efficiency.

See it in person at CONEXPO CON/AGG, Booth C32075.

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce new radial OTR and industrial tire sizes, while Özka highlights models from its industrial and construction lineup.

<p>The post Double Coin, Özka unveiling tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce several new sizes of its REM radial OTR and industrial tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg, including 29-in., 33-in. and 35-in. products.

Double Coin will exhibit alongside Özka Tires in West Hall (Booth W42573) of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Özka will feature models from its industrial and construction lineup.

“ConExpo-Con/Agg is an important opportunity for us to connect directly with customers and industry partners,” says Aaron Murphy, senior vice president at CMA and Double Coin. “We’re excited to showcase current and new Double Coin and Özka products and discuss new programs and solutions that support real-world applications.”

ConExpo-Con/Agg takes place March 3-7.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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Rockydale Quarries Corp., which ranks 93rd on the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers list, has 10 locations.

<p>The post Rogers Group to acquire Rockydale, B&S Contracting first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Rogers Group reached an agreement to acquire Rockydale Quarries Corp. and its subsidiaries, including B&S Contracting.

The companies expect the deal to close April 10.

Rockydale Quarries, which was founded in 1932, ranks 93rd on the U.S. Geological Survey’s latest list of the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers. The company is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia.

Upon closing, Rockydale’s 10 locations, alongside B&S Contracting, will be integrated into RGI’s Carolinas and Virginia market area under Daniel Littell, who will oversee the alignment of business processes, safety programs and operational strategies to ensure a smooth transition. The current Rockydale management team will continue to lead day-to-day operations and report to Littell.

“Rogers Group is continually evaluating opportunities to expand,” says Jimmy Patton, president and CEO of Rogers Group. “Rockydale is a great fit – both culturally and strategically. We are honored to build on the Willis family’s legacy and combine resources and people in a way that makes Rogers Group even stronger.”

Ken Randolph, president and CEO of Rockydale Quarries, characterizes the deal as a “milestone moment” for Rockydale.

“The owners of Rockydale are proud of our long history and the company we’ve built,” Randolph says. “Rogers Group provides the best opportunity for us to continue growing while ensuring our employees have every chance to reach their full potential.”

Rockydale is the 13th company Rogers Group has added over the last two years. Rockydale and B&S Contracting employ 170 people, who will join Rogers Group’s workforce of more than 3,400.

Rogers Group’s footprint now extends to 13 states.

“We look for companies that share our vision and values – safety, quality, integrity and a commitment to community,” says Dan Lechleiter, vice president of business development at Rogers Group. “Rockydale exemplifies all of these, and we’re excited to welcome them into the Rogers Group family.”

Related: Check out the top 100 crushed stone producers list

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The Texas producer is gaining momentum with a high-output plant and a reliable dealer partner to match.

<p>The post How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Zech Canfield, owner of Canfield Materials, is no stranger to mining.

With nearly 15 years of experience in frac sand and a background rooted deep in the field, Canfield took a bold step by venturing into aggregates with the purchase of a limestone quarry in Blum, Texas.

Canfield’s opportunity came through his brother, who owns a pit just down the road from the current quarry. Canfield was introduced to the site’s former owner, sparking a new chapter in his career and ultimately launching Canfield Materials into the market.

Canfield Materials now runs an all-Powerscreen fleet of two jaw crushers, a cone crusher, two scalping screens and five conveyors.

High-output operation

Canfield Materials focuses on both tan and blue limestone.

While its blue limestone is more abundant and serves a broad range of uses, its tan limestone has proven to be in high demand due to its rarity. The quarry primarily produces road base, along with byproducts such as 2- to 5-in. oversize, 4- to 8-in. rock and 1-in. utility rock.

Customers pick up most of their materials on-site, but Canfield Materials also offers a direct and efficient distribution model within a 100-mile radius around Blum.

Canfield’s eyes are firmly set on high production, with a goal of hitting 2 million tpy. He knew early on that his success in aggregates would rely on partnering with the right equipment provider. And for Canfield Materials, that partner is Powerscreen Texas.

The right setup

Canfield’s relationship with Powerscreen Texas dates back to 2017, when he was working with another company in West Texas.

It was there he was first connected with Barry O’Reilly, vice president of Powerscreen Texas.

“Back then I rented equipment from Barry to screen frac sand, and when I made the move into aggregates, I knew exactly who to call,” Canfield says.

Today, Canfield Materials runs a robust equipment lineup that includes a Premiertrak 400X jaw crusher, a Premiertrak 450 jaw crusher, a Warrior 1800X scalping screen, a 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher, a Titan 1800 scalping screen and five CT80 stacking conveyors. These machines are the heartbeat of the operation.

The Premiertrak 400X, which is ideal for medium-scale quarrying, can achieve up to 441 tph. It includes user-friendly features such as hydraulic crusher setting adjustment and overload protection.

The 450 model, meanwhile, steps it up with a two-piece grizzly feeder and a direct-drive chamber for efficient fuel use and fast setup times. The Warrior 1800X reaches up to 689 tph.

On the secondary side, the 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher plays a crucial role, producing up to 330 tph with its high-capacity hopper and Scania engine. The plant is responsible for making Canfield Materials’ utility rock, which is one of the site’s staple products.

The Titan 1800 works aggressively to size material properly, with an output capacity of 661 tph thanks to a 16-ft. x 5-ft. double-deck screenbox. With five CT80 stackers in play, material movement and organization across the site is seamless.

From trial to commitment

Canfield is currently in a rent-to-buy arrangement with his Powerscreen machines, but with the production results he’s achieved so far, he’s making the move toward ownership.

“We had to prove ourselves first,” Canfield says. “Being new to aggregates, we needed to show we could keep up with demand. Now that we’ve seen what these machines can do, it’s a no-brainer to make them ours.

“I’ve worked a lot with other machines in various industries, including Powerscreen, and Powerscreen will outperform all others in every aspect,” he adds.

According to Canfield, the people at his dealer partner are what truly set it apart.

“Powerscreen Texas is a one-stop shop,” he says. “I tell them my output goals, and they get back to me with the right setup. Their knowledge and experience make all the difference.”

In addition to the machines, Canfield speaks highly of the dealer’s parts and service departments.

“Their response time, their expertise and the fact that they’re local – those are major advantages,” Canfield says. “It’s a real partnership.”

Scaling up

With a rapidly growing operation and a reliable equipment partner in Powerscreen Texas, Canfield is already looking ahead.

His expansion plans include duplicating his current equipment setup as he increases production capabilities at his current quarry.

“The goal is to keep scaling,” Canfield says. “As long as Powerscreen equipment keeps delivering, I’ll keep investing.”

Canfield’s transition from frac sand to aggregates may have only started in late 2024, but with his deep industry knowledge, proven operational performance and supplier partnership, Canfield Materials is poised to become a bigger name in Texas limestone for years to come.

Information for this article courtesy of Molson Group.

Related: Inside McCar Companies: A Texas producer on the rise

<p>The post How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Rising claim severity, medical inflation and regulatory change are challenging employers – and sharpening the focus on safety and claims management.

<p>The post Workers’ comp pressures ahead first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Employers, take a bow.

Your efforts to reduce workplace injuries have paid off big time.

“The number of reported accidents under the worker’s compensation system has been falling steadily in recent years,” says James J. Moore, president of J&L Risk Management Consultants. “The reason has been largely due to successful safety programs.”

The healthier workplace environment has attracted a good number of insurance companies to the workers’ compensation market, putting downward pressure on prices.

“In general, insurance companies find workers’ compensation to be a profitable line of business,” says Randy Sieberg, president of Workers Compensation Consultants. “As losses have been trending downward, the end result is a really decent claim experience.”

Danger ahead

Despite a mostly sunny workers’ compensation environment, employers should be wary of dark clouds gathering on the horizon. Foremost among them is an increase in expensive catastrophic claims, driven largely by advances in medical technology.

“While there’s been a soft insurance market for several years, those days might be numbered,” says Matt Morris, principal at World Insurance Associates. “The increasing incidence of million-dollar claims is going to start catching up with carriers.”

The mega claims are coming at the same time that more states are adjusting their fee schedules to reflect higher costs.

“We’re seeing many states increase workers’ compensation benefits across the board, adjusting for inflation, higher medical expenses and a rising cost of living,” Morris says. “And ever since COVID we’re seeing carriers covering a lot more mental health conditions and PTSD.”

Yet another danger emanates from Washington. While workers’ compensation is primarily a state-driven phenomenon, that doesn’t mean actions at the federal level can’t affect employer costs.

“We’re concerned about the possible negative effects of U.S. trade policy,” says Dennis Tierney, director of workers’ compensation claims at Marsh, a global insurance broker. “Employers who get impacted by tariffs may start cutting expenses, and that often means getting rid of employees. And reductions in force typically lead to an increase in workers’ compensation claims.”

Tierney says desperation can often feed such increases. People who lose their jobs often look for another source of income, with many finding it in the form of back pain or a similar condition that developed over the years and that could be deemed an occupational injury.

This temptation to assign workplace culpability comes while many states are passing laws reflecting a more liberal presumption – a term referring to the automatic determination that certain injuries are work-related, and thus compensable by the workers’ compensation system. It is up to the employer to prove otherwise.

Security cameras can help provide a defense against some of these instances.

“Having everything monitored is a best practice and a good way to avoid frivolous claims,” Morris says. “Many times, employees will be joking around and not doing the right things on a worksite and then claim a work-related injury when the video shows something else happening.”

Tariffs may lead to cost hikes for other reasons – escalating drug prices among them.

“Raw materials for drugs are a big part of medical spend,” Tierney says. “Duties on imported ingredients may result in bigger bills for end users.”

Tariffs can also have a deleterious effect on labor costs. A manufacturing reboot in the U.S. – the ultimate goal of the Trump administration tariff policy – may increase the demand for workers, putting upward pressure on wages.

“The administration’s restrictions on immigration could lead to the loss of cheaper labor, and thus affect workers’ compensation rates which are figured off wages,” Moore says.

Finally, trade policy can lead to more hiring of younger workers to fill the ranks of reshored employers. The replacement of retiring Boomers poses a particular risk.

“In five years, we figure that some 25 percent of employees are going to be Gen Zers,” says Rachel Shaw, a human resources consultant. “We are concerned that we may see more injuries as a result, since there is a question mark as to whether they are coming into the workforce with the same skills and training and experience.”

These upward payroll pressures are coming at a time when the federal government is deregulating workplace safety standards and reducing the number of workplace inspectors, according to Shaw.

“Some companies love the idea of deregulation because it can reduce immediate costs,” Shaw says. “But an increase in injuries might well raise costs over the longer term.”

The difficulty younger workers face in obtaining affordable health care may add fuel to the fire.

“We may see an increase in claims as people struggle with obtaining and maintaining medical care,” Shaw says. “We have in the past seen people use the workers’ comp system for either personal medical needs or as wage extension.”

More mental stress

The influx of younger workers can increase costs for two other reasons.

First, younger workers have a more liberal attitude toward the use of recreational marijuana.

“The younger generations see marijuana as more like beer or alcohol,” Shaw says. “We anticipate that as more states legalize recreational marijuana we’re going to continue to see some impact – especially in industries that require workers have balance and focus to do their job well and to be safe and not have catastrophic injuries.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that workers testing positive for marijuana were involved in 55 percent more industrial accidents, 85 percent more injuries and experienced 75 percent more absenteeism.

Additionally, mental health issues have much less stigma among members of the younger generations, who are more comfortable than Boomers discussing and claiming work-related stress. They also expect mental health support from their employers.

“Mental health claims seem to be the fastest-growing segment of the workers’ compensation picture,” Sieberg says. “While they currently don’t add up to a large percentage of overall claims, they can cost from two to five times the amount of traditional claims and run two to five times as long.”

Mental health claims are also more likely to be litigated, further escalating costs.

Many states are introducing regulations that help fuel the growth of mental health claims. For example, there is an increasing presumption of a work-related nature for reported psychological and stress-related injuries.

Furthermore, many states are no longer requiring that mental health claims be preceded by physical injuries. It used to be that a worker claiming work-related depression would have to show that a preceding event such as a back injury caused mental stress by keeping them from carrying out their normal daily routines.

“Today, employees might claim they were abused in the workplace by a coworker or a manager, or they witnessed an event that caused psychological damage,” Tierney says.

Reducing costs

Employers are not powerless to navigate the more challenging workers’ compensation landscape.

Indeed, the No. 1 defense is to establish the very workplace safety programs that have helped control costs to date.

“The claim that doesn’t happen is the least expensive claim,” Sieberg says. “Employers need to be proactive in creating programs that train employees on how to perform their work safely. That can include everything from making sure they’re wearing the right shoes and other protective equipment, to ensuring they’re lifting correctly and taking appropriate breaks.”

Quick claims processing can also help cap expenses.

“When an injury occurs, employers need to promptly report the matter to the carrier, then conduct an investigation into how the injury occurred and how the company can obviate similar incidents in the future,” Sieberg says. “When discussing the accident with employees, remember that the investigation is not about blame, but about learning how to eliminate future risks.”

Employers can also reduce costs by establishing effective claims management programs. The first step of such programs is empathetic communication with injured workers.

“One of the most expensive parts of workers’ compensation is litigation,” Shaw says. “Bear in mind that employees usually don’t sue employers because of injuries, but because they feel disbelieved, ostracized and unsupported. It’s an emotional reaction. And so I always encourage employers – especially smaller ones where lawsuits can threaten their livelihoods – to treat injured employees with concern.

“Employees should understand that you take their injuries seriously and you will stay on top of their treatment until they can return to work,” Shaw adds.

Prompt action

Prompt action is especially cost-effective for claims of psychological stress.

“The temptation by insurance companies is to delay mental health claims, especially during the first couple of months after a report,” Shaw says. “But what we know is that if we can get those people prompt behavioral support – even if we do not accept workplace responsibility – we can get them back to work more quickly and reduce claim cost and duration by up to 70 percent.”

Employers would also be wise to have a workers’ compensation attorney on call for shepherding injury cases, even if litigation is not anticipated.

“Bear in mind that insurance companies often have a self-interest in managing claims slowly, while it can be better for employers to get the workers back to work without delay,” Shaw says. “It can be cost effective to have an attorney on retainer for a couple of hours a month to push claims forward.”

While the business environment is becoming more sympathetic to the claims of injured workers, employers can take steps to mitigate the dangers.

“The financial health of the workers’ compensation system follows from businesses being in control of safety programs and managing claims effectively,” Sieberg says. “But employers have to be diligent. They have to stay on top of things.”

Phillip M. Perry is an award-winning journalist who is published widely in the fields of business management, workplace psychology and employment law.

Related: Navigating new risks in workers’ compensation

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The company says capturing fine particulate before it migrates can reduce exposure, maintenance and combustible-dust hazards.

<p>The post C&W DustTech introduces dust-collection system for transfer points first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

C&W DustTech launched a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system that is engineered for aggregate, mining and minerals producers seeking to reduce fugitive dust, improve plant safety and mitigate regulatory risk through airflow design.

The system will debut at ConExpo-Con/Agg.

While visible dust draws attention, C&W DustTech says fine particulate matter – often less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – presents the greater long-term operational risk. Without properly balanced airflow and enclosure design, transfer points can allow dust to migrate into surrounding work areas. Over time this contributes to elevated respirable exposure, increased maintenance costs, premature equipment wear, regulatory scrutiny and potential combustible dust hazards. 

“Transfer points are where many dust collection systems fall short,” says Steve Cook, mining, aggregate and cement segments manager at C&W DustTech. “Our engineers designed this dust collector to go beyond capturing dust you can see around your operations. By balancing airflow and integrating the collector with enclosure and ducting design, fine particulate is captured before it migrates into the plant, accumulates on equipment and creates safety risks.”

The new dust collector is designed to operate as part of a fully engineered dust-collection system. It includes filter media, ducting and related components.

“In heavy industry, dust is an inevitable part of moving material,” says Bill Werra, president of C&W DustTech. “What’s changed is the level of engineering and technology available to control it. Our singular focus on dust collection gives us a unique perspective.”

Those attending ConExpo-Con/Agg can see a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system in the Silver Lot (Booth SV2032) outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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A contingent of mentors has helped Zac Barbato steadily grow Keystone Crushing over the last three years.

<p>The post How Keystone Crushing was built from the ground up first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As a friend of his once put it: Every day is school day for Zac Barbato.

That’s the approach Barbato still takes more than three years into running Keystone Crushing, a custom mobile crushing company based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Even prior to starting the company in August 2022, Barbato has always had a thirst for knowledge. Throughout his career, he’s surrounded himself with mentors who have been more than willing to share what they know.

“This whole process has been full of examples of way smarter people than me being unbelievably generous with sharing what they have already learned with me,” Barbato says. “Whether it’s time, knowledge of crushing or, often, both. I’ve been blessed time and again to learn from so many great folks.”

It’s this collection of knowledge and experience that has helped Barbato turn Keystone Crushing, which he runs single-handedly, into what it is today: a company that can handle a variety of jobs.

“We process virgin rock; we had a 50,0000-ton job earlier this year,” Barbato says. “We do site projects. Those are a decent portion of our work, as well. We also work for asphalt plants. We’ve been to quite a few asphalt plants this year, crushing RAP that they’ll recycle back into their mix. It’s kind of all over the place.”

Barbato adds that his typical jobs are usually 10,000 tons or more, but it isn’t uncommon for him to take smaller jobs, as well.

Humble beginnings

Barbato knew from a young age that he wanted to be around equipment. He was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.

“My grandfather owned a construction company, so it was kind of in my blood,” he says. “From playing with equipment in the garden to moving dirt as a little kid, I was always interested in it. Anything to get me near equipment, I was totally game for.”

That’s why in 2016, at 14 years old, Barbato joined Townsend Construction and Engineering in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He began at the company sweeping and cleaning, but as he started getting experience with construction equipment, the lessons he learned in his nearly four-and-a-half years there were invaluable.

He credits company owner Bill Townsend with relaying much of that information.

“He was integral in laying the foundation of learning the basics of things that don’t get mentioned,” Barbato says. “How to work hard, attention to detail and hands-on experience from a young age. Like anything you learn when you’re younger, it becomes second nature as you get older.”

In 2020, Barbato began college at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg studying business administration and management. It was during his time in college that Keystone Crushing was born.

Through an entrepreneurship class he was in during his sophomore year, Barbato took part in the Impact Venture Challenge, a “Shark Tank”-style competition in which students pitched business ideas and could earn funding to get their business up and running.

Because his aunt and uncle owned a concrete yard, he came up with the idea to pitch a contract crushing company. Barbato came in second place and earned $3,000.

He then took his company idea to his aunt and uncle, Deb and Jeff Pierson. His uncle came on as a business partner to help Barbato get his company off the ground.

“They were instrumental in the beginnings of the business,” Barbato says. “My uncle is more of a silent partner, but he and his wife have been hugely valuable and made a lot of the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.”

With still two years left in college, Barbato had a full plate. He was attending school, working and playing NCAA Division III volleyball while laying the groundwork for Keystone Crushing.

“In the beginning, we ran really small equipment and I tried to learn as much as I could,” Barbato says. “There was a big project that came up to bid, and I didn’t know what I was doing. I figured, why not call somebody who knows what they’re doing.”

That got him in touch with Ryan Hanson and Joe Lynne of Hanson Custom Crushing in Minnesota. The company flew Barbato out to meet with them and spent several days sharing their crushing expertise.

“It was like drinking through a fire hose,” Barbato says. “They were unbelievably gracious to teach me and let me learn from what they were doing.”

Other sources of support as he built his brand, Barbato notes, were Joe Sokoloski of Heritage Excavating & Stone and Jared Keupfer of Arrow Crushing in Canada.

Getting to work

Barbato started taking smaller jobs in 2022, but he quickly grew his production capacity.

His first job was processing 2,200 tons with a bucket crusher. After that, he rented a crusher to do a 2,800-ton job, and the ensuing job was 66,000 tons.

So far in 2025, Keystone has crushed several hundred thousand tons.

“Crushing is a pretty relentless task,” Barbato says. “It’s nonstop, one thing after another. Long hours, long days and long weeks to make it all go.”

Keystone Crushing reached this point with a simple – yet effective – three-piece spread. Barbato uses a John Deere 350 P-Tier excavator to load material into a Kleemann Mobirex MR 110 Zi EVO2 mobile impact crusher. From there, material is stockpiled using an MGL 842T conveyor.

Barbato’s familiarity with Kleemann crushers dates to his visit to Hanson Custom Crushing.

“They run Kleemann’s out there, and that was one of the first crushers I saw up close and personal,” he says. “That helped me make the decision to go with Kleemann, as well as the product support we have locally. We rented a Kleemann and then ended up buying our own. The proof was in the pudding.”

His local dealer, Groff Tractor and Equipment, has been a phenomenal partner in keeping Barbato outfitted with the right equipment. The same goes for Kleemann representatives who have worked with Barbato first-hand.

“We’ve had great support from Groff Tractor, so there’s really no reason for us to consider going any other route,” Barbato says. “As anybody in crushing knows, you break parts all the time and you need good parts support. They do a great job of working with us and keeping us up and running.

“Evan Clarke with Kleemann and Wirtgen is also a huge piece of that puzzle,” he adds. “Same with Tom Jordan, our area rep with Kleemann.”

One of the first people Barbato interacted with at Groff was Bruce McKown. While he isn’t with the dealer anymore, Barbato says he has been a crucial part of his support system and remains a friend.

“He definitely took a risk in the beginning renting out the equipment to me,” Barbato says. “He stuck his neck out for me.”

Looking ahead

Just three years into building Keystone Crushing, Barbato continues to set his sights high.

“Growth is definitely a goal,” Barbato says. “What that will look like, it’s hard to say. I look at it like a road trip. Maybe you stop in a city along the way, find you like it and want to hang out there. Maybe that’s three crushing spreads, maybe it’s 10 spreads running all over.

“I don’t know exactly where we’re going to find ourselves in the next handful of years, but the goal is to grow,” he adds. “We want to be able to take on more customers in a larger radius surrounding where we’re at, as well.”

Related: How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates

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Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The […]

<p>The post Haver & Boecker Niagara Next-Generation Niagara F-Class Vibrating Screen first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The demonstration highlights the vibrating screen’s advanced design, which delivers virtually no vibrations to the structure, even under demanding conditions. This stability translates to longer equipment life, simplified maintenance and consistent performance, making it a standout solution for aggregates producers looking to maximize uptime and efficiency and lengthen the lifecycle of their equipment.

The next-generation design retains the technical benefits the original F-Class is known for, such as improving performance in material stratification and reducing blinding and pegging. The vibrating screen can be manufactured for side-tensioned or bottom deck end-tensioned screen media. The F-class vibrating screen is primarily manufactured with vibration-resistant lockbolts instead of traditional welding. Lockbolts are more effective at maintaining structural integrity during operation.

The F-Class is available with a variety of configurations and upgrades, and can be used in both stationary and portable applications.

<p>The post Haver & Boecker Niagara Next-Generation Niagara F-Class Vibrating Screen first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center […]

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center or contact them at www.majorflexmat.com.

Its advanced durability extends the overall wear life of screen media in applications like limestone operations where the PU strips typically wear out before the steel wire and affect the integrity of the screen media. The unique chemical compound we developed for our advanced PU strips hold up well against corrosive materials to ensure the strips match the lifespan of our OPTIMUMWIRE® and maintain screening integrity up to 10 times longer. The high frequency of OPTIMUMWIRE remains — 8,000 to 10,000 cycles per minute — to speed up material separation and passing. 

Like MAJOR’s standard polyurethane composition, the advanced PU strips are available for the FLEX-MAT Modular D, S and T Series. The new variant is not intended to completely replace the standard polyurethane.

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength. Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard […]

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength.

Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard in conveyor technology. Whether you’re optimizing a new system or upgrading an existing one, it offers unmatched durability and efficiency.

See it in person at CONEXPO CON/AGG, Booth C32075.

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce new radial OTR and industrial tire sizes, while Özka highlights models from its industrial and construction lineup.

<p>The post Double Coin, Özka unveiling tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Double Coin will introduce several new sizes of its REM radial OTR and industrial tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg, including 29-in., 33-in. and 35-in. products.

Double Coin will exhibit alongside Özka Tires in West Hall (Booth W42573) of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Özka will feature models from its industrial and construction lineup.

“ConExpo-Con/Agg is an important opportunity for us to connect directly with customers and industry partners,” says Aaron Murphy, senior vice president at CMA and Double Coin. “We’re excited to showcase current and new Double Coin and Özka products and discuss new programs and solutions that support real-world applications.”

ConExpo-Con/Agg takes place March 3-7.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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Rockydale Quarries Corp., which ranks 93rd on the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers list, has 10 locations.

<p>The post Rogers Group to acquire Rockydale, B&S Contracting first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Rogers Group reached an agreement to acquire Rockydale Quarries Corp. and its subsidiaries, including B&S Contracting.

The companies expect the deal to close April 10.

Rockydale Quarries, which was founded in 1932, ranks 93rd on the U.S. Geological Survey’s latest list of the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers. The company is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia.

Upon closing, Rockydale’s 10 locations, alongside B&S Contracting, will be integrated into RGI’s Carolinas and Virginia market area under Daniel Littell, who will oversee the alignment of business processes, safety programs and operational strategies to ensure a smooth transition. The current Rockydale management team will continue to lead day-to-day operations and report to Littell.

“Rogers Group is continually evaluating opportunities to expand,” says Jimmy Patton, president and CEO of Rogers Group. “Rockydale is a great fit – both culturally and strategically. We are honored to build on the Willis family’s legacy and combine resources and people in a way that makes Rogers Group even stronger.”

Ken Randolph, president and CEO of Rockydale Quarries, characterizes the deal as a “milestone moment” for Rockydale.

“The owners of Rockydale are proud of our long history and the company we’ve built,” Randolph says. “Rogers Group provides the best opportunity for us to continue growing while ensuring our employees have every chance to reach their full potential.”

Rockydale is the 13th company Rogers Group has added over the last two years. Rockydale and B&S Contracting employ 170 people, who will join Rogers Group’s workforce of more than 3,400.

Rogers Group’s footprint now extends to 13 states.

“We look for companies that share our vision and values – safety, quality, integrity and a commitment to community,” says Dan Lechleiter, vice president of business development at Rogers Group. “Rockydale exemplifies all of these, and we’re excited to welcome them into the Rogers Group family.”

Related: Check out the top 100 crushed stone producers list

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The Texas producer is gaining momentum with a high-output plant and a reliable dealer partner to match.

<p>The post How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Zech Canfield, owner of Canfield Materials, is no stranger to mining.

With nearly 15 years of experience in frac sand and a background rooted deep in the field, Canfield took a bold step by venturing into aggregates with the purchase of a limestone quarry in Blum, Texas.

Canfield’s opportunity came through his brother, who owns a pit just down the road from the current quarry. Canfield was introduced to the site’s former owner, sparking a new chapter in his career and ultimately launching Canfield Materials into the market.

Canfield Materials now runs an all-Powerscreen fleet of two jaw crushers, a cone crusher, two scalping screens and five conveyors.

High-output operation

Canfield Materials focuses on both tan and blue limestone.

While its blue limestone is more abundant and serves a broad range of uses, its tan limestone has proven to be in high demand due to its rarity. The quarry primarily produces road base, along with byproducts such as 2- to 5-in. oversize, 4- to 8-in. rock and 1-in. utility rock.

Customers pick up most of their materials on-site, but Canfield Materials also offers a direct and efficient distribution model within a 100-mile radius around Blum.

Canfield’s eyes are firmly set on high production, with a goal of hitting 2 million tpy. He knew early on that his success in aggregates would rely on partnering with the right equipment provider. And for Canfield Materials, that partner is Powerscreen Texas.

The right setup

Canfield’s relationship with Powerscreen Texas dates back to 2017, when he was working with another company in West Texas.

It was there he was first connected with Barry O’Reilly, vice president of Powerscreen Texas.

“Back then I rented equipment from Barry to screen frac sand, and when I made the move into aggregates, I knew exactly who to call,” Canfield says.

Today, Canfield Materials runs a robust equipment lineup that includes a Premiertrak 400X jaw crusher, a Premiertrak 450 jaw crusher, a Warrior 1800X scalping screen, a 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher, a Titan 1800 scalping screen and five CT80 stacking conveyors. These machines are the heartbeat of the operation.

The Premiertrak 400X, which is ideal for medium-scale quarrying, can achieve up to 441 tph. It includes user-friendly features such as hydraulic crusher setting adjustment and overload protection.

The 450 model, meanwhile, steps it up with a two-piece grizzly feeder and a direct-drive chamber for efficient fuel use and fast setup times. The Warrior 1800X reaches up to 689 tph.

On the secondary side, the 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher plays a crucial role, producing up to 330 tph with its high-capacity hopper and Scania engine. The plant is responsible for making Canfield Materials’ utility rock, which is one of the site’s staple products.

The Titan 1800 works aggressively to size material properly, with an output capacity of 661 tph thanks to a 16-ft. x 5-ft. double-deck screenbox. With five CT80 stackers in play, material movement and organization across the site is seamless.

From trial to commitment

Canfield is currently in a rent-to-buy arrangement with his Powerscreen machines, but with the production results he’s achieved so far, he’s making the move toward ownership.

“We had to prove ourselves first,” Canfield says. “Being new to aggregates, we needed to show we could keep up with demand. Now that we’ve seen what these machines can do, it’s a no-brainer to make them ours.

“I’ve worked a lot with other machines in various industries, including Powerscreen, and Powerscreen will outperform all others in every aspect,” he adds.

According to Canfield, the people at his dealer partner are what truly set it apart.

“Powerscreen Texas is a one-stop shop,” he says. “I tell them my output goals, and they get back to me with the right setup. Their knowledge and experience make all the difference.”

In addition to the machines, Canfield speaks highly of the dealer’s parts and service departments.

“Their response time, their expertise and the fact that they’re local – those are major advantages,” Canfield says. “It’s a real partnership.”

Scaling up

With a rapidly growing operation and a reliable equipment partner in Powerscreen Texas, Canfield is already looking ahead.

His expansion plans include duplicating his current equipment setup as he increases production capabilities at his current quarry.

“The goal is to keep scaling,” Canfield says. “As long as Powerscreen equipment keeps delivering, I’ll keep investing.”

Canfield’s transition from frac sand to aggregates may have only started in late 2024, but with his deep industry knowledge, proven operational performance and supplier partnership, Canfield Materials is poised to become a bigger name in Texas limestone for years to come.

Information for this article courtesy of Molson Group.

Related: Inside McCar Companies: A Texas producer on the rise

<p>The post How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Rising claim severity, medical inflation and regulatory change are challenging employers – and sharpening the focus on safety and claims management.

<p>The post Workers’ comp pressures ahead first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Employers, take a bow.

Your efforts to reduce workplace injuries have paid off big time.

“The number of reported accidents under the worker’s compensation system has been falling steadily in recent years,” says James J. Moore, president of J&L Risk Management Consultants. “The reason has been largely due to successful safety programs.”

The healthier workplace environment has attracted a good number of insurance companies to the workers’ compensation market, putting downward pressure on prices.

“In general, insurance companies find workers’ compensation to be a profitable line of business,” says Randy Sieberg, president of Workers Compensation Consultants. “As losses have been trending downward, the end result is a really decent claim experience.”

Danger ahead

Despite a mostly sunny workers’ compensation environment, employers should be wary of dark clouds gathering on the horizon. Foremost among them is an increase in expensive catastrophic claims, driven largely by advances in medical technology.

“While there’s been a soft insurance market for several years, those days might be numbered,” says Matt Morris, principal at World Insurance Associates. “The increasing incidence of million-dollar claims is going to start catching up with carriers.”

The mega claims are coming at the same time that more states are adjusting their fee schedules to reflect higher costs.

“We’re seeing many states increase workers’ compensation benefits across the board, adjusting for inflation, higher medical expenses and a rising cost of living,” Morris says. “And ever since COVID we’re seeing carriers covering a lot more mental health conditions and PTSD.”

Yet another danger emanates from Washington. While workers’ compensation is primarily a state-driven phenomenon, that doesn’t mean actions at the federal level can’t affect employer costs.

“We’re concerned about the possible negative effects of U.S. trade policy,” says Dennis Tierney, director of workers’ compensation claims at Marsh, a global insurance broker. “Employers who get impacted by tariffs may start cutting expenses, and that often means getting rid of employees. And reductions in force typically lead to an increase in workers’ compensation claims.”

Tierney says desperation can often feed such increases. People who lose their jobs often look for another source of income, with many finding it in the form of back pain or a similar condition that developed over the years and that could be deemed an occupational injury.

This temptation to assign workplace culpability comes while many states are passing laws reflecting a more liberal presumption – a term referring to the automatic determination that certain injuries are work-related, and thus compensable by the workers’ compensation system. It is up to the employer to prove otherwise.

Security cameras can help provide a defense against some of these instances.

“Having everything monitored is a best practice and a good way to avoid frivolous claims,” Morris says. “Many times, employees will be joking around and not doing the right things on a worksite and then claim a work-related injury when the video shows something else happening.”

Tariffs may lead to cost hikes for other reasons – escalating drug prices among them.

“Raw materials for drugs are a big part of medical spend,” Tierney says. “Duties on imported ingredients may result in bigger bills for end users.”

Tariffs can also have a deleterious effect on labor costs. A manufacturing reboot in the U.S. – the ultimate goal of the Trump administration tariff policy – may increase the demand for workers, putting upward pressure on wages.

“The administration’s restrictions on immigration could lead to the loss of cheaper labor, and thus affect workers’ compensation rates which are figured off wages,” Moore says.

Finally, trade policy can lead to more hiring of younger workers to fill the ranks of reshored employers. The replacement of retiring Boomers poses a particular risk.

“In five years, we figure that some 25 percent of employees are going to be Gen Zers,” says Rachel Shaw, a human resources consultant. “We are concerned that we may see more injuries as a result, since there is a question mark as to whether they are coming into the workforce with the same skills and training and experience.”

These upward payroll pressures are coming at a time when the federal government is deregulating workplace safety standards and reducing the number of workplace inspectors, according to Shaw.

“Some companies love the idea of deregulation because it can reduce immediate costs,” Shaw says. “But an increase in injuries might well raise costs over the longer term.”

The difficulty younger workers face in obtaining affordable health care may add fuel to the fire.

“We may see an increase in claims as people struggle with obtaining and maintaining medical care,” Shaw says. “We have in the past seen people use the workers’ comp system for either personal medical needs or as wage extension.”

More mental stress

The influx of younger workers can increase costs for two other reasons.

First, younger workers have a more liberal attitude toward the use of recreational marijuana.

“The younger generations see marijuana as more like beer or alcohol,” Shaw says. “We anticipate that as more states legalize recreational marijuana we’re going to continue to see some impact – especially in industries that require workers have balance and focus to do their job well and to be safe and not have catastrophic injuries.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that workers testing positive for marijuana were involved in 55 percent more industrial accidents, 85 percent more injuries and experienced 75 percent more absenteeism.

Additionally, mental health issues have much less stigma among members of the younger generations, who are more comfortable than Boomers discussing and claiming work-related stress. They also expect mental health support from their employers.

“Mental health claims seem to be the fastest-growing segment of the workers’ compensation picture,” Sieberg says. “While they currently don’t add up to a large percentage of overall claims, they can cost from two to five times the amount of traditional claims and run two to five times as long.”

Mental health claims are also more likely to be litigated, further escalating costs.

Many states are introducing regulations that help fuel the growth of mental health claims. For example, there is an increasing presumption of a work-related nature for reported psychological and stress-related injuries.

Furthermore, many states are no longer requiring that mental health claims be preceded by physical injuries. It used to be that a worker claiming work-related depression would have to show that a preceding event such as a back injury caused mental stress by keeping them from carrying out their normal daily routines.

“Today, employees might claim they were abused in the workplace by a coworker or a manager, or they witnessed an event that caused psychological damage,” Tierney says.

Reducing costs

Employers are not powerless to navigate the more challenging workers’ compensation landscape.

Indeed, the No. 1 defense is to establish the very workplace safety programs that have helped control costs to date.

“The claim that doesn’t happen is the least expensive claim,” Sieberg says. “Employers need to be proactive in creating programs that train employees on how to perform their work safely. That can include everything from making sure they’re wearing the right shoes and other protective equipment, to ensuring they’re lifting correctly and taking appropriate breaks.”

Quick claims processing can also help cap expenses.

“When an injury occurs, employers need to promptly report the matter to the carrier, then conduct an investigation into how the injury occurred and how the company can obviate similar incidents in the future,” Sieberg says. “When discussing the accident with employees, remember that the investigation is not about blame, but about learning how to eliminate future risks.”

Employers can also reduce costs by establishing effective claims management programs. The first step of such programs is empathetic communication with injured workers.

“One of the most expensive parts of workers’ compensation is litigation,” Shaw says. “Bear in mind that employees usually don’t sue employers because of injuries, but because they feel disbelieved, ostracized and unsupported. It’s an emotional reaction. And so I always encourage employers – especially smaller ones where lawsuits can threaten their livelihoods – to treat injured employees with concern.

“Employees should understand that you take their injuries seriously and you will stay on top of their treatment until they can return to work,” Shaw adds.

Prompt action

Prompt action is especially cost-effective for claims of psychological stress.

“The temptation by insurance companies is to delay mental health claims, especially during the first couple of months after a report,” Shaw says. “But what we know is that if we can get those people prompt behavioral support – even if we do not accept workplace responsibility – we can get them back to work more quickly and reduce claim cost and duration by up to 70 percent.”

Employers would also be wise to have a workers’ compensation attorney on call for shepherding injury cases, even if litigation is not anticipated.

“Bear in mind that insurance companies often have a self-interest in managing claims slowly, while it can be better for employers to get the workers back to work without delay,” Shaw says. “It can be cost effective to have an attorney on retainer for a couple of hours a month to push claims forward.”

While the business environment is becoming more sympathetic to the claims of injured workers, employers can take steps to mitigate the dangers.

“The financial health of the workers’ compensation system follows from businesses being in control of safety programs and managing claims effectively,” Sieberg says. “But employers have to be diligent. They have to stay on top of things.”

Phillip M. Perry is an award-winning journalist who is published widely in the fields of business management, workplace psychology and employment law.

Related: Navigating new risks in workers’ compensation

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The company says capturing fine particulate before it migrates can reduce exposure, maintenance and combustible-dust hazards.

<p>The post C&W DustTech introduces dust-collection system for transfer points first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

C&W DustTech launched a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system that is engineered for aggregate, mining and minerals producers seeking to reduce fugitive dust, improve plant safety and mitigate regulatory risk through airflow design.

The system will debut at ConExpo-Con/Agg.

While visible dust draws attention, C&W DustTech says fine particulate matter – often less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – presents the greater long-term operational risk. Without properly balanced airflow and enclosure design, transfer points can allow dust to migrate into surrounding work areas. Over time this contributes to elevated respirable exposure, increased maintenance costs, premature equipment wear, regulatory scrutiny and potential combustible dust hazards. 

“Transfer points are where many dust collection systems fall short,” says Steve Cook, mining, aggregate and cement segments manager at C&W DustTech. “Our engineers designed this dust collector to go beyond capturing dust you can see around your operations. By balancing airflow and integrating the collector with enclosure and ducting design, fine particulate is captured before it migrates into the plant, accumulates on equipment and creates safety risks.”

The new dust collector is designed to operate as part of a fully engineered dust-collection system. It includes filter media, ducting and related components.

“In heavy industry, dust is an inevitable part of moving material,” says Bill Werra, president of C&W DustTech. “What’s changed is the level of engineering and technology available to control it. Our singular focus on dust collection gives us a unique perspective.”

Those attending ConExpo-Con/Agg can see a belt conveyor transfer-point dry dust-collection system in the Silver Lot (Booth SV2032) outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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A contingent of mentors has helped Zac Barbato steadily grow Keystone Crushing over the last three years.

<p>The post How Keystone Crushing was built from the ground up first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As a friend of his once put it: Every day is school day for Zac Barbato.

That’s the approach Barbato still takes more than three years into running Keystone Crushing, a custom mobile crushing company based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Even prior to starting the company in August 2022, Barbato has always had a thirst for knowledge. Throughout his career, he’s surrounded himself with mentors who have been more than willing to share what they know.

“This whole process has been full of examples of way smarter people than me being unbelievably generous with sharing what they have already learned with me,” Barbato says. “Whether it’s time, knowledge of crushing or, often, both. I’ve been blessed time and again to learn from so many great folks.”

It’s this collection of knowledge and experience that has helped Barbato turn Keystone Crushing, which he runs single-handedly, into what it is today: a company that can handle a variety of jobs.

“We process virgin rock; we had a 50,0000-ton job earlier this year,” Barbato says. “We do site projects. Those are a decent portion of our work, as well. We also work for asphalt plants. We’ve been to quite a few asphalt plants this year, crushing RAP that they’ll recycle back into their mix. It’s kind of all over the place.”

Barbato adds that his typical jobs are usually 10,000 tons or more, but it isn’t uncommon for him to take smaller jobs, as well.

Humble beginnings

Barbato knew from a young age that he wanted to be around equipment. He was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.

“My grandfather owned a construction company, so it was kind of in my blood,” he says. “From playing with equipment in the garden to moving dirt as a little kid, I was always interested in it. Anything to get me near equipment, I was totally game for.”

That’s why in 2016, at 14 years old, Barbato joined Townsend Construction and Engineering in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He began at the company sweeping and cleaning, but as he started getting experience with construction equipment, the lessons he learned in his nearly four-and-a-half years there were invaluable.

He credits company owner Bill Townsend with relaying much of that information.

“He was integral in laying the foundation of learning the basics of things that don’t get mentioned,” Barbato says. “How to work hard, attention to detail and hands-on experience from a young age. Like anything you learn when you’re younger, it becomes second nature as you get older.”

In 2020, Barbato began college at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg studying business administration and management. It was during his time in college that Keystone Crushing was born.

Through an entrepreneurship class he was in during his sophomore year, Barbato took part in the Impact Venture Challenge, a “Shark Tank”-style competition in which students pitched business ideas and could earn funding to get their business up and running.

Because his aunt and uncle owned a concrete yard, he came up with the idea to pitch a contract crushing company. Barbato came in second place and earned $3,000.

He then took his company idea to his aunt and uncle, Deb and Jeff Pierson. His uncle came on as a business partner to help Barbato get his company off the ground.

“They were instrumental in the beginnings of the business,” Barbato says. “My uncle is more of a silent partner, but he and his wife have been hugely valuable and made a lot of the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.”

With still two years left in college, Barbato had a full plate. He was attending school, working and playing NCAA Division III volleyball while laying the groundwork for Keystone Crushing.

“In the beginning, we ran really small equipment and I tried to learn as much as I could,” Barbato says. “There was a big project that came up to bid, and I didn’t know what I was doing. I figured, why not call somebody who knows what they’re doing.”

That got him in touch with Ryan Hanson and Joe Lynne of Hanson Custom Crushing in Minnesota. The company flew Barbato out to meet with them and spent several days sharing their crushing expertise.

“It was like drinking through a fire hose,” Barbato says. “They were unbelievably gracious to teach me and let me learn from what they were doing.”

Other sources of support as he built his brand, Barbato notes, were Joe Sokoloski of Heritage Excavating & Stone and Jared Keupfer of Arrow Crushing in Canada.

Getting to work

Barbato started taking smaller jobs in 2022, but he quickly grew his production capacity.

His first job was processing 2,200 tons with a bucket crusher. After that, he rented a crusher to do a 2,800-ton job, and the ensuing job was 66,000 tons.

So far in 2025, Keystone has crushed several hundred thousand tons.

“Crushing is a pretty relentless task,” Barbato says. “It’s nonstop, one thing after another. Long hours, long days and long weeks to make it all go.”

Keystone Crushing reached this point with a simple – yet effective – three-piece spread. Barbato uses a John Deere 350 P-Tier excavator to load material into a Kleemann Mobirex MR 110 Zi EVO2 mobile impact crusher. From there, material is stockpiled using an MGL 842T conveyor.

Barbato’s familiarity with Kleemann crushers dates to his visit to Hanson Custom Crushing.

“They run Kleemann’s out there, and that was one of the first crushers I saw up close and personal,” he says. “That helped me make the decision to go with Kleemann, as well as the product support we have locally. We rented a Kleemann and then ended up buying our own. The proof was in the pudding.”

His local dealer, Groff Tractor and Equipment, has been a phenomenal partner in keeping Barbato outfitted with the right equipment. The same goes for Kleemann representatives who have worked with Barbato first-hand.

“We’ve had great support from Groff Tractor, so there’s really no reason for us to consider going any other route,” Barbato says. “As anybody in crushing knows, you break parts all the time and you need good parts support. They do a great job of working with us and keeping us up and running.

“Evan Clarke with Kleemann and Wirtgen is also a huge piece of that puzzle,” he adds. “Same with Tom Jordan, our area rep with Kleemann.”

One of the first people Barbato interacted with at Groff was Bruce McKown. While he isn’t with the dealer anymore, Barbato says he has been a crucial part of his support system and remains a friend.

“He definitely took a risk in the beginning renting out the equipment to me,” Barbato says. “He stuck his neck out for me.”

Looking ahead

Just three years into building Keystone Crushing, Barbato continues to set his sights high.

“Growth is definitely a goal,” Barbato says. “What that will look like, it’s hard to say. I look at it like a road trip. Maybe you stop in a city along the way, find you like it and want to hang out there. Maybe that’s three crushing spreads, maybe it’s 10 spreads running all over.

“I don’t know exactly where we’re going to find ourselves in the next handful of years, but the goal is to grow,” he adds. “We want to be able to take on more customers in a larger radius surrounding where we’re at, as well.”

Related: How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates

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Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The […]

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Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Niagara F-Class vibrating screen features upgraded technology for simplified maintenance combined with maximum performance and longevity. CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees will have the rare opportunity to see an 8-by-20-foot, triple deck Niagara F-Class vibrating screen operating on the tradeshow floor in Haver & Boecker Niagara’s booth — C32616 — in Central Hall. The demonstration highlights the vibrating screen’s advanced design, which delivers virtually no vibrations to the structure, even under demanding conditions. This stability translates to longer equipment life, simplified maintenance and consistent performance, making it a standout solution for aggregates producers looking to maximize uptime and efficiency and lengthen the lifecycle of their equipment.

The next-generation design retains the technical benefits the original F-Class is known for, such as improving performance in material stratification and reducing blinding and pegging. The vibrating screen can be manufactured for side-tensioned or bottom deck end-tensioned screen media. The F-class vibrating screen is primarily manufactured with vibration-resistant lockbolts instead of traditional welding. Lockbolts are more effective at maintaining structural integrity during operation.

The F-Class is available with a variety of configurations and upgrades, and can be used in both stationary and portable applications.

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MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center […]

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

MAJOR introduces an advanced polyurethane (PU) strip variant for the FLEX-MAT Modular series. The new variant increases the screen media’s durability, extending its lifespan and effectiveness in alkaline, acidic and wet environments by offering greater chemical stability. See it during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 at Booth C32269 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center or contact them at www.majorflexmat.com.

Its advanced durability extends the overall wear life of screen media in applications like limestone operations where the PU strips typically wear out before the steel wire and affect the integrity of the screen media. The unique chemical compound we developed for our advanced PU strips hold up well against corrosive materials to ensure the strips match the lifespan of our OPTIMUMWIRE® and maintain screening integrity up to 10 times longer. The high frequency of OPTIMUMWIRE remains — 8,000 to 10,000 cycles per minute — to speed up material separation and passing. 

Like MAJOR’s standard polyurethane composition, the advanced PU strips are available for the FLEX-MAT Modular D, S and T Series. The new variant is not intended to completely replace the standard polyurethane.

<p>The post MAJOR Improves Screen Media Durability with New Advanced Polyurethane Strip Variant first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength. Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard […]

<p>The post PPI Pro Duty Pulley — One Pulley. Every Application. first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The PPI Pro Duty® Pulley is a game-changing solution that removes the need to choose between multiple pulley types. Designed for everything from light-duty aggregate conveyors to the toughest quarry environments, it delivers exceptional versatility and strength.

Engineered for high performance and backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the Pro Duty® sets a new standard in conveyor technology. Whether you’re optimizing a new system or upgrading an existing one, it offers unmatched durability and efficiency.

See it in person at CONEXPO CON/AGG, Booth C32075.

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Double Coin will introduce new radial OTR and industrial tire sizes, while Özka highlights models from its industrial and construction lineup.

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Double Coin will introduce several new sizes of its REM radial OTR and industrial tires at ConExpo-Con/Agg, including 29-in., 33-in. and 35-in. products.

Double Coin will exhibit alongside Özka Tires in West Hall (Booth W42573) of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Özka will feature models from its industrial and construction lineup.

“ConExpo-Con/Agg is an important opportunity for us to connect directly with customers and industry partners,” says Aaron Murphy, senior vice president at CMA and Double Coin. “We’re excited to showcase current and new Double Coin and Özka products and discuss new programs and solutions that support real-world applications.”

ConExpo-Con/Agg takes place March 3-7.

Related: Keep up with P&Q’s complete coverage of ConExpo-Con/Agg

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Rockydale Quarries Corp., which ranks 93rd on the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers list, has 10 locations.

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Rogers Group reached an agreement to acquire Rockydale Quarries Corp. and its subsidiaries, including B&S Contracting.

The companies expect the deal to close April 10.

Rockydale Quarries, which was founded in 1932, ranks 93rd on the U.S. Geological Survey’s latest list of the nation’s top 100 crushed stone producers. The company is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia.

Upon closing, Rockydale’s 10 locations, alongside B&S Contracting, will be integrated into RGI’s Carolinas and Virginia market area under Daniel Littell, who will oversee the alignment of business processes, safety programs and operational strategies to ensure a smooth transition. The current Rockydale management team will continue to lead day-to-day operations and report to Littell.

“Rogers Group is continually evaluating opportunities to expand,” says Jimmy Patton, president and CEO of Rogers Group. “Rockydale is a great fit – both culturally and strategically. We are honored to build on the Willis family’s legacy and combine resources and people in a way that makes Rogers Group even stronger.”

Ken Randolph, president and CEO of Rockydale Quarries, characterizes the deal as a “milestone moment” for Rockydale.

“The owners of Rockydale are proud of our long history and the company we’ve built,” Randolph says. “Rogers Group provides the best opportunity for us to continue growing while ensuring our employees have every chance to reach their full potential.”

Rockydale is the 13th company Rogers Group has added over the last two years. Rockydale and B&S Contracting employ 170 people, who will join Rogers Group’s workforce of more than 3,400.

Rogers Group’s footprint now extends to 13 states.

“We look for companies that share our vision and values – safety, quality, integrity and a commitment to community,” says Dan Lechleiter, vice president of business development at Rogers Group. “Rockydale exemplifies all of these, and we’re excited to welcome them into the Rogers Group family.”

Related: Check out the top 100 crushed stone producers list

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The Texas producer is gaining momentum with a high-output plant and a reliable dealer partner to match.

<p>The post How Canfield Materials shifted into aggregates first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Zech Canfield, owner of Canfield Materials, is no stranger to mining.

With nearly 15 years of experience in frac sand and a background rooted deep in the field, Canfield took a bold step by venturing into aggregates with the purchase of a limestone quarry in Blum, Texas.

Canfield’s opportunity came through his brother, who owns a pit just down the road from the current quarry. Canfield was introduced to the site’s former owner, sparking a new chapter in his career and ultimately launching Canfield Materials into the market.

Canfield Materials now runs an all-Powerscreen fleet of two jaw crushers, a cone crusher, two scalping screens and five conveyors.

High-output operation

Canfield Materials focuses on both tan and blue limestone.

While its blue limestone is more abundant and serves a broad range of uses, its tan limestone has proven to be in high demand due to its rarity. The quarry primarily produces road base, along with byproducts such as 2- to 5-in. oversize, 4- to 8-in. rock and 1-in. utility rock.

Customers pick up most of their materials on-site, but Canfield Materials also offers a direct and efficient distribution model within a 100-mile radius around Blum.

Canfield’s eyes are firmly set on high production, with a goal of hitting 2 million tpy. He knew early on that his success in aggregates would rely on partnering with the right equipment provider. And for Canfield Materials, that partner is Powerscreen Texas.

The right setup

Canfield’s relationship with Powerscreen Texas dates back to 2017, when he was working with another company in West Texas.

It was there he was first connected with Barry O’Reilly, vice president of Powerscreen Texas.

“Back then I rented equipment from Barry to screen frac sand, and when I made the move into aggregates, I knew exactly who to call,” Canfield says.

Today, Canfield Materials runs a robust equipment lineup that includes a Premiertrak 400X jaw crusher, a Premiertrak 450 jaw crusher, a Warrior 1800X scalping screen, a 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher, a Titan 1800 scalping screen and five CT80 stacking conveyors. These machines are the heartbeat of the operation.

The Premiertrak 400X, which is ideal for medium-scale quarrying, can achieve up to 441 tph. It includes user-friendly features such as hydraulic crusher setting adjustment and overload protection.

The 450 model, meanwhile, steps it up with a two-piece grizzly feeder and a direct-drive chamber for efficient fuel use and fast setup times. The Warrior 1800X reaches up to 689 tph.

On the secondary side, the 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher plays a crucial role, producing up to 330 tph with its high-capacity hopper and Scania engine. The plant is responsible for making Canfield Materials’ utility rock, which is one of the site’s staple products.

The Titan 1800 works aggressively to size material properly, with an output capacity of 661 tph thanks to a 16-ft. x 5-ft. double-deck screenbox. With five CT80 stackers in play, material movement and organization across the site is seamless.

From trial to commitment

Canfield is currently in a rent-to-buy arrangement with his Powerscreen machines, but with the production results he’s achieved so far, he’s making the move toward ownership.

“We had to prove ourselves first,” Canfield says. “Being new to aggregates, we needed to show we could keep up with demand. Now that we’ve seen what these machines can do, it’s a no-brainer to make them ours.

“I’ve worked a lot with other machines in various industries, including Powerscreen, and Powerscreen will outperform all others in every aspect,” he adds.

According to Canfield, the people at his dealer partner are what truly set it apart.

“Powerscreen Texas is a one-stop shop,” he says. “I tell them my output goals, and they get back to me with the right setup. Their knowledge and experience make all the difference.”

In addition to the machines, Canfield speaks highly of the dealer’s parts and service departments.

“Their response time, their expertise and the fact that they’re local – those are major advantages,” Canfield says. “It’s a real partnership.”

Scaling up

With a rapidly growing operation and a reliable equipment partner in Powerscreen Texas, Canfield is already looking ahead.

His expansion plans include duplicating his current equipment setup as he increases production capabilities at his current quarry.

“The goal is to keep scaling,” Canfield says. “As long as Powerscreen equipment keeps delivering, I’ll keep investing.”

Canfield’s transition from frac sand to aggregates may have only started in late 2024, but with his deep industry knowledge, proven operational performance and supplier partnership, Canfield Materials is poised to become a bigger name in Texas limestone for years to come.

Information for this article courtesy of Molson Group.

Related: Inside McCar Companies: A Texas producer on the rise

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