What makes SURVIVOR truck scales the Toughest Scales on Earth®? SURVIVOR truck scale engineers use Finite Element Analysis

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<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in addition to our long-time favorites. Jaw Crushers, Impact Crushers, Cone Crushers, Screeners and Stackers – they are all-new, ready to get dirty and #CrushEveryJob!

Check out our the new additions to Team Screen Machine.

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek sat down with P&Q to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems and the tremendous potential ahead for aggregate producers.

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek paid P&Q a visit to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems (AHS) and the tremendous potential for aggregate producers.

Autonomy isn’t necessarily new to mining. It is, however, now being introduced to aggregate producers, who generally operate significantly smaller haul trucks than large mining companies. Pronto has made the case that the best value related to autonomy is in the smaller truck space when shifting from manned haulers. All this said, why do you think we’ve seen the companies involved in autonomy within our greater industry approach it from vastly different angles?

Autonomy in the mining and quarrying space started with the biggest trucks and operations for a couple of reasons. Really, what they’re solving for there is productivity and uptime. If you’re mining a high-value global commodity that you can sell as much as you produce, you’re going to want those trucks running nonstop. 

That was kind of the source of demand, and that’s what you saw the original systems responding to. This is no criticism, but when you look at where that started 20 to 30 years ago – and you’re talking about companies that make yellow iron at scale really well – that’s a different skill set than developing artificial intelligence and advanced software that powers our autonomy. 

We came at it more from a technology perspective, whereas I think systems have traditionally come more at it in terms of just solving the problem – and cost was less of a consideration. 

Our team’s history goes back to the 2004 DARPA Grand Challenge. We’ve been doing on-road for a very long time. It’s just a completely different mindset and approach. I think of it more as distributed autonomy where the intelligence is on the trucks, versus more big, industrial kinds of centralized autonomy systems.

Some of the bigger aggregate producers – Heidelberg Materials, for example, in Texas – are getting involved in autonomy with pilot projects and partnerships with companies like Pronto. In terms of exploration in aggregates, is autonomy limited at this point to the bigger companies? Where’s the line in terms of who can get involved, and who’s kind of ‘outside’ until further notice?

I don’t think there’s anybody outside. We’ve done a deployment that was at a small quarry in Northern California, running two or three trucks. We’ve obviously made the announcement about the project with Heidelberg. I don’t think we disclosed the number of trucks there, but it’s going to be more than two or three.

We’re working on some other [projects] in the mining sector. That’ll probably be our first foray into big numbers of Pronto AHS-powered trucks running in a single site. Our philosophy was [to] make a system that works at the smallest sites with the smallest trucks. Then, there’s no limit to where we can go.

What are some of the pain points that need to be overcome through the trialing Pronto is doing with aggregate producers and others to ultimately get the technology to real-world application?

There’s a few things. There’s the technology piece [and] how you make this work at a [lower] price point. If you’re talking about trucks that cost half a million dollars, your system can’t cost half a million dollars. So, how do you make that system work in a way that’s productive, safe, reliable [and] at a lower price point?

There’s the change management piece that’s critical in any deployment. You’re changing the nature of how these businesses go about producing their product. There’s ancillary stuff [like] how do you manage the fleet? How do you do dispatch? How do you ensure there’s a communications network that the autonomy needs to operate?

Related: Drilling Deeper Episode 27: Autonomous hauling and aggregates

Featured Photo: Pronto.ai

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely on outside suppliers for processing equipment, we design and manufacture our own crushing, screening, washing, and conveying systems in-house. This means fewer moving parts in your project and a streamlined process from start to finish. You get a single source for everything, simplifying coordination and ensuring that your aggregate processing plant is built to meet the highest standards.

Learn more.

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps broke ground on the future site.

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

KSB GIW, a manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps, broke ground on an IoT and automation lab.

The company celebrated the groundbreaking with a ceremony Tuesday.

“KSB GIW’s investment in the new lab is an investment in our customers,” says Wolfgang Demmler, head of KSB Mining. “We are committed to helping customers achieve their objectives, with a key priority being the digitization of their entire mining process. This lab will be an incubator for technologies that make this objective a reality.”

According to KSB GIW, the lab will initially focus on enhancing GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL – the company’s IoT-enabled offerings. GIW SLYsight is a pump wear-monitoring solution that uses sensors to measure real-time wear rates in slurry pump parts. The company says the data helps operators make safe, effective adjustments during operation, ultimately extending pump life.

GIW RAMSL is a mechanical system automating pump adjustments, allowing engineers and maintenance teams to optimize pump performance.

Those who attended KSB GIW’s groundbreaking event experienced live demonstrations of the company’s GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL technologies. Demmler and other company executives, meanwhile, shared their visions for the lab’s impact on the company and the industry.

 “This lab represents a significant step forward in providing innovative IoT solutions to the mining industry,” says Robert Visintainer, vice president of engineering at KSB GIW. “With a dedicated space for R&D around IoT and automation, KSB GIW can significantly accelerate its development of these technologies. The goal is to give our customers the ability to maximize uptime and reduce costs.”

Jonathan Samuel, president and CEO of KSB GIW, says providing IoT technologies differentiates the company from other slurry pump manufacturers.

“When customers visit KSB GIW and view the new lab, they’ll see that we are more than a mechanical pump company and foundry,” Samuel says. “We are a technology-driven hub for mining solutions.”

Related: The latest advancements in dewatering pumps, tech

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The Wall Street Journal released a report Thursday indicating that Quikrete could come to terms on a deal early next week to purchase Summit Materials.

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Summit Materials is in advanced talks to be acquired by Quikrete, according to a Wall Street Journal report released Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal indicates that a deal could come together early next week.

Summit revealed in October that it had received a non-binding acquisition proposal, with Bloomberg reporting that Quikrete was the organization that approached Summit.

According to Summit, it had already held initial discussions at the time with the “interested party.” The company planned to evaluate the proposal to determine a course of action.

“There can be no assurance that any definitive agreement will be reached,” Summit said Oct. 24 in a written statement. “Summit does not plan to provide any updates with respect to this matter, except as required under applicable law.”

Founded in 1940, Quikrete characterizes itself as the “largest manufacturer of pre-blended, packaged concrete and cementitious products in North America.”

Related: Summit Materials sees strong growth in third quarter

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co. is a third-generation family-owned business serving Kansas and Oklahoma.

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co., a third-generation family-owned business serving southwest Kansas and northwest Oklahoma, sold to Legacy Infrastructure Group.

FMI Capital Advisors, which served as the exclusive financial advisor to J & R Sand Co. for the deal, reported the sale.

“When we decided to explore the sale of J & R, FMI Capital Advisors brought invaluable expertise to the table,” says Todd Carlile, owner of J & R Sand Co. “Navigating the complexities of our market required a partner who truly understood the operational nuances. Their strategic approach and dedication not only made the process smoother but also gave us confidence that our legacy and the future of J & R were in good hands.”

With three asphalt plants and one sand and gravel pit, FMI says J & R Sand Co. is one of the largest materials producers in its region.

Related: FMI provides midyear reflection on construction materials market

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Equipment and technology from Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen was showcased at a 1,200-person event last week in Nashville.

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

More than 1,200 people descended on the Wirtgen Group’s North American headquarters last week in Antioch, Tennessee, where the company highlighted its latest efforts at Technology Days North America 2024 to make equipment smarter, safer and more sustainable.

Equipment from several Wirtgen Group brands – including Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen – was showcased through displays and exhibits, presentations and live demonstrations. The Wirtgen Group also opened its CTT (Center for Training & Technology) to those on hand, detailing its role in preparing the next generation of equipment operators for jobs in aggregates and road construction.

Technology Days 2024 was the third iteration of the event the Wirtgen Group has hosted in the U.S. The company’s Technology Days originated in Germany, where the Wirtgen Group’s global headquarters resides.

“Tech days are pretty traditional for German manufacturing companies,” says Jim McEvoy, president and CEO of Wirtgen America. “We would take a number of American contractors over for years, [but we] really can’t handle more than 100 people over there at a time. So, we came up with the idea of doing it here in North America.”

Kleemann focus

An assortment of mobile crushing and screening plants from Kleemann was among the equipment on display outside the CTT during Technology Days, with several models also involved in live demonstrations.

In one demo, five pieces of track-mounted Kleemann equipment prepped base material. The MC 110i EVO2 jaw crushing plant, the MCO 90i EVO2 cone crushing plant, the MSC 953i EVO classifying screen plant and the MBT 24i stacker operated in tandem to make natural stone products.

A second demo showcased two Kleemann mobile impact crushing plants: the MR 100i NEO and the MR 110i EVO 2. Kleemann illustrated how operators can process large pieces of used concrete through an MR 100i NEO. The brand also demonstrated how the MR 110i EVO2 produces RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement).

Going a step further, the overall demonstration showed how the concrete product could be mixed with asphalt, RAP and foam bitumen using Wirtgen’s mobile KMA 240i cold recycling plant.

Going digital

Although Wirtgen Group equipment was central to Technology Days, the technology aspect of the company’s business is, perhaps, the most rapidly evolving these days.

Wirtgen Group equipment, for example, is now part of the John Deere Operations Center, giving operators a range of datapoints on the company’s machines. Through the John Deere Operations Center, operators can now monitor productivity and efficiency, track the location of equipment, and keep tabs on the operational status of their machines.

Although the launch of the John Deere Operations Center in the Wirtgen Group was an undertaking, the company says the opportunity digital tech presents contractors is a tremendous one – and not only for operations, but for the greater business in terms of risk management.

“If you can start to either take some of the cost of that risk out because you’ve got better data, that’s going to allow you to bid more competitively,” says Matt Graves, director of marketing at the Wirtgen Group.

McEvoy agrees.

“Contractors have a nice double-digit number of risk in every contract they perform,” he says. “So, profit is in managing efficiency. Better profits [are] in managing that risk and efficiency.”

Embracing digitalization isn’t exactly easy, though. It’s newer territory for equipment manufacturers, their dealers and those ultimately putting equipment to use.

“The challenging part with digital is it is an intangible,” McEvoy says. “We’re all very good at tangibles. We’re very good at iron. The dealers understand that. And you start at the customer. It’s something the customer wants, values and needs, so it does draw the dealer to it.”

A manufacturer’s responsibility, McEvoy adds, is to provide support in the form of training, materials and other information.

“I think a lot of our dealer networks are supporting systems on the construction side – what I’ll call the ‘yellow side’ – and they’re familiar with it already,” he says.

Now, McEvoy says a task at hand is transitioning those dealers into the Wirtgen Group’s niche.

“At a higher level, you can look at digital products like … you are almost introducing a new product to a dealer,” he says. “It’s not iron … but you’re bringing in a new product, and it’s the same type of product launch process. You have market opportunity; you have to bring the dealer up to speed on what it is you’re offering; [and] they have to set their support structure accordingly. That’s what we’re finding.”

Providing education

Training is also critical to a contractor’s success. The CTT is Wirtgen Group’s way of building up a contractor’s employees.

“It is truly a road construction and aggregates university,” Graves says. “That’s how we look at this building.”

With classrooms built in and space outside to explore equipment, Graves says the company hosts more than 3,000 students at the CTT each year.

“That’s 3,000 individuals,” he says. “Those individuals will come back multiple times. Some of those individuals come back three or four times throughout the course of a year.”

The Wirtgen Group, for example, provides new operator training as a three-day course, teaching fundamentals about the jobs tied to its equipment.

“You learn the fundamentals of the five courses of paving, and then you go outside and apply the five courses,” Graves says. “[The] same with crushing: You get them out there, and you’re talking about sizing, materials, density. You give them the fundamentals of what it is to do your job. We show you how to do it.”

The Wirtgen Group first opened the CTT in 2009 and expanded it in 2018. As Graves describes, the operators going through the facility today approach their work differently than the ones from, say, 15 years ago.

“What we’re finding is the next generation will jump on the machines, and they’ll be showing their crew foreman how to get more out of their equipment; how to service their equipment better; how to treat it better so it lasts longer,” Graves says.

Related: Stockpile monitoring now part of Kleemann app

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Editor-in-chief Kevin Yanik reflects on the past 15 years of industry growth, pointing to elevated funding for infrastructure as propping up aggregates.

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Years ago, when I was relatively new as the editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry, I made a comment during a company leadership meeting that peers still poke fun at me for.

I used the words “recession proof” to describe the industry.

Of course, no industry is recession proof. Those in the industry whose careers began in 2008 or earlier know this full well.

I suppose the greater point I tried to make was that our industry was doing well at a time when others were not. When government funding is in place for infrastructure, producers have a solid baseline by which they can do business. 

Most industries don’t have billions of dollars in public funding to get them out of the starting blocks. Ours does, and we also have private dollars in residential and nonresidential construction – albeit more volatile markets historically – to propel us further forward.

The fundamental drivers propelling our industry have fortunately been in place for many years now. Looking back, the industry has slowly but steadily grown just about every year since the Great Recession. 

Consider, too, that some of the industry’s top-performing years over the last 15 were through COVID – years that set some industries back – reaffirming the essential nature of aggregates.

“You’d think coming out of a slump like COVID that you’d kind of get a peak and it’d level off again,” says Karen Thompson, president of Haver & Boecker Niagara’s North America and Australia operations. “We’ve really seen the business continue in a very good form. It’s encouraging.”

That aggregates are essential is a boon lifting us up. Anyone picking up a copy of Pit & Quarry knows this already. Getting those outside the industry to grasp this concept will always be critical to our success, but the last decade and a half of gains shows our value is being recognized.

The sorts of gains captured during this 15-year run are arguably more desirable than the ones experienced in the years prior to the Great Recession. Kraemer Mining & Materials’ Cody Ladd explains.

“I like the kind of growth that we have right now because it’s a lot more sustainable,” says Ladd, president and COO at Kraemer Mining & Materials. “You’re not going up 30 percent one year. You’re not going up 10 percent one year. On a compound annual growth rate, you’re probably landing at like 5, 6 or 7. 

“Then, if I really looked at it year over year, we’re probably somewhere around, just as an industry, 10 percent,” he adds. “And a lot of it’s with flat volumes. I think that’s a great narrative. That just means our product is appreciating in value.”

As long as U.S. infrastructure is in need of repair, opportunities should remain.

“Anytime I try to explain aggregates to anybody, I really try to explain infrastructure,” Ladd says. “I try to correlate where the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) is on road ratings.”

Right now, that ASCE grade on America’s infrastructure is a C-minus.

“As long as that’s there, I think we’re in a really good place,” Ladd says.

Related: P&Q Profile: Masaba’s Kirby Cline

Featured Photo: Marc Dufresne/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

What makes SURVIVOR truck scales the Toughest Scales on Earth®? SURVIVOR truck scale engineers use Finite Element Analysis

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in addition to our long-time favorites. Jaw Crushers, Impact Crushers, Cone Crushers, Screeners and Stackers – they are all-new, ready to get dirty and #CrushEveryJob!

Check out our the new additions to Team Screen Machine.

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek sat down with P&Q to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems and the tremendous potential ahead for aggregate producers.

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek paid P&Q a visit to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems (AHS) and the tremendous potential for aggregate producers.

Autonomy isn’t necessarily new to mining. It is, however, now being introduced to aggregate producers, who generally operate significantly smaller haul trucks than large mining companies. Pronto has made the case that the best value related to autonomy is in the smaller truck space when shifting from manned haulers. All this said, why do you think we’ve seen the companies involved in autonomy within our greater industry approach it from vastly different angles?

Autonomy in the mining and quarrying space started with the biggest trucks and operations for a couple of reasons. Really, what they’re solving for there is productivity and uptime. If you’re mining a high-value global commodity that you can sell as much as you produce, you’re going to want those trucks running nonstop. 

That was kind of the source of demand, and that’s what you saw the original systems responding to. This is no criticism, but when you look at where that started 20 to 30 years ago – and you’re talking about companies that make yellow iron at scale really well – that’s a different skill set than developing artificial intelligence and advanced software that powers our autonomy. 

We came at it more from a technology perspective, whereas I think systems have traditionally come more at it in terms of just solving the problem – and cost was less of a consideration. 

Our team’s history goes back to the 2004 DARPA Grand Challenge. We’ve been doing on-road for a very long time. It’s just a completely different mindset and approach. I think of it more as distributed autonomy where the intelligence is on the trucks, versus more big, industrial kinds of centralized autonomy systems.

Some of the bigger aggregate producers – Heidelberg Materials, for example, in Texas – are getting involved in autonomy with pilot projects and partnerships with companies like Pronto. In terms of exploration in aggregates, is autonomy limited at this point to the bigger companies? Where’s the line in terms of who can get involved, and who’s kind of ‘outside’ until further notice?

I don’t think there’s anybody outside. We’ve done a deployment that was at a small quarry in Northern California, running two or three trucks. We’ve obviously made the announcement about the project with Heidelberg. I don’t think we disclosed the number of trucks there, but it’s going to be more than two or three.

We’re working on some other [projects] in the mining sector. That’ll probably be our first foray into big numbers of Pronto AHS-powered trucks running in a single site. Our philosophy was [to] make a system that works at the smallest sites with the smallest trucks. Then, there’s no limit to where we can go.

What are some of the pain points that need to be overcome through the trialing Pronto is doing with aggregate producers and others to ultimately get the technology to real-world application?

There’s a few things. There’s the technology piece [and] how you make this work at a [lower] price point. If you’re talking about trucks that cost half a million dollars, your system can’t cost half a million dollars. So, how do you make that system work in a way that’s productive, safe, reliable [and] at a lower price point?

There’s the change management piece that’s critical in any deployment. You’re changing the nature of how these businesses go about producing their product. There’s ancillary stuff [like] how do you manage the fleet? How do you do dispatch? How do you ensure there’s a communications network that the autonomy needs to operate?

Related: Drilling Deeper Episode 27: Autonomous hauling and aggregates

Featured Photo: Pronto.ai

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely on outside suppliers for processing equipment, we design and manufacture our own crushing, screening, washing, and conveying systems in-house. This means fewer moving parts in your project and a streamlined process from start to finish. You get a single source for everything, simplifying coordination and ensuring that your aggregate processing plant is built to meet the highest standards.

Learn more.

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps broke ground on the future site.

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

KSB GIW, a manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps, broke ground on an IoT and automation lab.

The company celebrated the groundbreaking with a ceremony Tuesday.

“KSB GIW’s investment in the new lab is an investment in our customers,” says Wolfgang Demmler, head of KSB Mining. “We are committed to helping customers achieve their objectives, with a key priority being the digitization of their entire mining process. This lab will be an incubator for technologies that make this objective a reality.”

According to KSB GIW, the lab will initially focus on enhancing GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL – the company’s IoT-enabled offerings. GIW SLYsight is a pump wear-monitoring solution that uses sensors to measure real-time wear rates in slurry pump parts. The company says the data helps operators make safe, effective adjustments during operation, ultimately extending pump life.

GIW RAMSL is a mechanical system automating pump adjustments, allowing engineers and maintenance teams to optimize pump performance.

Those who attended KSB GIW’s groundbreaking event experienced live demonstrations of the company’s GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL technologies. Demmler and other company executives, meanwhile, shared their visions for the lab’s impact on the company and the industry.

 “This lab represents a significant step forward in providing innovative IoT solutions to the mining industry,” says Robert Visintainer, vice president of engineering at KSB GIW. “With a dedicated space for R&D around IoT and automation, KSB GIW can significantly accelerate its development of these technologies. The goal is to give our customers the ability to maximize uptime and reduce costs.”

Jonathan Samuel, president and CEO of KSB GIW, says providing IoT technologies differentiates the company from other slurry pump manufacturers.

“When customers visit KSB GIW and view the new lab, they’ll see that we are more than a mechanical pump company and foundry,” Samuel says. “We are a technology-driven hub for mining solutions.”

Related: The latest advancements in dewatering pumps, tech

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The Wall Street Journal released a report Thursday indicating that Quikrete could come to terms on a deal early next week to purchase Summit Materials.

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Summit Materials is in advanced talks to be acquired by Quikrete, according to a Wall Street Journal report released Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal indicates that a deal could come together early next week.

Summit revealed in October that it had received a non-binding acquisition proposal, with Bloomberg reporting that Quikrete was the organization that approached Summit.

According to Summit, it had already held initial discussions at the time with the “interested party.” The company planned to evaluate the proposal to determine a course of action.

“There can be no assurance that any definitive agreement will be reached,” Summit said Oct. 24 in a written statement. “Summit does not plan to provide any updates with respect to this matter, except as required under applicable law.”

Founded in 1940, Quikrete characterizes itself as the “largest manufacturer of pre-blended, packaged concrete and cementitious products in North America.”

Related: Summit Materials sees strong growth in third quarter

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co. is a third-generation family-owned business serving Kansas and Oklahoma.

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co., a third-generation family-owned business serving southwest Kansas and northwest Oklahoma, sold to Legacy Infrastructure Group.

FMI Capital Advisors, which served as the exclusive financial advisor to J & R Sand Co. for the deal, reported the sale.

“When we decided to explore the sale of J & R, FMI Capital Advisors brought invaluable expertise to the table,” says Todd Carlile, owner of J & R Sand Co. “Navigating the complexities of our market required a partner who truly understood the operational nuances. Their strategic approach and dedication not only made the process smoother but also gave us confidence that our legacy and the future of J & R were in good hands.”

With three asphalt plants and one sand and gravel pit, FMI says J & R Sand Co. is one of the largest materials producers in its region.

Related: FMI provides midyear reflection on construction materials market

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Equipment and technology from Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen was showcased at a 1,200-person event last week in Nashville.

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

More than 1,200 people descended on the Wirtgen Group’s North American headquarters last week in Antioch, Tennessee, where the company highlighted its latest efforts at Technology Days North America 2024 to make equipment smarter, safer and more sustainable.

Equipment from several Wirtgen Group brands – including Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen – was showcased through displays and exhibits, presentations and live demonstrations. The Wirtgen Group also opened its CTT (Center for Training & Technology) to those on hand, detailing its role in preparing the next generation of equipment operators for jobs in aggregates and road construction.

Technology Days 2024 was the third iteration of the event the Wirtgen Group has hosted in the U.S. The company’s Technology Days originated in Germany, where the Wirtgen Group’s global headquarters resides.

“Tech days are pretty traditional for German manufacturing companies,” says Jim McEvoy, president and CEO of Wirtgen America. “We would take a number of American contractors over for years, [but we] really can’t handle more than 100 people over there at a time. So, we came up with the idea of doing it here in North America.”

Kleemann focus

An assortment of mobile crushing and screening plants from Kleemann was among the equipment on display outside the CTT during Technology Days, with several models also involved in live demonstrations.

In one demo, five pieces of track-mounted Kleemann equipment prepped base material. The MC 110i EVO2 jaw crushing plant, the MCO 90i EVO2 cone crushing plant, the MSC 953i EVO classifying screen plant and the MBT 24i stacker operated in tandem to make natural stone products.

A second demo showcased two Kleemann mobile impact crushing plants: the MR 100i NEO and the MR 110i EVO 2. Kleemann illustrated how operators can process large pieces of used concrete through an MR 100i NEO. The brand also demonstrated how the MR 110i EVO2 produces RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement).

Going a step further, the overall demonstration showed how the concrete product could be mixed with asphalt, RAP and foam bitumen using Wirtgen’s mobile KMA 240i cold recycling plant.

Going digital

Although Wirtgen Group equipment was central to Technology Days, the technology aspect of the company’s business is, perhaps, the most rapidly evolving these days.

Wirtgen Group equipment, for example, is now part of the John Deere Operations Center, giving operators a range of datapoints on the company’s machines. Through the John Deere Operations Center, operators can now monitor productivity and efficiency, track the location of equipment, and keep tabs on the operational status of their machines.

Although the launch of the John Deere Operations Center in the Wirtgen Group was an undertaking, the company says the opportunity digital tech presents contractors is a tremendous one – and not only for operations, but for the greater business in terms of risk management.

“If you can start to either take some of the cost of that risk out because you’ve got better data, that’s going to allow you to bid more competitively,” says Matt Graves, director of marketing at the Wirtgen Group.

McEvoy agrees.

“Contractors have a nice double-digit number of risk in every contract they perform,” he says. “So, profit is in managing efficiency. Better profits [are] in managing that risk and efficiency.”

Embracing digitalization isn’t exactly easy, though. It’s newer territory for equipment manufacturers, their dealers and those ultimately putting equipment to use.

“The challenging part with digital is it is an intangible,” McEvoy says. “We’re all very good at tangibles. We’re very good at iron. The dealers understand that. And you start at the customer. It’s something the customer wants, values and needs, so it does draw the dealer to it.”

A manufacturer’s responsibility, McEvoy adds, is to provide support in the form of training, materials and other information.

“I think a lot of our dealer networks are supporting systems on the construction side – what I’ll call the ‘yellow side’ – and they’re familiar with it already,” he says.

Now, McEvoy says a task at hand is transitioning those dealers into the Wirtgen Group’s niche.

“At a higher level, you can look at digital products like … you are almost introducing a new product to a dealer,” he says. “It’s not iron … but you’re bringing in a new product, and it’s the same type of product launch process. You have market opportunity; you have to bring the dealer up to speed on what it is you’re offering; [and] they have to set their support structure accordingly. That’s what we’re finding.”

Providing education

Training is also critical to a contractor’s success. The CTT is Wirtgen Group’s way of building up a contractor’s employees.

“It is truly a road construction and aggregates university,” Graves says. “That’s how we look at this building.”

With classrooms built in and space outside to explore equipment, Graves says the company hosts more than 3,000 students at the CTT each year.

“That’s 3,000 individuals,” he says. “Those individuals will come back multiple times. Some of those individuals come back three or four times throughout the course of a year.”

The Wirtgen Group, for example, provides new operator training as a three-day course, teaching fundamentals about the jobs tied to its equipment.

“You learn the fundamentals of the five courses of paving, and then you go outside and apply the five courses,” Graves says. “[The] same with crushing: You get them out there, and you’re talking about sizing, materials, density. You give them the fundamentals of what it is to do your job. We show you how to do it.”

The Wirtgen Group first opened the CTT in 2009 and expanded it in 2018. As Graves describes, the operators going through the facility today approach their work differently than the ones from, say, 15 years ago.

“What we’re finding is the next generation will jump on the machines, and they’ll be showing their crew foreman how to get more out of their equipment; how to service their equipment better; how to treat it better so it lasts longer,” Graves says.

Related: Stockpile monitoring now part of Kleemann app

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Editor-in-chief Kevin Yanik reflects on the past 15 years of industry growth, pointing to elevated funding for infrastructure as propping up aggregates.

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Years ago, when I was relatively new as the editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry, I made a comment during a company leadership meeting that peers still poke fun at me for.

I used the words “recession proof” to describe the industry.

Of course, no industry is recession proof. Those in the industry whose careers began in 2008 or earlier know this full well.

I suppose the greater point I tried to make was that our industry was doing well at a time when others were not. When government funding is in place for infrastructure, producers have a solid baseline by which they can do business. 

Most industries don’t have billions of dollars in public funding to get them out of the starting blocks. Ours does, and we also have private dollars in residential and nonresidential construction – albeit more volatile markets historically – to propel us further forward.

The fundamental drivers propelling our industry have fortunately been in place for many years now. Looking back, the industry has slowly but steadily grown just about every year since the Great Recession. 

Consider, too, that some of the industry’s top-performing years over the last 15 were through COVID – years that set some industries back – reaffirming the essential nature of aggregates.

“You’d think coming out of a slump like COVID that you’d kind of get a peak and it’d level off again,” says Karen Thompson, president of Haver & Boecker Niagara’s North America and Australia operations. “We’ve really seen the business continue in a very good form. It’s encouraging.”

That aggregates are essential is a boon lifting us up. Anyone picking up a copy of Pit & Quarry knows this already. Getting those outside the industry to grasp this concept will always be critical to our success, but the last decade and a half of gains shows our value is being recognized.

The sorts of gains captured during this 15-year run are arguably more desirable than the ones experienced in the years prior to the Great Recession. Kraemer Mining & Materials’ Cody Ladd explains.

“I like the kind of growth that we have right now because it’s a lot more sustainable,” says Ladd, president and COO at Kraemer Mining & Materials. “You’re not going up 30 percent one year. You’re not going up 10 percent one year. On a compound annual growth rate, you’re probably landing at like 5, 6 or 7. 

“Then, if I really looked at it year over year, we’re probably somewhere around, just as an industry, 10 percent,” he adds. “And a lot of it’s with flat volumes. I think that’s a great narrative. That just means our product is appreciating in value.”

As long as U.S. infrastructure is in need of repair, opportunities should remain.

“Anytime I try to explain aggregates to anybody, I really try to explain infrastructure,” Ladd says. “I try to correlate where the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) is on road ratings.”

Right now, that ASCE grade on America’s infrastructure is a C-minus.

“As long as that’s there, I think we’re in a really good place,” Ladd says.

Related: P&Q Profile: Masaba’s Kirby Cline

Featured Photo: Marc Dufresne/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

What makes SURVIVOR truck scales the Toughest Scales on Earth®? SURVIVOR truck scale engineers use Finite Element Analysis

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in addition to our long-time favorites. Jaw Crushers, Impact Crushers, Cone Crushers, Screeners and Stackers – they are all-new, ready to get dirty and #CrushEveryJob!

Check out our the new additions to Team Screen Machine.

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek sat down with P&Q to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems and the tremendous potential ahead for aggregate producers.

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek paid P&Q a visit to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems (AHS) and the tremendous potential for aggregate producers.

Autonomy isn’t necessarily new to mining. It is, however, now being introduced to aggregate producers, who generally operate significantly smaller haul trucks than large mining companies. Pronto has made the case that the best value related to autonomy is in the smaller truck space when shifting from manned haulers. All this said, why do you think we’ve seen the companies involved in autonomy within our greater industry approach it from vastly different angles?

Autonomy in the mining and quarrying space started with the biggest trucks and operations for a couple of reasons. Really, what they’re solving for there is productivity and uptime. If you’re mining a high-value global commodity that you can sell as much as you produce, you’re going to want those trucks running nonstop. 

That was kind of the source of demand, and that’s what you saw the original systems responding to. This is no criticism, but when you look at where that started 20 to 30 years ago – and you’re talking about companies that make yellow iron at scale really well – that’s a different skill set than developing artificial intelligence and advanced software that powers our autonomy. 

We came at it more from a technology perspective, whereas I think systems have traditionally come more at it in terms of just solving the problem – and cost was less of a consideration. 

Our team’s history goes back to the 2004 DARPA Grand Challenge. We’ve been doing on-road for a very long time. It’s just a completely different mindset and approach. I think of it more as distributed autonomy where the intelligence is on the trucks, versus more big, industrial kinds of centralized autonomy systems.

Some of the bigger aggregate producers – Heidelberg Materials, for example, in Texas – are getting involved in autonomy with pilot projects and partnerships with companies like Pronto. In terms of exploration in aggregates, is autonomy limited at this point to the bigger companies? Where’s the line in terms of who can get involved, and who’s kind of ‘outside’ until further notice?

I don’t think there’s anybody outside. We’ve done a deployment that was at a small quarry in Northern California, running two or three trucks. We’ve obviously made the announcement about the project with Heidelberg. I don’t think we disclosed the number of trucks there, but it’s going to be more than two or three.

We’re working on some other [projects] in the mining sector. That’ll probably be our first foray into big numbers of Pronto AHS-powered trucks running in a single site. Our philosophy was [to] make a system that works at the smallest sites with the smallest trucks. Then, there’s no limit to where we can go.

What are some of the pain points that need to be overcome through the trialing Pronto is doing with aggregate producers and others to ultimately get the technology to real-world application?

There’s a few things. There’s the technology piece [and] how you make this work at a [lower] price point. If you’re talking about trucks that cost half a million dollars, your system can’t cost half a million dollars. So, how do you make that system work in a way that’s productive, safe, reliable [and] at a lower price point?

There’s the change management piece that’s critical in any deployment. You’re changing the nature of how these businesses go about producing their product. There’s ancillary stuff [like] how do you manage the fleet? How do you do dispatch? How do you ensure there’s a communications network that the autonomy needs to operate?

Related: Drilling Deeper Episode 27: Autonomous hauling and aggregates

Featured Photo: Pronto.ai

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely on outside suppliers for processing equipment, we design and manufacture our own crushing, screening, washing, and conveying systems in-house. This means fewer moving parts in your project and a streamlined process from start to finish. You get a single source for everything, simplifying coordination and ensuring that your aggregate processing plant is built to meet the highest standards.

Learn more.

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps broke ground on the future site.

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

KSB GIW, a manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps, broke ground on an IoT and automation lab.

The company celebrated the groundbreaking with a ceremony Tuesday.

“KSB GIW’s investment in the new lab is an investment in our customers,” says Wolfgang Demmler, head of KSB Mining. “We are committed to helping customers achieve their objectives, with a key priority being the digitization of their entire mining process. This lab will be an incubator for technologies that make this objective a reality.”

According to KSB GIW, the lab will initially focus on enhancing GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL – the company’s IoT-enabled offerings. GIW SLYsight is a pump wear-monitoring solution that uses sensors to measure real-time wear rates in slurry pump parts. The company says the data helps operators make safe, effective adjustments during operation, ultimately extending pump life.

GIW RAMSL is a mechanical system automating pump adjustments, allowing engineers and maintenance teams to optimize pump performance.

Those who attended KSB GIW’s groundbreaking event experienced live demonstrations of the company’s GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL technologies. Demmler and other company executives, meanwhile, shared their visions for the lab’s impact on the company and the industry.

 “This lab represents a significant step forward in providing innovative IoT solutions to the mining industry,” says Robert Visintainer, vice president of engineering at KSB GIW. “With a dedicated space for R&D around IoT and automation, KSB GIW can significantly accelerate its development of these technologies. The goal is to give our customers the ability to maximize uptime and reduce costs.”

Jonathan Samuel, president and CEO of KSB GIW, says providing IoT technologies differentiates the company from other slurry pump manufacturers.

“When customers visit KSB GIW and view the new lab, they’ll see that we are more than a mechanical pump company and foundry,” Samuel says. “We are a technology-driven hub for mining solutions.”

Related: The latest advancements in dewatering pumps, tech

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The Wall Street Journal released a report Thursday indicating that Quikrete could come to terms on a deal early next week to purchase Summit Materials.

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Summit Materials is in advanced talks to be acquired by Quikrete, according to a Wall Street Journal report released Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal indicates that a deal could come together early next week.

Summit revealed in October that it had received a non-binding acquisition proposal, with Bloomberg reporting that Quikrete was the organization that approached Summit.

According to Summit, it had already held initial discussions at the time with the “interested party.” The company planned to evaluate the proposal to determine a course of action.

“There can be no assurance that any definitive agreement will be reached,” Summit said Oct. 24 in a written statement. “Summit does not plan to provide any updates with respect to this matter, except as required under applicable law.”

Founded in 1940, Quikrete characterizes itself as the “largest manufacturer of pre-blended, packaged concrete and cementitious products in North America.”

Related: Summit Materials sees strong growth in third quarter

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co. is a third-generation family-owned business serving Kansas and Oklahoma.

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co., a third-generation family-owned business serving southwest Kansas and northwest Oklahoma, sold to Legacy Infrastructure Group.

FMI Capital Advisors, which served as the exclusive financial advisor to J & R Sand Co. for the deal, reported the sale.

“When we decided to explore the sale of J & R, FMI Capital Advisors brought invaluable expertise to the table,” says Todd Carlile, owner of J & R Sand Co. “Navigating the complexities of our market required a partner who truly understood the operational nuances. Their strategic approach and dedication not only made the process smoother but also gave us confidence that our legacy and the future of J & R were in good hands.”

With three asphalt plants and one sand and gravel pit, FMI says J & R Sand Co. is one of the largest materials producers in its region.

Related: FMI provides midyear reflection on construction materials market

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Equipment and technology from Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen was showcased at a 1,200-person event last week in Nashville.

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

More than 1,200 people descended on the Wirtgen Group’s North American headquarters last week in Antioch, Tennessee, where the company highlighted its latest efforts at Technology Days North America 2024 to make equipment smarter, safer and more sustainable.

Equipment from several Wirtgen Group brands – including Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen – was showcased through displays and exhibits, presentations and live demonstrations. The Wirtgen Group also opened its CTT (Center for Training & Technology) to those on hand, detailing its role in preparing the next generation of equipment operators for jobs in aggregates and road construction.

Technology Days 2024 was the third iteration of the event the Wirtgen Group has hosted in the U.S. The company’s Technology Days originated in Germany, where the Wirtgen Group’s global headquarters resides.

“Tech days are pretty traditional for German manufacturing companies,” says Jim McEvoy, president and CEO of Wirtgen America. “We would take a number of American contractors over for years, [but we] really can’t handle more than 100 people over there at a time. So, we came up with the idea of doing it here in North America.”

Kleemann focus

An assortment of mobile crushing and screening plants from Kleemann was among the equipment on display outside the CTT during Technology Days, with several models also involved in live demonstrations.

In one demo, five pieces of track-mounted Kleemann equipment prepped base material. The MC 110i EVO2 jaw crushing plant, the MCO 90i EVO2 cone crushing plant, the MSC 953i EVO classifying screen plant and the MBT 24i stacker operated in tandem to make natural stone products.

A second demo showcased two Kleemann mobile impact crushing plants: the MR 100i NEO and the MR 110i EVO 2. Kleemann illustrated how operators can process large pieces of used concrete through an MR 100i NEO. The brand also demonstrated how the MR 110i EVO2 produces RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement).

Going a step further, the overall demonstration showed how the concrete product could be mixed with asphalt, RAP and foam bitumen using Wirtgen’s mobile KMA 240i cold recycling plant.

Going digital

Although Wirtgen Group equipment was central to Technology Days, the technology aspect of the company’s business is, perhaps, the most rapidly evolving these days.

Wirtgen Group equipment, for example, is now part of the John Deere Operations Center, giving operators a range of datapoints on the company’s machines. Through the John Deere Operations Center, operators can now monitor productivity and efficiency, track the location of equipment, and keep tabs on the operational status of their machines.

Although the launch of the John Deere Operations Center in the Wirtgen Group was an undertaking, the company says the opportunity digital tech presents contractors is a tremendous one – and not only for operations, but for the greater business in terms of risk management.

“If you can start to either take some of the cost of that risk out because you’ve got better data, that’s going to allow you to bid more competitively,” says Matt Graves, director of marketing at the Wirtgen Group.

McEvoy agrees.

“Contractors have a nice double-digit number of risk in every contract they perform,” he says. “So, profit is in managing efficiency. Better profits [are] in managing that risk and efficiency.”

Embracing digitalization isn’t exactly easy, though. It’s newer territory for equipment manufacturers, their dealers and those ultimately putting equipment to use.

“The challenging part with digital is it is an intangible,” McEvoy says. “We’re all very good at tangibles. We’re very good at iron. The dealers understand that. And you start at the customer. It’s something the customer wants, values and needs, so it does draw the dealer to it.”

A manufacturer’s responsibility, McEvoy adds, is to provide support in the form of training, materials and other information.

“I think a lot of our dealer networks are supporting systems on the construction side – what I’ll call the ‘yellow side’ – and they’re familiar with it already,” he says.

Now, McEvoy says a task at hand is transitioning those dealers into the Wirtgen Group’s niche.

“At a higher level, you can look at digital products like … you are almost introducing a new product to a dealer,” he says. “It’s not iron … but you’re bringing in a new product, and it’s the same type of product launch process. You have market opportunity; you have to bring the dealer up to speed on what it is you’re offering; [and] they have to set their support structure accordingly. That’s what we’re finding.”

Providing education

Training is also critical to a contractor’s success. The CTT is Wirtgen Group’s way of building up a contractor’s employees.

“It is truly a road construction and aggregates university,” Graves says. “That’s how we look at this building.”

With classrooms built in and space outside to explore equipment, Graves says the company hosts more than 3,000 students at the CTT each year.

“That’s 3,000 individuals,” he says. “Those individuals will come back multiple times. Some of those individuals come back three or four times throughout the course of a year.”

The Wirtgen Group, for example, provides new operator training as a three-day course, teaching fundamentals about the jobs tied to its equipment.

“You learn the fundamentals of the five courses of paving, and then you go outside and apply the five courses,” Graves says. “[The] same with crushing: You get them out there, and you’re talking about sizing, materials, density. You give them the fundamentals of what it is to do your job. We show you how to do it.”

The Wirtgen Group first opened the CTT in 2009 and expanded it in 2018. As Graves describes, the operators going through the facility today approach their work differently than the ones from, say, 15 years ago.

“What we’re finding is the next generation will jump on the machines, and they’ll be showing their crew foreman how to get more out of their equipment; how to service their equipment better; how to treat it better so it lasts longer,” Graves says.

Related: Stockpile monitoring now part of Kleemann app

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Editor-in-chief Kevin Yanik reflects on the past 15 years of industry growth, pointing to elevated funding for infrastructure as propping up aggregates.

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Years ago, when I was relatively new as the editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry, I made a comment during a company leadership meeting that peers still poke fun at me for.

I used the words “recession proof” to describe the industry.

Of course, no industry is recession proof. Those in the industry whose careers began in 2008 or earlier know this full well.

I suppose the greater point I tried to make was that our industry was doing well at a time when others were not. When government funding is in place for infrastructure, producers have a solid baseline by which they can do business. 

Most industries don’t have billions of dollars in public funding to get them out of the starting blocks. Ours does, and we also have private dollars in residential and nonresidential construction – albeit more volatile markets historically – to propel us further forward.

The fundamental drivers propelling our industry have fortunately been in place for many years now. Looking back, the industry has slowly but steadily grown just about every year since the Great Recession. 

Consider, too, that some of the industry’s top-performing years over the last 15 were through COVID – years that set some industries back – reaffirming the essential nature of aggregates.

“You’d think coming out of a slump like COVID that you’d kind of get a peak and it’d level off again,” says Karen Thompson, president of Haver & Boecker Niagara’s North America and Australia operations. “We’ve really seen the business continue in a very good form. It’s encouraging.”

That aggregates are essential is a boon lifting us up. Anyone picking up a copy of Pit & Quarry knows this already. Getting those outside the industry to grasp this concept will always be critical to our success, but the last decade and a half of gains shows our value is being recognized.

The sorts of gains captured during this 15-year run are arguably more desirable than the ones experienced in the years prior to the Great Recession. Kraemer Mining & Materials’ Cody Ladd explains.

“I like the kind of growth that we have right now because it’s a lot more sustainable,” says Ladd, president and COO at Kraemer Mining & Materials. “You’re not going up 30 percent one year. You’re not going up 10 percent one year. On a compound annual growth rate, you’re probably landing at like 5, 6 or 7. 

“Then, if I really looked at it year over year, we’re probably somewhere around, just as an industry, 10 percent,” he adds. “And a lot of it’s with flat volumes. I think that’s a great narrative. That just means our product is appreciating in value.”

As long as U.S. infrastructure is in need of repair, opportunities should remain.

“Anytime I try to explain aggregates to anybody, I really try to explain infrastructure,” Ladd says. “I try to correlate where the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) is on road ratings.”

Right now, that ASCE grade on America’s infrastructure is a C-minus.

“As long as that’s there, I think we’re in a really good place,” Ladd says.

Related: P&Q Profile: Masaba’s Kirby Cline

Featured Photo: Marc Dufresne/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

What makes SURVIVOR truck scales the Toughest Scales on Earth®? SURVIVOR truck scale engineers use Finite Element Analysis

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in addition to our long-time favorites. Jaw Crushers, Impact Crushers, Cone Crushers, Screeners and Stackers – they are all-new, ready to get dirty and #CrushEveryJob!

Check out our the new additions to Team Screen Machine.

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek sat down with P&Q to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems and the tremendous potential ahead for aggregate producers.

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek paid P&Q a visit to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems (AHS) and the tremendous potential for aggregate producers.

Autonomy isn’t necessarily new to mining. It is, however, now being introduced to aggregate producers, who generally operate significantly smaller haul trucks than large mining companies. Pronto has made the case that the best value related to autonomy is in the smaller truck space when shifting from manned haulers. All this said, why do you think we’ve seen the companies involved in autonomy within our greater industry approach it from vastly different angles?

Autonomy in the mining and quarrying space started with the biggest trucks and operations for a couple of reasons. Really, what they’re solving for there is productivity and uptime. If you’re mining a high-value global commodity that you can sell as much as you produce, you’re going to want those trucks running nonstop. 

That was kind of the source of demand, and that’s what you saw the original systems responding to. This is no criticism, but when you look at where that started 20 to 30 years ago – and you’re talking about companies that make yellow iron at scale really well – that’s a different skill set than developing artificial intelligence and advanced software that powers our autonomy. 

We came at it more from a technology perspective, whereas I think systems have traditionally come more at it in terms of just solving the problem – and cost was less of a consideration. 

Our team’s history goes back to the 2004 DARPA Grand Challenge. We’ve been doing on-road for a very long time. It’s just a completely different mindset and approach. I think of it more as distributed autonomy where the intelligence is on the trucks, versus more big, industrial kinds of centralized autonomy systems.

Some of the bigger aggregate producers – Heidelberg Materials, for example, in Texas – are getting involved in autonomy with pilot projects and partnerships with companies like Pronto. In terms of exploration in aggregates, is autonomy limited at this point to the bigger companies? Where’s the line in terms of who can get involved, and who’s kind of ‘outside’ until further notice?

I don’t think there’s anybody outside. We’ve done a deployment that was at a small quarry in Northern California, running two or three trucks. We’ve obviously made the announcement about the project with Heidelberg. I don’t think we disclosed the number of trucks there, but it’s going to be more than two or three.

We’re working on some other [projects] in the mining sector. That’ll probably be our first foray into big numbers of Pronto AHS-powered trucks running in a single site. Our philosophy was [to] make a system that works at the smallest sites with the smallest trucks. Then, there’s no limit to where we can go.

What are some of the pain points that need to be overcome through the trialing Pronto is doing with aggregate producers and others to ultimately get the technology to real-world application?

There’s a few things. There’s the technology piece [and] how you make this work at a [lower] price point. If you’re talking about trucks that cost half a million dollars, your system can’t cost half a million dollars. So, how do you make that system work in a way that’s productive, safe, reliable [and] at a lower price point?

There’s the change management piece that’s critical in any deployment. You’re changing the nature of how these businesses go about producing their product. There’s ancillary stuff [like] how do you manage the fleet? How do you do dispatch? How do you ensure there’s a communications network that the autonomy needs to operate?

Related: Drilling Deeper Episode 27: Autonomous hauling and aggregates

Featured Photo: Pronto.ai

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely on outside suppliers for processing equipment, we design and manufacture our own crushing, screening, washing, and conveying systems in-house. This means fewer moving parts in your project and a streamlined process from start to finish. You get a single source for everything, simplifying coordination and ensuring that your aggregate processing plant is built to meet the highest standards.

Learn more.

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps broke ground on the future site.

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

KSB GIW, a manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps, broke ground on an IoT and automation lab.

The company celebrated the groundbreaking with a ceremony Tuesday.

“KSB GIW’s investment in the new lab is an investment in our customers,” says Wolfgang Demmler, head of KSB Mining. “We are committed to helping customers achieve their objectives, with a key priority being the digitization of their entire mining process. This lab will be an incubator for technologies that make this objective a reality.”

According to KSB GIW, the lab will initially focus on enhancing GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL – the company’s IoT-enabled offerings. GIW SLYsight is a pump wear-monitoring solution that uses sensors to measure real-time wear rates in slurry pump parts. The company says the data helps operators make safe, effective adjustments during operation, ultimately extending pump life.

GIW RAMSL is a mechanical system automating pump adjustments, allowing engineers and maintenance teams to optimize pump performance.

Those who attended KSB GIW’s groundbreaking event experienced live demonstrations of the company’s GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL technologies. Demmler and other company executives, meanwhile, shared their visions for the lab’s impact on the company and the industry.

 “This lab represents a significant step forward in providing innovative IoT solutions to the mining industry,” says Robert Visintainer, vice president of engineering at KSB GIW. “With a dedicated space for R&D around IoT and automation, KSB GIW can significantly accelerate its development of these technologies. The goal is to give our customers the ability to maximize uptime and reduce costs.”

Jonathan Samuel, president and CEO of KSB GIW, says providing IoT technologies differentiates the company from other slurry pump manufacturers.

“When customers visit KSB GIW and view the new lab, they’ll see that we are more than a mechanical pump company and foundry,” Samuel says. “We are a technology-driven hub for mining solutions.”

Related: The latest advancements in dewatering pumps, tech

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The Wall Street Journal released a report Thursday indicating that Quikrete could come to terms on a deal early next week to purchase Summit Materials.

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Summit Materials is in advanced talks to be acquired by Quikrete, according to a Wall Street Journal report released Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal indicates that a deal could come together early next week.

Summit revealed in October that it had received a non-binding acquisition proposal, with Bloomberg reporting that Quikrete was the organization that approached Summit.

According to Summit, it had already held initial discussions at the time with the “interested party.” The company planned to evaluate the proposal to determine a course of action.

“There can be no assurance that any definitive agreement will be reached,” Summit said Oct. 24 in a written statement. “Summit does not plan to provide any updates with respect to this matter, except as required under applicable law.”

Founded in 1940, Quikrete characterizes itself as the “largest manufacturer of pre-blended, packaged concrete and cementitious products in North America.”

Related: Summit Materials sees strong growth in third quarter

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co. is a third-generation family-owned business serving Kansas and Oklahoma.

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co., a third-generation family-owned business serving southwest Kansas and northwest Oklahoma, sold to Legacy Infrastructure Group.

FMI Capital Advisors, which served as the exclusive financial advisor to J & R Sand Co. for the deal, reported the sale.

“When we decided to explore the sale of J & R, FMI Capital Advisors brought invaluable expertise to the table,” says Todd Carlile, owner of J & R Sand Co. “Navigating the complexities of our market required a partner who truly understood the operational nuances. Their strategic approach and dedication not only made the process smoother but also gave us confidence that our legacy and the future of J & R were in good hands.”

With three asphalt plants and one sand and gravel pit, FMI says J & R Sand Co. is one of the largest materials producers in its region.

Related: FMI provides midyear reflection on construction materials market

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Equipment and technology from Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen was showcased at a 1,200-person event last week in Nashville.

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

More than 1,200 people descended on the Wirtgen Group’s North American headquarters last week in Antioch, Tennessee, where the company highlighted its latest efforts at Technology Days North America 2024 to make equipment smarter, safer and more sustainable.

Equipment from several Wirtgen Group brands – including Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen – was showcased through displays and exhibits, presentations and live demonstrations. The Wirtgen Group also opened its CTT (Center for Training & Technology) to those on hand, detailing its role in preparing the next generation of equipment operators for jobs in aggregates and road construction.

Technology Days 2024 was the third iteration of the event the Wirtgen Group has hosted in the U.S. The company’s Technology Days originated in Germany, where the Wirtgen Group’s global headquarters resides.

“Tech days are pretty traditional for German manufacturing companies,” says Jim McEvoy, president and CEO of Wirtgen America. “We would take a number of American contractors over for years, [but we] really can’t handle more than 100 people over there at a time. So, we came up with the idea of doing it here in North America.”

Kleemann focus

An assortment of mobile crushing and screening plants from Kleemann was among the equipment on display outside the CTT during Technology Days, with several models also involved in live demonstrations.

In one demo, five pieces of track-mounted Kleemann equipment prepped base material. The MC 110i EVO2 jaw crushing plant, the MCO 90i EVO2 cone crushing plant, the MSC 953i EVO classifying screen plant and the MBT 24i stacker operated in tandem to make natural stone products.

A second demo showcased two Kleemann mobile impact crushing plants: the MR 100i NEO and the MR 110i EVO 2. Kleemann illustrated how operators can process large pieces of used concrete through an MR 100i NEO. The brand also demonstrated how the MR 110i EVO2 produces RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement).

Going a step further, the overall demonstration showed how the concrete product could be mixed with asphalt, RAP and foam bitumen using Wirtgen’s mobile KMA 240i cold recycling plant.

Going digital

Although Wirtgen Group equipment was central to Technology Days, the technology aspect of the company’s business is, perhaps, the most rapidly evolving these days.

Wirtgen Group equipment, for example, is now part of the John Deere Operations Center, giving operators a range of datapoints on the company’s machines. Through the John Deere Operations Center, operators can now monitor productivity and efficiency, track the location of equipment, and keep tabs on the operational status of their machines.

Although the launch of the John Deere Operations Center in the Wirtgen Group was an undertaking, the company says the opportunity digital tech presents contractors is a tremendous one – and not only for operations, but for the greater business in terms of risk management.

“If you can start to either take some of the cost of that risk out because you’ve got better data, that’s going to allow you to bid more competitively,” says Matt Graves, director of marketing at the Wirtgen Group.

McEvoy agrees.

“Contractors have a nice double-digit number of risk in every contract they perform,” he says. “So, profit is in managing efficiency. Better profits [are] in managing that risk and efficiency.”

Embracing digitalization isn’t exactly easy, though. It’s newer territory for equipment manufacturers, their dealers and those ultimately putting equipment to use.

“The challenging part with digital is it is an intangible,” McEvoy says. “We’re all very good at tangibles. We’re very good at iron. The dealers understand that. And you start at the customer. It’s something the customer wants, values and needs, so it does draw the dealer to it.”

A manufacturer’s responsibility, McEvoy adds, is to provide support in the form of training, materials and other information.

“I think a lot of our dealer networks are supporting systems on the construction side – what I’ll call the ‘yellow side’ – and they’re familiar with it already,” he says.

Now, McEvoy says a task at hand is transitioning those dealers into the Wirtgen Group’s niche.

“At a higher level, you can look at digital products like … you are almost introducing a new product to a dealer,” he says. “It’s not iron … but you’re bringing in a new product, and it’s the same type of product launch process. You have market opportunity; you have to bring the dealer up to speed on what it is you’re offering; [and] they have to set their support structure accordingly. That’s what we’re finding.”

Providing education

Training is also critical to a contractor’s success. The CTT is Wirtgen Group’s way of building up a contractor’s employees.

“It is truly a road construction and aggregates university,” Graves says. “That’s how we look at this building.”

With classrooms built in and space outside to explore equipment, Graves says the company hosts more than 3,000 students at the CTT each year.

“That’s 3,000 individuals,” he says. “Those individuals will come back multiple times. Some of those individuals come back three or four times throughout the course of a year.”

The Wirtgen Group, for example, provides new operator training as a three-day course, teaching fundamentals about the jobs tied to its equipment.

“You learn the fundamentals of the five courses of paving, and then you go outside and apply the five courses,” Graves says. “[The] same with crushing: You get them out there, and you’re talking about sizing, materials, density. You give them the fundamentals of what it is to do your job. We show you how to do it.”

The Wirtgen Group first opened the CTT in 2009 and expanded it in 2018. As Graves describes, the operators going through the facility today approach their work differently than the ones from, say, 15 years ago.

“What we’re finding is the next generation will jump on the machines, and they’ll be showing their crew foreman how to get more out of their equipment; how to service their equipment better; how to treat it better so it lasts longer,” Graves says.

Related: Stockpile monitoring now part of Kleemann app

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Editor-in-chief Kevin Yanik reflects on the past 15 years of industry growth, pointing to elevated funding for infrastructure as propping up aggregates.

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Years ago, when I was relatively new as the editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry, I made a comment during a company leadership meeting that peers still poke fun at me for.

I used the words “recession proof” to describe the industry.

Of course, no industry is recession proof. Those in the industry whose careers began in 2008 or earlier know this full well.

I suppose the greater point I tried to make was that our industry was doing well at a time when others were not. When government funding is in place for infrastructure, producers have a solid baseline by which they can do business. 

Most industries don’t have billions of dollars in public funding to get them out of the starting blocks. Ours does, and we also have private dollars in residential and nonresidential construction – albeit more volatile markets historically – to propel us further forward.

The fundamental drivers propelling our industry have fortunately been in place for many years now. Looking back, the industry has slowly but steadily grown just about every year since the Great Recession. 

Consider, too, that some of the industry’s top-performing years over the last 15 were through COVID – years that set some industries back – reaffirming the essential nature of aggregates.

“You’d think coming out of a slump like COVID that you’d kind of get a peak and it’d level off again,” says Karen Thompson, president of Haver & Boecker Niagara’s North America and Australia operations. “We’ve really seen the business continue in a very good form. It’s encouraging.”

That aggregates are essential is a boon lifting us up. Anyone picking up a copy of Pit & Quarry knows this already. Getting those outside the industry to grasp this concept will always be critical to our success, but the last decade and a half of gains shows our value is being recognized.

The sorts of gains captured during this 15-year run are arguably more desirable than the ones experienced in the years prior to the Great Recession. Kraemer Mining & Materials’ Cody Ladd explains.

“I like the kind of growth that we have right now because it’s a lot more sustainable,” says Ladd, president and COO at Kraemer Mining & Materials. “You’re not going up 30 percent one year. You’re not going up 10 percent one year. On a compound annual growth rate, you’re probably landing at like 5, 6 or 7. 

“Then, if I really looked at it year over year, we’re probably somewhere around, just as an industry, 10 percent,” he adds. “And a lot of it’s with flat volumes. I think that’s a great narrative. That just means our product is appreciating in value.”

As long as U.S. infrastructure is in need of repair, opportunities should remain.

“Anytime I try to explain aggregates to anybody, I really try to explain infrastructure,” Ladd says. “I try to correlate where the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) is on road ratings.”

Right now, that ASCE grade on America’s infrastructure is a C-minus.

“As long as that’s there, I think we’re in a really good place,” Ladd says.

Related: P&Q Profile: Masaba’s Kirby Cline

Featured Photo: Marc Dufresne/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

What makes SURVIVOR truck scales the Toughest Scales on Earth®? SURVIVOR truck scale engineers use Finite Element Analysis

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in addition to our long-time favorites. Jaw Crushers, Impact Crushers, Cone Crushers, Screeners and Stackers – they are all-new, ready to get dirty and #CrushEveryJob!

Check out our the new additions to Team Screen Machine.

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek sat down with P&Q to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems and the tremendous potential ahead for aggregate producers.

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek paid P&Q a visit to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems (AHS) and the tremendous potential for aggregate producers.

Autonomy isn’t necessarily new to mining. It is, however, now being introduced to aggregate producers, who generally operate significantly smaller haul trucks than large mining companies. Pronto has made the case that the best value related to autonomy is in the smaller truck space when shifting from manned haulers. All this said, why do you think we’ve seen the companies involved in autonomy within our greater industry approach it from vastly different angles?

Autonomy in the mining and quarrying space started with the biggest trucks and operations for a couple of reasons. Really, what they’re solving for there is productivity and uptime. If you’re mining a high-value global commodity that you can sell as much as you produce, you’re going to want those trucks running nonstop. 

That was kind of the source of demand, and that’s what you saw the original systems responding to. This is no criticism, but when you look at where that started 20 to 30 years ago – and you’re talking about companies that make yellow iron at scale really well – that’s a different skill set than developing artificial intelligence and advanced software that powers our autonomy. 

We came at it more from a technology perspective, whereas I think systems have traditionally come more at it in terms of just solving the problem – and cost was less of a consideration. 

Our team’s history goes back to the 2004 DARPA Grand Challenge. We’ve been doing on-road for a very long time. It’s just a completely different mindset and approach. I think of it more as distributed autonomy where the intelligence is on the trucks, versus more big, industrial kinds of centralized autonomy systems.

Some of the bigger aggregate producers – Heidelberg Materials, for example, in Texas – are getting involved in autonomy with pilot projects and partnerships with companies like Pronto. In terms of exploration in aggregates, is autonomy limited at this point to the bigger companies? Where’s the line in terms of who can get involved, and who’s kind of ‘outside’ until further notice?

I don’t think there’s anybody outside. We’ve done a deployment that was at a small quarry in Northern California, running two or three trucks. We’ve obviously made the announcement about the project with Heidelberg. I don’t think we disclosed the number of trucks there, but it’s going to be more than two or three.

We’re working on some other [projects] in the mining sector. That’ll probably be our first foray into big numbers of Pronto AHS-powered trucks running in a single site. Our philosophy was [to] make a system that works at the smallest sites with the smallest trucks. Then, there’s no limit to where we can go.

What are some of the pain points that need to be overcome through the trialing Pronto is doing with aggregate producers and others to ultimately get the technology to real-world application?

There’s a few things. There’s the technology piece [and] how you make this work at a [lower] price point. If you’re talking about trucks that cost half a million dollars, your system can’t cost half a million dollars. So, how do you make that system work in a way that’s productive, safe, reliable [and] at a lower price point?

There’s the change management piece that’s critical in any deployment. You’re changing the nature of how these businesses go about producing their product. There’s ancillary stuff [like] how do you manage the fleet? How do you do dispatch? How do you ensure there’s a communications network that the autonomy needs to operate?

Related: Drilling Deeper Episode 27: Autonomous hauling and aggregates

Featured Photo: Pronto.ai

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely on outside suppliers for processing equipment, we design and manufacture our own crushing, screening, washing, and conveying systems in-house. This means fewer moving parts in your project and a streamlined process from start to finish. You get a single source for everything, simplifying coordination and ensuring that your aggregate processing plant is built to meet the highest standards.

Learn more.

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps broke ground on the future site.

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

KSB GIW, a manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps, broke ground on an IoT and automation lab.

The company celebrated the groundbreaking with a ceremony Tuesday.

“KSB GIW’s investment in the new lab is an investment in our customers,” says Wolfgang Demmler, head of KSB Mining. “We are committed to helping customers achieve their objectives, with a key priority being the digitization of their entire mining process. This lab will be an incubator for technologies that make this objective a reality.”

According to KSB GIW, the lab will initially focus on enhancing GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL – the company’s IoT-enabled offerings. GIW SLYsight is a pump wear-monitoring solution that uses sensors to measure real-time wear rates in slurry pump parts. The company says the data helps operators make safe, effective adjustments during operation, ultimately extending pump life.

GIW RAMSL is a mechanical system automating pump adjustments, allowing engineers and maintenance teams to optimize pump performance.

Those who attended KSB GIW’s groundbreaking event experienced live demonstrations of the company’s GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL technologies. Demmler and other company executives, meanwhile, shared their visions for the lab’s impact on the company and the industry.

 “This lab represents a significant step forward in providing innovative IoT solutions to the mining industry,” says Robert Visintainer, vice president of engineering at KSB GIW. “With a dedicated space for R&D around IoT and automation, KSB GIW can significantly accelerate its development of these technologies. The goal is to give our customers the ability to maximize uptime and reduce costs.”

Jonathan Samuel, president and CEO of KSB GIW, says providing IoT technologies differentiates the company from other slurry pump manufacturers.

“When customers visit KSB GIW and view the new lab, they’ll see that we are more than a mechanical pump company and foundry,” Samuel says. “We are a technology-driven hub for mining solutions.”

Related: The latest advancements in dewatering pumps, tech

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The Wall Street Journal released a report Thursday indicating that Quikrete could come to terms on a deal early next week to purchase Summit Materials.

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Summit Materials is in advanced talks to be acquired by Quikrete, according to a Wall Street Journal report released Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal indicates that a deal could come together early next week.

Summit revealed in October that it had received a non-binding acquisition proposal, with Bloomberg reporting that Quikrete was the organization that approached Summit.

According to Summit, it had already held initial discussions at the time with the “interested party.” The company planned to evaluate the proposal to determine a course of action.

“There can be no assurance that any definitive agreement will be reached,” Summit said Oct. 24 in a written statement. “Summit does not plan to provide any updates with respect to this matter, except as required under applicable law.”

Founded in 1940, Quikrete characterizes itself as the “largest manufacturer of pre-blended, packaged concrete and cementitious products in North America.”

Related: Summit Materials sees strong growth in third quarter

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co. is a third-generation family-owned business serving Kansas and Oklahoma.

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co., a third-generation family-owned business serving southwest Kansas and northwest Oklahoma, sold to Legacy Infrastructure Group.

FMI Capital Advisors, which served as the exclusive financial advisor to J & R Sand Co. for the deal, reported the sale.

“When we decided to explore the sale of J & R, FMI Capital Advisors brought invaluable expertise to the table,” says Todd Carlile, owner of J & R Sand Co. “Navigating the complexities of our market required a partner who truly understood the operational nuances. Their strategic approach and dedication not only made the process smoother but also gave us confidence that our legacy and the future of J & R were in good hands.”

With three asphalt plants and one sand and gravel pit, FMI says J & R Sand Co. is one of the largest materials producers in its region.

Related: FMI provides midyear reflection on construction materials market

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Equipment and technology from Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen was showcased at a 1,200-person event last week in Nashville.

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

More than 1,200 people descended on the Wirtgen Group’s North American headquarters last week in Antioch, Tennessee, where the company highlighted its latest efforts at Technology Days North America 2024 to make equipment smarter, safer and more sustainable.

Equipment from several Wirtgen Group brands – including Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen – was showcased through displays and exhibits, presentations and live demonstrations. The Wirtgen Group also opened its CTT (Center for Training & Technology) to those on hand, detailing its role in preparing the next generation of equipment operators for jobs in aggregates and road construction.

Technology Days 2024 was the third iteration of the event the Wirtgen Group has hosted in the U.S. The company’s Technology Days originated in Germany, where the Wirtgen Group’s global headquarters resides.

“Tech days are pretty traditional for German manufacturing companies,” says Jim McEvoy, president and CEO of Wirtgen America. “We would take a number of American contractors over for years, [but we] really can’t handle more than 100 people over there at a time. So, we came up with the idea of doing it here in North America.”

Kleemann focus

An assortment of mobile crushing and screening plants from Kleemann was among the equipment on display outside the CTT during Technology Days, with several models also involved in live demonstrations.

In one demo, five pieces of track-mounted Kleemann equipment prepped base material. The MC 110i EVO2 jaw crushing plant, the MCO 90i EVO2 cone crushing plant, the MSC 953i EVO classifying screen plant and the MBT 24i stacker operated in tandem to make natural stone products.

A second demo showcased two Kleemann mobile impact crushing plants: the MR 100i NEO and the MR 110i EVO 2. Kleemann illustrated how operators can process large pieces of used concrete through an MR 100i NEO. The brand also demonstrated how the MR 110i EVO2 produces RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement).

Going a step further, the overall demonstration showed how the concrete product could be mixed with asphalt, RAP and foam bitumen using Wirtgen’s mobile KMA 240i cold recycling plant.

Going digital

Although Wirtgen Group equipment was central to Technology Days, the technology aspect of the company’s business is, perhaps, the most rapidly evolving these days.

Wirtgen Group equipment, for example, is now part of the John Deere Operations Center, giving operators a range of datapoints on the company’s machines. Through the John Deere Operations Center, operators can now monitor productivity and efficiency, track the location of equipment, and keep tabs on the operational status of their machines.

Although the launch of the John Deere Operations Center in the Wirtgen Group was an undertaking, the company says the opportunity digital tech presents contractors is a tremendous one – and not only for operations, but for the greater business in terms of risk management.

“If you can start to either take some of the cost of that risk out because you’ve got better data, that’s going to allow you to bid more competitively,” says Matt Graves, director of marketing at the Wirtgen Group.

McEvoy agrees.

“Contractors have a nice double-digit number of risk in every contract they perform,” he says. “So, profit is in managing efficiency. Better profits [are] in managing that risk and efficiency.”

Embracing digitalization isn’t exactly easy, though. It’s newer territory for equipment manufacturers, their dealers and those ultimately putting equipment to use.

“The challenging part with digital is it is an intangible,” McEvoy says. “We’re all very good at tangibles. We’re very good at iron. The dealers understand that. And you start at the customer. It’s something the customer wants, values and needs, so it does draw the dealer to it.”

A manufacturer’s responsibility, McEvoy adds, is to provide support in the form of training, materials and other information.

“I think a lot of our dealer networks are supporting systems on the construction side – what I’ll call the ‘yellow side’ – and they’re familiar with it already,” he says.

Now, McEvoy says a task at hand is transitioning those dealers into the Wirtgen Group’s niche.

“At a higher level, you can look at digital products like … you are almost introducing a new product to a dealer,” he says. “It’s not iron … but you’re bringing in a new product, and it’s the same type of product launch process. You have market opportunity; you have to bring the dealer up to speed on what it is you’re offering; [and] they have to set their support structure accordingly. That’s what we’re finding.”

Providing education

Training is also critical to a contractor’s success. The CTT is Wirtgen Group’s way of building up a contractor’s employees.

“It is truly a road construction and aggregates university,” Graves says. “That’s how we look at this building.”

With classrooms built in and space outside to explore equipment, Graves says the company hosts more than 3,000 students at the CTT each year.

“That’s 3,000 individuals,” he says. “Those individuals will come back multiple times. Some of those individuals come back three or four times throughout the course of a year.”

The Wirtgen Group, for example, provides new operator training as a three-day course, teaching fundamentals about the jobs tied to its equipment.

“You learn the fundamentals of the five courses of paving, and then you go outside and apply the five courses,” Graves says. “[The] same with crushing: You get them out there, and you’re talking about sizing, materials, density. You give them the fundamentals of what it is to do your job. We show you how to do it.”

The Wirtgen Group first opened the CTT in 2009 and expanded it in 2018. As Graves describes, the operators going through the facility today approach their work differently than the ones from, say, 15 years ago.

“What we’re finding is the next generation will jump on the machines, and they’ll be showing their crew foreman how to get more out of their equipment; how to service their equipment better; how to treat it better so it lasts longer,” Graves says.

Related: Stockpile monitoring now part of Kleemann app

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Editor-in-chief Kevin Yanik reflects on the past 15 years of industry growth, pointing to elevated funding for infrastructure as propping up aggregates.

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Years ago, when I was relatively new as the editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry, I made a comment during a company leadership meeting that peers still poke fun at me for.

I used the words “recession proof” to describe the industry.

Of course, no industry is recession proof. Those in the industry whose careers began in 2008 or earlier know this full well.

I suppose the greater point I tried to make was that our industry was doing well at a time when others were not. When government funding is in place for infrastructure, producers have a solid baseline by which they can do business. 

Most industries don’t have billions of dollars in public funding to get them out of the starting blocks. Ours does, and we also have private dollars in residential and nonresidential construction – albeit more volatile markets historically – to propel us further forward.

The fundamental drivers propelling our industry have fortunately been in place for many years now. Looking back, the industry has slowly but steadily grown just about every year since the Great Recession. 

Consider, too, that some of the industry’s top-performing years over the last 15 were through COVID – years that set some industries back – reaffirming the essential nature of aggregates.

“You’d think coming out of a slump like COVID that you’d kind of get a peak and it’d level off again,” says Karen Thompson, president of Haver & Boecker Niagara’s North America and Australia operations. “We’ve really seen the business continue in a very good form. It’s encouraging.”

That aggregates are essential is a boon lifting us up. Anyone picking up a copy of Pit & Quarry knows this already. Getting those outside the industry to grasp this concept will always be critical to our success, but the last decade and a half of gains shows our value is being recognized.

The sorts of gains captured during this 15-year run are arguably more desirable than the ones experienced in the years prior to the Great Recession. Kraemer Mining & Materials’ Cody Ladd explains.

“I like the kind of growth that we have right now because it’s a lot more sustainable,” says Ladd, president and COO at Kraemer Mining & Materials. “You’re not going up 30 percent one year. You’re not going up 10 percent one year. On a compound annual growth rate, you’re probably landing at like 5, 6 or 7. 

“Then, if I really looked at it year over year, we’re probably somewhere around, just as an industry, 10 percent,” he adds. “And a lot of it’s with flat volumes. I think that’s a great narrative. That just means our product is appreciating in value.”

As long as U.S. infrastructure is in need of repair, opportunities should remain.

“Anytime I try to explain aggregates to anybody, I really try to explain infrastructure,” Ladd says. “I try to correlate where the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) is on road ratings.”

Right now, that ASCE grade on America’s infrastructure is a C-minus.

“As long as that’s there, I think we’re in a really good place,” Ladd says.

Related: P&Q Profile: Masaba’s Kirby Cline

Featured Photo: Marc Dufresne/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

What makes SURVIVOR truck scales the Toughest Scales on Earth®? SURVIVOR truck scale engineers use Finite Element Analysis

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in addition to our long-time favorites. Jaw Crushers, Impact Crushers, Cone Crushers, Screeners and Stackers – they are all-new, ready to get dirty and #CrushEveryJob!

Check out our the new additions to Team Screen Machine.

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek sat down with P&Q to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems and the tremendous potential ahead for aggregate producers.

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek paid P&Q a visit to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems (AHS) and the tremendous potential for aggregate producers.

Autonomy isn’t necessarily new to mining. It is, however, now being introduced to aggregate producers, who generally operate significantly smaller haul trucks than large mining companies. Pronto has made the case that the best value related to autonomy is in the smaller truck space when shifting from manned haulers. All this said, why do you think we’ve seen the companies involved in autonomy within our greater industry approach it from vastly different angles?

Autonomy in the mining and quarrying space started with the biggest trucks and operations for a couple of reasons. Really, what they’re solving for there is productivity and uptime. If you’re mining a high-value global commodity that you can sell as much as you produce, you’re going to want those trucks running nonstop. 

That was kind of the source of demand, and that’s what you saw the original systems responding to. This is no criticism, but when you look at where that started 20 to 30 years ago – and you’re talking about companies that make yellow iron at scale really well – that’s a different skill set than developing artificial intelligence and advanced software that powers our autonomy. 

We came at it more from a technology perspective, whereas I think systems have traditionally come more at it in terms of just solving the problem – and cost was less of a consideration. 

Our team’s history goes back to the 2004 DARPA Grand Challenge. We’ve been doing on-road for a very long time. It’s just a completely different mindset and approach. I think of it more as distributed autonomy where the intelligence is on the trucks, versus more big, industrial kinds of centralized autonomy systems.

Some of the bigger aggregate producers – Heidelberg Materials, for example, in Texas – are getting involved in autonomy with pilot projects and partnerships with companies like Pronto. In terms of exploration in aggregates, is autonomy limited at this point to the bigger companies? Where’s the line in terms of who can get involved, and who’s kind of ‘outside’ until further notice?

I don’t think there’s anybody outside. We’ve done a deployment that was at a small quarry in Northern California, running two or three trucks. We’ve obviously made the announcement about the project with Heidelberg. I don’t think we disclosed the number of trucks there, but it’s going to be more than two or three.

We’re working on some other [projects] in the mining sector. That’ll probably be our first foray into big numbers of Pronto AHS-powered trucks running in a single site. Our philosophy was [to] make a system that works at the smallest sites with the smallest trucks. Then, there’s no limit to where we can go.

What are some of the pain points that need to be overcome through the trialing Pronto is doing with aggregate producers and others to ultimately get the technology to real-world application?

There’s a few things. There’s the technology piece [and] how you make this work at a [lower] price point. If you’re talking about trucks that cost half a million dollars, your system can’t cost half a million dollars. So, how do you make that system work in a way that’s productive, safe, reliable [and] at a lower price point?

There’s the change management piece that’s critical in any deployment. You’re changing the nature of how these businesses go about producing their product. There’s ancillary stuff [like] how do you manage the fleet? How do you do dispatch? How do you ensure there’s a communications network that the autonomy needs to operate?

Related: Drilling Deeper Episode 27: Autonomous hauling and aggregates

Featured Photo: Pronto.ai

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely on outside suppliers for processing equipment, we design and manufacture our own crushing, screening, washing, and conveying systems in-house. This means fewer moving parts in your project and a streamlined process from start to finish. You get a single source for everything, simplifying coordination and ensuring that your aggregate processing plant is built to meet the highest standards.

Learn more.

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps broke ground on the future site.

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

KSB GIW, a manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps, broke ground on an IoT and automation lab.

The company celebrated the groundbreaking with a ceremony Tuesday.

“KSB GIW’s investment in the new lab is an investment in our customers,” says Wolfgang Demmler, head of KSB Mining. “We are committed to helping customers achieve their objectives, with a key priority being the digitization of their entire mining process. This lab will be an incubator for technologies that make this objective a reality.”

According to KSB GIW, the lab will initially focus on enhancing GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL – the company’s IoT-enabled offerings. GIW SLYsight is a pump wear-monitoring solution that uses sensors to measure real-time wear rates in slurry pump parts. The company says the data helps operators make safe, effective adjustments during operation, ultimately extending pump life.

GIW RAMSL is a mechanical system automating pump adjustments, allowing engineers and maintenance teams to optimize pump performance.

Those who attended KSB GIW’s groundbreaking event experienced live demonstrations of the company’s GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL technologies. Demmler and other company executives, meanwhile, shared their visions for the lab’s impact on the company and the industry.

 “This lab represents a significant step forward in providing innovative IoT solutions to the mining industry,” says Robert Visintainer, vice president of engineering at KSB GIW. “With a dedicated space for R&D around IoT and automation, KSB GIW can significantly accelerate its development of these technologies. The goal is to give our customers the ability to maximize uptime and reduce costs.”

Jonathan Samuel, president and CEO of KSB GIW, says providing IoT technologies differentiates the company from other slurry pump manufacturers.

“When customers visit KSB GIW and view the new lab, they’ll see that we are more than a mechanical pump company and foundry,” Samuel says. “We are a technology-driven hub for mining solutions.”

Related: The latest advancements in dewatering pumps, tech

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The Wall Street Journal released a report Thursday indicating that Quikrete could come to terms on a deal early next week to purchase Summit Materials.

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Summit Materials is in advanced talks to be acquired by Quikrete, according to a Wall Street Journal report released Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal indicates that a deal could come together early next week.

Summit revealed in October that it had received a non-binding acquisition proposal, with Bloomberg reporting that Quikrete was the organization that approached Summit.

According to Summit, it had already held initial discussions at the time with the “interested party.” The company planned to evaluate the proposal to determine a course of action.

“There can be no assurance that any definitive agreement will be reached,” Summit said Oct. 24 in a written statement. “Summit does not plan to provide any updates with respect to this matter, except as required under applicable law.”

Founded in 1940, Quikrete characterizes itself as the “largest manufacturer of pre-blended, packaged concrete and cementitious products in North America.”

Related: Summit Materials sees strong growth in third quarter

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co. is a third-generation family-owned business serving Kansas and Oklahoma.

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co., a third-generation family-owned business serving southwest Kansas and northwest Oklahoma, sold to Legacy Infrastructure Group.

FMI Capital Advisors, which served as the exclusive financial advisor to J & R Sand Co. for the deal, reported the sale.

“When we decided to explore the sale of J & R, FMI Capital Advisors brought invaluable expertise to the table,” says Todd Carlile, owner of J & R Sand Co. “Navigating the complexities of our market required a partner who truly understood the operational nuances. Their strategic approach and dedication not only made the process smoother but also gave us confidence that our legacy and the future of J & R were in good hands.”

With three asphalt plants and one sand and gravel pit, FMI says J & R Sand Co. is one of the largest materials producers in its region.

Related: FMI provides midyear reflection on construction materials market

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Equipment and technology from Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen was showcased at a 1,200-person event last week in Nashville.

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

More than 1,200 people descended on the Wirtgen Group’s North American headquarters last week in Antioch, Tennessee, where the company highlighted its latest efforts at Technology Days North America 2024 to make equipment smarter, safer and more sustainable.

Equipment from several Wirtgen Group brands – including Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen – was showcased through displays and exhibits, presentations and live demonstrations. The Wirtgen Group also opened its CTT (Center for Training & Technology) to those on hand, detailing its role in preparing the next generation of equipment operators for jobs in aggregates and road construction.

Technology Days 2024 was the third iteration of the event the Wirtgen Group has hosted in the U.S. The company’s Technology Days originated in Germany, where the Wirtgen Group’s global headquarters resides.

“Tech days are pretty traditional for German manufacturing companies,” says Jim McEvoy, president and CEO of Wirtgen America. “We would take a number of American contractors over for years, [but we] really can’t handle more than 100 people over there at a time. So, we came up with the idea of doing it here in North America.”

Kleemann focus

An assortment of mobile crushing and screening plants from Kleemann was among the equipment on display outside the CTT during Technology Days, with several models also involved in live demonstrations.

In one demo, five pieces of track-mounted Kleemann equipment prepped base material. The MC 110i EVO2 jaw crushing plant, the MCO 90i EVO2 cone crushing plant, the MSC 953i EVO classifying screen plant and the MBT 24i stacker operated in tandem to make natural stone products.

A second demo showcased two Kleemann mobile impact crushing plants: the MR 100i NEO and the MR 110i EVO 2. Kleemann illustrated how operators can process large pieces of used concrete through an MR 100i NEO. The brand also demonstrated how the MR 110i EVO2 produces RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement).

Going a step further, the overall demonstration showed how the concrete product could be mixed with asphalt, RAP and foam bitumen using Wirtgen’s mobile KMA 240i cold recycling plant.

Going digital

Although Wirtgen Group equipment was central to Technology Days, the technology aspect of the company’s business is, perhaps, the most rapidly evolving these days.

Wirtgen Group equipment, for example, is now part of the John Deere Operations Center, giving operators a range of datapoints on the company’s machines. Through the John Deere Operations Center, operators can now monitor productivity and efficiency, track the location of equipment, and keep tabs on the operational status of their machines.

Although the launch of the John Deere Operations Center in the Wirtgen Group was an undertaking, the company says the opportunity digital tech presents contractors is a tremendous one – and not only for operations, but for the greater business in terms of risk management.

“If you can start to either take some of the cost of that risk out because you’ve got better data, that’s going to allow you to bid more competitively,” says Matt Graves, director of marketing at the Wirtgen Group.

McEvoy agrees.

“Contractors have a nice double-digit number of risk in every contract they perform,” he says. “So, profit is in managing efficiency. Better profits [are] in managing that risk and efficiency.”

Embracing digitalization isn’t exactly easy, though. It’s newer territory for equipment manufacturers, their dealers and those ultimately putting equipment to use.

“The challenging part with digital is it is an intangible,” McEvoy says. “We’re all very good at tangibles. We’re very good at iron. The dealers understand that. And you start at the customer. It’s something the customer wants, values and needs, so it does draw the dealer to it.”

A manufacturer’s responsibility, McEvoy adds, is to provide support in the form of training, materials and other information.

“I think a lot of our dealer networks are supporting systems on the construction side – what I’ll call the ‘yellow side’ – and they’re familiar with it already,” he says.

Now, McEvoy says a task at hand is transitioning those dealers into the Wirtgen Group’s niche.

“At a higher level, you can look at digital products like … you are almost introducing a new product to a dealer,” he says. “It’s not iron … but you’re bringing in a new product, and it’s the same type of product launch process. You have market opportunity; you have to bring the dealer up to speed on what it is you’re offering; [and] they have to set their support structure accordingly. That’s what we’re finding.”

Providing education

Training is also critical to a contractor’s success. The CTT is Wirtgen Group’s way of building up a contractor’s employees.

“It is truly a road construction and aggregates university,” Graves says. “That’s how we look at this building.”

With classrooms built in and space outside to explore equipment, Graves says the company hosts more than 3,000 students at the CTT each year.

“That’s 3,000 individuals,” he says. “Those individuals will come back multiple times. Some of those individuals come back three or four times throughout the course of a year.”

The Wirtgen Group, for example, provides new operator training as a three-day course, teaching fundamentals about the jobs tied to its equipment.

“You learn the fundamentals of the five courses of paving, and then you go outside and apply the five courses,” Graves says. “[The] same with crushing: You get them out there, and you’re talking about sizing, materials, density. You give them the fundamentals of what it is to do your job. We show you how to do it.”

The Wirtgen Group first opened the CTT in 2009 and expanded it in 2018. As Graves describes, the operators going through the facility today approach their work differently than the ones from, say, 15 years ago.

“What we’re finding is the next generation will jump on the machines, and they’ll be showing their crew foreman how to get more out of their equipment; how to service their equipment better; how to treat it better so it lasts longer,” Graves says.

Related: Stockpile monitoring now part of Kleemann app

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Editor-in-chief Kevin Yanik reflects on the past 15 years of industry growth, pointing to elevated funding for infrastructure as propping up aggregates.

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Years ago, when I was relatively new as the editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry, I made a comment during a company leadership meeting that peers still poke fun at me for.

I used the words “recession proof” to describe the industry.

Of course, no industry is recession proof. Those in the industry whose careers began in 2008 or earlier know this full well.

I suppose the greater point I tried to make was that our industry was doing well at a time when others were not. When government funding is in place for infrastructure, producers have a solid baseline by which they can do business. 

Most industries don’t have billions of dollars in public funding to get them out of the starting blocks. Ours does, and we also have private dollars in residential and nonresidential construction – albeit more volatile markets historically – to propel us further forward.

The fundamental drivers propelling our industry have fortunately been in place for many years now. Looking back, the industry has slowly but steadily grown just about every year since the Great Recession. 

Consider, too, that some of the industry’s top-performing years over the last 15 were through COVID – years that set some industries back – reaffirming the essential nature of aggregates.

“You’d think coming out of a slump like COVID that you’d kind of get a peak and it’d level off again,” says Karen Thompson, president of Haver & Boecker Niagara’s North America and Australia operations. “We’ve really seen the business continue in a very good form. It’s encouraging.”

That aggregates are essential is a boon lifting us up. Anyone picking up a copy of Pit & Quarry knows this already. Getting those outside the industry to grasp this concept will always be critical to our success, but the last decade and a half of gains shows our value is being recognized.

The sorts of gains captured during this 15-year run are arguably more desirable than the ones experienced in the years prior to the Great Recession. Kraemer Mining & Materials’ Cody Ladd explains.

“I like the kind of growth that we have right now because it’s a lot more sustainable,” says Ladd, president and COO at Kraemer Mining & Materials. “You’re not going up 30 percent one year. You’re not going up 10 percent one year. On a compound annual growth rate, you’re probably landing at like 5, 6 or 7. 

“Then, if I really looked at it year over year, we’re probably somewhere around, just as an industry, 10 percent,” he adds. “And a lot of it’s with flat volumes. I think that’s a great narrative. That just means our product is appreciating in value.”

As long as U.S. infrastructure is in need of repair, opportunities should remain.

“Anytime I try to explain aggregates to anybody, I really try to explain infrastructure,” Ladd says. “I try to correlate where the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) is on road ratings.”

Right now, that ASCE grade on America’s infrastructure is a C-minus.

“As long as that’s there, I think we’re in a really good place,” Ladd says.

Related: P&Q Profile: Masaba’s Kirby Cline

Featured Photo: Marc Dufresne/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

What makes SURVIVOR truck scales the Toughest Scales on Earth®? SURVIVOR truck scale engineers use Finite Element Analysis

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

<p>The post Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ SURVIVOR Truck Scale Systems first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

As part of the MPP Global group, Screen Machine is unveiling a number of new product offerings, in addition to our long-time favorites. Jaw Crushers, Impact Crushers, Cone Crushers, Screeners and Stackers – they are all-new, ready to get dirty and #CrushEveryJob!

Check out our the new additions to Team Screen Machine.

<p>The post Screen Machine: Have You Heard The News? first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek sat down with P&Q to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems and the tremendous potential ahead for aggregate producers.

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek paid P&Q a visit to discuss developments with autonomous haulage systems (AHS) and the tremendous potential for aggregate producers.

Autonomy isn’t necessarily new to mining. It is, however, now being introduced to aggregate producers, who generally operate significantly smaller haul trucks than large mining companies. Pronto has made the case that the best value related to autonomy is in the smaller truck space when shifting from manned haulers. All this said, why do you think we’ve seen the companies involved in autonomy within our greater industry approach it from vastly different angles?

Autonomy in the mining and quarrying space started with the biggest trucks and operations for a couple of reasons. Really, what they’re solving for there is productivity and uptime. If you’re mining a high-value global commodity that you can sell as much as you produce, you’re going to want those trucks running nonstop. 

That was kind of the source of demand, and that’s what you saw the original systems responding to. This is no criticism, but when you look at where that started 20 to 30 years ago – and you’re talking about companies that make yellow iron at scale really well – that’s a different skill set than developing artificial intelligence and advanced software that powers our autonomy. 

We came at it more from a technology perspective, whereas I think systems have traditionally come more at it in terms of just solving the problem – and cost was less of a consideration. 

Our team’s history goes back to the 2004 DARPA Grand Challenge. We’ve been doing on-road for a very long time. It’s just a completely different mindset and approach. I think of it more as distributed autonomy where the intelligence is on the trucks, versus more big, industrial kinds of centralized autonomy systems.

Some of the bigger aggregate producers – Heidelberg Materials, for example, in Texas – are getting involved in autonomy with pilot projects and partnerships with companies like Pronto. In terms of exploration in aggregates, is autonomy limited at this point to the bigger companies? Where’s the line in terms of who can get involved, and who’s kind of ‘outside’ until further notice?

I don’t think there’s anybody outside. We’ve done a deployment that was at a small quarry in Northern California, running two or three trucks. We’ve obviously made the announcement about the project with Heidelberg. I don’t think we disclosed the number of trucks there, but it’s going to be more than two or three.

We’re working on some other [projects] in the mining sector. That’ll probably be our first foray into big numbers of Pronto AHS-powered trucks running in a single site. Our philosophy was [to] make a system that works at the smallest sites with the smallest trucks. Then, there’s no limit to where we can go.

What are some of the pain points that need to be overcome through the trialing Pronto is doing with aggregate producers and others to ultimately get the technology to real-world application?

There’s a few things. There’s the technology piece [and] how you make this work at a [lower] price point. If you’re talking about trucks that cost half a million dollars, your system can’t cost half a million dollars. So, how do you make that system work in a way that’s productive, safe, reliable [and] at a lower price point?

There’s the change management piece that’s critical in any deployment. You’re changing the nature of how these businesses go about producing their product. There’s ancillary stuff [like] how do you manage the fleet? How do you do dispatch? How do you ensure there’s a communications network that the autonomy needs to operate?

Related: Drilling Deeper Episode 27: Autonomous hauling and aggregates

Featured Photo: Pronto.ai

<p>The post P&Q Profile: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

At Superior Industries, our turnkey construction management services stand out because we’re vertically integrated. Unlike others who rely on outside suppliers for processing equipment, we design and manufacture our own crushing, screening, washing, and conveying systems in-house. This means fewer moving parts in your project and a streamlined process from start to finish. You get a single source for everything, simplifying coordination and ensuring that your aggregate processing plant is built to meet the highest standards.

Learn more.

<p>The post Superior Industries: Construction Management first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps broke ground on the future site.

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

KSB GIW, a manufacturer of centrifugal slurry pumps, broke ground on an IoT and automation lab.

The company celebrated the groundbreaking with a ceremony Tuesday.

“KSB GIW’s investment in the new lab is an investment in our customers,” says Wolfgang Demmler, head of KSB Mining. “We are committed to helping customers achieve their objectives, with a key priority being the digitization of their entire mining process. This lab will be an incubator for technologies that make this objective a reality.”

According to KSB GIW, the lab will initially focus on enhancing GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL – the company’s IoT-enabled offerings. GIW SLYsight is a pump wear-monitoring solution that uses sensors to measure real-time wear rates in slurry pump parts. The company says the data helps operators make safe, effective adjustments during operation, ultimately extending pump life.

GIW RAMSL is a mechanical system automating pump adjustments, allowing engineers and maintenance teams to optimize pump performance.

Those who attended KSB GIW’s groundbreaking event experienced live demonstrations of the company’s GIW SLYsight and GIW RAMSL technologies. Demmler and other company executives, meanwhile, shared their visions for the lab’s impact on the company and the industry.

 “This lab represents a significant step forward in providing innovative IoT solutions to the mining industry,” says Robert Visintainer, vice president of engineering at KSB GIW. “With a dedicated space for R&D around IoT and automation, KSB GIW can significantly accelerate its development of these technologies. The goal is to give our customers the ability to maximize uptime and reduce costs.”

Jonathan Samuel, president and CEO of KSB GIW, says providing IoT technologies differentiates the company from other slurry pump manufacturers.

“When customers visit KSB GIW and view the new lab, they’ll see that we are more than a mechanical pump company and foundry,” Samuel says. “We are a technology-driven hub for mining solutions.”

Related: The latest advancements in dewatering pumps, tech

<p>The post KSB GIW to build lab dedicated to IoT, automation first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

The Wall Street Journal released a report Thursday indicating that Quikrete could come to terms on a deal early next week to purchase Summit Materials.

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Summit Materials is in advanced talks to be acquired by Quikrete, according to a Wall Street Journal report released Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal indicates that a deal could come together early next week.

Summit revealed in October that it had received a non-binding acquisition proposal, with Bloomberg reporting that Quikrete was the organization that approached Summit.

According to Summit, it had already held initial discussions at the time with the “interested party.” The company planned to evaluate the proposal to determine a course of action.

“There can be no assurance that any definitive agreement will be reached,” Summit said Oct. 24 in a written statement. “Summit does not plan to provide any updates with respect to this matter, except as required under applicable law.”

Founded in 1940, Quikrete characterizes itself as the “largest manufacturer of pre-blended, packaged concrete and cementitious products in North America.”

Related: Summit Materials sees strong growth in third quarter

<p>The post Report: Summit Materials, Quikrete talks advancing first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co. is a third-generation family-owned business serving Kansas and Oklahoma.

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

J & R Sand Co., a third-generation family-owned business serving southwest Kansas and northwest Oklahoma, sold to Legacy Infrastructure Group.

FMI Capital Advisors, which served as the exclusive financial advisor to J & R Sand Co. for the deal, reported the sale.

“When we decided to explore the sale of J & R, FMI Capital Advisors brought invaluable expertise to the table,” says Todd Carlile, owner of J & R Sand Co. “Navigating the complexities of our market required a partner who truly understood the operational nuances. Their strategic approach and dedication not only made the process smoother but also gave us confidence that our legacy and the future of J & R were in good hands.”

With three asphalt plants and one sand and gravel pit, FMI says J & R Sand Co. is one of the largest materials producers in its region.

Related: FMI provides midyear reflection on construction materials market

<p>The post Legacy Infrastructure Group purchases J & R Sand first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Equipment and technology from Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen was showcased at a 1,200-person event last week in Nashville.

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

More than 1,200 people descended on the Wirtgen Group’s North American headquarters last week in Antioch, Tennessee, where the company highlighted its latest efforts at Technology Days North America 2024 to make equipment smarter, safer and more sustainable.

Equipment from several Wirtgen Group brands – including Kleemann, Hamm, Vögele and Wirtgen – was showcased through displays and exhibits, presentations and live demonstrations. The Wirtgen Group also opened its CTT (Center for Training & Technology) to those on hand, detailing its role in preparing the next generation of equipment operators for jobs in aggregates and road construction.

Technology Days 2024 was the third iteration of the event the Wirtgen Group has hosted in the U.S. The company’s Technology Days originated in Germany, where the Wirtgen Group’s global headquarters resides.

“Tech days are pretty traditional for German manufacturing companies,” says Jim McEvoy, president and CEO of Wirtgen America. “We would take a number of American contractors over for years, [but we] really can’t handle more than 100 people over there at a time. So, we came up with the idea of doing it here in North America.”

Kleemann focus

An assortment of mobile crushing and screening plants from Kleemann was among the equipment on display outside the CTT during Technology Days, with several models also involved in live demonstrations.

In one demo, five pieces of track-mounted Kleemann equipment prepped base material. The MC 110i EVO2 jaw crushing plant, the MCO 90i EVO2 cone crushing plant, the MSC 953i EVO classifying screen plant and the MBT 24i stacker operated in tandem to make natural stone products.

A second demo showcased two Kleemann mobile impact crushing plants: the MR 100i NEO and the MR 110i EVO 2. Kleemann illustrated how operators can process large pieces of used concrete through an MR 100i NEO. The brand also demonstrated how the MR 110i EVO2 produces RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement).

Going a step further, the overall demonstration showed how the concrete product could be mixed with asphalt, RAP and foam bitumen using Wirtgen’s mobile KMA 240i cold recycling plant.

Going digital

Although Wirtgen Group equipment was central to Technology Days, the technology aspect of the company’s business is, perhaps, the most rapidly evolving these days.

Wirtgen Group equipment, for example, is now part of the John Deere Operations Center, giving operators a range of datapoints on the company’s machines. Through the John Deere Operations Center, operators can now monitor productivity and efficiency, track the location of equipment, and keep tabs on the operational status of their machines.

Although the launch of the John Deere Operations Center in the Wirtgen Group was an undertaking, the company says the opportunity digital tech presents contractors is a tremendous one – and not only for operations, but for the greater business in terms of risk management.

“If you can start to either take some of the cost of that risk out because you’ve got better data, that’s going to allow you to bid more competitively,” says Matt Graves, director of marketing at the Wirtgen Group.

McEvoy agrees.

“Contractors have a nice double-digit number of risk in every contract they perform,” he says. “So, profit is in managing efficiency. Better profits [are] in managing that risk and efficiency.”

Embracing digitalization isn’t exactly easy, though. It’s newer territory for equipment manufacturers, their dealers and those ultimately putting equipment to use.

“The challenging part with digital is it is an intangible,” McEvoy says. “We’re all very good at tangibles. We’re very good at iron. The dealers understand that. And you start at the customer. It’s something the customer wants, values and needs, so it does draw the dealer to it.”

A manufacturer’s responsibility, McEvoy adds, is to provide support in the form of training, materials and other information.

“I think a lot of our dealer networks are supporting systems on the construction side – what I’ll call the ‘yellow side’ – and they’re familiar with it already,” he says.

Now, McEvoy says a task at hand is transitioning those dealers into the Wirtgen Group’s niche.

“At a higher level, you can look at digital products like … you are almost introducing a new product to a dealer,” he says. “It’s not iron … but you’re bringing in a new product, and it’s the same type of product launch process. You have market opportunity; you have to bring the dealer up to speed on what it is you’re offering; [and] they have to set their support structure accordingly. That’s what we’re finding.”

Providing education

Training is also critical to a contractor’s success. The CTT is Wirtgen Group’s way of building up a contractor’s employees.

“It is truly a road construction and aggregates university,” Graves says. “That’s how we look at this building.”

With classrooms built in and space outside to explore equipment, Graves says the company hosts more than 3,000 students at the CTT each year.

“That’s 3,000 individuals,” he says. “Those individuals will come back multiple times. Some of those individuals come back three or four times throughout the course of a year.”

The Wirtgen Group, for example, provides new operator training as a three-day course, teaching fundamentals about the jobs tied to its equipment.

“You learn the fundamentals of the five courses of paving, and then you go outside and apply the five courses,” Graves says. “[The] same with crushing: You get them out there, and you’re talking about sizing, materials, density. You give them the fundamentals of what it is to do your job. We show you how to do it.”

The Wirtgen Group first opened the CTT in 2009 and expanded it in 2018. As Graves describes, the operators going through the facility today approach their work differently than the ones from, say, 15 years ago.

“What we’re finding is the next generation will jump on the machines, and they’ll be showing their crew foreman how to get more out of their equipment; how to service their equipment better; how to treat it better so it lasts longer,” Graves says.

Related: Stockpile monitoring now part of Kleemann app

<p>The post Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Editor-in-chief Kevin Yanik reflects on the past 15 years of industry growth, pointing to elevated funding for infrastructure as propping up aggregates.

<p>The post Steady gains keeping the aggregate industry strong first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>

Years ago, when I was relatively new as the editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry, I made a comment during a company leadership meeting that peers still poke fun at me for.

I used the words “recession proof” to describe the industry.

Of course, no industry is recession proof. Those in the industry whose careers began in 2008 or earlier know this full well.

I suppose the greater point I tried to make was that our industry was doing well at a time when others were not. When government funding is in place for infrastructure, producers have a solid baseline by which they can do business. 

Most industries don’t have billions of dollars in public funding to get them out of the starting blocks. Ours does, and we also have private dollars in residential and nonresidential construction – albeit more volatile markets historically – to propel us further forward.

The fundamental drivers propelling our industry have fortunately been in place for many years now. Looking back, the industry has slowly but steadily grown just about every year since the Great Recession. 

Consider, too, that some of the industry’s top-performing years over the last 15 were through COVID – years that set some industries back – reaffirming the essential nature of aggregates.

“You’d think coming out of a slump like COVID that you’d kind of get a peak and it’d level off again,” says Karen Thompson, president of Haver & Boecker Niagara’s North America and Australia operations. “We’ve really seen the business continue in a very good form. It’s encouraging.”

That aggregates are essential is a boon lifting us up. Anyone picking up a copy of Pit & Quarry knows this already. Getting those outside the industry to grasp this concept will always be critical to our success, but the last decade and a half of gains shows our value is being recognized.

The sorts of gains captured during this 15-year run are arguably more desirable than the ones experienced in the years prior to the Great Recession. Kraemer Mining & Materials’ Cody Ladd explains.

“I like the kind of growth that we have right now because it’s a lot more sustainable,” says Ladd, president and COO at Kraemer Mining & Materials. “You’re not going up 30 percent one year. You’re not going up 10 percent one year. On a compound annual growth rate, you’re probably landing at like 5, 6 or 7. 

“Then, if I really looked at it year over year, we’re probably somewhere around, just as an industry, 10 percent,” he adds. “And a lot of it’s with flat volumes. I think that’s a great narrative. That just means our product is appreciating in value.”

As long as U.S. infrastructure is in need of repair, opportunities should remain.

“Anytime I try to explain aggregates to anybody, I really try to explain infrastructure,” Ladd says. “I try to correlate where the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) is on road ratings.”

Right now, that ASCE grade on America’s infrastructure is a C-minus.

“As long as that’s there, I think we’re in a really good place,” Ladd says.

Related: P&Q Profile: Masaba’s Kirby Cline

Featured Photo: Marc Dufresne/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

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