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Wednesday, April 29, 2026

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Quarry Faces: March 2026
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

This month’s photo gallery includes shots from the OSSGA Operations, Health & Safety Seminar and the ISEE annual conference.

<p>The post Quarry Faces: March 2026 first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


The Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA) hosted its Operations, Health and Safety Seminar at the Toronto Airport Marriott in January. OSSGA says a record 39 exhibitors participated in the event, which drew more than 350 industry professionals for education and networking. The association presented a new lineup of speakers covering a variety of topics – including Provix’s Steve Widomski (left) and Polydeck’s Alex Caruana. The two shared how AI is making its way into their equipment offerings and what’s potentially ahead for the industry.

(Photo: P&Q Staff)
(Photo: P&Q Staff)

Greenwood Aggregates was among the producing companies on hand for the OSSGA seminar. Attending on behalf of the company were (from left) Brad Smeltzer, Ray Price and Ross Scully. Greenwood Aggregates is located in Orangeville, Ontario, and has been family-owned and operated for more than 80 years.

(Photo: OSSGA)
(Photo: OSSGA)

During the seminar, OSSGA recognized its 2025 Property Enhancement and Safety Innovation Award winners – operations that go beyond basic site requirements to create spaces that are safe, well-maintained and visually appealing. Amrize Canada was among the award recipients, earning recognition for its Brantford, Goodwood and Sharpe’s Lane sites. Accepting on behalf of Amrize Canada’s Sharpe’s Lane Quarry was Fares Dhaouadi (left), who is pictured alongside Walker Aggregates’ Maurice Guimont.

(Photo: P&Q Staff)
(Photo: P&Q Staff)

Also in January, the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) hosted the 52nd Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique in Reno, Nevada. P&Q caught up with several exhibitors at the event hosted at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino – including BME, a bulk mining explosive and blasting technique supplier. Pictured from BME are (from left) Scott Scovira, Grant Small, Tom Dermody and Lollitta Pitso.

(Photo: P&Q Staff)
(Photo: P&Q Staff)

Brunner & Lay was represented at the ISEE event, as well, with (from left) Bryan Gist, Larry Sager and Jeff Sutterfield in attendance. Brunner & Lay produces pneumatic and hydraulic tool accessories for the construction, mining and demolition industries.

(Photo: P&Q Staff)
(Photo: P&Q Staff)

Kovai Drilling Applications was yet another exhibitor at the ISEE event, with Hari Rajagopal (left) and Guru Sundaresan representing the company. Based in California, Kovai manufactures down-the-hole hammers and drill bits.

(Photo: P&Q Staff)
(Photo: P&Q Staff)

Larmee Equipment & Supply, which specializes in rock drill sales and service, had a presence in Reno, as well. Pictured representing the company are John Hall (left) and Rob Graham. The company, which is the exclusive distributor of Soosan America rock drills, is based in Kentucky.

(Photo: P&Q Staff)
(Photo: P&Q Staff)

Strayos also participated in the 52nd Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique. James Kenney (left), Daniel Castro (center) and Ravi Sahu were on hand from the company, which offers image processing and AI solutions that are designed to improve safety, efficiency and productivity on jobsites.

(Photo: P&Q Staff)
(Photo: P&Q Staff)

Daniel Gutierrez (left) and Gregory Scott were also present at the show, representing Caterpillar. According to Cat, its newest rotary blasthole drills integrate Cat designs, components and technologies.

(Photo: P&Q Staff)
(Photo: P&Q Staff)

Finally, Mani Pessiani was on hand representing Reichdrill, which manufactures a range of drill rigs for blasthole and waterwell applications.

Related: Quarry Faces: February 2026

<p>The post Quarry Faces: March 2026 first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


ProStack names distributor in Utah
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:17:36 +0000

ProStack appointed Sync Aggregate a distributor of its full portfolio of material handling solutions throughout the state.

<p>The post ProStack names distributor in Utah first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


ProStack logo

ProStack named Sync Aggregate a distributor for its complete product range throughout Utah.

Based in Springville, Utah, Sync Aggregate is a supplier of rock crushing equipment, parts and field service to the state’s aggregate and material processing sectors. Under the new agreement, Sync will represent ProStack’s full portfolio of material handling solutions, including tracked conveyors, tracked feeders, telescopic conveyors, hoppers and bulk reception feeders.

The partnership comes as ProStack says it is renewing its focus on the North American market, which has been enhanced by recent product launches such as the TW 36-150 telescopic conveyor. The 150-ft. radial telescopic conveyor is built in Mt Vernon, Missouri, and was specifically designed for the North American market.

“We have a lot of optimism about the appointment of Sync for the Utah market,” says Neil Robinson, business line director at ProStack. “Their knowledge of the industry at a local level puts them in an ideal position to supply ProStack products and will allow us to get closer to our growth and development plans for 2026.”

Adds Sy Harrison, owner of Sync Aggregate: “Adding ProStack bulk material handling equipment to our product offering gives us the opportunity to provide a complete material processing system for our customers and expands our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions that meet the evolving needs of operations throughout Utah.”

Related: ProStack tabs Tyalta in Western Canada

<p>The post ProStack names distributor in Utah first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


Anaconda, RubbleCrusher share their latest at ConExpo-Con/Agg
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:45:41 +0000

The two McLanahan companies showcased portable crushing and screening plants at the show.

<p>The post Anaconda, RubbleCrusher share their latest at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


Anaconda Equipment and RubbleCrusher, both McLanahan Corp. companies, had equipment on display in the outdoor Silver Lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center last week during ConExpo-Con/Agg.

Anaconda used the show as a launching point for a new product, whereas RubbleCrusher showcased a pair of tried-and-true pieces.

Anaconda

For Anaconda, ConExpo-Con/Agg served as the official debut of the I14R mobile impact crusher – its largest impact crusher to date. According to Anaconda, the I14R is engineered for high-capacity aggregate production, C&D recycling, asphalt processing and concrete recycling.

The I14R features a McLanahan Universal 47-in. x 51-in. impact chamber and a 14-ft. x 6-ft. double-deck recirculating screen, which offers exceptional throughput and precise material sizing, the company says. These features makes the I14R suitable for large-scale producers and contract crushing operations.

Weighing under 125,000, Anaconda says the machine can be transported on a standard semi-trailer without special permitting.

“We’re proud to introduce the I14R at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2026 as a machine that truly raises the bar for performance and transportability in its class,” says Alistair Forsyth, group president and managing director at Anaconda. “With its powerful impact chamber, integrated recirculating screen and road-friendly weight, the I14R delivers the production our customers demand while maintaining the flexibility today’s contractors and producers require.”

Alongside the I14R, Anaconda showcased two machines that represent its broader crushing and screening portfolio: the J12 jaw crusher and the DF514 scalping screen.

The J12 was on display to demonstrate Anaconda’s capabilities in primary crushing applications across aggregates, mining and demolition applications. The company says the DF514 is a versatile and efficient screening solution designed for high-output operations.

“ConExpo-Con/Agg is the perfect stage for us to showcase not only our latest innovations, but also the strength and momentum of the Anaconda brand,” says Ethan Weyant, business development manager at Anaconda. “As we continue expanding across North America, we’re excited to connect with prospective dealers who want to grow with us and represent a dynamic, customer-focused line of crushing and screening equipment.”

RubbleCrusher

RubbleCrusher, meanwhile, had two products on display at ConExpo-Con/Agg: the RC-J65 tracked jaw crusher and the RC-S48 compact screen.

The RC-J65 is designed to deliver powerful performance in a compact footprint, according to RubbleCrusher. Its tracked mobility allows operators to reposition the machine around almost any site, while the adjustable jaw settings enable consistent, saleable output of multiple aggregate sizes.

RubbleCrusher says the J65 is ideal for processing concrete, brick and mixed demolition material in confined spaces.

The RC-J65 tracked jaw crusher was one of two pieces RubbleCrusher had on display at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2026. (Photo: P&Q Staff)
The RC-J65 tracked jaw crusher was one of two pieces RubbleCrusher displayed at ConExpo-Con/Agg. (Photo: P&Q Staff)

The RC-S48 compact screen separates crushed material into usable grades, increasing product value and providing more application opportunities. RubbleCrusher says the RC-S48 is simple to transport and quick to set up, enhancing productivity while maintaining a small site footprint.

By combining the RC-J65 and the RC-S48, Rubble Crusher says the two machines offer contractors a fully integrated on-site recycling solution. By crushing and screening material directly where it is generated, users can lower transport costs, reduce emissions, conserve natural resources and improve overall project efficiency, the company adds.

Related: McLanahan’s Krause earns NSSGA’s Wendt award

<p>The post Anaconda, RubbleCrusher share their latest at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


7 questions with Volvo CE’s Scott Young
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:42:59 +0000

Scott Young, president and head of Volvo Construction Equipment’s North America region, reflects on where the company is headed in aggregates.

<p>The post 7 questions with Volvo CE’s Scott Young first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


Volvo Construction Equipment provided company updates last week during a ConExpo-Con/Agg press conference, detailing new products such as the EC560 excavator alongside strategic investments – including the $40 million measure that brings the production of excavators and four large wheel loader models to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

To capture additional details about these updates and the direction Volvo CE is headed, P&Q caught up with Scott Young, president and head of the North America region, who also touched on jobsite connectivity, safety and other technology topics during our exclusive visit.

P&Q: During the Volvo CE press conference, we heard a bit about the EC560 excavator, a 56-ton machine. Can you provide some perspective on the fit there in aggregates and what Volvo’s aim is for those operating quarries?

The EC560 bridges the gap between existing Volvo CE size classes. (Photo: Volvo CE)
The EC560 bridges a gap between existing Volvo CE size classes. (Photo: Volvo CE)

Young: We have a range of excavators. We’ve got the excavator lineup up to 95 tons, 75 tons and then we’ve also gone into that 50- to 60-ton class.

We see the 560 used in quarries – for example, where they’re using one big breaker or for infrastructure on-site. Those are great applications.

We also have lifetime frame warranties and some of the strongest hydraulics in the industry. When we upgraded the solution on the 560, it’ electro-over-hydraulic controls, so it gives them a better operator environment and an easier work format. Plus, there’s a lot of integration for the tools they use into the display system. All of that’s become more integrated and easier to use.

P&Q: We’re hearing a lot more these days about jobsite connectivity. From the Volvo CE standpoint, how is that manifesting in the real world?

Young: When connectivity started, it was really about getting information from machines. We’ve evolved that for quite some time now. It’s probably been almost a decade that we’ve had ActiveCare Direct. That’s where we take the connectivity and all the alerts you might get as a customer, but we try to simplify that.

The other aspect that comes into this: More customers are starting to look at the outcomes they get. That’s what we’re trying to focus on.

It’s one thing to know where the machines are. We might know where a service truck is on-site. We have fleet management systems and tools that help manage safety on the site. But how do they manage productivity on the site? That’s the connectivity side.

Then, you have the machine, and it’s how the people integrate with it. Really, it’s about helping them make better decisions – whether it be for safety or productivity.

I think it’s evolving in terms of what customers are looking at. I don’t think we’re in the beginning innings. I think we’re in the middle innings where people are trying to understand how to integrate that into their site solution in totality.

P&Q: You mentioned safety. As an industry, we continue to talk about powered haulage and related accidents. Certainly, the industry has made tremendous gains over the years, and it’s exciting to see safety technologies coming in. All that said, what’s your assessment of where we are today on safety tech? What are some of the tools quarry operators should be using? And what might be next?

Young: When people were looking at how to put processes in place for safety, now you can augment that with some of the connectivity solutions. That helps support a more proactive safety environment.

MSHA is an example. They’re starting to evolve their requests – their demand on pit and quarry, aggregate and mining applications. They’re looking for operators to really review technology to see how it makes things safer.

I think that’s the biggest change: End users are asking for solutions. That’s why we want to be there with them.

Whether it’s in our machines – air filtration is super important to make sure the operator is safe not only from a health standpoint, protecting against anything that’s airborne – but also by making sure we have object and person detection on our wheel loaders.

<p>The post 7 questions with Volvo CE’s Scott Young first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


A preseason checklist for safer, smoother operations
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Before the season goes full force again, check out Steve Fuller’s seasonal site readiness checklist.

<p>The post A preseason checklist for safer, smoother operations first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


As a kid, I spent a lot of time in the water.

I was a lifeguard in Bellows Falls, Vermont, and for a few summers I taught kids how to swim. Every now and then, I’d take a deep breath and try to swim the length of the town pool without surfacing.

Steve Fuller
Fuller

That feeling – lungs full, body tense, eyes locked on the far wall – is exactly what many people in our industry feel right before the construction season kicks off. The work is coming. The pace will accelerate. The pressure will rise.

So, before the season goes full force again, let me ask a simple question: have you taken a deep enough breath?

Preseason checklist

Here’s the good news: Getting your sites ready for the season isn’t complicated, mysterious or expensive.

During the season, leaders spend their time managing situations – production pressure, customer demands, weather, staffing challenges. Right now, however, you still have the opportunity to manage conditions.

And conditions matter.

What exists on your site today quietly determines how people will behave tomorrow. Poor conditions force bad decisions. Good conditions support good habits.

March is often the last calm window before everything accelerates, making it the best time to set the stage.

I’d encourage you to rip this page out of the magazine – or at least screenshot it – and use the checklist here during a deliberate walk through your site. Think of it as neutralizing land mines before the season begins.

Seasonal site readiness checklist

1. Site signage
☐ Required signs are present, readable and placed where decisions are actually made
☐ Signs are intact, visible and not blocked by stockpiles or equipment
☐ Signage reflects how the site will operate this season – not last season

2. Traffic flow and mobile equipment
☐ Traffic flow makes sense for customers, haulers and mobile equipment
☐ Routes are intuitive and do not rely on “locals knowing the drill”
☐ Pedestrian areas are clearly defined and protected
☐ Berms, road edges and sightlines provide adequate visibility

3. Personal protective equipment (PPE)
☐ Safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hats and high-visibility vests are available and usable
☐ Respiratory protection is available where required
☐ Employees know when PPE is required and where to get it without friction

4. Emergency readiness
☐ First aid kits are stocked, accessible and known to employees
☐ Fire extinguishers are in place, charged, tagged and unobstructed
☐ Spill response materials are located where fueling and maintenance occur
☐ Employees know who to call and what to do in the first critical moments

5. Guards and guardrails – “The Two G’s”
☐ Machine guarding is intact, secure and appropriate
☐ Guardrails are present where required and capable of withstanding use
☐ Temporary fixes have been eliminated before becoming permanent risks

Final thoughts

I encourage you to scour your jobsite using this checklist. This isn’t about chasing compliance – although compliance is often the byproduct. It’s about fundamentals.

When leaders consistently get the basics right, every day, something important happens. Good habits form. Expectations stabilize. Shortcuts become harder to justify. People spend less time improvising around problems and more time doing their jobs well.

Once the season starts, conditions harden quickly. Patterns and habits get locked in. Behaviors set. Deferred issues become accepted risks. March is when you still have leverage.

Take the breath. Set the conditions. And give your team the best possible chance to go home safely – every day.

Stay safe, and please send any photos you’d like spotlighted along with questions, comments or thoughts to steve@stevefullercompany.com.

Steve Fuller has worked over the past 20-plus years with a variety of industries – including aggregates – in operational and safety leadership roles. Now representing Steve Fuller Company, he can be reached at steve@stevefullercompany.com.

Related: Keeping people safe around mobile equipment

<p>The post A preseason checklist for safer, smoother operations first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


NSSGA names VP for meetings, membership
Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:13:37 +0000

Jo Anne Cowan is now leading these efforts at the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA).

<p>The post NSSGA names VP for meetings, membership first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


Jo Anne Cowan
Jo Anne Cowan

The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) promoted Jo Anne Cowan to vice president of meetings and membership.

Cowan has been with NSSGA since 2023. She is now charged with leading NSSGA’s annual events, meetings and membership engagement.

“This is an exciting time at NSSGA as we fill out our staff leadership,” says Michele Stanley, president and CEO of NSSGA. “We are thrilled to have Jo Anne lead NSSGA’s meetings and membership team. She has proven to be a collaborative leader in putting together high-quality events.”

NSSGA says Cowan has more than 20 years of experience executing meetings and events for associations. Before joining NSSGA, she served as senior manager at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

Cowan is originally from New York. She currently resides in Burtonsville, Maryland.

Related: NSSGA convention draws hundreds to Las Vegas

<p>The post NSSGA names VP for meetings, membership first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


Amrize debuts concrete range at ConExpo-Con/Agg
Thu, 12 Mar 2026 18:49:08 +0000

The company launched EVERtect, an eight-product offering designed to address a range of challenges.

<p>The post Amrize debuts concrete range at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


Amrize launched its EVERtect high-performance concrete range at ConExpo-Con/Agg.

The launch occurred nearly nine months after Amrize completed its spinoff from Holcim.

“We are proud to introduce EVERtect, our high-performance concrete range providing our customers with the confidence, reliability and innovation they need for every job,” says Jaime Hill, president of Amrize Building Materials. “With EVERtect, we are redefining what builders and specifiers across North America can expect from high-performance concrete – delivering smarter solutions to accelerate projects and increase flexibility, underpinned by the consistent performance our customers know they can rely on.”

The new mixes include ECOtect, SUPERtect, FLUIDtect, RAPIDtect, MAXtect, IMAGItect, CONDUtect and TEMPtect.

ECOtect is a low-carbon concrete that offers at least a 30 percent lower-carbon footprint than standard concrete, according to Amrize. SUPERtect is a concrete mix with high strength (8,000 to 14,500 psi), durability and rigidity (minimum 5,800 psi), which the company says is ideal for demanding structural applications.

FLUIDtect is a proprietary, self-consolidating concrete mix enabling ease of placement, superior finish and efficient construction, according to Amrize.

RAPIDtect is a high early-strength concrete designed to reach specified strength sooner, delivering rapid performance gains that improve on-site productivity and helping projects stay on schedule.

MAXtect combines an ultra-high performance cementitious matrix and high-strength fibers, providing maximum performance in mechanical properties, durability and aesthetics, Amrize says.

IMAGItect is a high-performance decorative concrete that supports architectural projects for homeowners, architects and landscapers. Amrize says IMAGItect is highly durable, low maintenance and comes in a range of colors, patterns and textures.

CONDUtect is specifically designed to dissipate heat generated by buried cables supplying electrical power to data centers and other high-demand facilities. TEMPtect is engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, according to Amrize, and it can help extend the construction season into winter and summer months when conditions are challenging for concrete placement.

As part of Amrize’s continued focus on its EVERtect line, its next concrete offering, NEXtect, will soon join the EVERtect range.

Related: Amrize to acquire PB Materials

<p>The post Amrize debuts concrete range at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


Astec leaders discuss tech, dealers and market outlook
Thu, 12 Mar 2026 18:35:10 +0000

Michael Norris, Bob Leavy and John Swift offered perspective during a P&Q-exclusive sit-down at ConExpo-Con/Agg.

<p>The post Astec leaders discuss tech, dealers and market outlook first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


Astec logo

Astec Industries featured an expansive lineup of aggregate and material processing equipment at ConExpo-Con/Agg, exhibiting in Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. P&Q had the opportunity to visit with several Astec leaders midway through the show, including John Swift, vice president of aftermarket; Bob Leavy, channel management director; and Michael Norris, group president of Materials Solutions.

The discussion covered several topics – including Signal, Astec’s digital platform that connects machinery, asphalt plants and operations for real-time tracking, data analytics and performance monitoring. Astec’s dealer approach and outlook for the year ahead also came up.

P&Q: How is
Signal impacting how Astec manages the parts business these days?

John Swift
Swift

Swift: We look at parts and service as a solution rather than simple parts. It’s really data analytics-driven and moving toward predictive discussions versus reactive discussions.

To take that one step further, we’re adapting our training offerings to meet the users where they are – whether that is through QR codes, videos or microlearning – rather than the traditional standalone training.

P&Q: What’s evolving on the dealer front at Astec? What are you focused on?

Leavy: I think one of the reasons Michael brought me on is that I used to be an owner of a dealership. I sat on that side of the fence. Working with the channel, I can have empathy and sympathy with the dealers coming in.

I know what they’re facing every day. I know the obstacles they face. I think I’m a good bridge between manufacturing and distribution. There’s a trust factor there because I’m rooting for Astec and I’m rooting for the dealerships.

P&Q: How do you ultimately get dealers to work in sync and be collaborative with one another?

Bob Leavy
Leavy

Leavy: We’re setting defined lines and respecting each other’s territory. Our dealer council is working on getting the dealers to become partners and friends. There’s a lot of communication now between the dealers that maybe wasn’t there five years ago. We’re working hard to build that strong network and partnership.

P&Q: With so much changing so fast these days – whether on the parts front or the equipment front — there’s so much that needs to get communicated downstream to dealers and, ultimately, end users. How do you make sure dealers are disseminating the messages you truly want out there?

Norris: With our dealer network, it’s really a partnership. We communicate with them consistently. We have formal reviews with them around performance and those types of things. But we see and talk to our dealers all the time.

We have formal events like this (ConExpo-Con/Agg). We have AED. We also have our dealer sales meeting a couple times a year where we bring everybody into a social environment. And we do product training and talk about concerns and those types of things. We really see our dealers as partners.

P&Q: From each of your seats at Astec, what are you trying to push out to the market at ConExpo-Con/Agg?

Michael Norris
Norris

Norris: For us, this is a big show. There’s a lot of new technology here. Astec has a pretty strong history of innovation, and what we’re trying to show is that that continues.

Over the next 12 to 24 months, you’re going to see a lot of new product coming out from Astec. There’s been a big change in the last three years. We changed leadership in the last five years. Jaco van der Merwe became CEO. I became president. If you talk to the dealer network, they like the changes.

Swift: As Michael said, there’s decades of DNA here. It’s about building on legacy and really using data-driven decision making to take it to the next space – and really focusing on customer-centric decision making.

If we build an ecosystem among our dealers and inspire and enable them to communicate – and we act as the enabler there – it’s going to take us to the next level and serve as a strategic differentiator. It’s really about building on decades of strength and using new technologies and new processes to take it forward.

P&Q: How would you characterize the health of the aggregate industry as the spring production season approaches?

Norris: The mood is pretty positive. The volumes are coming back. Over the past few years, volumes have been down. Sales and margin have been great for everybody, but volumes have actually been down.

Now, though, the volumes are coming back a little bit. We’ve seen a lot of input from data centers driving some of that volume. I think all of our competitors will tell you they’re feeling that a little bit.

Q4 was a strong order intake for us, and this year started out very strong as well. We’re bullish on the next 36 months for the industry.

We also had Rep. Sam Graves (R-Missouri), chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, here in Las Vegas. We were talking with him about the status of the [federal highway] bill, and he was very optimistic.

My expectation is that there will be a draft of that by the end of March. They’re optimistic about meeting the Sept. 30 [IIJA expiration] deadline to get the new infrastructure bill done.

The current bill is around $1.2 trillion. Inside that, only about $300 billion really touches our industry – infrastructure, roads and bridges. The new bill is expected to be somewhere between $500 and $600 billion focused on just our industry. It’s going to be a big tailwind.

We’re pretty optimistic.

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

<p>The post Astec leaders discuss tech, dealers and market outlook first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


Caterpillar demonstrates Cat AI Assistant at ConExpo-Con/Agg
Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:14:25 +0000

Oliver Garnier provided P&Q insights about how the new tool helps owners, operators and technicians.

<p>The post Caterpillar demonstrates Cat AI Assistant at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>


Caterpillar used ConExpo-Con/Agg to provide live demonstrations of Cat AI Assistant, its new tool to help equipment owners, operators and technicians quickly find machine data, troubleshooting guides and performance insights using natural language.

Cat AI Assistant, which the company unveiled early this year at CES, allows producers to engage with Caterpillar’s equipment and its portfolio of digital applications in new ways.

“We are grounding the assistant into our data sources – our source of truth,” says Oliver Garnier, a leader in AI research and development at Caterpillar. “We do not let AI respond and hallucinate. We really find the answer first and then provide answers to customers.”

Caterpillar highlighted its new Cat AI Assistant at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. (Photo: Caterpillar)
Caterpillar unveiled its new Cat AI Assistant at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. (Photo: Caterpillar)

For business owners, Cat AI Assistant serves as an extra set of eyes on their equipment. The tool helps them identify issues early and turn unplanned incidents into planned maintenance as operations grow.

“As an example, take idle time for your fleet for the last week,” Garnier says. “You could ask any type of question that you can find information about in VisionLink today, such as which machine is idling the most over the last month or over the last week – whatever you want. [Cat AI Assistant] is compiling data on the fly and returning information in a nice format.”

For machine operators, Caterpillar says Cat AI Assistant will ultimately connect every step of the workday – from machine startup to shift handoff. Although in-cab applications are still in development, Garnier says the AI tool is intended to act as a coach in the cab, providing operators with information to work smarter and safer without switching screens, returning to the yard or losing focus.

“Let’s say a new operator is joining, and he wants to know how to do something in the machine,” Garnier says. “You can just ask the assistant. It will return the information. Also, if there is a video associated with that search, it will return that video. You can look at engineering diagrams, as well.”

For technicians, Cat AI Assistant can quickly provide the right section from a library of thousands of instruction manuals with a simple voice command – and without interrupting the task at hand. It provides step-by-step guidance on repairs, highlights common issues and suggests additional parts needed to complete the job.

“The idea is to find the information faster and not go from one application to the other,” Garnier says. “You could be doing your job in VisionLink today and looking at your fleet. You would have a list of steps to basically do the repair, and at the end you will have a link to the exact document.

“Now, you don’t have to go into that application and search for the information,” he adds. “You just ask the assistant, and it will provide the information and point you to the right document.”

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

<p>The post Caterpillar demonstrates Cat AI Assistant at ConExpo-Con/Agg first appeared on Pit & Quarry.</p>



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