Pit & Quarry Magazine

01/06/2025

Read insights from producers, manufacturers and other industry leaders on their expectations for aggregates in 2025.

Says Luck Companies' Richard Luck: "In 2025, automation of hauling will be proven possible in our industry, setting into motion a transformation similar to plant automation in the 1970s. This milestone will undoubtedly have us reimagining the future of aggregates operations." (Photo: P&Q Staff)

Producers, manufacturers and other industry leaders share their expectations for aggregates in 2025.

01/05/2025

The stockpiling area in an operation should be designed to ensure that there is sufficient room for mobile plants and customers’ trucks to operate effectively. If possible, all vehicles should be able to move past each other with sufficient room. Learn all about loadout, weighing and on-road hauling in Lesson 11 of Pit & Quarry University. (Photo: P&Q Staff)

The Pit & Quarry University Handbook's Lesson 11 discusses loadout, weighing and on-road hauling.

01/03/2025

ICYMI: Check out P&Q's exclusive interview with Chris Williamson, assistant secretary of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), to look back on his tenure at the agency. Williamson touches on four priorities in our Q&A: MSHA’s respirable crystalline rule, the agency’s staffing, curbing mine fatalities, and how his department plays a role in promoting the value of the industry. (Photo: MSHA)

Chris Williamson, assistant secretary of the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), reflects on his tenure leading the agency as his final day nears in January.

01/02/2025

What industry events are on tap for producers in the new year? P&Q presents a rundown of major industry events – including national trade shows, state association meetings and more. (Photo: P&Q Staff)

Presenting a rundown of major aggregate industry events – including national trade shows, state association meetings and more.

01/01/2025

We wish you all the best in 2025. Happy New Year from Pit & Quarry!

(Photo: ThomasVogel/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

12/31/2024

Today’s pump manufacturers are expanding their production capacities, enhancing their inventory management abilities and investing in equipment-monitoring . Find out more in a P&Q article appearing within the magazine's January 2025 edition. (Photo: Adrian Wojcik/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images)

Today’s pump manufacturers are expanding their production capacities, enhancing their inventory management abilities and investing in equipment-monitoring tech.

12/31/2024

Just released! Tune in to the latest episode of “Drilling Deeper” to hear from Whitaker Construction Company’s John Sather and Kraemer Mining & Materials’ Cody Ladd.

Sather discusses the regulatory environment, solutions to challenges, the employee stock ownership plan model, and more. Meanwhile, Ladd discusses how Kraemer Mining & Materials fared in 2024, positive pricing momentum in the industry and the role inclement weather plays in .

You won't want to miss this year-end episode. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts ➡️ https://bit.ly/16355341-episode-31

12/30/2024

Representatives from Martin Marietta, Luck Companies, Stockpile Reports and Blanchard Caterpillar shared the latest from the industry’s front lines earlier this month during a South Carolina Aggregates Association (SCAA) Workshop & Exhibition panel discussion. Find out what was covered. (Photo: SCAA)

Representatives from Martin Marietta, Luck Companies, Stockpile Reports and Blanchard Cat shared the latest from the industry’s front lines at a South Carolina Aggregates Association (SCAA) event.

12/29/2024

Customized conveying and unloading equipment is designed to minimize truck and loader use and lower costs per ton, while ensuring product quality and meeting an operation’s exact parameters. Learn all about and handling in Lesson 10 of Pit & Quarry University. (Photo: P&Q Staff)

Today’s fully automated material-handling systems are cost-efficient and on-target when building stockpiles in any desired volume or configuration – when loading bins, silos and surge tunnels; when transferring material overland; or when streamlining loading, unloading and stockpiling at barge, ...

12/27/2024

Construction starts were up 5 percent last month, according to Dodge Construction Network. The nonbuilding category led the way, as its starts moved 16 percent higher.

Says Richard Branch, chief economist at Dodge Construction Network: “Construction starts continue to move sideways as the market waits for further rate cuts. Elevated interest rates, labor shortages and strict lending standards will continue to constrain construction activity in the near term.”

(Photo: Bim/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images)

Nonbuilding construction grew 16 percent in November 2024 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $368 billion.

12/27/2024

Take a look back at this undated photo of a 14-ft. x 4-ft. Stephenson-Adamson apron feeder feeding rock to a 50-in. Pennsylvania single-roll crusher at a Pabco Gypsum operation. (Photo: Caterpillar)

12/26/2024

Have you listened to the latest episode of “Drilling Deeper” yet? Hear from Bryan Pfohl and Zack Satterwhite of Sunrock as the company celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024.

The two discuss the company’s shift four decades ago from New York to North Carolina, the growth of the market in Raleigh and what the future holds.

Watch now, or listen wherever you get your podcasts ➡️ https://www.drillingdeeperpodcast.com/

Sunrock chairman Bryan Pfohl and COO Zach Satterwhite visit with P&Q to share their company’s story. Celebrating Sunrock’s 75th anniversary in 2024, Pfohl an...

12/26/2024

ICYMI: Knife River Corporation came to terms on an agreement to acquire Strata Corporation, a construction materials and contracting services provider in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

Says James Bradshaw, chairman and CEO of Strata: “It’s not easy building a family business, and it’s even harder coming to the point where you are ready to step away from it. I believe there is a great fit between Strata and Knife River. Both companies are strongly aligned with our cultures of putting people first and operating with integrity. We want what is best for our team and their future, and we believe that is with Knife River.”

The acquisition will add 75 aggregate locations and 28 ready-mixed concrete plants to Knife River Corp.’s central segment.

12/25/2024

Wishing all of our readers a safe and Merry Christmas!

(Photo: apomares/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images)

12/24/2024

Take a look at some of the latest haul truck equipment from Komatsu, Philippi-Hagenbuch, Inc. and Volvo Construction Equipment. (Photo: Philippi-Hagenbuch)

Check out some of the latest haul truck equipment from Komatsu, Philippi-Hagenbuch and Volvo Construction Equipment.

12/23/2024

Smiley Monroe Group’s Morgan Walker presents tips to sustain conveying systems through inclement winter weather. Read more. (Photo: P&Q Staff)

Smiley Monroe’s Morgan Walker presents tips to sustain conveying systems through inclement winter weather.

12/22/2024

Sand classifying and re-blending systems allow material producers to modify a raw natural sand blend into an industry-standard specification mix, or blend a natural sand and a manufactured sand to a desired product mix. Learn more about and in Lesson 9 of Pit & Quarry University. (Photo: P&Q Staff)

Materials engineers constantly strive to improve concrete and bituminous mixes and road bases, and clean aggregate is a vital part of that effort. Yet, aggregate producers often find it difficult to meet all the requirements for “cleanliness.” While hydraulic methods are most satisfactory for cl...

12/21/2024

Chris Williamson, assistant secretary of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), paid an exclusive visit yesterday with P&Q editor-in-chief Kevin Yanik to look back on his tenure at the agency. Williamson touches on four priorities in our Q&A: MSHA’s respirable crystalline silica rule, the agency’s staffing, curbing mine fatalities, and how his department plays a role in promoting the value of the mining industry.

Says Williamson: “One of the things we’ve done since I came on as assistant secretary in April 2022 is we’ve added a little more than 100 people to our enforcement ranks. We built back up the team. When I inherited the agency, the staffing levels were at historical lows, and there were critical positions that had not been filled. So, we made that a priority.” (Photo: MSHA)

Chris Williamson, assistant secretary of the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), reflects on his tenure leading the agency as his final day nears in January.