Shows
Drilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 46: Safety focus with P&Q columnist Steve FullerSteve Fuller, founder of the Steve Fuller Company, joins this episode of Drilling Deeper. Fuller’s company focuses on helping organizations continually improve their safety culture through coaching, advising, mentoring and training.In this episode, Fuller zeroes in on safety within the aggregate industry. He draws from more than 20 years of experience in safety and operational leadership roles, and shares his approach to safety consulting. Fuller touches on the importance of building relationships, how to address high turnover and seasonality, and tailoring safety messages to the realities on job sites.Additionally, Fuller provides insight into fa...2025-07-2955 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 45: Midyear economic update with Dodge Construction Network's Eric GausEric Gaus, chief economist of Dodge Construction Network, joins the show to give an update on the economy and the construction industry midway through 2025, as well as a look ahead to the second half of the year.Gaus offers insights into the economy as a whole, including the impact headwinds such as tariffs and interest rates have had, how the construction industry has fared through the first six months of the year and the current state of the industry workforce.Also in this episode, Gaus breaks down the performance of the nonresidential, residential and nonbuilding...2025-07-1546 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 44: July is P&Q’s ‘Dealer Issue’ MonthIn the latest episode of Drilling Deeper, hosts Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski shine a spotlight on one of Pit & Quarry’s most anticipated magazine editions of the year: The Dealer Issue. Now in its seventh year, P&Q’s Dealer Issue explores the vital role equipment dealers play across the aggregate industry’s supply chain.Kevin and Jack dive into this year’s four dealer-centric stories, which include in-depth coverage on tariffs and equipment supply – plus insights from a standout project at Gila River Sand & Gravel.Also, joining the episode as featured guests are two indust...2025-07-0143 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 43: Van der Graaf (VDG) talks drum motor innovationOn this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski is joined by VDG’s Matt Lepp. The duo take a deep dive into the current state of the market and the challenges facing the industry today, as well as VDG’s experiences navigating the economic landscape so far in 2025.Lepp, technical account sales manager for the heavy industry at VDG, offers a look at the broader economic state, exploring how recent tariffs are impacting operations and what’s behind ongoing supply chain disruptions and labor shortages. These challenges set the stage for a closer look at VD...2025-06-1719 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 42: Rob Duke talks Armada Materials, M&A and moreRob Duke, founder of Armada Materials, joins the show to discuss the origins and growth of his rapidly emerging company. Launched through the 2023 acquisition of Volunteer Materials in Tennessee, Armada has since completed a couple of smaller deals as it builds out its platform in the aggregates industry.Duke pulls back the curtain this episode on Armada’s merger and acquisition activity, offering insights into the company’s expansion strategy and what’s driving its momentum.Beyond the company’s backstory, Duke reflects on the state of the market at the midpoint of 2025. He also shares h...2025-06-0334 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 41: Precision Pulley & Idler (PPI) talks wing pulley basicsOn this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” PPI’s Allen Mathes joins P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski to provide insights into the latest developments in the pulley market, the basics of wing pulley use and the history of PPI’s pulley designs. Mathes, a sales manager at PPI, kicks off the conversation by diving into the “when” and “why” of wing pulley use. He explains the benefits wing pulleys provide, specifically outlining the way wing pulleys prevent damage to the tail side of belts.He goes on to explain what has made angled wings so popular of late...2025-05-2015 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 40: John Scepaniak talks contract crushing, expanding the business and moreJohn Scepaniak, director of aggregate operations at WD Scepaniak, joins the show to discuss the nature of the contract crushing business and how his company is adapting in 2025 to meet the demands of the market. Scepaniak also shares how WD Scepaniak is venturing to new parts of the U.S. outside of its home state of Minnesota, and he details his personal approach to recruiting and building up the company’s workforce. Additionally, P&Q’s discussion with Scepaniak touches on some of his unique business ventures outside the industry – including agriculture and commercial real estate.2025-05-0629 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 39: Weir’s focus on service, drive for innovationOn this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” Peter Brewitt and Magnus Skörvald with Weir sit down with P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski to discuss the company’s latest offerings and provide an update on the North American sand and aggregate market. Brewitt, global product manager of sand and washing at Weir, and Skörvald, the company’s global product owner for crushers, offer their insights on how the sand and aggregate market in North America is experiencing strong growth. The pair points to urbanization and an increased focus on recycling construction and demolition waste as a buoy for th...2025-04-2325 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 38: AGG1 2025 Recap & ReflectionsPit & Quarry caught up with an assortment of industry leaders at AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo, including Capital Aggregates’ Jamie Jones, Wm. D. Scepaniak’s John Scepaniak, Rogers Group’s Thabiso Bolebano, Machinery Partner’s Clement Cazalot, Philippi-Hagenbuch’s Josh Swank, Major’s Ian Edwards, Wingfield Scale’s Dan Caine and Dodge Industrial’s Nick Roseto.This episode’s guests reflect on their AGG1 2025 experience while sharing what they saw and heard on the trade show floor at America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis.Additionally, co-hosts Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski of Pit & Quarry present their own re...2025-04-0855 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 37: TerraSource breaks down AGG1 plans, latest tech developments In this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” managing editor Jack Kopanski is joined by Kevin Hambrice and Don Ruppert of TerraSource to discuss the company’s latest equipment and technology developments, as well as how TerraSource has continued to grow in recent years.Hambrice, CEO of TerraSource, kicks off the interview by discussing the role legacy brands under the TerraSource umbrella (Gundlach Crushers, Jeffrey Rader and Pennsylvania Crusher) play in the company’s overall success. Additionally, Hambrice dives into TerraSource’s 2023 addition of Elgin Separation Solutions and its 2024 acquisition of Peninsula Iron Works. Then, Ruppert, global director at...2025-03-2514 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 36: Rogers Group’s Nick Pearman talks techNick Pearman, senior director of operations service and support at Rogers Group, joins the show to explore a variety of equipment and technology topics. Pearman dives into autonomous hauling and what Rogers Group is watching on this front. He also discusses industrywide AI opportunities, trends like digitalization and electrification, and how underground mine technology is a space the company is watching.Additionally, Pearman offers his view of the business environment around aggregates, detailing factors that should ultimately determine how producers fare in 2025. Nick Pearman Interview: 4:07 – 29:20For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been...2025-03-1139 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 35: Buffalo shares AGG1 plans, equipment offeringsIn this episode of "Drilling Deeper," three members of the Buffalo (formerly Buffalo Wire Works) leadership team join P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski to discuss the company's equipment and technology offerings, plans for AGG1 and much more.Hear from Joe Abramo (chairman and CEO), Max Davis (president) and Christine Abramo (vice president of business development and marketing). The trio dives into the history of the company and how it operates as a "156-year-old startup," as well as what the future holds for the company and its recent decision to rebrand as "Buffalo."Later in...2025-02-2530 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastBONUS: The Trump administration, a new Congress and aggregatesSpecial bonus episode: Evan Bender, director of government affairs at the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), sat down with P&Q’s Kevin Yanik at the 2025 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference to discuss the political landscape and what’s ahead for the industry as it relates to the new Trump administration and the 119th Congress. Bender details what’s next for the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, as well as what could transpire in Washington leading into September 2026 when the five-year infrastructure bill expires.Additionally, Bender reflects on the Congressional Aggregates Caucus and the ROCKS A...2025-02-1819 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 34: Featuring Luck Companies’ president Richard LuckRichard Luck, who was named president of Luck Companies in November, joined the magazine early this year to discuss a variety of topics pertaining to his company.Luck shares his experience growing up in the family business while detailing the yearslong efforts that prepared him for his new role. Luck also reflects on his short- and long-term goals for Luck Companies and how a new generation of leadership is in place alongside him at the company.Additionally, Luck discusses the company’s autonomous hauling project with Caterpillar, how the company is keeping up with di...2025-02-1246 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 33: Douglas-Rulmeca president discusses conveyor developmentsDouglas-Rulmeca president Paul Ross pays P&Q a visit to share company updates. Ross offers a behind-the-scenes view on Rulmeca's 2023 acquisition of Douglas while providing insights about maximizing conveyor performance.Additionally, hear from Ross about Douglas-Rulmeca’s new idler plant in Pell City, Alabama. Learn about the new PSV idler, how Douglas-Rulmeca aims to achieve a stronger global supply chain, and more.For more information about anything you hear in this episode, email sales@douglasmanufacturing.com or visit www.douglasmanufacturing.comFor 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing in...2025-01-2820 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 32: MSHA chief talks mine safetyChris Williamson, assistant secretary of the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) joins the show as a special guest to look back on his two and a half years heading the agency that develops and enforces safety and health rules for all U.S. mines. With Jan. 20 being his last day at MSHA, Williamson touches on the agency’s respirable crystalline silica rule and how technology can play a role in curbing mining accidents. He also discusses what’s driving the most serious accidents and how the industry and MSHA can work together to promote mining’s benefits.Timest...2025-01-1439 minDrilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcastEpisode 31: Featuring Whitaker Construction’s John Sather and Kraemer Mining & Materials’ Cody LaddThe 2024 year-end episode of “Drilling Deeper” welcomes in two leaders from the aggregate industry’s producer ranks: John Sather, vice president of aggregates at Utah-based Whitaker Construction; and Cody Ladd, president and COO of Minnesota-based Kraemer Mining & Materials. Sather discusses a variety of topics during his visit, including the regulatory environment, solutions to workforce challenges, Whitaker Construction’s ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) model, and what’s driving construction materials demand in Salt Lake City. Ladd, meanwhile, touches on how Kraemer Mining & Materials fared in 2024, as well as the role inclement weather plays in aggregates. Additionally, Ladd discusses the positive p...2024-12-3150 min