The New NSSGA Chairman Talks About The Strategic Plan, Labor, Digitalization And The Best Business Advice He Ever Received. By Mark S. Kuhar Rock Products: As you begin your term as chairman of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), what is the number-one thing you would like to accomplish?We have an incredible opportunity during the first year of…
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Duff Quarry Upgrades Wash Plant
A New CDE Wash Plant Capable Of Processing Up To 300 TPH Is A Major Upgrade For The Company’s Lewistown, Ohio, Sand And Gravel Site. Edited by Mark S. Kuhar For almost three-quarters of a century the Duff family has produced and supplied crushed limestone, sand, and gravel to all of West-central Ohio. As the multi-generational family enterprise approaches its…
Read MorePricing Strategy in Turbulent Times
Navigating Data-Driven Decision Making In The Aggregates Industry. By Barry Hudson In an industry as cyclical and competitive as aggregates, where every penny often feels like a mountain, industry executives must tread carefully – balancing their pricing strategies between a market that is rising and one that is in decline. Data-driven decision making has emerged as an essential component for…
Read MoreReclamation Success Stories
Turning Quarries Into Community Assets. By Stuart Burgess What happens when a quarry reaches the end of its operational life? Traditionally, the answer has been limited to site stabilization and restoration efforts focused on meeting regulatory requirements. However, forward-thinking companies, municipalities, and developers are proving that exhausted quarries can be reimagined into thriving community assets – parks, golf courses, reservoirs…
Read MorePlanning Equipment Installations During Scheduled Shutdowns
Despite The Best Planning, Pushing To Stay Under Budget And Ahead Of Time Can Put Sub-Optimal Equipment Back Into Service, Resulting In Early Failure. By R. Todd Swinderman and Daniel Marshall Scheduled shutdowns ensure optimum productivity but are also necessary from both a maintenance and safety standpoint. Some unwritten truths about shutdowns include: Shutdowns are busy times, with in-house and…
Read MoreNext-Gen Crushing Equipment
The Role of Technology in Modern Aggregates Production by Rose Morrison Aggregates production is the backbone of the quarrying industry, providing essential materials for infrastructure development worldwide. In recent years, the sector has witnessed a significant shift toward cutting-edge crushing technology, driven by advancements in automation, IoT integration and material science. This evolution holds the key to setting new standards…
Read MoreBig Rocks, Small Excavator
Guelph, Ontario-Based Cox Construction Is Successfully Breaking Big Rocks With A Small Electric Excavator. Edited by Mark S. Kuhar A couple of hours west of Toronto, Canada, in a town affectionately nicknamed The Royal City, a family-owned-and-operated company called Cox Construction is approaching its 80th year in business. “In 1946, my father started our business,” said Regan Cox, who now…
Read MoreLoading & Hauling
When It Comes To Loading And Hauling, New Ideas Are Always On Tap From Industry Manufacturers. By Mark S. Kuhar What new or enhanced ideas and innovations are coming on the market from industry manufacturers in the area of loading and hauling? Here are three to consider. RokbakArticulated hauler manufacturer Rokbak notes that due to their robust, off-road performance, articulated…
Read MoreAn Interview With Richard Luck
As He Takes The Helm Of Luck Companies As The Fourth-Generation Of Family Leadership, Richard Luck Reflects On The Mission Ahead. By Mark S. Kuhar This is the first in a two-part feature. The second part will appear in the May issue of Rock Products. RP: Richard, congratulations on being named president of Luck Companies. Can you share a bit…
Read MoreWhen Rocks Get Pricey
How Tariffs And Market Volatility Shake Up Construction. By Barry Hudson and Chris Summers The world of construction is built on a foundation of, well, rocks. Specifically, construction aggregates: crushed stone, sand and gravel. These seemingly humble materials form the backbone of everything from roads and bridges to homes and skyscrapers. But what happens when the cost of these essential…
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