Welcome to this first edition of Aggregates Business America
Caterpillar kicks off its next 100 years; Quikrete to acquire Summit Materials; Eagle Materials expands presence in Western Pennsylvania; and more. 48 EVENTS
All the key events in the quarrying and aggregates world.
12 KLEEMANN
A Kleemann jaw crusher recently tackled a volcanic rock challenge on Hawaii’s main island.
14 NATIONAL STONE, SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION
With McLanahan celebrating 190 years, Aggregates Business America sat down with CEO Sean K. McLanahan to discuss milestones, future aspirations, and more.
A new CDE wash plant has allowed Duff Quarry to adapt at its Ohio operation.
NSSGA senior director of communications Kerry Lynch reflects on how the industry has evolved over a quarter of a century.
16 ROKBAK
A strong dealer network in the US and Canada is helping make the region Rokbak’s largest global market.
18 TYRES
The global off-highway equipment tyre market continues to seek sustainable growth.
22 LOADING
Volvo Construction Equipment has made a splash in Southeast Asia to boost customer efficiency, productivity and safety.
24 BUCKET ATTACHMENTS
Bucket attachments are helping construction material providers open up a whole new world in recycled products.
28 HAULING
Volvo Construction Equipment has bolstered its suite of safe and productive solutions for the toughest worksites with a new line-up of articulated haulers.
30
CONVEYORS
Investing in quality conveyors and belting is necessary for any quarry operator looking for optimal productivity and efficiency.
36 INTERVIEW
As Aggregate Industries’ managing director of aggregates, Kaziwe Siame Kaulule is playing a key role in further enhancing the company’s approach to circular construction, health and safety, and producing a more skilled and engaged industry workforce.
44
CONCRETE PLANT
A major Chinese manufacturer is targeting European market gains as premium concrete batching plants remain in demand worldwide.
40
CRUSHING AND SCREENING
The US is one of the global quarrying industry’s largest markets for equipment and materials, and the last year has seen key manufacturers invest heavily to secure a foothold in the region.
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Something new for a dynamic market
Welcome to the first edition of Aggregates Business America
It’s an exciting time to launch a new bi-monthly digital title covering what has always been one of the world’s key regional aggregates markets.
The AGG-1 Academy & Expo is set to take place in St Louis, Missouri, from 25–27 March, showcasing the latest cutting-edge machinery and linked technology for the North American aggregates industry to thousands of key decisionmaker attendees.
Then there’s the new administration in the White House pledging to push American industries and jobs forward. In keeping with most incoming US governments, big federal funds will likely be allocated to major new infrastructure projects. The country’s quarry producers and construction material makers will hope to ride a new surge in demand for their products and services.
Looking for a way to capture just how vast and important the US construction aggregate sector is, in mid-December 2024 I scrolled through LinkedIn’s latest industry news and commentary, where I read a terrific post by Stuart Burgess, chairman and co-founder of Salt Lake City, Utah-based Burgex Mining Consultants.
A dynamic entrepreneur, I met Stuart at last year’s AggNexus Digital Innovation Conference, attended by almost 100 industry professionals at the University of Texas in Austin. He participated in one of the four panels I moderated on the second day of the event. SEMCO Publishing, the parent company of Rock Products, Cement Products and Concrete Products, was the sponsor, with Aggregates Business attending what was the first staging of the conference as a trade media partner.
In the United States alone, more than 3 billion tonnes of raw materials are used annually, with approximately 75 per cent being key construction components like rock, sand, and gravel. That’s a staggering amount of material!
“To put that into perspective, roughly 100,000 short tons of aggregate are needed to pave a single mile of a one-lane highway. The US consumes enough aggregate annually to pave 24,802 miles of four-lane highways or approximately 99,208 single-lane miles. A four-lane highway built with that amount could wrap almost entirely around the Earth, while a single-lane highway could circle the globe multiple times.
“And here’s the incredible part: this critical aggregate is mined and processed by a national workforce of about 100,000 people. On average, each worker is responsible for producing enough aggregate to pave one mile of a singlelane highway per year.”
The post contains many great stats, which nicely articulate the critical importance of aggregate production and supply while acknowledging the tireless efforts of industry professionals in meeting building materials demand.
After what I am sure will be a hugely successful AGG-1 exhibition and an equally successful co-located World of Asphalt, looking further ahead, 2026 is set to be another great year for the US aggregates and construction industries, with CONEXPO/CON-AGG returning to the Las Vegas Convention Center (3–7 March 2026).
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I was impressed by Stuart’s and many other panellists’ take on how digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) can empower rather than replace aggregate professionals in America and around the world. So it was no surprise that I loved Stuart’s inspirational LinkedIn post.
He wrote: “The construction aggregate sector is a substantial yet often underappreciated industry, essential for infrastructure advancement.
The largest construction show in North America, the CONEXPO/CON-AGG organisers are already promising, “More equipment. More connections. More possibilities to bring your business to the next level”.
The 2023 staging of the vital industry event attracted more than 139,000 attendees, over 24,000 international visitors from 133 countries and 2400 exhibitors from 36 countries, including 603 new-to-the-show exhibitors. Can those eye-catching numbers be topped? In America, that’s always possible. GW
guy.woodford@primeglobalpublishing.com
Caterpillar kicks off its next 100 years
VULCAN MATERIALS ACQUIRES SUPERIOR READY MIX CONCRETE
US building materials major Vulcan Materials Company has acquired southern-Californiabased Superior Ready Mix Concrete.
The value-enhancing acquisition adds six aggregate operations with over 50 years of quality aggregate reserves to Vulcan’s California franchise. The deal also includes two asphalt plants and 13 readymixed concrete sites.
California is the most populous state in the US and its second largest aggregates market.
Superior will also enhance Vulcan’s customer service capabilities in southern California with two asphalt plants and thirteen ready-mixed concrete locations.
“This acquisition is consistent with our aggregates-led growth strategy of continuing to expand our reach to better serve attractive regions in the United States,” Vulcan chairman and chief executive officer, Tom Hill said.
Co. merged to form what was then known as the Caterpillar Tractor Co.
From the company’s first track-type tractor designed to pull combine harvesters in Northern California to autonomous construction and mining equipment and engines that power the world today, Caterpillar products and services have helped customers complete infrastructure projects that have help to shape the modern world.
“Our success over the last 100 years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, the continued trust of
our customers and the support of our dealers and business partners,” Caterpillar Chairman and CEO, Jim Umpleby, said.
“I am proud to lead such a strong team, and I’m confident Caterpillar will continue to help our customers build a better, more sustainable world over the next 100 years.”
Celebrations took place on 9 January in Sanford, North Carolina, and Peoria, Illinois.
At the company’s global headquarters in Irving, Texas, the families of company founders C.L.
Best and Benjamin Holt gathered with leaders and employees to celebrate the first 100 years of innovation as Caterpillar began its journey into the next century.
A Centennial World Tour has embarked on its journey to visit Caterpillar facilities worldwide, providing an interactive and immersive experience for employees and visitors. The company is also commemorating the milestone with limited-edition ‘Centennial Grey’ machines available for purchase in 2025.
Quikrete to acquire Summit Materials
Summit Materials has entered a definitive agreement to be acquired by Quikrete.
The US-based aggregates and cement producer has entered into the deal for $52.50 per share in cash, for a total enterprise value of around $11.5 billion, including debt.
“We are pleased to have reached this agreement, which will deliver significant, immediate and certain cash value to our shareholders,” chairman of Summit’s board of directors, Howard Lance, said.
“In reaching this decision, our board carefully considered a range of alternatives and determined that this transaction is the best way to
maximise value for our shareholders.”
“We believe this transaction will create new and exciting opportunities for our employees and customers,” Summit Materials president and chief executive officer, Anne Noonan said.
“In Quikrete, we have found a strong partner that shares our commitment to safety and innovation, and we are excited to join forces with their team.”
According to the public release, the transaction price represents an approximately 36 per cent premium to Summit’s unaffected 90-day volume weighted average price (VWAP)1 and an approximately 29 per cent premium to Summit’s
unaffected share price. The Summit and Quikrete boards of directors have unanimously approved the combination.
The two companies expect the deal to close before the end of the first quarter of 2025, subject to approval from Summit Materials’ shareholders, regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions. Summit’s largest shareholder, Cementos Argos, has backed the transaction after entering an agreement to commit all of its shares in Summit’s common stock in favour of it.
If the transaction is approved and completed, Summit will become a privately held subsidiary of Quikrete.
“This acquisition represents a significant milestone in our journey to expand our capabilities and geographic presence,” Quikrete chief executive officer, Will Magill, said.
“Summit is a recognised leader with a highly complementary portfolio of trusted aggregate, cement and ready-mix solutions. We look forward to working closely with the talented team at Summit to achieve our shared vision for the future.”
Image: Caterpillar
Caterpillar marked its 100th anniversary with celebrations throughout the US.
Vulcan Materials Company has acquired California-based Superior Ready Mix Concrete.
Quikrete is acquiring Summit Materials in a deal worth around $11.5 billion.
Image: Rafael Henrique Dreamstime.com
Image: Xxxxxxx
Holcim appoints board and CEO for planned North American company
Holcim, the world’s largest building materials company, has taken the next steps towards listing its North American business by appointing its future board members. The board will comprise 10 members and become effective following the execution of the planned spin-off, expected by the end of the first half of 2025, subject to shareholder and customary approvals.
Jan Jenisch has been appointed the designated chairman and CEO of the new North American company. Currently the chairman of Holcim, Jenisch is leading the planned listing of the North American company and previously served as Holcim’s CEO from 2017 to 2024. He will continue serving as Holcim’s chairman until its AGM on 14 May 2025.
The Holcim board has appointed nine designated independent
directors to serve on the North American company’s board of directors, including Theresa Drew, Nicholas Gangestad, Dwight Gibson, Holli Ladhani, Michael E. McKelvy, Jürg Oleas, Robert S. Rivkin, Katja Roth Pellanda and Cristina A. Wilbur.
These highly experienced executives have considerable deep expertise across key sectors, including construction, manufacturing, industrial operations and financial services.
They have led companies as CEOs, presidents, partners, CFOs, and chief legal and people officers, bringing significant expertise to the North American market.
“Today is an important milestone as we prepare Holcim’s North American business to become an independent public company,” Jenisch said.
“The designated members of the board of directors collectively bring impressive track records and a best-in-class mix of domain expertise, diverse perspectives, and leadership experience.
“Together, we will deliver strong governance and support the company’s priorities of market leadership and superior value creation for shareholders, customers, employees and all stakeholders.”
Ritchie Bros. strengthens international leadership
EAGLE MATERIALS EXPANDS PRESENCE IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Eagle Materials is acquiring Bullskin Stone & Lime after it entered a definitive agreement. According to the company, the purchase price is $152.5 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. The transaction was expected to close before the end of the first quarter of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Bullskin Stone & Lime is based in Western Pennsylvania, and its construction materials are used in the Pittsburgh and broader western Pennsylvania markets.
“The acquisition of Bullskin Stone & Lime further advances Eagle’s long-term growth strategy by adding a pure-play aggregates business that complements and extends our network of aggregates quarries and cement plants and terminals in the region,” Eagle Materials president and chief executive officer, Michael Haack, said.
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers has bolstered its international leadership team with two key appointments to support its global development.
“These key appointments align with the company’s commitment to expanding market reach, strengthening relationships with clients and partners in the industry, and accelerating growth across the EMEA [Europe, Middle East and Africa] and APAC [Asia Pacific] regions. Together, their expertise will play a pivotal role in driving growth, fostering innovation, and elevating the customer experience on a global scale,” RB Global CEO, Jim Kessler, said.
Ghislaine Duijmelings brings over a decade of experience in the industrial auction sector, with a proven track record in customercentred strategies and data-driven performance.
She was previously managing director at Surplex, a major European online auction platform for used machinery. During her tenure, she prioritised customer focus, strengthened teams across 16 European markets, and achieved
impressive results through data insights and operational excellence.
Duncan Ainscough, head of sales for the international region, brings over 30 years of experience in the industrial auction and asset management industry. With a distinguished background in
senior leadership roles at Gordon Brothers and Liquidity Services, he has led large multinational teams, managed large-scale asset disposition projects across more than 30 countries and delivered strategic capital solutions for major global corporations.
Jan Jenisch is set to become chairman and CEO of Holcim’s new North American company.
Image: Holcim
Ghislaine Duijmelings and Duncan Ainscough will oversee the international growth and business development of Ritchie Bros.
Image: Ritchie Bros.
Image: Rafael Henrique Dreamstime.com
Eagle Materials is acquiring Bullskin Stone & Lime.
Sean K. McLanahan represents the sixth generation of the business’s family ownership and management.
McLanahan celebrates 190 years
With McLanahan celebrating its 190th year in 2025, Aggregates Business America sat down with CEO Sean K. McLanahan to discuss a landmark trading year, key milestones, his aspirations for the future, and more.
After almost two centuries of operation, McLanahan has long been a major global player in aggregates and minerals processing solutions. President and chief executive officer (CEO) Sean K. McLanahan represents the sixth generation of the business’s family ownership and management.
What do you see as the key milestones in the company’s history?
There are two major events that changed the direction of McLanahan.
The first was in the 1890s when my great-great-grandfather invented the single roll crusher and log washer to process phosphate for mining operations the family had in Florida.
Was it always the plan to take McLanahan global? How challenging has it been to go worldwide?
What does McLanahan turning 190 mean to you and your family?
Obviously, it is a phenomenal accomplishment for any company to celebrate 190 years of business. For a family business to accomplish that is even more impressive, as usually by the third generation, it starts to get almost impossible due to family dynamics. There must be a significant amount of intentional planning, desire and luck that must occur to ensure a smooth succession from one generation to the next.
It’s an absolute honour to be involved in this business. For each generation, we view our time with the company as a caretaker for our employees and the next generation.
The goal is to leave the business in a better place for the next generation so that they can grow and succeed.
As they travelled between Pennsylvania and Florida, they stopped to visit their mining friends along the way and soon realised they needed process equipment as well. So they changed the company’s direction, from just a foundry operation, and decided to start designing and building process equipment.
The second major event was my father Michael McLanahan’s decision to diversify the company’s product offerings in the 1990s. Under his leadership, the company started to aggressively expand product lines, complete acquisitions and add to the geographic areas we served.
Today, McLanahan is a diverse company with a wide range of product lines and industries served with a wide global reach, thanks to his vision.
Over the past 15 years, we have grown substantially – domestically and globally. To some extent, we have to go where the minerals are, so that means we have to widen our reach. Just growing can be challenging, but growing globally is extremely difficult due to the differences in time zones, cultural norms, laws and regulations, just to mention a few. There is so much that has to be learned along the way while also trying to grow the core business.
Overall, our employees are proud to design and build equipment that processes materials used to help improve the lives and standard of living of people around the world.
How has the business changed with digitalisation and automation? How will that shape McLanahan’s approach?
There have been significant changes in the last 20 years in aggregate processing. One focus has been increasing automation and remote monitoring. We have successfully implemented sensors, maintenance software and high-end automation into our equipment. We don’t see that changing as workforce pressure demands that manufacturers keep making equipment smarter and easier to maintain.
Images: McLanahan
The other area has been water management. The demand to treat and process effluent while recycling water continues to increase year after year. We will continue to focus on automation and water management for decades to come, and it will shape our decisions going forward on acquisitions and product development.
What’s next for McLanahan? What’s still to be achieved?
Over the next 100-plus years, we hope to continue developing new products and solutions while ensuring that we are the company people want to work for and with.
Succession plans are in place to last many, many more generations to come. Acquisitions will continue to play a vital role in our growth, as will product expansions of existing lines.
There is a lot still to be accomplished in the future and the sky is the limit as
a family-owned business. It gives us great flexibility to make quick decisions while also looking at long-term growth and development. AB
Above: A McLanahan UltraWASH 6206 modular wash plant at work for Tri-Parish Sand & Gravel in Louisiana. Below: Goonvean Aggregates’ McLanahan plant installation in Cornwall, England.
Sean with his father Michael.
CDE plant ushers in a new era
A new CDE wash plant has allowed Duff Quarry to adapt as its Ohio operation has continued to evolve.
For almost three-quarters of a century, the Duff family has produced and supplied crushed limestone, sand and gravel to west-central Ohio.
As the multi-generational family enterprise approaches its landmark 75th year in business, a new CDE wash plant, capable of processing up to 300 tons per hour (tph) of sand and aggregate, has been commissioned at the company’s sand and gravel site in Lewistown, Ohio.
Ross Duff, Duff Sand and Gravel president and Duff Quarry vice-president, said the plant represents an investment in the future of the state’s business and the mineral production industry.
“It’s about honouring the history and heritage of our business and continuing that good work, ensuring we’re equipped and resourced to meet future challenges head-on and that we extract and utilise every valuable grain from our deposits,” he said.
“In short, it’s about longevity.”
According to data from the US Geological Survey (USGS), Ohio was ranked as one of the country’s leading construction sand and gravel-producing states in 2023. Of the 920 million tons of sand and gravel produced
in that year, the top 10 states by production volume accounted for more than 50 per cent of the total combined output.
Similarly, USGS data shows Ohio to be a top producer of crushed stone, with an estimated 1.5 billion tons produced in 2023. The 10 leading states, which included Ohio, accounted for more than half of total output (54 per cent).
An essential industry body to support the continued economic development of the state, the Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association (OAIMA), where Duff serves as a board member, estimates raw mineral production in the state to be valued at more than $1 billion, employing more than 5000 people directly and up to 40,000 indirectly through associated construction activity, transportation, and more.
Preferred supplier
Duff Quarry discovered CDE at CONEXPOCON/AGG in 2020, when the washing experts left a lasting impression on the family enterprise.
“We believed technology of this kind was beyond our reach,” Duff said. “It was everything we needed and more.
“When we left that show, we left with an impression of CDE and its equipment that would stay with us for the next few years. We knew it would be a major investment – one of the largest in the history of the company – but we knew just how impactful it could be.”
It would be another three years before the two companies met again at CONEXPOCON/AGG in 2023.
“By then, we were ready to move forward with this project, and CDE was still the preferred supplier all those years later,” Duff said. “That second show just strengthened our resolve to bring this project to life with CDE by our side.”
CDE business development manager, Ronan Duffy, said the solution engineered for Duff Quarry is born from proven solutions and designed specifically for its Huntsville quarry.
“Material gradings can vary from one day to the next, so any solution needs to be approached with a real understanding of the customer, their needs and the material to be processed,” Duffy said. “A full site audit, including material testing in our lab, helped inform and develop the best possible solution for Duff Quarry as they began washing material for the very first time.
Duff’s CDE plant can process up to 300tph of sand and aggregate.
“Equipment specification and site layout are all considered to create an optimised site workflow to help accelerate return on investment.”
The solution includes CDE’s AggMax scrubbing and classification system, which combines pre-screening, washing, scrubbing, lightweight and organics removal, and sizing on a compact chassis to produce a range of washed and graded aggregates ready for market straight from the belt.
In addition, CDE’s M4500 modular sand washing plant, which integrates feeding, screening, washing and stockpiling, features customisable cut point control and patented Infinity technology to deliver consistent in-spec sand products.
“Seeing the first containers arrive on-site for the build was pretty neat,” Duff said.
Increased production
The new CDE plant can process up to 300tph, allowing Duff Quarry to produce more material per year to better meet the demands of the local construction market through proven design, efficient processing, and optimised operations.
A major construction boom is underway in central Ohio, where the $28 billion development of two Intel semiconductor manufacturing plants – the largest private sector investment in the state’s history – is continuing at pace. The Department of Transportation has also committed $90 million to improving and enhancing the infrastructure around the facility.
This is in addition to continued work on the development of a new lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in Jeffersonville, which is part of a $3.5 billion joint venture between LG Energy Solutions and Honda.
“Within a matter of hours of booting up the plant, material testing showed concrete sand output to be perfectly in-spec,” Duffy said.
The plant produces a range of construction materials, including C33 coarse concrete sand, fine sand, and three different aggregate fractions: 1–2-inch, #57 stone, and pea gravel.
“I was amazed,” Duff said. “The result was immediate. Right from the starting block, we were producing great-looking stockpiles.
“The plant ensures we constantly supply concrete sand for our six ready-mix plants.”
Adaptable
Since its initial commissioning in June 2024, the geology and material quality of the limestone deposit at the company’s operation in Huntsville has changed significantly. Still, Duff said the CDE plant has adjusted easily to the new conditions.
“We’ve been extracting here for almost 75 years now,” he said.
“It’s a large deposit about 400-feet deep, and it spans an area of approximately 400 acres.
Given its size and scale, we know that the make-up of the material is going to vary, and down through the years we’ve invested in new equipment and adapted our operation in response to this.”
Duff said that while the deposit continues to evolve, his company is ready to adapt to the changes.
“It’s a different deposit now from what it was at the outset of this very partnership. However, now we’re equipped with a CDE plant,” he said.
“We’re really impressed by the adaptability of the plant and just how little intervention is needed from our side to make the necessary adjustments in response to variations in the material we’re processing.
“That versatility is keeping us up and running. It’s keeping us competitive and profitable.” AB
A stockpile of processed material in front of Duff’s CDE plant in Lewistown, Ohio.
Duff Quarry’s CDE plant.
A Big Island deal
A Kleemann jaw crusher recently tackled a volcanic rock challenge on Hawaii’s main island.
On Big Island, Hawaii’s main island, a MOBICAT MC 110i EVO2 mobile jaw crusher is producing material for a wastewater sewer construction project.
The sewer is being constructed alongside the highway from the town centre to a new residential development. The challenge is the hard volcanic rock that needs to be crushed –the so-called Hawaiian Blue Rock.
Powerful performance in hard volcanic rock
Big Island is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
The properties of the lava from eruptions vary from rocks containing gas bubbles and jagged edges to extremely dense and hard basaltic rocks from the cooled interiors of lava flows. This so-called Hawaiian Blue Rock is a hard basalt with a shiny bluish tint in high demand due to its exceptional quality, but it is also particularly hard to crush.
This means the project’s contractor Goodfellow Bros. required a particularly rugged and simultaneously reliable and powerful crusher that could meet these requirements. The contractor chose a Kleemann MOBICAT MC 110i EVO2 mobile jaw crusher for the job, a machine used around the world for pre-crushing almost all types of natural stone and recycling.
The Blue Rock is being crushed to produce aggregates in two grain sizes for use in the
sewer construction project: 0–20 mm for the base layer and 0–100 mm for filling.
Kleemann’s new-generation EVO2 mobile jaw crusher is designed to ensure an optimal material flow and, thanks to its high hourly output, is a particularly cost-efficient crushing solution. Its multi-stage overload system detects and automatically regulates overload situations caused by excessively hard and uncrushable materials, increasing machine utilisation rates.
Machine operator Bully Fergerstrom was impressed by the quality and solid build of the machine. He particularly emphasised the user-friendly functions like the continuous feed system (CFS) and the intuitive operating concept that guides him through the process workflow on the project site.
“I like the functions. They make sure I can do a good job,” Fergerstrom said.
“The user-friendly display guides me through the process and shows me what steps come next to get the machine up and running. Operating the machine is pretty easy.”
The MOBICAT MC 110i EVO2 crunches its way through the Hawaiian Blue Rock.
Twenty-five years ago
NSSGA senior director of communications Kerry Lynch reflects on how the industry has evolved over a quarter of a century.
It’s safe to say the world was a very different place 25 years ago.
Email and cell phones were just starting to become mainstream, Mission: Impossible 2 was a box-office hit, and Netflix was a burgeoning DVD mailing service. The St. Louis Rams won their first (and only) Super Bowl, President George W. Bush had just been elected, and folks were starting to overcome the fear of Y2K and other computer-related issues.
The aggregates industry was also vastly different back at the turn of the century, when the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) was just an idea.
The year 2000 officially marked the mutual agreement and merger of the boards of the National Stone Association (NSA) and the National Aggregates Association (NAA). After many months of paperwork, the NSSGA was officially born to serve as a single association representing the crushed stone, sand and gravel – or construction aggregates – industries.
The two associations joined their staffs to work with the mission to be the leading voice and advocate for the aggregates industry in Washington, D.C. Many of the two associations’ existing programs were refreshed to represent the entire aggregates industry and are still functioning today.
For example, ROCKPAC, the only political action committee dedicated to advancing the aggregate industry’s priorities with federal candidates, has been updated through the decades and continues to have recordbreaking contribution records yearly.
The political action committee supports candidates, regardless of party affiliation, who are pro-business and pro-transportation, and who understand the interests and concerns of the aggregates industry. It had a 91 percent success rate in supporting candidates in the 2024 election cycle, contributing to 215 House candidates and 17 for Senate. Of the those supported, 209 are returning to Congress.
Over the past 25 years, the NSSGA policy and regulatory team has grown to provide effective and meaningful opportunities to make the industry voice stand out on Capitol Hill. Representing more than 90 percent of the crushed stone and 70 percent of the sand and gravel produced annually in the US, the association educates policymakers and builds relationships to create long-term success.
The NSSGA continues to advance public policies that protect and expand the safe, environmentally responsible use of aggregates essential to America’s infrastructure, energy production, manufacturing and economic prosperity. Today, the NSSGA is well-known for its tagline, “Advocacy as Job #1”.
The NSSGA also built on its industry awards program by continuing the renowned Awards of Excellence, including the Community Relations Excellence, Environmental Excellence, and Safety Excellence awards.
It has also added several other individual honours. The Environmental Leadership Award was started in 2006 and celebrates an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to the industry’s environmental responsiveness. The ROCK Star Award launched in 2018 to recognise members of Congress who serve as champions for the industry. In 2019, the Paul Mellott Jr. Award for Political Excellence was created to honour an industry leader who works tirelessly to promote ROCKPAC and the importance of political advocacy. Finally, the NSSGA created the ICON Award in 2022 to recognise a stalwart industry supporter who has made tremendous contributions during their career.
In its 25th year, the NSSGA plans to celebrate by highlighting the association’s history and those who helped it become the success it is today. The NSSGA communications team has created a
25th anniversary logo and webpage to commemorate the occasion (located on nssga.org).
Bringing the industry together
One major way in which the aggregates industry has benefited since 2000 is the creation of the NSSGA’s annual meetings and event offerings. Over time, these have grown in participation to create a unique opportunity for industry networking and education.
Two events not to be missed in 2025 are the NSSGA Annual Convention from 23–26 March, and the AGG1 Aggregates & Academy Expo from 25–27 March. These meetings will feature general session keynotes, breakout meetings, a sold-out show floor and academic sessions to equip attendees with tools to excel personally and professionally.
The first keynote speaker at the Annual Convention will be Dr Helena Boschi, an internationally recognised psychologist and neuroscientist specialising in applying brain science to the workplace. In the session, Dr Boschi will explore the science behind human behaviour and how teams can optimise
NSSGA senior director communications Kerry Lynch.
performance, build resilience and adapt to an ever-changing world.
The convention’s Tuesday morning general session will feature a roundtable discussion, where several NSSGA members and chief executive officers (CEOs) will come together to discuss industry trends and share their outlook for the future:
• Ryan Morales – President, Gulf Coast Sand LLC
• Damian Murphy – CEO, Peckham Industries, Inc.
• C. Howard Nye – Chairman, President and CEO, Martin Marietta
• Danette Swank – CEO, PhilippiHagenbuch, Inc.
The NSSGA Annual Board and Membership meeting will feature committee updates, the state of the association and the introduction of our next Board Chair.
The keynote speaker is Archie Manning, a legendary NFL quarterback and patriarch of one of football’s most iconic families. He will share insights into building a legacy of excellence and strategies for overcoming challenges in high-pressure environments. All members are encouraged to attend.
The conclusion of the Annual Meeting kicks off the opening of the AGG1 show floor and academy session.
AGG1 is the leading trade show and educational program for the aggregates industry. It will feature 430 exhibitors and 120 education sessions.
The NSSGA offers a mobile app designed to help attendees best prepare for the show, as it includes the show floor map, the ability to message other attendees, and the full schedule of AGG1 Academy sessions.
Through this bi-monthly column, I aim to showcase how the NSSGA is working on behalf of the aggregates industry. From our anniversary celebrations to policy wins and breaking regulatory news, I will provide Aggregates Business America readers with the latest information from the association and highlight the many benefits of membership.
We seek to provide the industry with the tools needed to grow and be the best advocates. We are at our best when we come together, and the NSSGA is here to serve and represent the aggregates industry. AB
AGG1 2025 will feature 430 exhibitors and 120 education sessions.
Images: NSSGA
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association marks its 25th anniversary this year.
As part of their distribution agreement, Terapro will offer the Rokbak RA30 and RA40 articulated haulers.
Relationships drive success for Rokbak
A strong dealer network in the US and Canada is helping make the region Rokbak’s largest global market.
Given Canada and the US are the second and fourth largest countries in the world by area, respectively, it’s little wonder that North America is the biggest market that articulated hauler manufacturer Rokbak serves geographically.
The region is also the company’s biggest market financially, purchasing more haulers than any other. The most exciting part for Rokbak is that there’s still a huge amount of untapped potential, with its articulated haulers winning new admirers on an almost weekly basis.
Rokbak regional sales manager, Greg Gerbus, covers Canada and most of the US states west of the Mississippi River, a huge territory that puts him on the road at least two weeks out of four. He said the key to Rokbak’s success has been its steady development of strong dealer relationships based on mutual partnership.
“We want to work with dealers who share our goals, those who recognise Rokbak trucks as a complementary product to other lines,” Gerbus said.
“We’re looking for dealers who want to build a constructive partnership. Rokbak is a face-to-face company, and a good dealer usually wants to work with an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] where they know they have a safety net, which
usually means a personal representative they can pick up the phone to.”
Rokbak operates 25 dealerships across North America, giving the brand substantial coverage; however, the scale of North America means there are still opportunities for new dealers. Gerbus’ priorities include appointing partners in Washington state, Oregon, southern Nevada and areas of Canada.
In addition to building strong relationships with dealers, Gerbus is also focused on growing Rokbak’s connection with end users – the contractors and companies who use Rokbak’s trucks on a day-to-day basis. By fostering the manufacturer–dealer–customer relationship, Rokbak ensures all parties’ goals and expectations are in sync, leading to better results and greater customer satisfaction.
“Being aligned means understanding each other’s businesses,” Gerbus said. “If we do our part as the manufacturer, then we can provide the support that’s needed at the dealership, and that helps ensure smoother product and service delivery for the end user.”
Gerbus is perfectly placed to understand the needs of customers, dealers and manufacturers, having worked at all three types of organisations.
He began his career working part-time as a teenager at his family construction business
in southern Ohio, gaining a passion for the heavy equipment industry. After college, he joined the family business full-time, working as a site supervisor for 10 years. He then moved into the dealership side of the industry, working in sales and product for a company selling heavy equipment. Today, he is on the OEM side, working as part of the Volvo Group in his role as Rokbak regional sales manager in North America.
“I’d say our North American Rokbak team is second to none in building and developing customer and dealer partnerships,” Gerbus said. “Our approach has helped develop high comfort levels among users for Rokbak trucks.
“We’re seeing them used in a wider variety of applications across North America and there’s still so much potential out there.”
Rokbak trucks are used in general excavation duties for construction, sand and gravel operations and quarries. There are even some units converted to serve as water tankers for dust suppression on job sites – a niche application that highlights Rokbak trucks’ versatility.
The growing popularity of Rokbak machines in North America is also down to the host of customer benefits the trucks offer. Their fuel-efficient drivetrains, for example, deliver powerful performance and meet worldwide emission
Images: Rokbak
standards with low cost of operation and low environmental impact.
In the western US and across Canada, the RA40, with a haul capacity of 41.9 US tons and a heaped capacity of 30.3yd³, is the preferred choice thanks to the expansive, open job sites that define that part of the region. This contrasts with the eastern side of the US, where the smaller RA30 is often preferred because of tighter navigation requirements on the more constrained job sites in that part of the region.
“I love when customers in North America get a full realisation of what a Rokbak articulated truck can offer, and then put that potential into their application,” Gerbus said. “And you see there is respect for the product.
“Our customers like the value, performance and reliability of Rokbak haulers, and we have one of the most fuelefficient trucks on the market today.”
With construction activity predicted to continue growing in North America and so much untapped potential in the region, Rokbak is well-positioned to maintain its growth trajectory in this important market.
Working in partnership
Also in North America, Terapro Construction and Rokbak have announced a distribution agreement, with Terapro now supplying Rokbak articulated haulers across eastern Canada, expanding the Scottish manufacturer’s presence in this important market.
With 18 branches throughout the region, Terapro will cover the entire province of Quebec and parts of Ontario, focusing on providing Rokbak articulated haulers to construction contractors and general construction sites.
Terapro will offer the RA30 and RA40 models of Rokbak articulated dump trucks (ADTs). Terapro received its first RA30 in August 2024 and the RA40 in October. It aims to fully integrate Rokbak haulers into its offerings in early 2025, with a structured
plan to promote and grow the brand's market presence in the region.
“We are delighted to join forces with Rokbak,” Terapro president, Daniel Riendeau, said. “This distribution agreement is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence.
“By leveraging our combined expertise, we will drive transformative change and deliver cutting-edge solutions to our clients. We are confident that this alliance will pave the way for a brighter, more successful future.”
Rokbak articulated haulers are known for being robust, reliable easy to operate, and easy to maintain.
The RA40 is designed to make light work of large-scale quarry, mine and construction jobs. The RA30 is made for the toughest jobs and roughest sites, from quarries and infrastructure developments to commercial construction. Both offer high capacity and performance, delivering cost-effective productivity in the toughest conditions.
Terapro, already a dealer for construction equipment such as loaders and excavators, sees the addition of Rokbak haulers as a complementary expansion of its product line. It will enable the dealer to offer a complete package to its customers, having not previously had an articulated hauler in its portfolio.
North America is Rokbak’s largest market, both geographically and financially, and the articulated hauler manufacturer looks to work with dealers who are perfectly placed to understand the needs of customers. AB
Rokbak regional sales manager Greg Gerbus.
A Rokbak ADT in action in North America.
Making sustainable global tyre tracks
The global off-highway equipment tyre market continues to seek sustainable growth.
In 2024, BKT consolidated and strengthened its position as one of the leading off-highway tyre manufacturers. It maintained a strong presence in the world’s major markets while also paving the way for new opportunities in other countries, not least through the appointment of two new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) managers for Asia-Pacific, Rishi Raj Singh, and Africa and the Middle East, Aniruddha Pandit.
BKT has also made further strides in innovation and technology through its research and development (R&D) to create more innovative products and sustainability initiatives that add to BKT’s position within the tyre industry.
A BKT spokesperson said the company’s EARTHMAX SR 50 and SR 53 lines, sized 26.5 R 25 and 29.5 R 25, respectively for loaders performing loading and grading operations in quarries or, as in the case of the EARTHMAX SR 53, for dozers and low-profile dump trucks, remain popular.
Both are All-Steel radial tyres designed to be fitted on vehicles operating in harsh conditions in rocky environments, including tasks in underground mines and at demolition sites. Their special compound is particularly cut-resistant, ensuring greater durability.
The spokesperson said BKT’s ROCK GRIP E4 tyre in the sizes 18.00 R 33 and 24.00 R 35 for rigid dump trucks is popular choice among quarry customer for on-site hauling activities. For use in tighter quarries and on more winding routes mainly fitted on articulated dump trucks, there are the EARTHMAX SR 41 tyres, typically in sizes 26.5 R 25 and 29.5 R 25 (E-4), which are ideal for transport, loading and levelling applications. The latter provides excellent puncture resistance and prolonged durability thanks to its steel construction and unique block design.
Tyre employment varies mainly according to the terrain type and conditions, which aligns with BKT's determination to respond to the specific needs of customers and operators.
“BKT remains focused on developing innovative, high-performance solutions as a response to the increasingly challenging industry needs, typically characterised by demanding terrains and complex operations,” the BKT spokesperson told Aggregates Business
“BKT's product portfolio, comprising more than 3600 SKUs [stock keeping units], includes purposefully designed and engineered tyres to meet such challenges. These are, therefore, highly durable and resilient to curb the potential risk of punctures or tears.
“This is exactly what BKT will leverage at bauma 2025 [Munich April 7–13], showcasing solutions suitable for various quarry applications, such as high-load capacity tyres or special tread patterns to provide greater traction and stability. In other words, it is a blend of innovations bringing together advanced performance, sustainability and digital technologies, thus responding to the needs of an increasingly competitive technological market.
“At AGG-1 [St. Louis March 25–27], we will showcase BKT’s EARTHMAX range of products at booth 408. Visitors will have the chance to discover EARTHMAX SR 45 M, an All-Steel radial tyre specially designed for rigid haul trucks; EARTHMAX SR 49, engineered for loaders and dozers operating in mining applications, loading and dozing activities. Finally, EARTHMAX SR 51 is ideal for severe operations requiring added cut resistance, sidewall protection and exceptional traction.”
The BKT spokesperson said the firm’s tyres have proven to be a game-changer for the US aggregates industry, performing in some of the most demanding environments. Known for being high quality, durable and reliable, the company’s tyres help operators maximise efficiency and reduce downtime in quarries and construction sites.
BKT EARTHMAX SR 49 All-Steel radial tyres on a Liebherr wheeled loader in a quarry application.
Images:
BKT
BKT plans to remain a trusted partner for tyre solutions as the industry evolves.
“Generally speaking, in 2024 the US tyre industry saw a fairly stable direction, although being influenced by a number of different factors according to the specific sector,” the BKT spokesperson said.
“As far as the market for mining tyres is concerned, forecasts suggest a modest growth in 2025, mostly driven by an increase in mining operations in fields such as aggregates, metals and coal, which will contribute to a greater demand for specialised tyres that can handle rough terrain and heavy loads.
“BKT’s presence in this market will remain strong, in line with this trend.”
At its carbon black plant in Bhuj, Gujarat, India, BKT has initiated a pallet recycling programme to enhance sustainability and resource management.
The company has significantly reduced plastic consumption and procurement needs by reusing and recycling plastic pallets for storing carbon bags.
BKT’s focus on sustainable practices is evident through this initiative, which supports the circular economy and reduces plastic waste, improving operational efficiency and contributing to environmental conservation.
As a responsible tyre manufacturer, BKT is the sole company in the sector with an in-house carbon black production facility able to fulfil 100 per cent of this requirement, ensuring self-sufficiency in this critical raw material.
“For the future, we have very ambitious growth and expansion plans to strengthen our extensive presence in the agricultural,
industrial and earthmoving sectors,” the BKT spokesperson said. “We have started to focus on expanding the company in the OEM channel, leveraging a well-defined plan that is apt for exploring new markets and new business and development opportunities.
Recent years have seen BKT has adopt a holistic approach towards sustainability, extending its commitment to sustainable innovation and social and corporate environmental responsibility. This has brought the company in line with the international standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), also verified by Bureau Veritas.
The company spokesperson said BKT has reduced non-renewable electricity consumption by 26 per cent and increased the use of renewable energy by six per cent, which has cut 28,000 tonnes of CO2 Moreover, 99 per cent of the waste generated has been recycled or reused, resulting in a 33 per cent increase in recycling and a 22 per cent reduction in plastic waste. Twentyfive thousand new trees were planted, while at the same time, water offtake in waterstressed areas has been reduced by 43 per cent. In addition, more than 91,000 tonnes of renewable materials have been used in BKT’s main products.
“This commitment, along with product quality and sustainability, enables BKT to compete at the top level in both the original equipment and after-market,” the company said.
BKT currently has a network of trusted distribution partners in 160 countries worldwide, all of whom help the business pursue its innovation plans following customer and end-user demands.
BKT’s carbon black plant in Bhuj, India.
LEFT: Aniruddha Pandit, BKT’s head of OEM Africa and Middle East. RIGHT: Rishi Raj Singh, BKT’s head of OEM Asia-Pacific.
“Over the next 10 years, the off-highway tyre industry will experience significant evolutions in materials used and integrated technologies due to introducing new solutions related to digitisation and artificial intelligence,” the company spokesperson said.
“In particular, material research and innovation will continue to focus on increasing strength, durability and performance under extreme and complex usage conditions, as we can find in the mining and quarrying industries. Using recycled materials and greener processes will increasingly be a priority, reflecting corporate [and global] trends toward enhanced sustainability.
“Digitisation will likewise play a crucial role with the arrival of real-time monitoring systems on the market, enabling more efficient tyre management through sensors and the IoT [Internet of Things]. Collecting real-time data on pressure, temperature, wear status and other variables will provide operators with accurate information on tyre status, improving fleet management and optimising costs.”
Triangle Tyre, one of the biggest Chinese on- and off-the-road (OTR) tyre manufacturers and the world’s fourth-largest OTR tyre maker, told Aggregates Business that it expects a very busy 2025 as it looks to continue building on its strong global market presence.
Triangle Tyre will launch its first-ever Tire Performance Monitoring System (TPMS) at the world’s biggest off-highway machinery and linked technology showcase.
The company, which has its headquarters in Weihai, in China’s Shandong province and whose European subsidiary is based in Milan, Italy, is unveiling 11 new products for OTR customers in Q1 ahead of its appearance at bauma 2025.
Triangle Tyre’s appearance at bauma 2025 continues its long association with key global off-highway equipment industry exhibitions, including CONEXPO/CON-AGG (Las Vegas), MINExpo (Las Vegas), Intermat (Paris) and bauma China (Shanghai).
Triangle Tyre’s OTR director for Europe, Luca Mai, and marketing director for Europe, Angelo Giannangeli, estimated that the company has a double-digit market share in the European OTR market. It offers a range of options, including a 63-inch rim and a 1–4-star (load capacity) rated OTR tyre range. Triangle manufactures tyres for wheeled loaders, articulated dump trucks (ADTs) and rigid dump trucks (RDTs) for quarrying customers.
When asked about the company’s most popular OTR tyres for quarrying customers, Mai said Triangle Tyre’s 49-inch tyre for 100-tonne RDTs is a big hit in Russia and other key regional markets.
Mai and Giannangeli said the performance and longevity gap between premium and budget OTR tyres, the latter including those historically offered by Triangle Tyre, has significantly closed in recent years. They say more and more European quarrying customers are expressing interest in the company’s range for their site fleets.
Mai said it includes a multi-national building material major that has fitted many Triangle Tyre products on wheeled loaders, ADTs and RDTs operating at various European quarries. The company also offers custom-made OTR tyres to suit specific application needs.
Mai said that Triangle Tyre has for many years proudly received Caterpillar’s Supplier Excellence Recognition for the quality and
performance of its tyres fitted on machines manufactured by the world’s biggest off-highway machine maker. The company’s tyres are also supplied on machines made by other major OEMs, such as Komatsu, Hitachi, Hyundai, Volvo Construction Equipment, CNH, Develon, Terex, Liebherr and Sany.
Triangle Tyre strongly emphasises sustainability. Mai said the robustness of the brand’s OTR tyres, enhanced by continuous R&D and rigorous testing, helps extend their life, lowering quarry operators’ total cost of ownership (TCO).
The company has a large, state-of-theart manufacturing facility in Huasheng, Shandong province, producing around 400,000 OTR tyres annually.
Triangle Tyre was established in 1976, and its global market presence accelerated greatly after its 2016 listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Triangle Tyre’s distribution network spans over 180 counties. Its sales and technical services branches are in China, Russia, the US (North America), India (South Asia), Singapore (Southeast Asia), Dubai (Middle East and Africa), Panama (Latin America), and Australia (Australasia and New Zealand). In addition, its Milan site serves customers in the European market.
With more than 30 years’ experience in the global OTR tyre industry, Mai said he is excited by Triangle Tyre’s market offer and growth plans.
“Our range is equal to the traditional premium OTR tyre manufacturers. From smaller construction to underground mining, we can fit our products on machines and quickly adapt to the market's needs,” he told Aggregates Business. “We are increasingly pushing to improve our OTR tyres. It is also very important for customers in the OTR tyre market to be able to monitor performance. As such, we are delighted to introduce our new Triangle TPMS officially at bauma 2025.
“We have been developing it for several years; it mainly monitors tyre pressure and temperature but also has a GPS tracker that can give useful information, store it and make it accessible via iCloud. I believe our device will be one of the best in the market. It is particularly aimed at big quarry and mining customers.
BKT EARTHMAX SR 53 All-Steel radial tyres are designed for loaders, dozers and low-profile dump trucks.
Image:
BKT
Luca Mai, Triangle Tyre’s OTR director for Europe.
Image: Triangle Tyre
Giannangeli said that Triangle is “increasingly emphasising the OTR side of our business”.
“In 2024, we took all European OTR customers to China to see our production plant,” he said. “Speaking to them and spending time with them has reassured us that the Triangle brand has a premium tyre perception.
“The technological advancement in China has been enormous,” Mai said. “It’s the same when it comes to carbon emissions. In the last few years, the country has introduced strict policies to decrease them. One of the first in the world to do this.”
Mai said that changes to machine specifications and the customer operation of their machines are challenging OTR tyre performance and are among the key trends in the European quarrying market.
“The speed of load and carry operations has increased. Also, wheeled loaders that only had to transfer material short distances to a haul truck increasingly have to transport it longer distances on-site,” he said. “This places heavy pressure on the wheeled loader tyre for much longer. You need to find a new spec for your products. We sell more wheeled loader OTR tyres than ADT and RDT tyres combined – so it’s a crucial part of our OTR tyre business.”
Giannangeli said the Chinese manufacturer’s products had become increasingly in demand worldwide.
“The European off-highway market is increasingly asking for Chinese products, including OTR tyres, where the quality has become much better and more competitive than it used to be,” he said.
“We use the latest technologies, and our R&D intensively works to improve the expected performances of our tyres.
“Our modern manufacturing plant guarantees stable quality and high standards, and customers fully understand our product value.” AB
GIANTS OF BELTING
Triangle Tyre TB598S OTR tyres on a Volvo A60H articulated hauler in a quarry.
Volvo CE launches new generation excavators
Volvo Construction Equipment has made a splash in Southeast Asia to boost customer efficiency, productivity and safety.
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has celebrated its biggest launch since Volvo Days 2024, unveiling its new-generation excavators, articulated haulers, wheeled loaders and more. The rollout of the new-generation excavators is already underway in Southeast Asian markets.
The first five excavator models in the new generation range – EC210, EC220, EC230, EC300 and EC360 – have been offered for sale across the region since January. Singapore hosted the first launch, with a customer event attended by more than 100 people on January 17.
The flagship 20-tonne new generation EC210 model was displayed alongside the L120 electric wheeled loader at the event. Further launch events are planned across the region, where customers can see the new range up close and in person.
The launch of the new generation excavators aligns with Volvo CE’s ‘Our EDGE to Success’ framework in Asia. The framework emphasises the company’s commitment to delivering customer success through competitive products, excellent services and a dependable distribution network.
The EDGE concept was first introduced during the Region Asia dealer conference
in September 2024 to underscore the importance of collaboration among Volvo, its dealers and its customers.
The Volvo engine in the new generation excavators provides higher power and torque to maximise performance, with 10 work modes for effectively using engine power across all segments and applications. The powerful engine, matched hydraulics and faster cycle times on a new generation EC210 can boost customers’ productivity, according to Volvo CE.
Due to the robust machine design and heavy-duty configuration, the new generation EC210 can be used across all
One of the new generation Volvo CE excavators for Southeast Asia.
segments, no matter the application. The machines also increased the on-site safety for operators with three-point side access, emergency shutdown, rearview camera and anti-slip plates.
Operator comfort is ensured with more precise controls, a rollover protective structure (ROPS) cab, an ergonomically designed human–machine interface, and an improved operator environment.
The new generation Volvo excavators feature improved hydraulics that dramatically reduce fuel consumption. This is done by regulating engine speed and hydraulic flow rate based on the task at hand, leading to up to 15 per cent fuel economy improvement and lower operating costs.
Minimising downtime is key to protecting customers’ return on investment. The new generation excavators are designed for easy service access and longer service intervals to drive down maintenance costs and increase machine availability. A fuel shut-off valve also facilitates fuel filter changes, avoiding fuel spillage and further reducing costs.
“This new generation excavator series represents years of collaboration and innovation. We are excited to introduce these machines to customers in Region Asia, addressing the specific demands of the regional construction sector,” Volvo CE’s president of region Asia, Tomas Kuta, said
“Our customers are facing unique challenges, and these machines are designed to help them stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.” AB
Launching the new generation excavator series aligns with Volvo CE’s ‘Our EDGE to Success’ framework.
NEW HITACHI WHEELED LOADERS IMPRESS
Norwegian contractor Grønseth Maskin AS purchased its first Hitachi wheeled loader in 2011 and has clocked over 11,000 hours. The contractor is now supported by the latest model, the ZW310-7, which is already making its mark in Gjemnes.
Oddmund Grønseth started his company at just 19, with a tractor and a few ditch-cleaning jobs, and Grønseth Maskin AS has expanded rapidly over the years. His sons, Kurt and Ole Jonny, run the business today, though Oddmund still operates machinery.
He said his first Hitachi loader, the ZW310, was purchased 13 years ago from Norwegian dealer Nasta AS.
“It met our needs perfectly, was well-priced and has required very few repairs. It’s been incredibly reliable,” he said. “It’s got many good hours left in it.”
Despite adding the ZW310-7 over a year ago, Grønseth Maskin AS continues to rely on the trusty ZW310.
“We need both wheeled loaders,” Grønseth said.
“The 25-tonne size is crucial for loading our trucks effectively, both in height and capacity.”
The older wheeled loader remains active at Høgset, while the ZW310-7 supports operations at the crushing plant on Averøya.
Grønseth has taken the new ZW-7 machine for a spin and noted some significant improvements.
“The cab is much quieter and the joystick control is great for comfort,” Grønseth said. “But I’ve always liked the old loader, too – it’s still a great machine.”
When he reflected on the most significant changes since he started working in 1970, Grønseth pointed to advancements in machinery.
“Back then, many machines didn’t even have roofs, and operators were freezing,” he said.
“The progress in technology has been incredible.”
Oddmund Grønseth in front of the new Hitachi ZW310-7 wheeled loader.
Proper attachments
Bucket attachments are helping construction material providers open up a whole new world in recycled products.
Bucket attachments can often be overlooked pieces of equipment, but they can solve the productivity jigsaw that is so often faced by the modern quarry.
If paired correctly with the machine, bucket attachments can significantly benefit construction material providers. The chance to increase productivity around the job site, even when it seems like a small improvement, can considerably boost a company’s bottom line.
More businesses are considering bucket attachments as potential additions to increase fleet productivity.
ALLU’s research and development project manager, Antti Rautamies, told Aggregates
ALLU was established more than three decades ago.
Business that the company has seen demand from emerging industries like recycled materials providers.
“I think that comes from increasing demand, as there is a need for recycled material that will take place more and more, especially as governments begin to look at this more,” he said.
“Contractors will need to adapt to this more and more. Recycled materials will have to be used, and that is where we’re at with our products.”
Established more than 35 years ago, ALLU has become a recognised name among bucket attachment manufacturers. ALLU specialises in serving customers in the 15–30-tonne excavator and wheeled loader range but has the product line to serve base machines starting from 1.5 tonnes up to 120 tonnes.
Rautamies said the company has been able to tailor its offerings to suit recent changes in key sectors in the global market.
“What is new is that we are targeting the small end because that is where more and more customers seem to be these days,” he said. “Not so much in the aggregates sector, but for soil and recycled materials or demolition waste contractors, that is what we’re seeing.“Being able to work with finer fragments and particles is something that is becoming requested more and more.”
One such example is the release of ALLU’s DC-Series and DL-Series screening buckets, which are designed for compact machines such as wheeled loaders and excavators.
The ALLU DC-Series is versatile enough for many applications but particularly well suited to mini excavators. A DC-Series Screening Bucket is capable of screening,
separating and crushing many materials including soil, compost and biomass.
The ALLU DL-Series Screening Bucket is capable of handling materials like sand, gravel and demolition waste due to its versatility. It provides an all-in-one solution to screen, crush, aerate, mix and load as a one-step operation. The DL-Series Screening Bucket has three sizes to suit excavators, wheeled loaders and skid steers.
““The smaller ALLU screening bucket ranges were launched because we wanted to bring ALLU screening power for all-sized base machines,” Rautamies said.
“It can apply to many industries and applications, including aggregates. In certain cases where it handles smaller amounts, it can act as an alternative method to a screening station or complement an existing set-up.
“I think the demand for these products has always been there, but I think more customers are becoming aware of different methods and the cost of different methods.”
One of ALLU’s recent developments has been the introduction of the ALLU Variable Drum, which features a shaft and easy locking system that enable operators to make quick blade replacements or adjust output sizes. ALLU designed the Variable Drum so these changes could all be made within hours, which gives any construction materials provider extra adaptability depending on their application.
For those working with a single ALLU Transformer screening bucket, the ALLU Variable Drum’s ability to change the frontend set-up can enable them to meet multiple job demands. The Variable Drum features a two-bolt drum attachment that enables
Top: ALLU has a wide range of screening bucket options for customers.
The ALLU Screening Bucket range provides operators greater versatility from their machines.
Right:
Image: ALLU
Image: ALLU
easy changes and eliminates the need for operators to access the drive compartment, which saves on labour time and increases site safety.
“We’ve been highlighting since last year this VD [Variable Drum] that allows operators to easily change the drum or the screening or crushing plate from one to another,” Rautamies said.
“That is something that we have been pushing hard because it can work across many applications and enables the front end to have different set-ups easily.”
ALLU is likely to introduce several key products throughout the year. Rautamies said many of these new products were inspired by ALLU’s customers.
“Most likely, during the year we are going to be launching focused products to certain applications, some of them are related to recycling,” he said. “They will be clearly targeted to a specific need based on what we have learned from our customers.”
Recycled focus
There has recently a greater push from construction material providers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) around the world to work within the recycled materials space.
OEMs like MB Crusher are beginning to focus heavily on the recycled materials sector and the clients who work in that space.
“Recycling materials like concrete isn’t just a responsible choice; it represents a fresh perspective on construction. It opens doors to new opportunities, cuts costs and offers an eco-friendly solution,” MB Crusher said.
“Concrete recycling is a key element in the process of ecological transition, bringing environmental benefits through proper management and reuse.”
As part of MB Crusher’s commitment to recycled materials, it has increasingly worked with businesses to implement these solutions into their operations.
An Italian client said it has saved time and money since using MB Crusher’s MB-C50 crusher bucket. The Italians ran the bucket on a mini excavator during a demolition job of a family home, which helped them recycle material further. The waste material from the old house was re-used on-site to fill the foundations of the new building and adjacent courtyard.
Elsewhere, a Spanish client has used MB Crusher’s BF90.3 bucket to expand its business. Before using MB Crusher’s equipment, the company had to send all its waste material to a landfill, which incurred high transport and disposal costs.
But thanks to MB Crusher’s BF90.3 crusher bucket, waste material can now be recycled on-site into reusable products for future construction projects.
“With MB Crusher, you do it directly on-site with your own machinery, cutting both costs and environmental impact,” MB Crusher said. “Thanks to recycled aggregates, you’ll always have material ready for immediate use.” AB
MB Crusher has helped customers recycle more material on-site to reduce costs.
Image MB Crusher
Volvo CE:
‘The best just got better’
Volvo Construction Equipment has bolstered its suite of safe and productive solutions for the toughest worksites with a new line-up of articulated haulers.
Volvo Construction’s seven new generation articulated hauler models have revamped updates to the already proven A25, A30, A35, A40, A45, and A60 units.
The company has also introduced a new class machine, the 45-tonne A50. Designed to meet customers’ evolving needs, this range makeover marks the next wave in Volvo CE’s largest-ever product roll-out.
“Our haulers have always given our customers exceptional off-road performance, outstanding operator comfort and maximum uptime,” Volvo CE product manager for sales region Europe and International, Per Trozell, said.
“But now that we have updated them with our most exciting features yet for effortless operation, the best just got better.
“Our ability to maintain a world-leading position in this segment is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, with quality, safety and environmental care firmly at its heart.”
Many new features have been included to help maximise productivity across the most challenging quarrying, mining and construction projects.
The Volvo drivetrain with Terrain Memory provides fuel efficiency without compromising power. It can also identify and remember any slippery road segments. Automatic drive combinations with 100 per cent differential locks and all-terrain bogie and hydro-mechanical steering also combine to provide unmatched traction, stability and precision control.
Volvo Dynamic Drive, with its predictive gear selection that adapts to operating conditions, downhill speed control function, and leading braking systems, further enhances efficiency, safety and comfort.
Volvo CE’s updated articulated haulers are equipped with in-cab information which is conveniently displayed on just two screens. This helps operators stay on top of what is happening on-site and to make informed decisions from the cabin,
The interactive, integrated Volvo Co-Pilot display offers control over essential functions such as media, camera settings, climate control, and machine status. This, combined with the dynamic instrument cluster positioned in front of the steering wheel, provides vital vehicle data at a glance.
The addition of adjustable seats, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, storage solutions, an ergonomic gear lever, and a noise-reducing cab design are designed with the operator in mind.
The operator’s visibility is improved thanks to redesigned cab panels and wider wiper coverage, resulting in a broad field of vision. Optional front and rear cameras and a standard entrance camera, all managed via Volvo Co-Pilot, further enhance visibility.
Entering and exiting the cab is simple and safe due to the repositioned door entrance, railings on both sides, and focused lighting on the stairs and platform.
The updated range has been engineered for durability, thanks to features such as reinforced axles that can withstand heavier loads and higher torque, resulting in superior stability and strength.
Safety is also a priority, with new harness anchor points in the cab that meet WorkSafeBC and OSHA regulations and can withstand up to 22kN of force.
With simplified servicing, longer change intervals and easy component access, servicing is quicker and easier than ever, while costs are reduced. The 250-hour greasing interval eliminates the need for daily or weekly greasing, boosting productivity and reducing downtime. According to Volvo CE, its articulated haulers require less fluid volume than comparable models, reducing operating costs.
Volvo also offers flexible service contracts tailored to operator needs. This service enables operators to receive service when they need it while still maintaining their uptime.
Customers can boost the performance of their articulated haulers even further by adding solutions such as Haul Assist with On-Board Weighing. Powered by Volvo Co-Pilot, this provides real-time payload data to prevent overloading and minimise carryback, maximising productivity and reducing fuel consumption and machine wear.
Digital and advisory tools such as Connected Map, Performance Indicator, and Site Optimisation can improve traffic flow, vehicle performance and on-site logistics.
The CareTrack telematics system is designed to help boost machine uptime and reduce repair costs.
The latest generation of Volvo articulated haulers features a new software architecture that allows customers to adapt to changing needs, seamlessly incorporate future upgrades and new smart solutions, and
ensure their equipment stays updated with the latest technology.
The updated models are planned to be introduced to international markets.
A Develon first in Scotland Cross Civils & Construction Services, located in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland, has acquired a new Develon DA30-7 articulated dump truck (ADT).
authorised dealer for Scotland, based in Castle Douglas.
Gordons is now solely responsible for the sales and servicing of the Develon crawler, wheeled and mini/midi excavator, wheeled loader, ADT, dozer, and attachment ranges in Scotland and Cumbria, England.
Since it was established six years ago, Cross Civils & Construction Services has specialised in various markets, including civil engineering, construction, pipe supplies, aggregates, and forestry equipment. The company facilitates large construction projects and sells pipe supplies, aggregate supplies, and forestry equipment for companies and individuals.
Cross Civils & Construction Services owner Kevin Cross has been impressed with Gordons’ level of expertise and professionalism.
“David Moir at Gordons, whom I’ve known for a long time, invited me over to try out the Develon DA30-7 ADT as a possible replacement for one of the machines in our fleet,” Cross said.
“David and Gordons showed impressive attention to detail and understanding of our business needs to ensure a very quick turnaround from placing the order to delivering the new machine.
slopes, tight turns, or a combination of these difficult conditions.”
The DA30-7 is one of three models in Develon’s ADT range, comprising the DA30-7 and DA45-7 6x6 models, complemented by a new 4x4 version of the DA45-7. The DA30-7 6x6 model has a payload of 28 tonnes and is powered by the Scania Stage V-compliant DC09 nine-litre diesel engine, which provides 276kW of power.
The DA30-7 and DA45-7 models feature an articulation hinge positioned behind the turning ring to distribute weight equally to the front axle even during maximum steer articulation. This, combined with a free-swinging rear tandem bogie, ensures equal weight distribution to each wheel and guarantees permanent six-wheel contact and drive for equal power distribution and excellent performance, particularly on all types of terrain.
The forward turning point, the unique tandem bogie and the sloping rear frame collectively result strong performance in rough and soft terrain.
Like all Develon ADTs, the DA30-7 is equipped with a modern cab and self-levelling front suspension that works independently to suit ground conditions and to give the operator a truly comfortable working environment.
The DA30-7’s features a dynamic look that stands out on the work site. The machine performs well with regard to load capacity, consumption, precision control, reliability, durability, operating costs, and low maintenance requirements.
“Due to work demands, the Develon DA30-7 became an addition rather than a replacement, bringing the number of different brands in our fleet to four,” Cross said,
“We utilise the DA30-7 in every part of our business, from our civils and housing development projects to working in our quarry, where we produce sand and gravel.
“Without doubt, the DA30-7 has proved itself to be the best machine we have, and this is strongly supported by the two drivers who normally operate the machine between them.” AB
Volvo CE has unveiled its new generation articulated haulers.
The DA30-7 is one of three models in Develon’s ADT range.
Image:Develon
New features on the new generation Volvo CE ADTs help to guarantee maximum productivity across the most challenging quarrying, mining construction projects. Image: Volvo CE
Telescoping conveyors like the TeleStacker Conveyor can be equipped with PLCs that manage radial, height, and extension movements.
Whole conveyor benefits
Investing in quality conveyors and conveyor belting is necessary for any quarry operator looking for optimal productivity and efficiency. Thankfully, major manufacturers have a lot new to offer in 2025.
As a leading endless belt supplier to premium material handling manufacturers globally, Smiley Monroe is on a mission to help customers protect the lifespan of their whole conveyor.
With close to 25,000 conveyor belts produced annually across Smiley Monroe’s three production sites, and more than 45 years of experience in the business, the experts at the company are regularly called on to troubleshoot common conveyor issues such as belt misalignment, spillage, or material build-up. Many of these issues, which lead to premature belt wear, roller damage and unplanned downtime, can be prevented by choosing the right conveyor components at the outset.
“Many people assume the key to successful, efficient conveying is simply down to using the correct belt for the correct application, and of course, this is important,” Smiley Monroe head of product support, Chris Jones, said. “We spend time speaking to our end user and manufacturing customers about the types of material the machine will be conveying, the belt speed, the expected output, and many other factors before choosing the right conveyor belt from our wide range of stock. However, we
also believe in protecting the belt’s lifespan and achieving efficient, safe conveying over a long period, so we offer a range of complementary conveyor components.”
For example, Smiley Monroe recommends that its customers fit skirting rubber, especially at loading zones, to prevent material spillage. Such spillage creates waste and can cause material build-up and damage to other conveyor components, such as rollers, causing wear to the belt.
Choosing a skirting rubber with lower shore hardness than the belt is also important. Skipping this step can cause the skirting rubber to damage the belt’s top cover over time. Smiley Monroe stocks a range of skirting rubber to suit many applications, and supplies CNC-cut parts ready to fit alongside other rubber, PE and PU parts such as gaskets, chutes and wear liners.
Belt misalignment is another common conveying issue that can be linked to straightness or improper tensioning. After ruling out these issues, fitting a Smiley Monroe GlideTracker can help prevent future misalignment problems, increase the lifespan of the belt, minimise spillage, and maximise the conveyor’s output.
Switching to Smiley Monroe’s Polymer Rollers also offers up to 40 per cent weight
reduction compared to steel rollers. According to Smiley Monroe, the polymer rollers will not rust in dusty, wet conditions, which can create sharp edges against the belt’s running side. The Polymer Rollers are designed with a triple ‘labyrinth’ seal, and the bearings are also protected from rust, dust and moisture, which often causes steel rollers to seize and fail.
Smiley Monroe will showcase its range of flat and chevron conveyor belts, including ZIP CLIP Replacement Belts and ToughFlex, alongside its entire range of conveyor components at bauma 2025 (Hall B2.127) in April. Throughout the show, it will offer package discounts for customers who enquire about complete conveyor ‘kits’, including belts and cut rubber or plastic parts, and welcome enquiries from new and existing customers.
Mitigating stockpile segregation
Material segregation within stockpiles remains a persistent challenge in aggregate production. Consistent product quality is critical for base materials, asphalt, and concrete applications.
Superior Industries (Superior), which designs and manufactures innovative material handling, crushing, screening, and
Image: Superior Industries
washing solutions, has developed advanced technologies to mitigate this issue. One is the TeleStacker Conveyor, a telescoping radial stacking conveyor known for its effectiveness in addressing segregation.
“Material segregation occurs when particles of different sizes separate within a stockpile,” Superior Industries aggregate applications specialist, Michael Dunne, said. “This can lead to inconsistencies that compromise the quality of asphalt or concrete products.”
Understanding the causes and solutions to this problem is essential for producers striving to meet stringent specifications and improve operational efficiency. Segregation typically begins during stockpiling and can worsen during handling and transport. Factors such as particle size variation, conveyor design, and environmental conditions like wind contribute to the issue.
“Segregation is most pronounced in materials with a range of particle sizes. Larger particles tend to roll to the edges, while finer particles settle in the centre, leading to uneven gradation,” Dunne said, Consequences go beyond aesthetic or structural concerns. Depending on whether it’s fine or coarse particles, a segregated aggregate product may result in stiff or runny concrete mixtures, compromising structural integrity and shortening the lifespan of roads and other structures.
Preventing segregation during stockpiling is more effective than attempting to correct it afterwards. Techniques such as layering and windrowing play a pivotal role in achieving uniformity. The windrow method involves depositing material in smaller, overlapping piles, which helps distribute particle sizes more evenly.
Superior’s TeleStacker Conveyor is capable of creating layered windrow piles.
“Combining constant movement radially with telescoping capabilities of the conveyor allows for building a stockpile layer by layer with precision,” Dunne said.
“This process significantly reduces the occurrence of overrun and ensures better material blending.”
Automation has changed stockpiling processes and provided operators with greater control and efficiency. The TeleStacker Conveyor can have
programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that manage radial, height and extension movements. These automated adjustments allow the conveyor to create fully desegregated piles with minimal operator intervention.
“By customising the conveyor’s movement, operators can eliminate overrun and produce a stockpile with consistent gradation. This not only improves product quality but also reduces labour and equipment costs,” Dunne said.
Superior’s TeleStacker Conveyor has advanced automation features to ensure each layer’s size and shape align perfectly. For example, as the pile grows, the conveyor’s discharge point adjusts to minimise material freefall, further reducing segregation.
Telescoping conveyors offer advantages beyond improved product quality. They allow producers to build customised stockpiles in various shapes and sizes, reducing the need for a dozer, which is valuable for sites with space constraints.
“When producers switch to automated telescoping conveyors, they see significant
Smiley Monroe is on a mission to help customers protect the lifespan of their whole conveyor.
Preventing segregation during stockpiling is more effective than attempting to correct it afterwards, according to Superior Industries.
savings in labour and equipment use,” Dunne said. “More importantly, they gain confidence in their ability to consistently deliver high-quality products.”
Superior Industries continues to help producers meet the demands of modern construction projects by providing equipment like the TeleStacker Conveyor.
“Stockpiling may seem like a minor step in the production process, but it’s a critical link that can make or break product quality,” Dunne said. “Superior’s TeleStacker Conveyor is designed to eliminate the challenges of segregation, allowing producers to focus on what matters most – delivering reliable, top-grade materials to their customers.”
The right tools and techniques allow aggregate producers to adopt advanced conveyor technology to overcome the challenge of stockpile segregation and achieve operational efficiency.
On the return side
Martin Engineering process engineer, Dan Marshall, told Aggregates Business how quality conveyor belt return-side care can improve safety and efficiency.
“The return side of the conveyor may be the most deceptively hazardous part of a conveyor system,” Marshall said.
“With long gaps between rollers and carrying no cargo, there is an extensive list of injuries inflicted on workers from the return side of conveyors in the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] database.
“Caused by nip or shear points, belt contact and reach-in hazards from working around a running conveyor, these injuries stem not only from a lack of satisfactory protection of both the worker and system but also inadequate training.”
Image: Smiley Monroe
Image: Superior Industries
Marshall said many experts attest that efficiency and safety are inextricably linked. This means emphasising safety translates to reduced operating costs and increased production.
“Clean return systems using modern equipment mean less spillage and clean-up under and around the belt, which mitigates labour costs, downtime and exposure to work hazards,” he said.
“A well-maintained belt return yields less dust and fewer fouled rolling components. It also allows for a centred belt entry from the tail pulley into the loading zone.”
‘Nip points’, Marshall said, are created where a moving element of the conveyor machinery meets another rotating or moving component. Based on common belt speeds and average human reaction times, a shovel or other tool in an entrapment situation will pull the worker using the tool in with it before the person can even let go. The same applies to loose-fitting clothing or long hair when working beside or under a running belt.
‘Shear points’ can occur when the edges of two machine parts move across or close enough to each other to cut a relatively soft material. An example is when the belt quickly passes a stationary beam or component, which can trap a limb, abrading or severing it.
cleaned belt can cause carryback to drop along the entire belt path and spill into walkways or on the return belt,” Marshall said.
“This produces a trip hazard and a possible violation. In addition, dust can get into cracks and divots in the belt, release along the belt path, and foul gears and bearings of rolling components, causing them to seize and creating a possible fire hazard.
“Inadequate cleaning technology and tensioning systems allow carryback to collect directly beneath the discharge zone. If not addressed, material accumulates quickly until the belt runs along the top of the pile, creating carryback across the entire profile. At the same time, abrasion degrades the belt face and frays the edges. In extreme cases, encapsulation can move carryback to the inside of the belt, fouling pulley faces and causing them to slip, leading to mistracking and component wear.
“Fugitive debris on the return side of the belt can rapidly reach the tail pulley. Once caught between the belt and the pulley, these material chunks can be recycled over and over, each time putting a new divot in the belt, and gouging and fouling the pulley face. This material can be ground into fine dust or ejected from the pulley. Plows are often used to clean the inside of the belt and protect the tail pulley and belt from damage.” [Figure 1]
Marshall said there were other equipment hazards of which operators needed to be aware when operating the equipment.
“Many operators focus on cargo side issues and neglect the return side, where belt tracking should be of pivotal concern. When left unchecked, the belt can drift into the structure, causing fraying and the potential for a fire hazard,” he said.
“Moreover, if the belt is off-centre on the tail pulley, it will likely enter the loading zone unevenly and cause the cargo to be loaded off-centre, exacerbating cargo-side belt tracking issues.
“While issues from fugitive material to belt tracking can cause a number of mechanical problems, each one also represents a safety hazard. If components are not functioning at 100 per cent, there is an increased likelihood of a situation that may put a worker in danger while trying to fix the problem.
“An operation’s interests are best served by taking actions intended to prevent the mechanical problems and the accompanying potential for injury, rather than just protecting the worker from hazards that will likely be present with guarding.”
Marshall said that according to OSHA, operators should adhere to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, which recommend detailed inspections of the entire conveyor mechanism. The first step is identifying potential problems before they occur [Figure 2 A&B].
The second step should emphasise training and enforcing strict lockout–tagout procedures for any activities on or around the conveyor system.
The third step is for operators to choose the proper equipment to minimise accidents. New equipment designs dispel the myth that conveyors are inherently dirty and need constant maintenance. Marshall said that today’s equipment is safer and easier to maintain, engineered to improve production and efficiency, and designed to reduce the cost of operation.
“In the past, belt cleaners were rigid, linear pieces of hardware made out of various materials from brick to plastic that earned the name ‘scrapers’ or ‘wipers’ because that’s what they did. They had a low operational life, broke or cracked often and significantly contributed to belt wear,” Marshall said.
Figure 1: A V-Plow helps prevent repeated material entrapment between the belt and tail pulley.
Figure 2 A&B: Proper signage should be displayed wherever a hazard presents itself.
Images: Martin Engineering
The return side of the belt at this rock quarry is completely encapsulated by dust and spillage.
“Modern primary cleaners are usually mounted at the head pulley and made from engineered polyurethane, which is forgiving to the belt and splice but still highly effective for dislodging cargo. Typically supported by mechanical or pneumatic tensioners designed to meet the application’s needs, the designs require significantly less monitoring and maintenance of blade tension.
“At least one modern primary cleaner design requires no tensioning at all after initial installation. Featuring a matrix of tungsten carbide scrapers installed diagonally to form a three-dimensional curve around the head pulley, it typically delivers up to four times the service life of urethane cleaners without needing re-tensioning.” [Figure 3]
Marshall said as conveyor speeds and cargo volumes increase to meet production demands, secondary belt scrapers are often installed immediately after the belt leaves the head pulley to address dust and fines that escape the primary cleaner.
Secondary cleaners are generally equipped with spring or air tensioners that easily adjust to fluctuations in the belt. They are particularly efficient for applications that produce wet, tacky or dusty carryback.
“In most applications, normal belt wear can yield valleys and depressions in the belt,” Marshall said. “Dust and fines that get into these blemishes often remain even after passing under primary and secondary belt cleaning blades, becoming dislodged by the impact of any return idler the belt meets [Figure 4]. This causes dust and spillage in areas away from the head pulley.
“In such cases, operations may choose to install a washbox cleaning system, which combines secondary cleaners with water spray bars enclosed in a self-contained unit that captures residue and drains wastewater safely away from the work area.” [Figure 5]
Marshall said that mistracking is another concern even on a clean belt, especially for operators of long conveyors.
“Previous belt tracking systems were reactionary pieces of equipment designed to help prevent belt contact with the mainframe. However, these designs have historically experienced problems with friction heat, edge degradation and belt curling. To avoid these expensive and hazardous consequences, operators can now specify modern tracking equipment designed for the belt return,” he said.
“Shorter single-direction or reversing conveyor systems may only require a crowned roller that uses a ribbed lagging made of durable polyurethane. The moment the belt wanders off-centre, the assembly tilts to the opposing side and steers it back toward the centre.”
Marshall said some longer systems may require modern upper and lower trackers hung from the mainframe every 21–50m and on the return run directly before the tail pulley. These designs utilise innovative multiple-pivot, torque-multiplying technology with a sensing arm assembly that detects slight variations in the belt path and
immediately adjusts a single flat rubber idler to bring the belt back into alignment.
“Tail pulley protection from build-up riding on the return side of the belt using a V-Plow or diagonal plow can extend the entire system's life by minimising fouling of the pulley face that can lead to mistracking,” he said.
“Attached with dual steel crossbars bolted to the conveyor frame ahead of the tail pulley, the units employ a unique torsion
arm suspension system, which adjusts to fluctuations in belt tension to maintain consistent pressure for effective cleaning in all stages of wear. Lightly riding on the belt, the diagonal design deflects debris away in a specific direction, while the V-plow design deflects debris to either side.
“Where large lumps or broken idlers are getting on the return side of the belt, a tail protection plow designed for high impact is used, often in addition to or in combination with a return belt cleaning plow.”
Marshall said installing adequate guarding that encloses the system and has the correct
Figure 3: Innovative belt cleaning technology can improve cleaning, safety and the cost of operation.
Figure 4: Cleaning a damaged belt with a scraper belt.
Figure 5: Thoroughly clean a damaged belt with a washbox.
mesh size and mounting distance from the hazard also helps protect workers from fugitive material and reach-in injuries.
For systems considered ‘guarded by location’ (ie too high to reach), gates may not be needed, though most countries have standards that require guarding against falling bulk materials.
Marshall said return roller guards, though seldom seen except over roads and walkways, improve safety and meet the growing demands of government regulations. Build-up under the conveyor or on work platforms can negate the guarded by location criteria, so best practice is to guard all known hazards or eliminate the hazard by design.
“From head pulley to tail pulley, return side belt care is essential to maintaining an efficient and productive system,” Marshall said. “By installing modern equipment that helps remedy common return-side problems, operators reduce the time workers spend near the system servicing and cleaning it. This mitigates hazards, reduces downtime and improves compliance.
“In addition to resolving many mechanical problems, these improvements will help prevent injuries caused by incidental contact with a moving belt that can pull a worker into pinch and shear points. Hundreds of projects directly address return side issues using modern equipment, and operators have reported a quantifiable return on investment.
“Decreased labour hours for system cleaning and downtime for maintenance enable a lower cost of operation, translating into a return on investment in as little as
Another feature is its all-electric drive system. In a world shifting toward greener operations, Telestack is a leader in low-emission, energy-efficient solutions. The TSR40 is equipped with an integrated dieselelectric generator, allowing it to operate entirely on electric power. If a three-phase power supply is available on-site, operators can further reduce their reliance on diesel, significantly cutting fuel consumption and minimising carbon footprint.
“With Europe spearheading the transition to electric-powered equipment due to increasingly stringent engine regulations, the TSR40 is a perfectly timed innovation,” Donnelly said. “Telestack has been designing and delivering electric-powered conveyors for over 30 years – long before sustainability became a widespread industry imperative.”
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Telestack are at the forefront of driving the move towards sustainability, delivering solutions that consume less fuel while moving more material. AB
Top: The workhorse of tail pulley protection, the V-plow safety clears debris without harming the belt. Bottom: The Telestack TSR40 was designed to overcome logistical challenges of transporting radial telescopic conveyors.
Image: Martin Engineering
KAZIWE SIAME KAULULE
Taking a circular route to growth
As Aggregate Industries’ managing director of aggregates, Kaziwe Siame Kaulule is playing a key role in further enhancing the UK building materials company’s approach to circular construction, health and safety, and producing a more skilled and engaged industry workforce for today and tomorrow.
Kaziwe Siame Kaulule smiles broadly when talking about Ian White, known as ‘Speedy’, who left a lasting impression on him during an announced visit to one of Aggregate Industries’ quarries in the English Midlands.
“I decided to show up at this site around 4.00pm and found Speedy cleaning the workshop. I told him I found it very interesting that he was doing what he was doing when everyone else had clocked off,” Kaulule said.
“He then said something profound, ‘The job’s not done until all the day’s debris is swept from the floor’. That showed me the level of dedication he had to his work.”
Kaulule shared another experience, this time with a logistics shovel driver, which had a significant effect on him.
“I also met a logistics shovel driver at a company volunteering event,” he said.
“Gary Howell had been driving a shovel for 20 years, and I asked him what else he might want to do. He said all he wanted to do was drive a shovel.
“He said, ‘It’s the most mentally stimulating job you can have’. When driving, he said he was always thinking about whether there was someone around him to avoid when moving material and how he could work the most efficiently between different-sized material stockpiles.
“At the end of the workday, he asks himself, ‘What did I do today? What do I have to do tomorrow?’ Some studies show that shovel loaders thinking like this are 25 per cent more productive than ones that don’t. In a wider context, this type of thinking and planning is what all great leaders need to be doing.
“I get more inspired by meeting people like Speedy and that logistics shovel driver than any PowerPoint presentation. The teams that work in a quarry and walk the workshop floor are salt-of-the-earth people. They will tell you straight what is going on.
“I visit a quarry at least once, and often twice, a month, and also like to be out visiting customers as much as possible.”
unprecedented success in his time as its CEO. Within 18 months, he doubled the enterprise value and achieved profitability, reversing a trajectory of over five years of losses.
Joining the global construction sector in 2004, Kaulule has also held pivotal roles in LafargeHolcim Group audit in France and various senior marketing, commercial, and strategy posts across various southern African countries. He has also spearheaded digital ventures in the UK.
Kaulule brings academic rigour and practical experience to his work. He holds an MBA from the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, a Bachelor (Honours) of Commerce, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Cape Town.
So what have his priorities been in his first year as Aggregate Industries’ managing director of aggregates?
“My aggregates role is people-facing. Do we have the right people and the right level of engagement for the ambitions we are setting for ourselves? More fundamentally, are we operating safely, given our business?,” Kaulule said.
construction-linked products generally cost more than traditional ones, he believes many customers are willing to pay a bit extra to gain added value in their business marketplace.
“When I first came to Aggregates Industries, and in my previous role, we were having conversations about recycling; some thought that recycled [building material] products should be cheaper, given they are recycled. That is not the case. You have to handle the used material and reprocess it carefully,” he said “It is about creating a value proposition. Part of that is not just that we recycle; our offer of external verification confirms what we are doing, and we have an ECOCycle brand that goes with that.
“The discussion with the customer has moved from one focused on price to one where the customer asks, ‘How can you make this a reality in my products?’ If you can make it a reality in their products, the customer reduces their carbon emissions, which can help them win contracts with municipalities.”
Walking the talk
A Zambian national, Kaulule, known to colleagues and friends as ‘Kaz,’ left his role as Lafarge South Africa’s chief executive officer (CEO) to join Aggregate Industries in November 2023, initially as group strategy and commercial growth director. He took up his current senior executive role at the nearly 4000-employee company, which is the UK subsidiary of Switzerland-headquartered Holcim, formerly known as LafargeHolcim and regarded as one of the world’s biggest building materials producers, in August 2024. With an impressive career spanning more than 20 years, Kaulule is a results-driven executive renowned for his inspirational leadership across diverse international landscapes, notably in Europe and Africa. His expertise encompasses operations, digital transformation, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and the achievement of commercial excellence.
“After that, it’s about the company being a UK leader in sustainability. Coming here from South Africa, I saw it as a big opportunity to drive forward circular construction at the scale that Aggregate Industries can offer. I would like us to have 20 per cent of our products being made from recycled materials. We are currently around seven per cent.
“Another key focus is being a commercially focused organisation that is easy to do business with. We are revamping how we approach the market and our intensity within it. We are looking at which sections to focus on and what products the market needs.
“One of the things you find when you’ve been in a business for a long time is that you produce the same type of products. We now want to bring our customers on the circular construction journey. To do that means our commercial people need to have different conversations. In some areas, we have had to introduce different commercial people to have the impact we’re looking for.”
According to Kaulule, Aggregate Industries has been “walking the talk” about growing its circular construction business in recent years.
“We have been market-leading when it comes to ambition. We have made significant acquisitions in this space,” he said. “However, it’s not just about the acquisitions. We have been doing a lot internally on aggregate, asphalt and ready-mix [concrete], which has made a big difference given our scale.
“This means we can drive our ambitions downstream through the business. There is huge growth potential on that side. I would say that around 30–35 per cent of the materials we produce are used by our businesses in their work.
“What excites me even more is what we can do with our external customers around circular construction. We can change their business models.”
Among Aggregate Industries’ acquisitions linked to circular construction has been the Q4 2024 acquisition of Land Recovery, a leading supplier of primary and recycled construction materials.
Ian White, known as ‘Speedy’, clearing water off the quarry workshop floor.
Founded by the Beecroft family in 1982, Land Recovery has grown to become a leading supplier of construction and demolition materials.
The company supplies primary rail ballast, and handles and treats spent ballast, recycling a portion of it into new products for the rail network or brings it back into the value chain to create products such as ready-mix, precast concrete, and asphalt.
Another key acquisition related to circular construction was the Q3 2023 purchase of OCL Regeneration, a leading provider of highway waste recycling solutions. The integration of the Kent-headquartered business has further strengthened Aggregate Industries’ asphalt and surfacing operations, where it is a key player on National Highways and local authority contracts.
In Q4 2022, Aggregate Industries launched Your Carbon Report, the UK building materials industry’s first fully customisable carbon reporting tool.
Your Carbon Report offers customers accurate data by product or project. It produces a report using data from across Aggregate Industries’ business areas to provide a comprehensive cradle-to-site assessment. The tool looks at the whole manufacturing process, from raw material extraction to transportation, to provide a full and accurate carbon assessment of the products.
The report can be generated quickly, from request to supply, and allows customers the flexibility to interrogate the data to identify where future carbon savings can be made. To assure customers the solution includes all necessary material flows and is in line with industry best practices, all data in the carbon reporting tool is independently audited by Circular Ecology.
Aggregate Industries can produce up to 35 million tonnes of building materials annually. While unwilling to disclose exact current production numbers for commercial reasons, Kaulule offers his perspective on the present health of UK building materials demand.
“Everyone knows that the 2024 market has been challenging following another decline in demand in 2023,” Kaulule said.
“However, Aggregate Industries’ results have remained resilient.
“Part of that is by stressing that we are growing our business in a declining market through acquisitions, new recycled products and new brands. We have seen a lot more interest in our sustainable products like ECOCycle, and it’s the same when you go downstream with ECOPact for our readymix business and other brands for other business areas.
“We have seen the housing market decline substantially, so all the conversation needs to be around how to adjust UK planning regulations to get more houses built and built more quickly and address the reported labour shortage.
“We and the rest of the British building materials industry have the capacity to supply the materials required to meet the new government’s target of building 300,000 new homes a year for the next five years.
“What’s great is that we can now build sustainable housing. If 20 per cent of your aggregates are recycled, those houses are more sustainable. It’s the same as going down the value chain, having more ready-mixed concrete produced with recycled aggregates, and then you also have reduced cement content, further lowering emissions.”
Kaulule said everyone in the UK construction and building materials industry knows that changing planning laws to encourage more housebuilding “needs to be happening.” He fully supports the industry championing on this issue carried out by entities such as the Mineral Products Association (MPA), the London-based trade association for the aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, dimension stone, lime, mortar, and industrial sand industries.
Kaulule said that Aggregate Industries’ trading resilience has also been helped by falling interest rates and its ongoing supply of building products to major UK infrastructure works, including HS2 (high-speed rail network) and coastal renewable energy and protection projects.
Building materials for HS2 have mainly come from Aggregate Industries’ English Midlands sites. Building materials for the coastal projects have come from Aggregate Industries’ Glensanda ‘super quarry’, Europe’s largest granite quarry. It is situated on a remote peninsula north of Oban and is accessible only by sea.
Strategic investment
Kaulule also reports a growth in commercial activity in southwest and southeast England, the latter largely linked to the Port of Tilbury on the River Thames at Tilbury in Essex. Aggregate Industries is building a state-ofthe-art grinding station and storage facility at what is London's principal port. This represents a significant investment to support the ambitious growth plans for the company’s cement business.
The Tilbury facility, which will be completed and fully operational in 2026, will allow the firm to supply customers with conventional, low-carbon and circular cementitious materials 24 hours a day from
Aggregate Industries’ Glensanda ‘super quarry’ is Europe’s largest granite quarry.
The dome silo at Aggregate Industries’ Tilbury Docks facility.
five loading heads. The primary objective of this investment is to meet the increasing demand for sustainable building materials in an evolving market.
The development investment includes new plant equipment for manufacturing blended cements and lower-carbon cement components, including GGBS and alternative raw materials from construction demolition materials, as well as providing a major import hub.
In line with the company’s sustainability strategy, the project demonstrates Aggregate Industries’ ongoing commitment to lowercarbon construction. In particular, it boasts a significant commitment to circularity principles, ensuring that all potential construction demolition materials are reused or recycled wherever possible.
Aggregates Business reported in December 2024 that a key milestone had been reached in the project with the inflation of a groundbreaking dome silo that sits within the new multi-million-pound cement import, manufacturing and distribution facility.
The 45m-tall, 32m-diameter dome is designed to store up to 30,000 tonnes of cement to support local demand for building materials, which will be used in numerous construction projects in the region.
Once operational in 2026, this facility will allow Aggregate Industries to serve its customers 24–7 with conventional, low-carbon and circular cementitious materials from five loading heads.
During construction, over 25,000 tonnes of concrete from the existing site have been recycled and reused, and over 10,000 tonnes of recycled asphalt planings have been incorporated into new products. Aggregate Industries also incorporates lower-carbon materials every construction, including using the firm’s ECOPact readymix.
Local stakeholders and businesses are already seeing potential economic benefits, as the project is expected to stimulate demand for trade and materials in the region. More than 100 jobs are set to be created during the construction phase, with 30 full-time permanent positions to be generated once the site is operational.
Always looking ahead
Kaulule said continuing to innovate remained a key 2025 focus the 1300-employee-strong aggregates side of Aggregate Industries’ business.
“Given our emphasis on sustainability and circular construction, there is a lot of innovation and new ideas we need to bring to the table,” he said. “We need an engaged workforce whose working environment allows them to create good ideas.
“We also want to push up internally the use of sustainable products. There will be a big step-change in 2025, as we aim to produce three million tonnes of sustainable products for our internal and external works, up from two million tonnes in 2024.
“We also want to further integrate the recycled building materials businesses we’ve acquired. Through the Land Recovery
Aggregate Industries has seen much more interest in its sustainable products like ECOPact.
acquisition, we will be the first UK building materials business to certify the use of blended ballast, comprising 50 per cent virgin ballast and 50 per cent reprocessed.
“I want Aggregate Industries to be the UK’s most sustainable and profitable business. We’re on the right track to achieve that in 2025.”
After locking away previous acquisitions in 2024, Kaulule said the company will continue to look for opportunities to complement its existing strengths.
“We are always looking at good opportunities where there is complementarity,” he said. “The circular construction element of any potential deal is important. We are not done on the acquisitions front. We want to grow internally and with M&A [mergers and acquisitions].
“Our acquisitions in recent years have brought an entrepreneurial spirit to Aggregate Industries, which is great. From our side, we bring them a bigger playing field and the right level of [regulatory] compliance and rigour through our brands.”
Is there a danger that a very high percentage of recycled aggregate or ready-mix concrete and cement in construction works can negatively impact final-build quality?
“The quality of the recycled building material is based on the quality of the raw building material you are reprocessing,” Kaulule said. “We have examples from countries such as Switzerland where construction projects use 60 per cent recycled materials. It’s phenomenal, and legislation in that country allows for this.
“From a Holcim Group perspective, we were involved in an affordable housing project in France, and everything on the site used recycled materials, from aggregates to cement. It shows it can be done. By the end of 2025, you will see our recycled product brands very clearly in the marketplace.”
Kaulule said Aggregate Industries is keen to increase its embrace of digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI)-inclusive technology.
“I was once the general manager for a digital business in the UK. We were building a digital solution called Lead Retail, which enabled users to order [clothes and other high street items] on their mobile phones,” he said.
“Holcim has adopted it, and it’s how most of our customers interact with us. We are in the process of rolling out several digital tools that are customer-facing and that make it easier for people to do business with us.
“One of the digital tools is called Rocks, and another is Click It. Rocks helps with internal logistics; Click It allows customers to place orders.
“We are using AI to improve [employee] on-site behavioural safety. When some of our loader drivers are loading and unloading materials, they wear goggles that track what is happening with their eyes. It records what is catching their attention, and you can analyse hot spot incidents and predict where safety issues must be addressed.
“We also want to do more with AI technology around predictive fleet maintenance. AI has not replaced anybody. Even with ChatGPT, its biggest benefit is helping you become a better version of yourself.”
Kaulule is based in Holcim’s central London office, which is about an hour’s commute from St Albans, a small city in Hertfordshire, just over 20 miles north of London. He lives there with his wife and three children.
“What I take from my working life in countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe is that industries can change rapidly due to political events or market shifts,” he said.
“It teaches you to be agile and adaptable in your business approach. It’s a strength I can lead on given the UK building materials industry is changing in its more focused approach to sustainability.”
Kaulule told Aggregates Business that he likes to balance empowerment with accountability as a leader.
“High [employee] empowerment but also high accountability for the results. I like to see a high support-high challenge environment in my teams,” he said.
“The biggest thing in any company is its people. I’m passionate about having the right people to deliver the best results. I like challenging the status quo and asking why we do this or that. I want to know how I can make the biggest positive impact on the business area I’m working in.”
Kaulule is also keen to develop Aggregate Industries’ young apprenticeship talent and identify future leaders who can drive the business forward.
“Our apprenticeship programme is crucial. The economic cycle does not come into play; it is a non-negotiable investment. I started as an intern in this business at Lafarge Zambia in 2004.
“The only reason I am where I am today is because I was allowed to grow. I strongly believe in investing in young talent, not because it’s a cliché, but because it works.”
Concrete certainty
A major Chinese manufacturer is targeting European market gains as premium concrete batching plants remain in demand worldwide.
Aplethora of European Union (EU)-funded projects are putting a Bulgarian business and an Ammann CBS 120 SL Elba concrete-mixing plant to work.
With an hourly output of 120m³, the Elba plant perfectly matches ATMIX’s needs in Zapaden.
ATMIX chief executive officer Ivan Achovski said plants of this size (2m³ to 3m³ mixers) are in great demand in Bulgaria.
“New infrastructure projects are being worked on that need to be supplied with high-quality concrete from this plant,” he said. “Many more will follow in the coming years.
“They are not too small, so construction projects are supplied with a decent delivery rate and match the work cycle. But it should also not be a highperformance system whose cost–benefit value overshoots the mark.”.
ATMIX operates multiple Ammann Elba mixing plants, and Achovski is “highly satisfied with their superiority and reliability”. His familiarity with the plants helped him decide on the new CBS 120 SL Elba.
Achovski and his ATMIX colleagues first saw the plant at bauma 2022, where it was exhibited in its latest configuration with the CEM 2660 S mixer. Investing in an Ammann solution was an easy choice for ATMIX, given the mixer, market needs, plant size, and Ammann’s product support history.
The CBS120 SL Elba stationary concrete mixing plant for ATMIX has a CEM 2660 S single-shaft compulsory mixer and a specially developed CEM 2660 S single-shaft compulsory mixer for 8m³ mixing vehicles. The set-up runs three batches until it is full.
The ATMIX plant also has a dust extraction filter system for the mixing plant and a CEL140/4 linear aggregate dosing bin (140m³ with four chambers at 35m³ each). The solution offers compact installation thanks to feeding the aggregate via skip track into the mixer, a galvanised skip, an additive dosing system with two 30-litre chambers, and four additive pumps, including control.
Customised features on the CBS120 SL Elba for ATMIX include a mounting frame for later plant enclosure, access stairs, surrounding platforms for the mixer and weighing platform, a by-pass for dosing water directly into the mixer, integration of the cement silos of the customer, upgraded with Ammann Elba silo equipment silos equipped with the latest filter and safety technology, integration of on-site silos and screw conveyors, and an interface cabinet for the connection of external control.
Achovski said Ammann’s exemplary product support continued after the most recent sale.
“Permanent customer contact was maintained during installation to achieve the best possible success,” he said.
Of course, the true test comes when the plant begins operation. In that regard, Achovski said the plant was “flawless and without any unfulfilled wishes”.
Next forward
Chinese off-highway equipment
manufacturer NFLG (Next Forward Lead Global) is keen to make a big impression in the European market in 2025, and its concrete mixing plants are a crucial part of its growth strategy in the region.
The company came to Europe in 2007, making a notable impression with an innovative asphalt mixing plant. Meanwhile, its strategic partnership with European dry mortar mixing plant giants in the Chinese market has expanded globally.
“Our strategy for Europe focuses on exploring market and product adaptability over the next one to two years while preparing the entire sales chain, including establishing European spare parts warehouses and localised installation and service teams,” a company spokesperson told Aggregates Business
“After nearly 30 years of refining its technology, quality and cost-effectiveness in China’s diverse and challenging conditions, NFLG aims to provide the European market with a superior ‘Made in China’ alternative.
“The product portfolio includes all nine of NFLG’s lines: asphalt mixing plant, concrete mixing plant, dry mortar mixing plant, mobile
ATMIX’s Ammann CBS 120 SL Elba concrete-mixing plant.
and static crusher and screen, aggregate shaping and sand-making plant, C&D waste recycling, washing plant, and residual sludge recycling plant.
“At bauma China [24–27 November 2024], European distributors recognised NFLG’s quality and products. We are currently in close communication with these potential partners.”
NFLG will be an exhibitor (booth C6. CNN – 100/1) at April’s bauma Munich 2025, the world’s biggest construction, quarrying, mining, and recycling equipment industry trade fair.
“We warmly welcome interested partners and customers to visit and connect with us at our booth. Due to the close timing of bauma Munich and bauma China, we will not display equipment this year. Instead, we will focus on brand promotion and introducing key products such as concrete mixing plants, asphalt mixing plants, dry mortar mixing plants, and mobile crushers and screens. For NFLG, the European and global markets represent more diverse opportunities,” a company spokesperson said.
Top: An NFLG HZS120 modular concrete mixing plant on a Russian customer site. Middle: NFLG HZS120 concrete mixing plant for nuclear power is applied in Guangdong, China.
“Currently, equipment for European customers is manufactured and assembled in China. As our business grows and the European strategy progresses, establishing local R&D [research and development] and supply chain facilities in Europe is a key part of NFLG’s strategic plan. This goal is expected to be steadily achieved by 2028.”
The NFLG spokesperson said the company’s founder, Fang Qingxi, constantly encouraged NFLG to manufacture futureoriented products and benchmark them against premium European brands.
“The business’s product development has consistently anticipated domestic market demands while exceeding industry quality standards,” the spokesperson said. “In 2001, NFLG became one of China’s pioneers in dry mortar mixing plant technology. The firm collaborated with an Italian asphalt expert a year later to develop China’s first hot recycling asphalt mixing technology. These innovations have been pivotal to our growth.
NFLG’s products are available globally, with markets in Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Russian-speaking regions. The company operates under a distributor model, and its distributor network maintains strong partnerships in key markets. Outside China, NFLG has offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg (Russia), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Singapore, Jakarta (Indonesia), and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
NFLG equipment is manufactured and assembled at its headquarters in Quanzhou, Fujian, and its production base in Xiantao, Hubei. It is exploring and localisation of non-core components in Southeast Asia and Russian-speaking regions.
“NFLG aims to enhance price competitiveness and localisation ratios by producing mature non-core steel components locally,” the company spokesperson said. “A dedicated team ensures strict quality control during localisation to maintain global supply chain standards and delivery quality.”
NFLG plans to accelerate product localisation and build a global supplier network that aligns with its expanding international business.
This global collaboration will “ensure superior quality, performance and pricing for customers worldwide”.
The NFLG spokesperson said the firm promotes sustainability in the manufacturing and operation of its product range.
“NFLG actively promotes sustainability by adopting green design principles in equipment manufacturing, focusing on energy efficiency, emission reduction, and enhanced environmental performance during production,” the spokesperson said.
“We also take a broader approach to low-carbon emission reduction and sustainable development across the industry chain. Our solid waste recycling and residual sludge recycling plant are designed to enable resource recycling, embodying the principles of low-carbon and sustainable development. Additionally, we have introduced a green building material processing and recycling system, transforming recycled aggregates into low-carbon products such as recycled concrete, mortar and asphalt.”
The company is committed to being part of the industry’s digital transformation regarding equipment operation.
“By leveraging intelligent technologies, we address carbon reduction and sustainability challenges through technological upgrades, achieving smarter energy efficiency, emission reduction, and low-carbon operations,” the spokesperson said.
Up to the multi-task Multi-Task, a prominent sub-contractor in Saudi Arabia, has acquired a Lintec UCP120 concrete batching plant to fulfil a critical road infrastructure project for Engineering for the Petroleum and Process Industries (Enppi). A a major road contractor in Saudi Arabia, Enppi is overseeing the ambitious development,
with the Lintec UCP120 playing a pivotal role in meeting the project’s requirements.
The UCP120 was sourced through Medco (Middle East Development Co. Ltd.), Lintec & Linnhoff’s distributor in Saudi Arabia, and began operations in the Eastern Province in December 2023. Known for high production capacity and advanced engineering, the plant is instrumental in ensuring the timely completion of the multi-year project.
Multi-Task’s choice of the Lintec UCP120 reflects its commitment to high-performance equipment tailored to complex infrastructure demands. High production capacity is a key feature of the UCP120, and plant can produce up to 120m³ of concrete per hour, ensuring smooth execution of large-scale roadworks.
The UCP120 has advanced automation features available through a computerised process control system that delivers precise batching and consistent concrete quality to meet project specifications. The plant’s adaptable design allows Multi-Task to tailor operations to specific project needs. The UCP120 has multiple aggregate bins and a central discharge belt conveyor system, minimising waiting times and maximising efficiency. The plant uses advanced German technology and high-quality materials, ensuring long-term reliability under demanding conditions.
Medco’s fast delivery timeline and reliable after-sales support also influenced the decision to invest in the Lintec UCP120. The plant’s rapid set-up allowed MultiTask to commence operations on schedule, allowing seamless progress on Enppi’s road construction initiative.
The Lintec UCP120’s deployment for this Saudi infrastructure project adds to its impressive track record, such as a customised version to handle unique requirements for the Mombasa port expansion in Kenya. UCP120 plants also supplied high-quality ready-mix concrete for diverse commercial developments
UCP120 plant was used in Mombasa port expansion works.
Image: Lintec & Linnhoff
in the United Arab Emirates and various infrastructure works in large-scale developments in the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
As the Enppi project advances, the UCP120 continues to showcase its performance and reliability. This collaboration between Multi-Task, Enppi, and Lintec & Linnhoff demonstrates the importance of leveraging cutting-edge technology to achieve operational excellence in infrastructure development. The use of the UCP120 facilitates milestones and sets benchmarks for future road construction projects in the region and beyond.
On trak
Shannon Valley Group, one of Ireland’s leading civil engineering contractors, recently invested in the Rapid Trakmix, a trackmounted mobile continuous mixing plant, in response to a growing demand for ex-situ soil stabilisation projects.
Established in 1991 and headquartered in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Shannon Valley Group’s services include groundworks and civil engineering, commercial and housing site developments, controlled demolition, environmental, and recycling.
Trakmix is a valuable addition to Shannon Valley Group’s impressive machinery fleet. The new Trakmix continuous mixing plant offers total mobile flexibility via a selfcontained, track-mounted unit. This enables the company to undertake remote location projects easily and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly projects.
Ex-situ soil stabilisation involves using binders to improve weak soils geotechnically for construction purposes. This process produces a viable construction material suitable for reuse. Stabilised soils are often used as sub-bases for paving. Stabilisation increases the stability, impermeability, and load-bearing capacity of the sub-base.
Excavated screened material is mixed with the appropriate binder (cement, lime, etc) in Rapid Trakmix’s integral continuous mixer. The Trakmix’s aggressive, highvelocity mixing action, combined with the full weighing of all materials, ensures fully homogeneous outputs. The material is placed in its final point of deposition or stockpiled to cure before being finally deposited.
Ex-situ soil stabilisation uses raw materials more efficiently, limiting waste disposal and the use of virgin materials. As one of Ireland’s most progressive civil engineering groups, Shannon Valley Group is among the first in the market to offer ex-situ soil stabilisation using a mobile continuous mixing plant.
“We are always on the lookout for new technology. If there is a better way of doing things, we want to be the first to offer this solution to our clients,” Shannon Valley Group director, Michael English, said
“It’s simple: with Rapid, we get a job done faster and cheaper than our competitors. Mixing weak soils with binders for re-use on-site provides cost savings compared to traditional aggregates and muckaway methods.
“Our experience with the Rapid Trakmix 250 has been very positive so far. We are currently processing boulder clay material; we may not be getting 250 tonnes per hour [tph] because it’s a difficult material to work with, as it needs screening before treatment, but it still saves us time on the programme.”
Trakmix is a track-mounted, mobile, self-contained, fully-weighed, high-volume mixing plant. It is recommended for applications where all varieties of binders or neutralising powders are required in the mixing process, including road construction, road paving, groundworks or civil engineering, environmental stabilisation projects, aggregate recycling, and many more.
Trakmix was designed in response to the growing demand for a mobile continuous
mixing plant that provides easy, cost-effective transportation and eliminates the need for special transportation permits.
Customer demand also indicated a need for mixing technology that provides more output options on a different platform, offering flexibility for various site types and applications.
The addition of the Trakmix to the company’s fleet offers much-needed mobility and ease of set-up from project site to site. The machine possesses an entirely self-contained design mounted on tracks, including an on-board genset, providing mobile flexibility. Trakmix can be set up in minutes via remote control.
Trakmix includes several innovative features, including a modern control system that weighs all materials and a doublehopper cement weighing system. Other cutting-edge features include low-friction surface lining on hoppers, a bottom conveyor for easy cleanout, and an out-loading conveyor for easy discharge.
Trakmix offers outputs of up to 250tph via a high-volume continuous Rapid twinshaft mixer and 12m3 aggregate hopper, including a division plate for two aggregates. The Rapid-designed continuous twin-shaft mixer (pugmill) is one of the market’s largest and fastest continuous mixers. Its specially phased shafts and paddles ensure a homogenous mix for various applications within the concrete, construction and environmental industries.
Trakmix features full weighing capabilities via an integral, fully automated control system. Adjustable feeder gates from the aggregate bins and a variablespeed belt feeder to aggregate weigh belts are provided. Powders are thoroughly weighed via a twin hopper system with twin-screw discharge, and a flow meter measures the water. An integral 600-litre water tank and provision for admixtures are also included. AB
Shannon Valley’s Rapid Trakmix plant.
Image: Rapid
Red, white and blue investment
The US is one of the global quarrying industry’s largest markets for equipment and materials, and the last year has seen key manufacturers invest heavily to secure a foothold in the region.
Despite being the third-most populous city in Arizona, after Phoenix and Tucson, and 36th-most populous in the whole country, Mesa is where one of the most recognised companies in global quarrying has its new training facility and expanded repair centre.
For Metso president of North and Central America, Giuseppe Campanelli, the reasoning is simple.
“Nearly five years ago, during the merger of Metso and Outotec, it became evident that the southwestern USA was underserved,” he said.
“Our customers, striving to optimise their assets and manage costs, highlighted the need for reliable alternatives to equipment replacement, especially due to lengthy lead times.”
Once the company identified the southwest as a target area, it began putting together a foundation to support the region’s customers with improved services. The cornerstone of this approach was announced in 2023: a new training centre to the company’s existing Mesa facility and an expansion to the service centre.
Metso’s investment of around €14 million enabled the company to increase its repair shop area by 60 per cent and support customers in crushing, screening, grinding, slurry handling and more.
The investment will add an extra 650m2 to the shop, as well as a new shipping and receiving area and a dedicated 650m2 training centre. The breakroom will be extended to double the original’s size, and a nearly 5m CNC vertical turning lathe with live tooling, a CNC horizontal boring mill and a submerged arc welding set-up will also be added.
The announcement marked the second expansion of the Mesa service centre since its opening in 2015. Metso’s commitment to the southwest heartland includes one of its largest warehouse operations globally, and the company is investing in additional energy efficiency improvements at the Mesa site.
“Our full-time employee count has nearly tripled since 2020, and we have nearly doubled the capacity and capabilities of our Mesa repair centre,” Campanelli said.
“However, attracting skilled individuals has been a significant challenge. To ensure long-term sustainability, we decided to establish a world-class training facility in the southwest to develop our workforce."
The challenge of recruiting new workers to replace an ageing workforce is not a unique problem to Metso, with examples being raised in the industry from Australia to the US, from quarry operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Infrastructure Australia, for example, noted in its 2023 Market Capacity Report that the country needed to increase its overall infrastructure workforce by 127 per cent to meet the demand across associated industries.
To that end, Metso has the Metso Academy, which has grown to support several training locations worldwide, but the Mesa Training Centre is new ground for the global OEM.
According to Metso, the training facility will feature modern simulators, digital training tools, classrooms and practical learning areas. Attendees can participate in tailored training programmes to increase their technical knowledge of parts, equipment and plants.
The new centre will be the first standalone training facility for Metso anywhere in the world. The company broke ground on the Metso Academy Training Centre in mid-December 2024, which senior manager for technical training, Nichole Pritchard, labelled “the beginning of a vision”.
"Training is no longer a nice-to-have or an afterthought. Today, it’s a must for our own company’s employees as well as our partners and customers,” she said.
“It is the beginning of a vision: a vision to empower the next generation of mining professionals, to enhance safety and efficiency in our operations, and to strengthen the backbone of an industry that fuels our modern world.”
Born in the USA
Mesa is part of a growing trend of OEMs expanding their presence within the North American region.
Although there are few similarities between Mesa, Arizona, and Morris, Minnesota, the two cities have become centrepieces for OEMs Metso and Superior Industries, respectively.
Superior Industries has had its headquarters in Morris since it was founded in 1972. The company has become almost synonymous with the town, as its HQ and facilities have delivered bulk processing equipment for more than five decades.
Superior expanded its footprint in the city by opening a new manufacturing facility dedicated to cone crushers and jaw crushers. Opened with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony, the new facility will support Superior’s dealer network and producers in the North American market.
The facility features an integrated hydraulics assembly area, an inline test zone, and an expanded parts warehouse.
A render of Metso's new facility in Mesa, Arizona.
Image:
Metso
While the company’s other crush facility in Belen, New Mexico, will continue to manufacture impact crushers, including Vertical Shaft Impact (VSI) and Horizontal Shaft Impact (HSI) crushers, the addition expands Superior’s global manufacturing presence, which includes sites in South America and Asia.
“This new facility means more opportunities for everyone connected to Superior, from our dealers and producers to our team members and local communities,” Superior Industries’ president, Jason Adams, said.
“With more capacity and smoother operations, we’re able to stay true to our purpose of serving others by providing products that help our partners succeed.”
Education is key
Regardless of the market in which quarry operators exist, being up to date on the latest methods of operation is crucial to success.
When it comes to screening, one of the most important parts of aggregate production, and that remains true in regards to operating a vibrating screen.
Many within the industry would be familiar with horizontal and inclined screens as the two main types of dry-screening applications. The two types are defined by the latter’s use of gravity to help with the material flow and conveyance.
According to McLanahan’s director of sales, Donal McNichol, the key factors to consider when choosing a screen include maximum tonnes per hour, gradiation of the feed material, type and weight of the material, desired size of separation, the material’s surface moisture, any special operation requirements.
said, businesses would be able to select the right screen for the job.
“Because they don’t rely on gravity to move the material forward, horizontal screens require higher energy and a larger stroke,” he said.
“These types of screens are ideal for low-profile applications where height requirements are limited, which makes them a great choice for portable plants. In stationary plants, they are often used as tertiary or finishing screens. Finer screening applications can greatly benefit from this type of screen.
“Known for their efficiency and reliability, horizontal screens offer more accurate particle sizing. The high G-forces required to
move the material ensure screen plugging is virtually eliminated, allowing for more continuous open area.
“Inclined screens are the most popular for aggregate applications. Since gravity helps to move the material, this type of screen requires low energy and low stroke.”
The modern vibrating screen comes in a wide range of set-ups that are often tailored to the operation. Manufacturers like McLanahan can tailor screens based on basic capacity, incline, deck, oversize, slots, shape, weight of material, and open area.
“Vibratory screens can be configured with one, two, three or four decks. Some fine
McLanahan has a range of screening options for customers.
Image: McLanahan
Image: Superior Industries
Superior Industries cuts the ribbon on a new facility in Morris, Minnesota.
CRUSHING AND SCREENING
screening operations can even have as many as eight screening decks. Three decks are pretty common in the aggregate industry, but the number of screen decks depends on the number of products the site needs to make,” McNicholl said.
“In a typical application where multiple products are being made, the top deck of the screen makes the coarse cut, the middle deck makes a middle cut and the bottom deck make the fine cut.
“Each screen deck is covered with screen media containing the openings for the particles to pass through. Screen media comes in many different forms, and the type of screen media plays an important role in screening efficiency.”
With this in mind, choosing the right screen media is important for any quarrying operation.
Screen media is defined by the amount of open area or the amount of opening in the screen. It is important to understand the need to balance both the wear life and efficiency of screen media.
McNicholl said common types of screen media include woven wire, polyurethane, rubber and hybrid.
“Woven wire cloth is the most consistent, versatile performing media product. It averages 50–70 per cent open surface area in most configurations and provides the most flexibility for operations that need to make frequent media change-outs due to varying product specifications. Overall screening efficiency is good with this type of media,” he said. “Polyurethane is better suited for wet or wash screens and dry applications with highly abrasive materials. It provides 30–40 per cent less open area than wire cloth; however, polyurethane offers extended wear life over wire media.
“Rubber media is used for heavier, coarser materials that can damage standard wire screens. It is most often used for dry applications or abrasive materials. Rubber media has less openings than wire cloth, and
therefore less throughput; however, they last much longer than wire screens.
“Hybrid media combines wire screen with reinforced rubber or urethane strips to fit screen supports. It is highly popular in dry screening applications with high moisture materials and a high proportion of fines. This type of media works to eliminate blinding and pegging, which ends the need to stop production to clean the screen. It provides more open area than polyurethane and lasts longer than woven wire.”
McNicholl said manufacturers like McLanahan can use their team’s expertise to help quarry businesses choose the right screen and screen media for them.
Major market
Due to its demand, America will always remain among the top handful of key markets in the industry. However, the US market is tough to crack, especially when operators
face challenging conditions and need equipment to perform day after day.
Ridgeline Excavation faced such conditions during a recent job in Big Sky, Montana, building roads for a new residential area.
The task was simple enough: Ridgeline Excavation needed to crush blasted granite and quartzite into 75–100mm material. The challenge was to do this in an environment with an altitude of nearly 2500m and shifting weather conditions.
Access to the site was difficult. There was limited working space and workers had to contend with rain, snow and sleet. These conditions dampened the material containing sticky fines and clays, which could have made processing difficult. With an arduous task ahead, Ridgeline trusted Kleemann’s mobile jaw crusher MOBICAT MC 110i EVO2 to operate as a standalone machine.
“The flexibility and ability to easily move the plant to different locations in the quarry is a decisive advantage,” Ridgeline Excavation site manager, Lloyd Spanners, said. “Thanks to its mobility, the plant is very easy to move around the site. It also copes very well with the very sticky material we process here.”
The MOBICAT MC 110i EVO2’s doubledeck pre-screen with a slotted grate enabled Ridgeline to process the feed material effectively. The operators set a desired final grain size, and the machine screened the material so that corresponding grains bypassed the crushing chamber. This enabled greater throughput while lessening the impact on the crushing chamber.
“The pre-screen, with its ergonomic slotted grate, is really helpful in this application due to the wet, sticky material,” Spanners said. “On top of that, the consumption values are really manageable at approximately 19 litres of diesel per hour. The machine enables us to work efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner.” AB
McLanahan can help quarries select the right screen media for their applications.
Image: McLanahan
McLanahan is a trusted manufacturer of screening equipment.
Aggregates Business is a go-to source for up-to-date news and views on the European, American, Asian, African and Middle Eastern aggregates and building materials sectors. Our wide-ranging features line-up includes in-depth articles on the latest crushing and screening, loading and hauling machines.
