Two equipment dealers join the show to break down what’s happening in the aggregate industry right now – and where things are headed in 2026. P&Q welcomes Gavin Cole, executive vice president of sales at Kirby-Smith Machinery, and Robert Krutsinger, vice president of sales at Brandeis Machinery, for dealer perspective on market conditions, technology trends and the ripple effects of tariffs. Listeners will hear: • How producers and dealers are navigating 2025 • Where equipment and tec...

In Episode 51 of Drilling Deeper, Pit & Quarry’s Kevin Yanik takes listeners to the Pacific Northwest for a closer look at three producers shaping the region’s aggregate market. From Oregon to Washington, Kevin visits Allied Rock, Knife River and Washington Rock Quarries to capture fresh perspectives on operations, technology, workforce development and market trends. At Allied Rock, Andrew Siegmund discusses how the company continues to grow through strategic acquisitions and forward-t...

On this episode of Drilling Deeper, P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski sits down with Elliott Tribble, director of aggregate at General Kinematics, to explore the evolving landscape of aggregate production and the technology reshaping it today. Tribble shares his boots-on-the-ground perspective on matching screen design to site-specific needs, meeting increasingly tight customer specifications and tackling sticky material and throughput challenges with tailored solutions. Hear first-...

The next ConExpo-Con/Agg is less than six months away, and equipment manufacturers have their show plans in motion. A late-summer meeting in Chicago brought ConExpo-Con/Agg manufacturers and others together to capture the latest exhibiting best practices – and P&Q’s Jack Kopanski was there to capture the energy and perspective. In this episode, Jack visits with seven guests – including Megan Tanel (Association of Equipment Manufacturers), Jen Dugas (National Stone, Sand & Gravel Asso...

On this episode of "Drilling Deeper," Travis Chewning, vice president of engineering and operational support at Luck Stone, and Dr. Erik Westman, professor of mining and materials engineering at Virginia Tech, join the show to discuss the "Built for the Mine" program. In their conversation with P&Q editor-in-chief Kevin Yanik, Chewning and Westman spotlight how the "Built for the Mine" program – a collaboration between Luck Stone and Virginia Tech – is preparing the next generation of min...

In this episode of Drilling Deeper, Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski team up for a deep dive into the nation’s No. 1 aggregate–producing state: Texas. Their guest, Rich Szecsy, CEO of Big Town Concrete and chair of the Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association, offers an inside look at the unprecedented growth fueling demand for construction materials across the Lone Star State. Szecsy explains how Texas’s surging population, robust infrastructure investment and business-friendly climat...

Steve Fuller, founder of the Steve Fuller Company, joins this episode of Drilling Deeper. Fuller’s company focuses on helping organizations continually improve their safety culture through coaching, advising, mentoring and training. In this episode, Fuller zeroes in on safety within the aggregate industry. He draws from more than 20 years of experience in safety and operational leadership roles, and shares his approach to safety consulting. Fuller touches on the importance of building relatio...

Eric Gaus, chief economist of Dodge Construction Network, joins the show to give an update on the economy and the construction industry midway through 2025, as well as a look ahead to the second half of the year. Gaus offers insights into the economy as a whole, including the impact headwinds such as tariffs and interest rates have had, how the construction industry has fared through the first six months of the year and the current state of the industry workforce. Also in this episode, Gaus b...

In the latest episode of Drilling Deeper, hosts Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski shine a spotlight on one of Pit & Quarry’s most anticipated magazine editions of the year: The Dealer Issue. Now in its seventh year, P&Q’s Dealer Issue explores the vital role equipment dealers play across the aggregate industry’s supply chain. Kevin and Jack dive into this year’s four dealer-centric stories, which include in-depth coverage on tariffs and equipment supply – plus insights from a standout pro...

On this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski is joined by VDG’s Matt Lepp. The duo take a deep dive into the current state of the market and the challenges facing the industry today, as well as VDG’s experiences navigating the economic landscape so far in 2025. Lepp, technical account sales manager for the heavy industry at VDG, offers a look at the broader economic state, exploring how recent tariffs are impacting operations and what’s behind ongoing supply cha...

Rob Duke, founder of Armada Materials, joins the show to discuss the origins and growth of his rapidly emerging company. Launched through the 2023 acquisition of Volunteer Materials in Tennessee, Armada has since completed a couple of smaller deals as it builds out its platform in the aggregates industry. Duke pulls back the curtain this episode on Armada’s merger and acquisition activity, offering insights into the company’s expansion strategy and what’s driving its momentum. Beyond the comp...

On this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” PPI’s Allen Mathes joins P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski to provide insights into the latest developments in the pulley market, the basics of wing pulley use and the history of PPI’s pulley designs. Mathes, a sales manager at PPI, kicks off the conversation by diving into the “when” and “why” of wing pulley use. He explains the benefits wing pulleys provide, specifically outlining the way wing pulleys prevent damage to the tail side of belts H...

John Scepaniak, director of aggregate operations at WD Scepaniak, joins the show to discuss the nature of the contract crushing business and how his company is adapting in 2025 to meet the demands of the market. Scepaniak also shares how WD Scepaniak is venturing to new parts of the U.S. outside of its home state of Minnesota, and he details his personal approach to recruiting and building up the company’s workforce. Additionally, P&Q’s discussion with Scepaniak touches on so...

On this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” Peter Brewitt and Magnus Skörvald with Weir sit down with P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski to discuss the company’s latest offerings and provide an update on the North American sand and aggregate market. Brewitt, global product manager of sand and washing at Weir, and Skörvald, the company’s global product owner for crushers, offer their insights on how the sand and aggregate market in North America is experiencing strong growth. The pair point...

Pit & Quarry caught up with an assortment of industry leaders at AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo, including Capital Aggregates’ Jamie Jones, Wm. D. Scepaniak’s John Scepaniak, Rogers Group’s Thabiso Bolebano, Machinery Partner’s Clement Cazalot, Philippi-Hagenbuch’s Josh Swank, Major’s Ian Edwards, Wingfield Scale’s Dan Caine and Dodge Industrial’s Nick Roseto. This episode’s guests reflect on their AGG1 2025 experience while sharing what they saw and heard on the trade show floor at A...

In this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” managing editor Jack Kopanski is joined by Kevin Hambrice and Don Ruppert of TerraSource to discuss the company’s latest equipment and technology developments, as well as how TerraSource has continued to grow in recent years. Hambrice, CEO of TerraSource, kicks off the interview by discussing the role legacy brands under the TerraSource umbrella (Gundlach Crushers, Jeffrey Rader and Pennsylvania Crusher) play in the company’s overall success. Additi...

Nick Pearman, senior director of operations service and support at Rogers Group, joins the show to explore a variety of equipment and technology topics. Pearman dives into autonomous hauling and what Rogers Group is watching on this front. He also discusses industrywide AI opportunities, trends like digitalization and electrification, and how underground mine technology is a space the company is watching. Additionally, Pearman offers his view of the business environment around ag...

In this episode of "Drilling Deeper," three members of the Buffalo (formerly Buffalo Wire Works) leadership team join P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski to discuss the company's equipment and technology offerings, plans for AGG1 and much more. Hear from Joe Abramo (chairman and CEO), Max Davis (president) and Christine Abramo (vice president of business development and marketing). The trio dives into the history of the company and how it operates as a "156-year-old startup," as well as wha...

Special bonus episode: Evan Bender, director of government affairs at the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), sat down with P&Q’s Kevin Yanik at the 2025 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference to discuss the political landscape and what’s ahead for the industry as it relates to the new Trump administration and the 119th Congress. Bender details what’s next for the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, as well as what could transpire in Washington leadi...

Richard Luck, who was named president of Luck Companies in November, joined the magazine early this year to discuss a variety of topics pertaining to his company. Luck shares his experience growing up in the family business while detailing the yearslong efforts that prepared him for his new role. Luck also reflects on his short- and long-term goals for Luck Companies and how a new generation of leadership is in place alongside him at the company. Additionally, Luck discusses the company’s a...