Drilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcast

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 mining and aggregate professionals.

This episode explores how the program’s inaugural forum united producers, vendors, academics and students to discuss fast-evolving technologies like automation, AI, precision drilling and autonomous hauling, as well as how these advances are reshaping the industry’s future. Chewning and Westman share how workforce development, hands-on learning and modern curriculum are crucial to meeting industry needs. They also share how the forum sparked new ideas, inspired students and provided actionable insights.

The conversation highlights the importance of industry partnerships, the growing influence of aggregates in mining education and the program’s role in expanding career paths for students nationwide. 

You won't want to miss this episode of "Drilling Deeper." Listen to it now!

For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing information source. Through multiple platforms, we deliver the very latest in equipment and technology news and information that is critical for safely achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability. Editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski cover the market in print, online and through e-newsletters. As respected industry insiders, they moderate the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference and speak at industry conferences and meetings.
 
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Also, follow us on YouTube to see full-length episodes of the podcast, watch our Road to Prosperity videos and see other clips from our travels and events.

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 climate are creating incredible opportunities and unique challenges for producers. The conversation covers everything from sustainably meeting skyrocketing demand to navigating regulation, workforce development and technology adoption – including automation, AI and digitalization.

With firsthand insight from one of the industry’s most respected voices, this episode captures why Texas is setting the pace for aggregates and concrete production nationwide, and how producers can keep up in one of the fastest-growing construction markets in the world.

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Thank you to our show sponsor, Kemper Equipment.

EastRock Solutions is now part of the Kemper Group – and together, they’re raising the bar on parts availability, equipment solutions and turnkey plant design. From the pit to the stockpile, Kemper Group has got your operation covered. 

To learn more, visit kemperequipment.com or call (610)-273-2066.

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For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing information source. Through multiple platforms, we deliver the very latest in equipment and technology news and information that is critical for safely achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability. Editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski cover the market in print, online and through e-newsletters. As respected industry insiders, they moderate the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference and speak at industry conferences and meetings.
 
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Also, follow us on YouTube to see full-length episodes of the podcast, watch our Road to Prosperity videos and see other clips from our travels and events.

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 relationships, how to address high turnover and seasonality, and tailoring safety messages to the realities on job sites.

Additionally, Fuller provides insight into fatigue management, heat stress and the broader evolution of safety from a priority to a foundational value in aggregates and beyond. He offers practical advice for contractors, supervisors and company leaders on motivating teams, assessing safety culture and implementing core safety fundamentals to ensure everyone goes home safely every day. 

If you want more from Fuller, check out his monthly safety column “Going Home Safely, Every Day” in Pit & Quarry and on pitandquarry.com.

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Thank you to our show sponsor, Kemper Equipment.

EastRock Solutions is now part of the Kemper Group – and together, they’re raising the bar on parts availability, equipment solutions and turnkey plant design. From the pit to the stockpile, Kemper Group has got your operation covered. 

 To learn more, visit kemperequipment.com or call (610)-273-2066.

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For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing information source. Through multiple platforms, we deliver the very latest in equipment and technology news and information that is critical for safely achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability. Editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski cover the market in print, online and through e-newsletters. As respected industry insiders, they moderate the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference and speak at industry conferences and meetings.
 
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Also, follow us on YouTube to see full-length episodes of the podcast, watch our Road to Prosperity videos and see other clips from our travels and events.

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 breaks down the performance of the nonresidential, residential and nonbuilding subsectors. Additionally, he gives an update on funding from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act and if another infrastructure bill might be on the horizon.

Finally, Gaus offers contractors, developers and investors advice as they plan for the rest of 2025 and 2026. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to our show sponsor, Kemper Equipment.

EastRock Solutions is now part of the Kemper Group – and together, they’re raising the bar on parts availability, equipment solutions and turnkey plant design. From the pit to the stockpile, Kemper Group has got your operation covered. 

 To learn more, visit kemperequipment.com or call (610)-273-2066.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing information source. Through multiple platforms, we deliver the very latest in equipment and technology news and information that is critical for safely achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability. Editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski cover the market in print, online and through e-newsletters. As respected industry insiders, they moderate the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference and speak at industry conferences and meetings.
 
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Also, follow us on YouTube to see full-length episodes of the podcast, watch our Road to Prosperity videos and see other clips from our travels and events.

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 project at Gila River Sand & Gravel.

Also, joining the episode as featured guests are two industry dealers:

•  Rock Machinery president Bryant Fazer shares his perspective on how labor shortages are driving producers to upsize mobile spreads, how tariffs are influencing purchasing decisions and what real-world challenges the industry is facing in global sourcing and supply chain uncertainty.

•  Crush Mode president Micah Tysver presents a look at where the industry stands in 2025, offering commentary on portable versus stationary plants, the staying power of rental models, and how customers are navigating high interest rates while remaining open to new business strategies like leasing.

From reshoring strategies to tariff-induced hesitation, Episode 44 of Drilling Deeper dives into the pressures and opportunities equipment dealers face in today’s market. It’s an essential listen for anyone invested in how distribution and dealer dynamics are shaping the industry.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to our show sponsor, Kemper Equipment.

EastRock Solutions is now part of the Kemper Group – and together, they’re raising the bar on parts availability, equipment solutions and turnkey plant design. From the pit to the stockpile, Kemper Group has got your operation covered. 

 To learn more, visit kemperequipment.com or call (610)-273-2066.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing information source. Through multiple platforms, we deliver the very latest in equipment and technology news and information that is critical for safely achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability. Editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski cover the market in print, online and through e-newsletters. As respected industry insiders, they moderate the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference and speak at industry conferences and meetings.
 
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Also, follow us on YouTube to see full-length episodes of the podcast, watch our Road to Prosperity videos and see other clips from our travels and events.

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 chain disruptions and labor shortages. These challenges set the stage for a closer look at VDG’s unique approach to overcoming industry hurdles.

Listeners will get an inside look at VDG’s backstory, their commitment to local manufacturing and the real-world benefits their GrizzlyDrive drum motors provide – including reduced energy costs, lower maintenance needs and improved safety. Lepp also highlights how the GrizzlyDrive series is shaping the future of the industry through innovative technology.

Hear several first-hand accounts about how VDG’s drum motor has aided in operators’ success. Partners like Carmeuse, whose engineers embraced new technology to stay ahead, and mobile plant OEMs such as Masaba, Mellott and Terex are streamlining plant designs with VDG drives. Additionally, discover how Morton Salt transformed its Bahamas plant by embracing VDG solutions to address maintenance and staffing challenges in a remote setting.

Whether you’re an industry veteran or just curious about the latest in drive technology, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical examples. Don’t miss it!

For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing information source. Through multiple platforms, we deliver the very latest in equipment and technology news and information that is critical for safely achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability. Editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski cover the market in print, online and through e-newsletters. As respected industry insiders, they moderate the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference and speak at industry conferences and meetings.
 
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Also, follow us on YouTube to see full-length episodes of the podcast, watch our Road to Prosperity videos and see other clips from our travels and events.

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 company’s backstory, Duke reflects on the state of the market at the midpoint of 2025. He also shares his personal journey into the aggregates space, his perspective on the evolving M&A landscape, and the one business challenge that consistently keeps him up at night.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you to our show sponsor, Kemper Equipment.

EastRock Solutions is now part of the Kemper Group – and together, they’re raising the bar on parts availability, equipment solutions and turnkey plant design. From the pit to the stockpile, Kemper Group has got your operation covered. 

 To learn more, visit kemperequipment.com or call (610)-273-2066.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing information source. Through multiple platforms, we deliver the very latest in equipment and technology news and information that is critical for safely achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability. Editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski cover the market in print, online and through e-newsletters. As respected industry insiders, they moderate the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference and speak at industry conferences and meetings.
 
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Also, follow us on YouTube to see full-length episodes of the podcast, watch our Road to Prosperity videos and see other clips from our travels and events.

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.

He goes on to explain what has made angled wings so popular of late. Some of the most desirable traits angled wings offer, as Mathes says, are their ability to self-clean as they spin, better tracking as they treat a belt more like a drum pulley, less noise and vibration, and less obstruction.

Later in the interview, Mathes shares how the modern-day PPI herringbone wing (HBW) pulley came to be. The initial design of the HBW came in an effort to tackle the aforementioned issues. PPI offers a broad range of HBW pulleys, with its traditional offering featuring a drum pulley base, and another version that has a round contact bar welded to the top of it. From there, customers sought out smaller versions of the company’s pulleys and PPI responded with another version – the plate herringbone wing – that also features a contact bar welded to the wing. Larger versions are also available.

Mathes then compares the traditional HBW pulley and the plate wing pulley and outlines when an operator might be better served by one than the other. One deciding factor is the diameter differences between HBW and plate wing pulleys and the resulting wear rates.

As successful as PPI has been with its pulleys to this point, the company is always looking to improve. Mathes says PPI is continually working to identify different problems and how it can solve them. He also shares the range of products PPI offers to serve numerous purposes. As he puts it, “anything that the best touches on a belt conveyor, that’s what we do.”

There is plenty of valuable information in this episode. You won’t want to miss it!

For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing information source. Through multiple platforms, we deliver the very latest in equipment and technology news and information that is critical for safely achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability. Editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski cover the market in print, online and through e-newsletters. As respected industry insiders, they moderate the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference and speak at industry conferences and meetings.
 
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Also, follow us on YouTube to see full-length episodes of the podcast, watch our Road to Prosperity videos and see other clips from our travels and events.

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 some of his unique business ventures outside the industry – including agriculture and commercial real estate.

For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing information source. Through multiple platforms, we deliver the very latest in equipment and technology news and information that is critical for safely achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability. Editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski cover the market in print, online and through e-newsletters. As respected industry insiders, they moderate the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference and speak at industry conferences and meetings.
 
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Also, follow us on YouTube to see full-length episodes of the podcast, watch our Road to Prosperity videos and see other clips from our travels and events.

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 points to urbanization and an increased focus on recycling construction and demolition waste as a buoy for this growth. They also note the shift they have seen from natural sand to manufactured sand due to the declining availability of natural resources.

Also discussed in this episode is Weir’s holistic, end-to-end solutions; the company’s comprehensive product portfolio; and its focus on service and customer support. Weir prides itself on offering equipment that spans the entire production flow, including ground engagement tools, crushing, screening, washing, fines removal, sludge treatment and tailings management. To support these offerings, Weir works with customers at the earliest stages to understand their specific needs and optimize the entire process.

Additionally, hear about Weir's focus on innovation, technology, and sustainability initiatives. While some aggregate producers remain hesitant to change, Brewitt and Skörvald say there is an increasing openness to adopting new, more efficient and sustainable technologies.

Finally, learn how Weir is leveraging well-known brands such as WARMAN pumps, ENDURON screens, CAVEX cyclones and LINATEX rubber to deliver high-quality, integrated systems. With these technologies, Weir is advancing its product lines and emphasizing efficiency, safety and environmental performance.

Learn more about the company at www.global.weir.

For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing information source. Through multiple platforms, we deliver the very latest in equipment and technology news and information that is critical for safely achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability. Editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski cover the market in print, online and through e-newsletters. As respected industry insiders, they moderate the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference and speak at industry conferences and meetings.
 
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Also, follow us on YouTube to see full-length episodes of the podcast, watch our Road to Prosperity videos and see other clips from our travels and events.