Drilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcast

Pit & Quarry
  • 3.7 (3)
  • News
  • Updated Biweekly

Listen-in to Pit & Quarry magazine’s new bi-weekly podcast series. Our hosts, editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski break down the latest print issue, provide industry updates and give you a behind-the scenes look into the people, operations and news affecting our aggregate world. You’ll hear exclusive in-studio and remote interviews from a wide range of industry influencers. For 107 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly U.S. and Canadian 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 various industry conferences and meetings. 

  1. Jun 30

    Episode 70: Dr. Anirban Basu, Andrew Pinkerton & Matt Arnold offer updates from Texas

    On this episode of "Drilling Deeper," Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski share updates from the 72nd Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association (TACA) Annual Meeting.  Jack was down in San Antonio for the event and spoke with Dr. Anirban Basu, CEO of Sage Policy Group; Andrew Pinkerton, president of TACA; and Matt Arnold, TACA chairman and vice president of operations at Knife River. Basu explored the factors driving the construction industry economy of late, the exponential growth data centers are experiencing and what the rest of the year and beyond holds for the industry as a whole. He even provides some insight into his beloved Orioles' rough first half of the season, but why he still has hope for them this year. Then, Pinkerton and Arnold offer a Texas-centric look at the aggregate industry. The duo shares highlights from a record-setting TACA Annual Meeting, outlines what continues to make Texas one of the top aggregate-producing states in the nation and what they're expecting from the second half of the year and into 2027. There's plenty to hear in this action-packed episode of "Drilling Deeper." 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.

    56 min

  2. Jun 16

    Episode 69: Combatting hidden losses with Astec's Dave McCracken

    Dave McCracken, technical sales director at Astec Industries, joined "Drilling Deeper" to offer insights into common – yet often hidden – issues that are costing aggregate operations time and money. The issues addressed in this episode are bottlenecks and equipment mismatches in production, how maintenance and downtime affect efficiency, how the operator experience impacts safety and performance, and lost value in wastes and fines. For each hidden loss, McCracken outlines how producers can adjust their operations to prevent these losses and how Astec works with customers to begin solving them. You won't want to miss this episode. Listen 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.

    47 min

  3. Jun 2

    Episode 68: Father, Son & Stone: The Alexander Family Perspective

    Scott Alexander, now with Quikrete, has a long history in the aggregates industry. His son, Jason, followed in his footsteps in 2024, joining the industry on the manufacturing side with Kleemann.  P&Q caught up with the two at the 2026 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference, where Scott and Jason discussed the intersection of family and work in the aggregates industry. Our conversation traversed topics such as the workforce and technology, with the Alexanders each bringing a unique generational perspective to this episode. 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.

    44 min

  4. May 19

    Episode 67: Superior Industries tackles 6 common conveyor problems

    In this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski sits down with Superior Industries’ Riley Arndt and Joe Gibson to explore why the same conveyor problems keep coming back, and how a systems-based approach can finally break the cycle. Arndt and Gibson walk through six recurring pain points – material spillage, dust containment, material carryback, conveyor belt tracking, conveyor component failure and conveyor belt damage – showing how they’re connected symptoms of a larger system rather than isolated issues. They explain what to really look for during inspections, how to separate root causes from quick-fix symptoms, and what a strong daily, weekly and monthly conveyor maintenance routine should include. Additionally, they highlight how Superior helps producers think beyond single components, with solutions and tools that address multiple issues at once and support better diagnostics instead of just part replacement. Listeners will come away with practical ideas to tighten up their conveyor systems, reduce recurring headaches and start building more reliable, higher-performing material-handling circuits. 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.

    58 min

  5. May 5

    Episode 66: Construction markets and MSHA insights with Reddin and Doran

    FMI Capital Advisors’ George Reddin and Ogletree Deakins’ Bill Doran caught up with P&Q’s Kevin Yanik at the 2026 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference to provide updates on the construction materials market and MSHA environment, respectively. Watch or listen to our one-on-one interviews with these P&Q contributors, as Reddin offers an assessment of construction markets, the M&A landscape and more. Doran, meanwhile, details what’s happening at the federal agency overseeing mine safety and health and what’s to come. Look for additional contributions from Reddin in the magazine, where he co-authors the Market Insights column. Doran is a regular Pit & Quarry contributor, too, crafting the monthly MSHA & The Law column. 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.

    44 min
  6. Episode 65: Smarter screening, stronger plants with Haver & Boecker Niagara

    Apr 21

    Episode 65: Smarter screening, stronger plants with Haver & Boecker Niagara

    In this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski sits down with Karen Thompson, president of Haver & Boecker Niagara, to explore how smarter screening can transform an aggregate operation’s bottom line.  Thompson breaks down key trends in screening efficiency and uptime, from predictive and preventative maintenance to the growing role of AI, automation and condition monitoring in helping producers optimize existing plants before making big capital investments.  She details Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Pulse platform – including single-point vibration analysis and full condition monitoring – and how it delivers actionable, operation‑specific data that can catch issues such as misinstalled weight packages or failing bearings long before a catastrophic outage. Thompson also highlights the benefits of the company’s eccentric and F-Class screens, such as reduced structural vibration, constant stroke under surging loads, maintenance-friendly lock-bolted designs, improved energy efficiency and proven longevity.  Along the way, she shares common screening pain points, what to evaluate when choosing screen media, equipment and diagnostic tools, and why talking to an expert and being open to new technology is the best way to future-proof your plant for the next decade of production. Listeners will come away with practical ideas to optimize their screening circuits today while planning for the next decade of production. There’s plenty more in this episode of “Drilling Deeper” that you won’t want to miss. Listen 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.

    18 min
  7. Episode 64: Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference Recap

    Apr 7

    Episode 64: Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference Recap

    This episode takes listeners inside the 2026 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference, recorded on-site at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort in Naples, Florida. Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski recorded this episode at the conclusion of the Roundtable to share key insights from aggregates industry leaders, as well as reflect on the conversations shaping the industry right now. The two co-hosts reflect on the content shared during the 2026 Roundtable from three event speakers: Evan Bender of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, Bill Doran of Ogletree Deakins and George Reddin of FMI Capital Advisors. This year’s speakers offered updates on highway funding, the Mine Safety & Health Administration and construction markets. Additionally, Kevin and Jack reflect on a Roundtable panel discussion that covered AI, automation and the future of operations. Episode 64 also features four Roundtable attendees as guests who share their latest industry observations. This episode’s guests include: • Ross Duff of Duff Quarry (14:08-29:17) • Kelan Moylan of TCI Manufacturing (29:17-42:07) • Cody Ladd of Kraemer Mining & Materials (42:42-58:34) • Michael Speech of Kemper Group (58:34-1:07:49) The episode wraps with a look at what’s to come on Episode 65 of Drilling Deeper later in April, when a special guest from Haver & Boecker Niagara joins the show. Drilling Deeper listeners can expect more coverage from the Roundtable in the weeks ahead on pitandquarry.com, as well as in the May edition of Pit & Quarry. 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.

    1h 10m

  8. Mar 24

    Episode 63: PPI highlights latest roller offering

    On this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski sits down with PPI’s Tim Wolf to discuss the launch of Precision Composite Roller (PCR), a new composite idler roll option designed to tackle weight, corrosion and carryback challenges.  Wolf explains how PCR delivers a 30 percent weight reduction while remaining fully load capable, with temperature stability that rivals steel and outperforms aluminum in both hot and cold climates. He also breaks down how the PCR fits seamlessly into PPI’s CEMA C5 and above product lines, giving producers a lightweight, corrosion-resistant, low-noise option that’s dimensionally interchangeable with existing rolls and compatible with both new builds and retrofits. Wolf walks through the engineering behind PCR – including welded construction with tight TIR control, high-quality ball bearings, proven labyrinth sealing and an outer rock shield that has logged more than a decade of global field use in mining, aggregate and port applications.  The conversation explores key use cases where PCR shines, from large overland belts to portable plants where safer handling, easier maintenance and reduced carryback translate to more uptime and better belt health. Wolf also details PPI’s material options, such as GF HDPE (Georg Fischer high-density polyethylene), FRAS/SOF (fire-resistant, anti-static, oil-resistant formulation), UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) and dual-layer constructions. He also shares how producers should evaluate composite alternatives on performance, safety and total cost of ownership rather than price alone. Looking ahead, Wolf outlines the product’s rollout – from initial availability through PPI’s international partner to an upcoming Iowa factory launch, which will bring local production of CEMA C5 to CEMA F rolls. For producers planning their next upgrade or attending major industry events, this episode serves as a practical guide to where composite idlers fit in the market, what signals to look for that indicate it’s time to switch and how to engage PPI’s field engineers and sales team to trial the PCR and optimize conveyor performance. 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.

    31 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Listen-in to Pit & Quarry magazine’s new bi-weekly podcast series. Our hosts, editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski break down the latest print issue, provide industry updates and give you a behind-the scenes look into the people, operations and news affecting our aggregate world. You’ll hear exclusive in-studio and remote interviews from a wide range of industry influencers. For 107 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly U.S. and Canadian 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 various industry conferences and meetings. 

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