Drilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcast

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

    5D AGO

    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
  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. MAR 11

    Episode 62: ConExpo-Con/Agg takeaways and 7 special guests

    A high-energy ConExpo-Con/Agg is in the books. P&Q’s Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski sat down toward the very end of the five-day show to share their experiences and detail some of the trends that permeated throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center.   In addition, P&Q welcomed seven guests into its booth to capture their ConExpo-Con/Agg perspective and what stood out. This episode’s guests include:   • Matt Dibble, Dibble Equipment (10:33-13:44) • Stephen Woodcock, Dibble Equipment (13:44-14:46) • Randy Kunz, GeoLogic (14:46-17:19) • Ryan Pintar, Major (17:19-20:41) • Tomaso Veneroso, AMCAST (20:41-23:46) • Mark Krause, McLanahan Corp. (23:46-28:11) • Josh Swank, Philippi-Hagenbuch (28:11-35:28)   Additionally, the magazine’s editors preview what you can expect on Episode 63, which will be available toward the end of March. 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.

    50 min

  5. FEB 24

    Episode 61: Buffalo on scaling up, expanding solutions and “Following the Buffalo” at ConExpo-Con/Agg

    On this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski sits down with Dominic Nasso and TJ Greene of Buffalo to talk about the company’s biggest ConExpo presence yet – and what that milestone says about where the brand is headed in 2026 and beyond.  Nasso explains how Buffalo’s record-setting booth in Central Hall (#C31458) captures the brand’s evolution from a wire specialist to an all-encompassing solutions provider. He also previews what visitors can expect when they “Follow the Buffalo” at the show, including live product demos and a look at the TechSquad Roadshow. Greene walks through the debut of Bison DuraWeld, a new welded wire product line that complements Buffalo’s existing offerings and is designed to deliver added value to producers. The discussion explores how DuraWeld supports the company’s “Complete Solutions. One Buffalo.” philosophy, emphasizing fit-for-purpose recommendations, engineering support and longer-term collaboration with customers. The conversation closes with a look at how Buffalo’s growing depth in offering – from wear parts to modular screening systems – is influencing how producers think about efficiency, reliability and support in the field. For ConExpo attendees, the episode also serves as a practical guide to what they’ll find when they “Follow the Buffalo” to Booth #C31458. 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.

    32 min
  6. Episode 60: ConExpo-Con/Agg preview with show director Dana Wuesthoff

    FEB 10

    Episode 60: ConExpo-Con/Agg preview with show director Dana Wuesthoff

    As the industry’s biggest trade show inches closer, Pit & Quarry’s Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski preview what’s coming to ConExpo-Con/Agg while offering an inside look at P&Q’s show lead-up – from virtual press conferences to the steady flow of equipment launches being shared with the magazine. This episode’s centerpiece is an in-depth interview with ConExpo-Con/Agg show director Dana Wuesthoff, who joins the show to offer an exclusive preview of the March 3-7 Las Vegas event. Wuesthoff shares how the show is shaping, what’s new this year compared with 2023, and what’s already taking place behind the scenes at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Wuesthoff also dives into the technology trends she expects to emerge on the show floor and explains what continues to set ConExpo-Con/Agg apart – and not just within construction and aggregates, but across the global trade show landscape. Following the interview, Yanik and Kopanski discuss other upcoming show highlights – including a planned Guinness World Record attempt on opening day and what P&Q will be up to across the five-day festivities. There’s so much more to find 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.

    47 min
  7. Episode 59: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek talks Heidelberg partnership

    JAN 27

    Episode 59: Pronto.ai’s Christian Kurasek talks Heidelberg partnership

    On this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski sits down with Christian Kurasek, CFO of Pronto.ai, to discuss the company’s partnership with Heidelberg Materials and the producer’s recent milestone of 2 million tons hauled autonomously at a Texas quarry.   Pronto and Heidelberg began their partnership in 2023 when Heidelberg began using Pronto’s autonomous haulage system (AHS) at its Bridgeport Quarry in Bridgeport, Texas. Then, in 2024, the producer deployed the AHS at its Lake Bridgeport Quarry in the same city. In early 2025, Heidelberg announced it was automating more than 100 trucks across its sites worldwide. Finally, at the start of this year, Heidelberg shared that in less than eight months, it had hauled 2 million tons autonomously at its Lake Bridgeport Quarry.   In this interview, Kurasek discusses how Heidelberg came to partner with Pronto, what the collaboration has been like to this point and what this milestone means for the greater aggregates industry and future autonomous solutions. Additionally, Kurasek provides insights into the tech behind Pronto’s AHS, saying the company took a ground-up approach rather than attempting to scale down larger tech, and prioritized being “OEM agnostic” to fit into a wider variety of fleets.   Kurasek goes on to talk about the future of autonomy in aggregates, touching on common misconceptions that remain about the technology, the barriers for small- to mid-size producers in utilizing the technology and what other pieces of equipment could be made autonomous moving forward.   There’s so much more to find 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.

    48 min
  8. Episode 58: 10 trends shaping aggregates in 2026

    JAN 13

    Episode 58: 10 trends shaping aggregates in 2026

    In the very first Drilling Deeper episode of 2026, Pit & Quarry editorial director Kevin Yanik and managing editor Jack Kopanski lay out 10 trends they’ll be watching closely in aggregates throughout 2026. Among the topics explored this episode are: • Autonomy. How it moves from pilot programs to commercial-ready systems • AI and connectivity. How AI, automation and telematics further take hold • Mergers and acquisitions. Who’s poised to buy this year, and what’s ahead for producer and manufacturer dealmaking • Construction’s key markets. What infrastructure, housing and data centers mean for demand • Safety and MSHA. What a higher fatality count in 2025 could signal for enforcement and prevention this year • Aggregate pricing and volumes. Whether pricing gains continue if volumes wobble • Mega-dealer growth. The ongoing push toward larger dealer footprints, with expanding territories and consolidation changing how equipment is sold and supported • Used equipment and rental. Why the secondary market becomes a shock absorber in uncertain conditions • Sustainability and electrification. What’s real, what’s marketing and what changes may be ahead • Workforce. How labor challenges evolve, and what it means for training, retention and safety   Recorded Jan. 8 and released Jan. 13, the episode sets the agenda for the year ahead and tees up deeper conversations to come. 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.

    50 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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