Drilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcast

Pit & Quarry
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Drilling Deeper: A Pit & Quarry podcast

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. 1D AGO

    Episode 43: Van der Graaf (VDG) talks drum motor innovation

    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.

    19 min

  2. JUN 3

    Episode 42: Rob Duke talks Armada Materials, M&A and more

    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.

    35 min

  3. MAY 20

    Episode 41: Precision Pulley & Idler (PPI) talks wing pulley basics

    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.

    16 min

  4. MAY 6

    Episode 40: John Scepaniak talks contract crushing, expanding the business and more

    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.

    30 min

  5. APR 23

    Episode 39: Weir’s focus on service, drive for innovation

    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.

    26 min

  6. APR 8

    Episode 38: AGG1 2025 Recap & Reflections

    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 America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis. Additionally, co-hosts Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski of Pit & Quarry present their own recap of AGG1. They also reflect on the 2025 Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which ushered in EccoFab’s Gerry Bauer, Ron DeDiemar, Vulcan Materials’ Tom Hill and Symons Brothers Co.’s Edgar B. Symons as the newest members. 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.

    55 min

  7. MAR 25

    Episode 37: TerraSource breaks down AGG1 plans, latest tech developments

    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. Additionally, Hambrice dives into TerraSource’s 2023 addition of Elgin Separation Solutions and its 2024 acquisition of Peninsula Iron Works.  Then, Ruppert, global director at TerraSource, shares the company’s plans for AGG1, highlighting the innovations TerraSource will have on display in St. Louis. Hambrice and Ruppert also share how the company has been taking customer feedback to enhance its predictive monitoring and preventative maintenance offerings. There’s plenty more to hear in this episode. Check it out 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.

    15 min

  8. MAR 11

    Episode 36: Rogers Group’s Nick Pearman talks tech

    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 aggregates, detailing factors that should ultimately determine how producers fare in 2025.  Nick Pearman Interview: 4:07 – 29:20 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.

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 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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