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. 5d ago

    Episode 78: Where construction stands heading into 2027

    Ken Simonson, chief economist at the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), joins Drilling Deeper to assess the state of the construction industry as 2026 winds down and the outlook for 2027 begins to take shape. Simonson examines the performance of key construction markets, including the tremendous growth in data centers and the expanding demand for power generation and transmission infrastructure. He explores why these segments are positioned for continued strength in 2027 and the opportunities they present for aggregate producers. The conversation also addresses uncertainty surrounding highway funding, sluggish residential construction and mounting cost pressures tied to fuel, tariffs and materials. Simonson offers his perspective on what these challenges mean for construction spending and where the industry may find opportunities for growth in 2027. Learn more from Smiley Monroe: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yKYjq0 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.

  2. Oct 6

    Episode 77: Inside New Enterprise's Chambersburg Quarry transformation

    A surge in demand presented New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. with a major challenge at its Chambersburg Quarry in Pennsylvania: How do you transform an operation that typically produces between 600,000 and 800,000 tons per year into one capable of producing more than 2 million tons? P&Q’s Kevin Yanik sits down with Dave Cooper, the area manager overseeing Chambersburg, to explore how New Enterprise prepared the quarry for a dramatically different production year. Cooper details the extensive offseason work that went into the transformation, the people and equipment required to make it happen, and how the operation is managing significantly higher production demands. Cooper also discusses the challenge of serving longtime customers while taking on substantial new demand, why communication and planning have been critical to keeping material moving, and what the experience has taught the New Enterprise team about adapting an operation when opportunity arrives. Learn more from Smiley Monroe: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yKYjq0 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.

  3. Sep 22

    Episode 76: VDG's Matt Lepp explores the real cost of conveyor downtime

    Matt Lepp, heavy industry technical account sales manager at VDG, joined "Drilling Deeper" to discuss the factors affecting conveyor uptime and maintenance in today's aggregate operations. Lepp explains why producers are paying closer attention to the true cost of downtime, and he shares how condition monitoring and proactive maintenance can help operations avoid more serious equipment issues. He also discusses VDG’s approach to reducing maintenance demands through drum-motor design, including its 80,000-hour service interval, cooling systems and field-serviceable lagging. The conversation also touches on skilled-labor shortages, supply-chain and tariff concerns, and why producers should take a fresh look at the equipment and processes throughout their plants. 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.

  4. Sep 8

    Episode 75: Foward momentum in Minnesota

    On this episode of “Drilling Deeper,” Pit & Quarry managing editor Jack Kopanski shares interviews from a recent trip to Minnesota, where he visited a pair of manufacturers and a contract crushing company. You’ll hear from Jeff DesJardin, general manager at Tecweigh; Joe Scepaniak, president of WDS; and Ben Lentsch, national director of distribution and marketing at Unified Screening & Crushing. DesJardin offers insights into the increasing importance of PLC communication, real-time data and remote visibility, and how those can maximize plant uptime and production. He also shares why Tecweigh forecasts continued strength across the aggregate market, including demand tied to infrastructure and data-center development. At WDS, Scepaniak discusses a strong year of mid-sized contract-crushing work, the benefits of adopting PLC-based plant controls and the ability to remotely monitor production across multiple sites. He also shares his outlook for Minnesota’s active aggregate market and a promising start to the company’s 2027 workload. Finally, Lentsch talks about a year that has exceeded expectations, the company’s use of scanning technology to capture custom manganese profiles and the positive sentiment he is hearing from customers. He also considers the staying power of data-center-driven demand and explains why greater market stablization would help support investment, inventory planning and future growth. There’s plenty more to find in this episode of “Drilling Deeper.” 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.

  5. Aug 25

    Episode 74: Inside the robust construction materials M&A market

    Mergers and acquisitions continue to reshape the construction materials industry, with some of the sector’s biggest players making major moves this summer. On this episode of Drilling Deeper, Pit & Quarry’s Kevin Yanik sits down with George Reddin, Rob Mineo and Evan Coughlin of FMI Capital Advisors to examine the state of the M&A market and the forces fueling activity. The conversation explores what recent mega deals say about buyer confidence, as well as the factors companies are weighing as they pursue acquisitions. The FMI team discusses the importance of reserves, geography and vertical integration, along with emerging demand drivers such as data center development and the role public infrastructure investment continues to play in the market. The discussion also considers M&A from the seller’s perspective, including why current market conditions may present opportunities for some producers and how companies can prepare well in advance of a potential sale. Plus, FMI offers its outlook on continued industry consolidation, the opportunities that remain for buyers, and what the construction materials M&A market could look like through the remainder of 2026 and beyond. Please note: FMI Capital Advisors provides investment banking and advisory services to companies in the construction materials sector. Views expressed are those of the speakers as of the recording date and are subject to change. 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.

  6. Aug 12

    Episode 73: Rail opportunities and Northeast aggregate demand

    As aggregate producers look for more efficient ways to move material to growing demand centers, rail transportation is emerging as an increasingly important part of the conversation. In Episode 73 of Drilling Deeper, hosts Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski explore developments in rail transportation, equipment demand and construction activity shaping the aggregates industry. Matthew Tonn, chief commercial officer at FreightCar America, joins the show to discuss the opportunities rail presents for aggregate producers. Tonn examines the factors driving interest in rail, including expanding mines and the challenge of transporting material to demand centers. He also details the state of the freight railcar market, where aging equipment is creating significant replacement demand and newer materials are helping extend railcar life. Later in the show, Zach Manz of Contractor Sales and Baschmann Services offers a view from the Northeast, where demand for crushing and screening equipment remains strong. Manz discusses customers’ growing use of long-term rentals, including rentals that ultimately convert to equipment purchases. And he shares how Baschmann’s longstanding relationship with Anaconda Equipment continues to evolve. Additionally, Manz explores one of the emerging forces behind aggregate demand: construction projects tied to AI. With AI-related development requiring significant quantities of construction materials, producers and equipment suppliers are seeing new opportunities. Plus, Yanik and Kopanski discuss the industry’s second-quarter results while previewing the next episode of Drilling Deeper. 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.

  7. Jul 28

    Episode 72: What Texas is teaching the aggregates industry

    Texas continues to lead the nation in construction growth, and the ripple effects are being felt across the aggregates industry. On Episode 72, Pit & Quarry’s Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski examine what’s fueling the Lone Star State’s momentum and why producers, manufacturers and suppliers nationwide are paying close attention. Following a recent visit to Texas, Jack sits down with John Crisp, CEO of Crisp Industries, and Duane Winter, the company's president, to discuss the market conditions they’re seeing firsthand. From the explosive growth of data centers to expanding residential communities and ongoing infrastructure investment, the Crisp execs share why demand for aggregates and processing equipment remains strong across much of the state. The conversation also explores how Texas has maintained its growth even as other regions have experienced slower activity. John and Duane discuss independent producers and contractors, shifting construction trends and why optimism remains high despite broader economic uncertainty. After the interview, Kevin and Jack catch listeners up on the latest from Pit & Quarry – including upcoming industry events, the 2027 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference, Hall of Fame nominations, recent podcast episodes and what's ahead in the magazine’s August and September editions. Whether you’re tracking the impact of data centers, looking for insight into one of the country’s strongest construction markets or simply curious about where the industry is headed next, Episode 72 episode offers valuable perspective from two leaders who are seeing the Texas boom unfold every day. 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.

  8. Jul 14

    Episode 71: Mark Krause reflects on nearly five decades in aggregates

    Our brand-new episode features a conversation with one of the aggregates industry’s most respected voices: Mark Krause, vice president of sales and business development for the Americas at McLanahan Corp., who is retiring this week. During our interview, Krause reflects on a career spanning 47 years. He discusses the evolution of ConExpo-Con/Agg and his popular Crushing 101 seminar, as well as why relationships remain at the heart of the business – even despite technology changes. The interview also explores the trends shaping aggregates today, with Krause discussing equipment availability, automation, changing purchasing decisions and the outside forces influencing the industry. Additionally, Krause reflects on receiving this year’s Barry K. Wendt Memorial Commitment Award – an honor made even more meaningful because of Wendt’s mentorship. Following the interview, co-hosts Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski break down the biggest business news affecting aggregates – including Martin Marietta’s planned $13.5 billion combination with Lhoist North America and CRH’s $8.5 billion acquisition of Arcosa. Additionally, the episode includes Yanik’s reflections from Hillhead, the three-day trade show in the UK where manufacturers showcased the latest crushing, screening, washing and classifying equipment in June. 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.

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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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