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.

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