On this episode of "Drilling Deeper," Pit & Quarry managing editor Jack Kopanski shares interviews from his recent travels to Vermillion, South Dakota, and a pair of stops in Missouri.

In South Dakota, Jack stopped by the grand opening of Masaba's new steel fabrication facility. The 147,500-sq.-ft. building includes both fabrication and office spaces and is adjacent to the company's 211,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility. Masaba president Mike Krajewski talked with Jack during the event about the grand opening, how 2025 has been for Masaba and what the company is expecting in 2026.

Also from the Masaba grand opening, Jack spoke with Bob Meyers with US Equipment Sales & Rentals, Kirby Cline with Masaba and Jared Riley with ICM Solutions. Along with Kirby, the pair of dealers talk about the current state of the aggregate industry and what might happen in 2026.

From there, Jack traveled to Ozark, Missouri, to visit Capital Aggregates' Ozark Quarry. The quarry recently launched full production with a new crushing spread and a new asphalt plant. On site, Jack was joined by Chris Williams, vice president of operations at Capital Aggregates, who talked about what went into getting the quarry up and running. Additionally, Williams offers insights into the company's 2025 performance and what the coming year has in store.

Finally, about two hours north, Jack stopped by another Capital Aggregates operation in California, Missouri. At the California Quarry, the company showed off a Metso mobile setup that has been running strong for more than 20 years. Kevin Nichols, safety director at the quarry, talked about what pieces the company has running, how to keep equipment efficient for so long and more.

Interviews:

Mike Krajewski: 4:44 – 9:47

Bob Meyers: 14:04 – 15:56

Kirby Cline: 15:57 – 18:11

Jared Riley: 18:12 – 20:02

Chris Williams: 25:46 – 29:06

Kevin Nichols: 33:38 – 38:08

You won't want to miss this jam-packed 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.

Two equipment dealers join the show to break down what’s happening in the aggregate industry right now – and where things are headed in 2026.

P&Q welcomes Gavin Cole, executive vice president of sales at Kirby-Smith Machinery, and Robert Krutsinger, vice president of sales at Brandeis Machinery, for dealer perspective on market conditions, technology trends and the ripple effects of tariffs.

Listeners will hear:

• How producers and dealers are navigating 2025

• Where equipment and technology adoption – including autonomy and data-driven decision-making – is accelerating

• Why tariffs on steel, manganese and other inputs are reshaping pricing, supply chains and buying behavior

• Expectations for 2026 in key markets

Additionally, co-hosts Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski offer industry updates, insights from recent travels and a look ahead at what’s to come for the magazine and the podcast.

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.

In Episode 51 of Drilling Deeper, Pit & Quarry’s Kevin Yanik takes listeners to the Pacific Northwest for a closer look at three producers shaping the region’s aggregate market. From Oregon to Washington, Kevin visits Allied Rock, Knife River and Washington Rock Quarries to capture fresh perspectives on operations, technology, workforce development and market trends.

At Allied Rock, Andrew Siegmund discusses how the company continues to grow through strategic acquisitions and forward-thinking investments in automation. From the X-Rock and South Rock quarries in Oregon, Siegmund shares how Allied is navigating interest rate pressures, infrastructure funding challenges and the integration of AI-driven equipment to boost efficiency.

The episode then moves to Albany, Oregon, for an inside look at the Knife River Training Center – a 230-acre campus redefining workforce development for the construction materials industry. Knife River’s Kris Latimer details how the facility’s massive indoor arena, simulation zones and advanced classrooms are preparing the next generation of operators for real-world jobsite conditions.

Finally, listeners head north to Washington Rock Quarries, where Jonathan Hart reflects on the company’s 35-year history, its role in serving major Pacific Northwest markets, and the optimism he sees for the region’s construction outlook. It’s a jam-packed episode offering a boots-on-the-ground perspective from some of the industry’s most forward-focused producers.

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.