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.
Episodes
55 episodes
Episode 54: Twenty Industry Trends For 2025
Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski break down 20 trends shaping the aggregate industry this year. With the new year approaching, Kevin and Jack step back from the daily headlines to look at the bigger picture influencing producers nationwide....
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Episode 54
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40:03
Episode 53: Visiting Missouri operations, a South Dakota manufacturer
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 gra...
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Episode 53
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45:02
Episode 52: Kirby-Smith and Brandeis join the show
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 Ro...
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Episode 52
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34:36
Episode 51: Inside the Pacific Northwest – Producer Insights from Allied Rock, Knife River & Washington Rock Quarries
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, ...
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38:42
Episode 50: How General Kinematics is tailoring solutions to producers’ needs
On this episode of Drilling Deeper, P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski sits down with Elliott Tribble, director of aggregate at General Kinematics, to explore the evolving landscape of aggregate production and the technology reshaping it tod...
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16:53
Episode 49: ConExpo-Con/Agg 2026 countdown
The next ConExpo-Con/Agg is less than six months away, and equipment manufacturers have their show plans in motion. A late-summer meeting in Chicago brought ConExpo-Con/Agg manufacturers and others together to capture the latest exhibiting best...
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Episode 49
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45:06
Episode 48: 'Built for the Mine' with Luck Stone and Virginia Tech
On this episode of "Drilling Deeper," Travis Chewning, vice president of engineering and operational support at Luck Stone, and Dr. Erik Westman, professor of mining and materials engineering at Virginia Tech, join the show to discuss the "Buil...
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Episode 48
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36:12
Episode 47: Texas at full throttle with TACA's Rich Szecsy
In this episode of Drilling Deeper, Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski team up for a deep dive into the nation’s No. 1 aggregate–producing state: Texas. Their guest, Rich Szecsy, CEO of Big Town Concrete and chair of the Texas Aggregate...
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Episode 47
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45:41
Episode 46: Safety focus with P&Q columnist Steve Fuller
Steve Fuller, founder of the Steve Fuller Company, joins this episode of Drilling Deeper. Fuller’s company focuses on helping organizations continually improve their safety culture through coaching, advising, mentoring and training.In th...
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Episode 46
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55:42
Episode 45: Midyear economic update with Dodge Construction Network's Eric Gaus
Eric Gaus, chief economist of Dodge Construction Network, joins the show to give an update on the economy and the construction industry midway through 2025, as well as a look ahead to the second half of the year.Gaus offers insights into...
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Episode 45
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46:30
Episode 44: July is P&Q’s ‘Dealer Issue’ Month
In the latest episode of Drilling Deeper, hosts Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski shine a spotlight on one of Pit & Quarry’s most anticipated magazine editions of the year: The Dealer Issue. Now in its seventh year, P&Q’s ...
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Episode 44
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43:25
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 n...
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Episode 43
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19:28
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 d...
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Episode 42
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34:42
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.
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Episode 41
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15:43
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 shar...
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Episode 40
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29:58
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 marke...
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Episode 39
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25:46
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...
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Episode 38
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55:06
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...
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Episode 37
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14:43
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 ...
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Episode 36
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39:59
Episode 35: Buffalo shares AGG1 plans, equipment offerings
In this episode of "Drilling Deeper," three members of the Buffalo (formerly Buffalo Wire Works) leadership team join P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski to discuss the company's equipment and technology offerings, plans for AGG1 and much mor...
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Episode 35
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30:14
BONUS: The Trump administration, a new Congress and aggregates
Special bonus episode: Evan Bender, director of government affairs at the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), sat down with P&Q’s Kevin Yanik at the 2025 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Confere...
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19:58
Episode 34: Featuring Luck Companies’ president Richard Luck
Richard Luck, who was named president of Luck Companies in November, joined the magazine early this year to discuss a variety of topics pertaining to his company.Luck shares his experience growing up in the family business while detaili...
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Episode 34
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46:45
Episode 33: Douglas-Rulmeca president discusses conveyor developments
Douglas-Rulmeca president Paul Ross pays P&Q a visit to share company updates. Ross offers a behind-the-scenes view on Rulmeca's 2023 acquisition of Douglas while providing insights about maximizing conveyor performance.Additionally...
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Episode 33
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20:25
Episode 32: MSHA chief talks mine safety
Chris Williamson, assistant secretary of the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) joins the show as a special guest to look back on his two and a half years heading the agency that develops and enforces safety and health rule...
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Episode 32
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39:18
Episode 31: Featuring Whitaker Construction’s John Sather and Kraemer Mining & Materials’ Cody Ladd
The 2024 year-end episode of “Drilling Deeper” welcomes in two leaders from the aggregate industry’s producer ranks: John Sather, vice president of aggregates at Utah-based Whitaker Construction; and Cody Ladd, president and COO of Minnesota-ba...
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Episode 31
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50:21