ABE Sep/Oct 2025

LOOK BAK YOU’LL NEVER

Whatever the job, wherever you are, whenever you need us. ROKBAK has you covered. Our haulers are built to take on the toughest jobs, so you can keep powering on, no matter what. Plus, our triple care package (3 years warranty, maintenance and telematics as standard) gives you the peace of mind you deserve. We take care of you, so you can take care of business. rokbak.com

“The

investment we have made in setting up the plants has paid off with our ability to sell around a million tonnes on a regular basis.”

ISSUE No.5 September/October 2025

Regulars

05 COMMENT

Having far more in reserve.

06 INDUSTRY NEWS

The latest news and updates from Aggregates Europe – UEPG.

50 EVENTS

All the key events in the quarrying and aggregates world

08 MARKET REPORT

A look at the major players in the Eastern Europe quarrying and aggregates sector.

13 QUARRY PROFILE

How Liebherr GB is supporting UK operation Brookland Sand & Aggregates.

16 INTERVIEW

An in-depth look at how Smiley Monroe is expanding its operations.

Features

20 INTERVIEW

Pablo Zambianchi discusses how Holcim Italy is embracing technology.

24 WATER RECYCLING

McLanahan and SunEnviro open the doors for a major industry open house event.

28 WATER MANAGEMENT

Through its latest case study, CDE showcases how it tailors solutions for the quarrying sector.

30 LOADING

The latest updates and innovations from global loading equipment manufacturers.

34 HAULING

From new haulers to successful case studies, hauling manufacturers take centre stage.

38 CRUSHING AND SCREENING

The latest equipment is unveiled in the crushing and screening market.

40 DRILL RIGS, ROCKBREAKERS AND HAMMERS

Rockbreakers and drill rigs are becoming increasingly prominent –with impressive results.

42 TYRES –2

The unsung heroes of the quarrying operation, the latest tyre developments are here.

44 DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

Volvo CE showcases its range of digital solutions for quarries.

46 FLEET MACHINERY

Develon’s machinery continues to impress.

48 CONEXPO-CON/AGG

The latest updates ahead of the North American trade show’s return in 2026.

COVER STORY: Rokbak showcases its RA30. Image: Rokbak

HEAD OFFICE

Prime Global Publishing Capitol Square 4–6 Church Street Epsom, KT 17 4NR

EDITOR

Guy Woodford +44 (0) 7879 408 069 guy.woodford@primeglobalpublishing.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Adam Daunt adam.daunt@primeglobalpublishing.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Les Ilyefalvy +61 423 177 966 les.ilyefalvy@primeglobalpublishing.com

CHAIRMAN

John Murphy

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Christine Clancy

GROUP MANAGING EDITOR

Paul Hayes

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER

Janine Clements +61 432 574 669 janine.clements@primeglobalpublishing.com

ART DIRECTOR

Michelle Weston

COVER IMAGE CREDITS Rokbak

Holcim Italy Metso

Prime Global Publishing SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@primeglobalpublishing.com

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher. Contributors are encouraged to express their personal and professional opinions in this publication, and accordingly views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of Prime Global Publishing. From time to time statements and claims are made by the manufacturers and their representatives in respect of their products and services. Whilst reasonable steps are taken to check their accuracy at the time of going to press, the publisher cannot be held liable for their validity and accuracy.

PUBLISHED BY

Prime Global Publishing

AGGREGATES BUSINESS USPS: is published six times a year.

PRINT: ISSN 2051-5766

ONLINE: ISSN 2057-3405

PRINTED BY: Warners (Midlands) PLC

GUY WOODFORDEDITOR

Having

far

Hmore in reserve

ow best to address declining aggregate reserves, which hinder the supply of vital building materials to infrastructure works, has long been a big topic of debate within the European aggregates industry.

As permitting for aggregate processing sites across the continent becomes increasingly complex, delaying vital new production, the supply of essential construction materials for key projects is becoming more challenging each year.

In August this year, a new report for the UK Government showing declining reserves of aggregates over two decades prompted fresh calls for urgent action if Britain’s ambition to build 1.5 million homes and future-proofed infrastructure is to be realised.

The Aggregate Minerals Survey 2023 (AM2023) is the latest four-yearly study, prepared by the British Geological Survey (BGS) for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) that assesses the national supply and demand of aggregate to inform future mineral planning policy.

AM2023 shows that permitted aggregate reserves in Great Britain fell by 46 per cent between 2001 and 2023, which has been a trend also highlighted by the Mineral Products Association (MPA) which represents Britain’s aggregate producers.

The BGS report shows that total permitted reserves of aggregate in Great Britain (including sites worked in the past but still containing reserves and sites that have yet to be opened) at the end of 2023 were 5.106 billion tonnes (Bt). Crushed rock accounted for 90 per cent (4.589Bt) and sand and gravel the remaining 10 per cent (518 million tonnes).The MPA has said the proposed changes to the planning system meant to speed up new housing approvals will do little to halt the decline in permitted reserves of the materials needed to build them, including foundations, oors, walls, roof tiles, driveways, associated services and amenities.

According to MPA, aggregates continue to represent the largest material ow in the UK economy, comprising the vast majority of materials for all construction products and being the only bulk material to be sourced almost entirely domestically.

The MPA has called on the UK Government to renew its commitment to the long-established Managed Aggregate Supply System (MASS) that is intended to ensure a steady and adequate supply of aggregates for construction and industry. Yet the MPA believes consecutive governments continue to take aggregate supply for granted, while reserves continue to deplete.

“Aggregate Minerals surveys are a vital part of the Managed Aggregate Supply System. Failure to respond to the ndings of AM2023 would create a serious and costly risk not just to the minerals sector but also to the construction industry and the wider national economy, especially given that up to half of all aggregates are procured, directly and indirectly, by the government,” MPA executive director for mineral resources Mark Russell said after the publication of AM2023.

“As it stands, areas such as the south-east of England rely heavily on imports of materials from other regions in the country.

“The long-term planning for these supplies, along with the necessary transport and infrastructure for their delivery, is vital to economic development.

“Britain is blessed with a diverse geology, and while we understand the government’s focus on ‘critical’ minerals over recent years, it has undoubtedly taken its nger off the pulse regarding the bread-and-butter minerals that the economy, and in particular the construction sector, relies upon.”

What happens next in the UK will be closely watched by the wider European aggregates community. GW guy.woodford@primeglobalpublishing.com

Progressing biodiversity indicators on extractive sites

Aggregates Europe – UEPGpublic a airs o cer Miquel Paris Coderch provides an update on the latest projects and activities from the association.

Every quarry tells a story of transformation. During their lifetime, extraction sites reshape landscapes, provide essential raw materials for society, and, when properly managed, create new habitats. These evolving environments can host a wide diversity of ora and fauna, contribute to ecological networks and support species that might otherwise struggle in highly fragmented agricultural or urban landscapes.

Far from being only industrial spaces, quarries can emerge as biodiversity hotspots and connectors, linking natural areas and reinforcing ecological resilience. To measure this contribution and to ensure it grows over time, clear and practical biodiversity indicators are needed. In this framework, the aggregates sector has a particular responsibility and opportunity: quarries, often overlooked in discussions about nature, can become key actors in delivering biodiversity bene ts.

It is with this ambition that Aggregates Europe launched in 2024 a European-wide

study to develop a framework of biodiversity indicators speci cally adapted to the extractive industry. Such initiative is the product of the cooperation of Aggregates Europe with the ROTATE Project, co- nanced by the EU Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme (GA – N°101058651), and led by Asociación Nacional de Empresarios Fabricantes de Áridos – Spanish National Association of Aggregates Business (ANEFA), Spanish Aggregates Federation (FdA), the University of Liège and Fundación Tormes.

The initiative aims to equip quarry operators and sites with tools that are both scienti cally sound and practical, enabling them to monitor biodiversity and ecosystem services, demonstrate progress over time, and ultimately engage with stakeholders.

The framework is structured in a three-level hierarchy: from a simple pre-assessment to more detailed environmental evaluations that require specialised knowledge.

This stepwise approach ensures that all operators, regardless of size or resources, can participate.

The rst milestone of this journey has been achieved with the completion of the Level 1 questionnaire, yielding exceptional results: 191 validated submissions from 12 different countries.

The Level 1 questionnaire was designed as a simple, practical starting point that any quarry operator can complete without needing environmental expertise.

It gathers basic yet essential information across ve areas: general data about the site; base data such as site mapping and its possible relationship to protected areas like Natura 2000; existing rehabilitation or biodiversity management plans; biodiversity practices including restoration, species inventories, monitoring activities, and invasive species control; and nally, ecosystem services, from agricultural use and forestry to community visits, education, and research projects. By bringing all this information together, the questionnaire provides a clear baseline picture of how quarries interact with biodiversity and their surrounding environment. It helps operators and associations to organise the knowledge they already have, highlight opportunities for improvement and prepare for more detailed monitoring in later stages. In doing so, it demonstrates that quarries can contribute not only as extraction sites but also as valuable spaces for nature, people, and society. For Aggregates Europe, this process is not only about data collection, but also about fostering a culture of biodiversity management across the sector, encouraging quarry operators to identify themselves as custodians of ecosystems as well as producers of essential raw materials. AB

The quarrying and aggregates sector is increasingly focused on biodiversity outcomes.

Image: Monica Almefelt/stock.adobe.com

Aggregates Europe launched a biodiversity study looking at biodiversity indicators specifically adapted to the extractive industry.

Image: Aggregates Europe

An investment for the long haul

Designed with a unique combination of power and intelligence the TA 230 features market leading technology, an innovative weighing system, automatic traction control, hill start assist, not to mention the superior cabin design to leave your operator feeling good. Simply put, a perfect mix of agility with outstanding performance.

It’s a Liebherr. Job done.

TA 230 Articulated Dump Truck

Quarry Manufacturing & Supplies (QMS)' 1000tph aggregate plant for Luscan Com, supplied

Eastern Europe is on the aggregate up

Increasing demand for building materials to deliver major infrastructure projects is making Eastern Europe an attractive region for quarrying equipment manufacturers and suppliers of aggregate, cement and concrete.

Metso senior sales manager of aggregates for Germany, Central East Europe and Ukraine Franz Zingl said aggregate demand across Eastern Europe is increasing “year after year”.

“This demand stems primarily from infrastructure projects in the transportation and energy sectors. Regionally, conventional construction, particularly industrial construction, is also noteworthy,” he said.

“Countries with ‘reasonable’ political stability are preferred for investment. Furthermore, project nancing in these countries, especially all fund-linked investments, is very well organised.”

Zingl said that the continuing crushing and screening plant purchases in Eastern Europe had made the region a growth market it is for Metso.

“The reason for investing in crushing and screening plants is the need for aggregates for the respective construction projects. At Metso, and especially we at the Metso Market Organisation for Central and Eastern Europe, are very proud of the sales and service organisation we have built in the eld of crushing and screening technology over the past decades,” he said.

“Absolute customer orientation and a clear focus on solution-oriented applications for our customers have been our goal for decades.

“Our growth year after year is in the double digits, with some countries even exceeding this mark.”

Zingl said that one Eastern European country is a great example of the tremendous business opportunities for Metso and other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the quarrying sector. According to Zingl, the unspeci ed country has 700 kilometres (km) of highways under construction, with a rough equivalent distance being tendered. The same nation has around 300km of expressways under construction, and an additional 300km out for tender. Close to 1200km of railways are also being reconstructed and another approximately 1000km are being tendered.

“Multiple Metso Crushing and Screening equipment is in operation in those projects. Whether stationary, mobile, or portable, our supplied equipment plays a key role in the success of the projects and for our customers,” Zingl said.

Zingl said he is “very optimistic” about the future of the Eastern European aggregates market. “We will continue our current path and, if necessary, even expand further. Our conditions are optimal. Firstly, we have highquality crushing and screening equipment, including both mobile and stationary models. Secondly, our sales and service organisation is in place, allowing us to fully focus on our customers every day,” he said.

As reported in the last issue of Aggregates Business Europe, Metso has con rmed plans to expand its presence in Romania with a new screen manufacturing centre.

The move will expand the Finnish quarrying equipment giant’s production capabilities of stationary screens with a new centre in Oradea, Romania. This will ensure Metso can support customers in Europe, Central East Asia, and the Middle East with capital screening equipment and the supply of wear and spare parts, including rubber screening media.

Metso has estimated the facility will employ 70–80 people by the time the site is fully operational by the end of next year.

Results in Romania

Remaining in Romania, Lintec & Linnhoff continues to provide solutions that support road construction ef ciency and environmental responsibility. A key example is the recent installation of a Lintec CSD1510 Asphalt Mixing Plant in Transylvania. Operated by Drumuri i Poduri SA Sibiu, a company specialising in road repairs and maintenance, the plant is playing a critical role in enhancing infrastructure near the historic city of Sibiu in central Romania.

Replacing an older and smaller unit, the new asphalt plant brings state-of-the-art technology and compact design to a site where space constraints once limited production capacity. The Lintec CSD1510, with a capacity of 120 tonnes per hour (tph), was reportedly selected for its proven ability to deliver high-quality asphalt with outstanding energy ef ciency and environmental performance. At the heart of the CSD1510 is its fuel-optimised Screen Drum Technology, which ensures sustainable energy usage without compromising output.

by Mirfo.

An integrated hot storage tower enables seamless asphalt supply, even in high-demand conditions, while the advanced dust processing system recovers ller material, further reducing waste.

A standout feature of this installation is its 100 per cent electric heating systems for both the tower and bitumen tanks, as well as the accompanying bitumen emulsion plant. Later this year, the system will be connected to a solar panel array, enabling a portion of the plant’s power consumption to be met with renewable energy which is a crucial step toward more sustainable asphalt production.

Drumuri i Poduri SA Sibiu general manager Mihai Lisan said the plant’s performance had been impressive.

“The Lintec CSD1510 has exceeded our expectations, particularly in terms of fuel ef ciency and product consistency. Its innovative features have allowed us to upgrade our operations signi cantly, without expanding our footprint. We’re proud to lead the way in adopting cleaner, smarter road-building solutions,” he said.

This is not the rst time a Lintec asphalt mixing plant has contributed to Romania’s infrastructure development.

At a production site located approximately 100km from Bucharest, a Lintec CSM3000 Containerised Asphalt Mixing Plant was installed in 2021 to replace a long-serving Lintec CSD1500 that had operated successfully for over 12 years.

While the CSD1500 had delivered excellent results with its 120tph output, growing demand prompted the customer to upgrade to the CSM 3000, which offers double the production capacity and ensures continued operational ef ciency.

The success of this project builds on Lintec & Linnhoff’s growing presence in the region, with another 160tph plant recently delivered to the city of Târgovi te. The company’s reputation for quality and technical excellence continues to attract operators looking for future-ready solutions in demanding environments.

Next steps in Poland

Heidelberg Materials has started operations at its new industrial pilot facility for enforced carbonation in Góra d e, Poland. This marks the next step in the large-scale implementation

A VSK Minerals’ site deploying a Metso C130 jaw crusher, VG540-3V scalping screen, an HP300 cone crusher, and four CVB screens.

of Heidelberg Materials’ patented ReConcrete process, which leverages new potential in the production of sustainable building materials by combining circularity and decarbonisation. The new facility in Góra d e processes recycled concrete paste (RCP) recovered at the company’s rst-of-its-kind recycling plant in Katowice, Poland. RCP naturally absorbs and permanently binds CO2, thereby acting as a carbon sink. To accelerate the natural process, the RCP undergoes enforced carbonation.

This process involves exposing the RCP to exhaust gases from the kiln in Góra d e, allowing CO2 to bind within the material chemically. Once carbonated, the RCP can be used as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM), partially replacing energy-intensive clinker in composite cements.

“Scaling ReConcrete is an important step for us in unlocking new ways to reduce the carbon footprint of our products,” Heidelberg Materials chief sustainability and new technologies of cer Dr Katharina Beumelburg said.

“At the same time, it is an excellent showcase of our integrated approach to sustainability – we can now combine circularity and resource ef ciency with decarbonisation, leveraging RCP’s natural ability to bind CO2 .”

The process has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 900–1000kg per tonne of RCP used. This total includes 100–150kg of CO2 that is permanently bound during the carbonation of RCP, and an additional 750–850kg of CO2 emissions that are avoided by replacing clinker with carbonated RCP in composite cements.

“I’m proud of our teams for successfully bringing ReConcrete to life, which marks a signi cant milestone on our journey to closing the CO2 cycle in cement production,” said Heidelberg Materials member of the managing board Jon Morrish said. “With the collective strength of our local team and central [research and development] functions, our accomplishment in Poland will serve as a blueprint for similar projects across the Group as we continue to expand our circular and low-carbon product offering for our customers.”

In July 2024, Heidelberg Materials launched the rst phase of the large-scale implementation of ReConcrete by opening an innovative recycling plant for selective separation in Katowice, Poland. This pioneering facility features a proprietary crushing mechanism that enables advanced separation and sorting, allowing for the complete recycling of old concrete into its original constituents. The fractions obtained include sand and gravel of the highest quality, equivalent to that of virgin raw materials, with RCP as the nest fraction.

Heidelberg Materials will now focus on conducting operational trials and evaluating the technology under industrial conditions. The company’s pilot facility is part of the international “Carbon4Minerals” research and development project, carried out by a consortium of leading scienti c, technological, and industrial partners across Europe. The project is co-funded by the European Union and by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI).

Cemex signs on

Earlier this year, Cemex signed an agreement with EDP Energia Poland to construct solar installations at several of its plants in Poland, with a total capacity exceeding 14 MWp, thereby furthering its commitment to environmental sustainability. This investment is part of Cemex’s global Future in Action strategy to combat climate change.

“Cemex sets ambitious decarbonisation goals, and investing in renewable energy is an important step towards reducing emissions. The concluded agreement is important in this context because it will guarantee us access to green energy in the long term. Additionally, the mentioned contract will enable the diversi cation of energy sources powering our plants,” Cemex Poland Regional Energy Negotiator Michał W glorz said.

Adding to an established photovoltaic (solar) farm at its ready-mix concrete plant in Pruszków, Cemex is building new photovoltaic installations at the Chełm, Rudniki, and Gdynia cement plants and the concrete plants in Mysłowice, Warsaw Annopol, Lublin, Szczecin, and Gda sk.

“The photovoltaic installations are being gradually commissioned in accordance with the formal, legal, and engineering processes. Currently, we have completed four additional installations in the Materials Division and are awaiting two more. Investments at the cement plants will be implemented in 2026 and 2027,” a Cemex spokesperson said.

The project is being carried out in collaboration with EDP Energia Polska under a 15-year agreement. EDP will install and manage

the solar installations, providing clean energy to Cemex’s network of facilities.

“We are glad that Cemex Poland, as a leader in its industry, has chosen photovoltaic solutions from EDP to implement its ambitious decarbonisation goals. This cooperation is part of our mission to support the energy transition and provide clean energy for every type of industry,” EDP country lead for Poland Ireneusz Kulka said.

In the Czech Republic, Cemex recently supplied materials to a restoration project for one of the most important historical monuments in the city of Pardubice.

The work at Pardubice Castle includes the restoration of the northern palace, the construction of a new visitor centre and the creation of a new natural history exhibition of the East Bohemian Museum in the former farm buildings.

Cemex is closely involved in these major modi cations, including supplying cement cast screeds for the oor structures of the future Natural History Museum. The new ballroom is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year, and the visitor centre and nature exhibition are expected to be completed by 2027.

Russian resources

As reported in the May-June 2025 issue of Aggregates Business Europe, demand for Russian aggregates has been relatively healthy despite international economic sanctions and the country’s complex business environment.

According to Aggregates Europe (European Aggregates Association) estimates, Russia’s 1485 extraction sites produced a combined 857 million tonnes of aggregates in 2023, by far the largest single-country volume in Europe, with Germany’s 546 million tonnes produced that year, a distant second.

Russia’s major aggregate companies include JSC LSR. Basic Materials, JSC First Aggregates Company, JSC Bashkiravtodor, JSC Kiembaevsky Mining and Processing Plant Orenburg Minerals, and JSC Sibagropromstroy. Most aggregate production is concentrated in the Russian Urals region. LSR Basic Materials (LSR), a leading player in the Northwest Russia aggregates market, estimates its annual capacities at over seven million cubic metres of crushed stone and more than eight million cubic metres of sand.

Showing con dence in mid- to longterm national aggregate market demand, the company plans to further increase these gures in the coming years by expanding its existing agship quarries and mines, as well as opening new sites.

Optimism in Estonia

Heidelberg Materials Kunda AS managing director Riho Iskül and Association of Construction Materials Producers of Estonia Marina Vaganova said Estonia, which borders the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, has seen a signi cant decline in its aggregate demand.

“While just a few years ago the volume of limestone and dolomite extraction exceeded two million cubic metres per year, by 2024

Cemex has signed an agreement with EDP Energia Poland to construct solar installations at several of its sites in the country.

Image: Cemex

it had fallen by nearly 50 per cent, reaching around 1.4 million cubic metres,” they said.

A similar trend is seen in gravel and sand extraction, which, though still large in absolute terms (over seven million cubic metres), has not shown growth compared to previous years.

“The main reason is the sharp decline in state-funded infrastructure projects, particularly in road and railway construction. Since the largest consumers of aggregates are major infrastructure developments, the reduction in public investment volumes has directly led to a signi cant fall in demand.”

Iskül and Vaganova said the demand for aggregates in Estonia is likely to increase in the coming years.

“One of the main drivers could be the EU-funded infrastructure project, Rail Baltica, which has fallen behind schedule, but the volumes going into groundwork are expected to grow soon. Additionally, the Government

has promised to allocate €270 million to the road budget, which will mainly be used for two major road sections: Tallinn–Pärnu and Tallinn–Tartu,” they said. “If this kind of annual increase continues, it will certainly stimulate the market. The year 2027 marks the start of a new EU funding period. Nothing is con rmed yet, but we can expect various defence-related constructions and associated infrastructure to emerge as well.”

Iskül and Vaganova said the Association of Construction Materials Producers of Estonia has been raising awareness of the value of local natural resources, while also working on projects that emphasise the use of domestic materials instead of imports, and promoting sustainability and the circular economy, such as via recycling construction waste for use in roadbuilding.

“This work has increased public understanding that aggregates are a strategic

resource and that local production reduces the environmental footprint associated with transport,” they said.

Iskül and Vaganova said sustainability is a top priority for Estonian producers. Estonian producers are also adopting a long-term perspective when planning quarry restoration, aiming to return the land to society with enhanced value, both ecologically and for local communities. To achieve this, extensive collaboration is undertaken with universities and research institutions.

Iskül and Vaganova said that automation and digitalisation in aggregates production have gained “strong momentum”.

“We have national support measures for such projects, which help companies develop a digitalisation roadmap and then begin implementing it,” they said.

“Initially, the focus has been on picking the ‘low-hanging fruit’, such as material dispatching, GPS-based monitoring systems, weighing, and electronic delivery notes, using the drones in surveys.

“We also see a growing need for continuous quality monitoring and remotecontrol solutions. At the same time, it must be acknowledged that when demand for aggregates is low, many investments are put on hold—waiting for better times.

“Certainly, a lot has already been done in this eld, and there are further plans. However, this sector will likely never be ‘ nished’, it will continue to evolve.” AB

A Keestrack track-mounted R6e impact crusher and three-deck C6e classifier at a PT (Paekivitoodete Tehas) quarry near Tallinn in Estonia.

Image: Keestrack

A significant Cornish milestone for Brookland

Liebherr Great Britain machines are well-proven winners for Brookland Sand & Aggregates in Cornwall, south-west England.

For many modern operations, purchasing new equipment is often seen as reaching a pinnacle in their business’ development, obtaining the most modern, fuel-ef cient kit with a full manufacturer’s warranty and decent residual values when it comes to trading it in within a few years. For others, running a mixed eet of new and quality used machines offers a better balance for their operations and business.

Across the UK, there are very few privately owned quarrying operations that produce approximately one million tonnes of aggregates annually. One such company is Cornwall’s Brookland Sand & Aggregates (Brookland), who operate just north of St Austell, supplying the entire south-west peninsula with high-quality materials.

Where the company differs from similar out ts is that the material it produces comes from what is deemed waste material taken

from the adjacent China Clay pits, which dominate the landscape.

Marshall Cleave, the third generation of the family, is stepping into his father, Barry’s, footsteps to run the company.

“We take the material that the clay producers don’t use,” Marshall said.

“This can range from the nest of sand up to large rock armour-sized pieces, which means we have to be able to deal with a wide variety of material at any given time.”

Processing the sand and aggregates at the Cornwall-based operation requires a large and comprehensive eet of Kleemann and McCloskey International crushing and screening equipment, along with a state-ofthe-art CDE wash plant.

With this equipment, over 75 different grades of materials are regularly produced from the waste, with just a tiny fraction of unusable grit being rejected.

While the majority of the crushing and screening equipment has been purchased new, Brookland relies on a eet of used Liebherr excavators, wheeled loaders and a solitary dozer to handle over one million tonnes of material per year.

“Dad purchased the rst Liebherr wheeled loader back in the early nineties,” Marshall said. “At the time, we were running a variety of brands, but the new arrival quickly impressed us with its class-leading low fuel consumption.

“This is a very important factor to us as we are very keen to lower our environmental impact wherever we can.”

Purchased through Liebherr Great Britain’s used equipment department, it was the well-respected John Diggens who set the ball rolling for Brookland to build a eet currently standing at 24 machines, 16 of which are wheeled loaders.

Brookland at work in Littlejohns pit.

Images:

The majority of Brookland’s work is centred around the main clay producing areas, with the material tipped at their central processing area where a pair of L 566 XPower and a single L 576 XPower loaders are stationed. These three machines handle incoming and processed material, loading the company’s small eet of articulated dump trucks (ADTs), which haul the product to the stocking area.

“It would be nice if we could have suf cient area around the processing plant to store and load our materials,” Marshall said. “Sadly, we are limited on space, but with so many operations on the go around the huge site, a centralised stockyard keeps the large volume of outgoing tippers away from the day-to-day quarrying operations.”

There are several other satellite processing points scattered around the quarry, where L 580 XPower and L 586 XPower loaders are in operation, handling both raw and processed materials. Concreting sand is one of the most popular products processed at the quarry, with Brookland supplying many of the batching plants across Cornwall and Devon with consistently high-quality material.

Recent months have seen the company supply a large volume of aggregates to the road improvements just a stone’s throw from the quarry gates on the A30.

“We have worked hard to make sure the aggregates we produce are consistent and of high quality,” Marshall said.

“The investment we have made in setting up the plants has paid off with our ability to sell around a million tonnes on a regular basis.” Around 60 per cent of Brookland’s nal grade product is collected by customers, with the remaining 40 per cent delivered by subcontractor trucks.

Away from the main operations, the company is removing one of the Clay Pit’s former tip sites. With an estimated 20 million tonnes of material in the pile, steady progress has begun to lower the imposing mountain of material at Goonbarrow, with Mick Howell operating a ‘new’ R 945 excavator.

Sitting on a pile of material feeding a Kleemann MOBICAT MC 120 Z PRO jaw crusher, Howell loads the mixed material into the large hopper of the crusher slowly and steadily to ensure no pieces of rock big enough to bridge the jaws are hiding in the material.

Producing a sand and 100mm down aggregate at around 60–80 tonnes per hour may seem slow for a crusher of this size, but with a small volume of clay still within the material, the slower speed ensures the feeder deck and jaws do not get clogged up.

“She’s a fair tool and far more powerful than my last R 946,” Howell said. “She has a fair turn of speed on her, too, and I have much more room in the new cab, which is far more comfortable, too.”

Howell is joined on this project by L 586 XPower operator Kev Mitchell, another longstanding Brookland employee. Mitchell’s role is managing the processed material, either ferrying it away into its relevant stockpile or loading trucks to deliver to the site.

“I really like the loader. It’s extremely powerful and very quick across the ground, which is handy when you have such a large site to cover,” Mitchell said.

“One of the most surprising things for me is the lack of fuel it uses. When I swapped from an equivalent-sized machine to the L 586 XPower, we noticed a huge drop in fuel consumption equating to around 100 litres per day doing the same sort of work.”

Marshall employs a team of skilled tters to maintain all of his equipment unlike many operations around the UK.

“We are pretty isolated from the rest of the UK here and have learnt to be self-reliant when it comes to maintenance,” Marshall said.

“Our team of tters is very experienced in handling almost any issues that arise with the Liebherrs. However, on those odd occasions where a laptop is needed, the team at Weston-super-Mare is always on hand to help. We get our parts delivered in exactly the same way a home-based tter would, making it easier for our team to keep on top of maintenance work.

Keeping in regular contact with John Diggens at Biggleswade, Marshall is always noti ed when ex-Liebherr Rental machines are up for renewal.

“We don’t have a strict replacement policy here and run machines until there is a suitable replacement coming from John,” he said. “Whilst most of our loaders are XPower models, we still have a 2008-year L 566 2 Plus 2 in the yard which is used as a back-up machine should a front-line loader need attention.”

To run this volume of new machinery would put a strain on any company’s nances. Taking the used option has allowed Marshall and his experienced team, led by quarry manager Bob Trise, to bene t from the exceptional fuel savings offered by the XPower loaders at just a fraction of the cost.

“We know the machines are coming from John, having been thoroughly inspected and looking good,” Marshall said.

“The ex-rental machines are always well speci ed and are available with reasonably low hours in some cases. Our relationship with John and Sarah Allen at Biggleswade is excellent; they are always making sure we are happy with the machines.

“The operators like them, they are as reliable as any other make, and we are saving in excess of £100,000 in fuel costs by running Liebherr machines.” AB

A Liebherr L 576 XPower loader at work at Littlejohns pit.

Some of Brookland’s stockpiled final product.

Conveying an exciting growth message

Global conveyor belt supplier Smiley Monroe Group has opened a new hub in the English Midlands in response to customer demand for faster lead times. Aggregates Business visited the new facility in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and spoke to chief executive o cer Chris Monroe about the new hub and the ambitious company’s growth plans.

These are exciting times at Smiley Monroe Group. Chief executive of cer Chris Monroe is speaking with Aggregates Business Europe at the site of ce of the new conveyor belt hub in central England, a hub offering full conveyor belt rolls and cut lengths of belt with expedited delivery options available for customers in England, Scotland and Wales, including next-day delivery and same-day collection.

“The idea for the hub is one we’ve had for a while. The tipping point was the last two editions of Hillhead [the biennial quarrying machinery exhibition in Derbyshire, England], when we had customers asking us why we don’t have stock here on the ground,” he said.

“Those customers were typically service companies, and they weren’t giving us as much business as they could. Some of them couldn’t live with the lead time of two to three days across the Irish Sea.

“It became clear we needed to have a new [GB] stock and distribution model to better support the dozens of service companies we have across England, Scotland and Wales, who don’t have the space to keep huge amounts of stock.

“We chose a central England location for the hub after looking at the heat map of our [England, Scotland and Wales] service customer base and growing areas of demand, such as London and the south-east, which is particularly linked to recycling sector growth and waste handling. Those service companies are going to be very, very busy going forward.”

Smiley Monroe business development manager Jeremy Cross joined Monroe as he spoke to Aggregates Business Europe about the company’s journey.

“Our service company customers, including CSM Services and Rugeley Vulcanising Services in England, and Ace Vulcanising and Lining Solutions in Scotland, have long wanted to do more business with us, but were holding back because we didn’t have this conveyor belt hub. They are very loyal to us and, for the hub to work, we have to offer next-day delivery to job sites or, at the very least, the day after that,” Cross said.

With a wide array of at and chevron options available, the Northern Ireland-based manufacturer claims to hold the largest stock of conveyor belting across the UK and Ireland. Its range of premium conveyor belts and linked solutions includes Endless,

Chevron, Customised Cleated, ToughFlex, Fabric Breaker, Cut Length and EP Multiply conveyor belts, along with ZIP CLIP replacement conveyor belts.

The company also supplies highquality Cut Rubber and Plastic Parts, PU conveyor belt cleaners, and conveyor impact bars and skirting.

“Because we are working with all the leading [crushing, screening and conveyor] OEMs [original equipment manufacturers], we have such a variety of stock in Lisburn. We have already moved a lot of that material over here,” Monroe said.

“We can also quickly replenish stock in this hub. We are hiring three new staff for the hub and have relocated a team leader from our Lisburn head of ce. However, we’re conscious of keeping the hub lean and cost-effective for our customers.

“Over the years, we’ve invested a lot in our ERP [enterprise resource planning] system and have a stock management tool within that. We also have a very slick Epicor automated order acknowledgement system.”

Recognised by Lloyds Banking Group investment partner LDC, in partnership with The Times newspaper, as one of the top 50

L–R: Jeremy Cross and Chris Monroe at Smiley Monroe’s new GB hub.

Images: Smiley Monroe

most ambitious business leaders for 2024, Monroe said that the new English Midlands conveyor belt hub is part of Smiley Monroe’s future-focused plan to grow its UK business ve-fold, from £2 million to £10 million a year, by the end of 2028.

“It is a target we’ve carefully projected out. It’s a stretch, but we’ve seen the path to reach it,” Monroe said.

“The new conveyor belt hub is a millionpound-plus investment, supported by ongoing annual investment.”

Cross said the new hub will help Smiley Monroe serve many sectors including quarrying and aggregates.

“It’s hard to say, as all our service customers service many sectors, including quarrying. Our new hub stock range includes ToughFlex, which we introduced as a [heavy-duty] upgrade conveyor belt for the OEM market. It has proven successful in GB among our resellers, who visit operating sites and see that some end

customers require a conveyor belt offering a longer lifespan,” he said.

Smiley Monroe has a strong record in terms of sustainability and progressive working practices. In 2020, the team behind Northern Ireland’s only 100 per cent green energy supplier for businesses, 3T Power, partnered with Smiley Monroe to ‘green’ the company’s local electricity supply. This clean energy transition encompassed the rm’s 55,000-square-foot manufacturing facilities and administrative of ces, resulting in Smiley Monroe’s full Northern Ireland operation being powered purely by renewable energy generated by Northern Ireland-based wind turbines.

The expected annual CO2 reduction is around 270,000kg, equal to the weight of over

55 African elephants, in carbon offset. The Smiley Monroe-3T Power partnership is also guaranteeing long-term savings through a low-cost and secure energy tariff. In 2023, the company implemented a four-day work week across its two Northern Ireland production facilities, following a successful trial.

Since the move to a four-day work week, more and more Northern Ireland companies are adopting this approach, with successful examples demonstrated within Smiley Monroe’s customer base. Monroe said that the new conveyor belt hub will further enhance the company’s sustainability offering.

“We haven’t done the hard numbers on it, but logically speaking, the amount of logistics it will reduce by not having to send things across

3T Power has partnered with Smiley Monroe to ‘green’ the latter company’s Northern Ireland electricity supply.

the Irish Sea while consolidating a lot of required stock in one place makes it the right thing to do, both sustainability wise and commercially,” he said.

Founded in Northern Ireland in 1979, Smiley Monroe has grown from a local service company into a global conveyor belt partner, with manufacturing and distribution facilities in the UK, the US and India, supplying some of the largest equipment manufacturers across the construction, recycling, and environmental sectors.

ZIP CLIP replacement belts are hugely popular in the US market. Monroe said the company saw a bright future for the product in other markets like the UK.

“I see the potential for it. The plan is to work with our distribution service partners. As they become busier, they will only have a limited capacity unless they can scale up their companies. We have observed in our Northern Ireland services offering that it is becoming increasingly dif cult to recruit for that business area,” he said.

“I envisage having positive conversations with our GB distribution service partners to see if they can have some ZIP CLIPS in their own stock or offer their end customers bespoke, fast-delivery ZIP CLIPS to order.”

In 2026, Smiley Monroe will be exhibiting at major quarrying and construction equipment industry shows, including Hillhead (UK), steinexpo (Germany), CONEXPO/CON-AGG (US), and bauma CONEXPO India.

“We’ve had our busiest ever six months marketing-wise in America, doing a conveyor belt of different shows, including AGG-1 [St Louis, Missouri]. We are looking to supply more of our product range to US distributor companies. At CONEXPO/CON-AGG, we will mainly focus on [US] dealers and growing our ZIP CLIP business, which is currently around 60 per cent of our business there,” Smiley Monroe head of marketing Aimee McCracken said.

“ZIP CLIP is changing the conveyor belting industry. There just wasn’t a product like it on the market before,” Monroe said. “In America, the rst ZIP CLIP went out in 2020. We are only scratching the surface with it there. We are currently doing $2 million to $3 million in ZIP CLIP sales, but we can grow that by ve to six times. We’ve onboarded 30 to 40 dealers [in the US] in the last two years.

“We’re already doing business in 48 of America’s 50 States,” adds McCracken. “We’re also starting to supply (ZIP CLIP) to Central and Latin America.”

Monroe said the company had set ambitious long-term goals.

“The longer-term plan is for Smiley Monroe to triple its growth to £100 million [revenue] by the end of 2028. In the next 12 months, we’re committing over £1 million to belt-cutting technology. It will see the installation of new machinery in our production facilities in Northern Ireland, America and India,” he said.

“We are doubling our footprint in Hosur, India, and growing its sales team. We’ve won several signi cant contracts in India, which will kick in in the fourth quarter of this year.

We’re also expecting 50 to 60 per cent growth in India next year. There are also signi cant opportunities to supply our ZIP CLIP replacement conveyor belts to the rest of Asia, Africa and Australia from India.

“In Europe, we’ve won over the last 18 months in excess of £5 million of new contracts. That has been really helpful to offset a bit of a slowdown in the construction sector.

“All that new business is going to be massive for us. The shows coming up, like Hillhead and steinexpo, together with nurturing the £20 million to £30 million pipeline of leads we have, give us plenty to be getting on with out of our Northern Ireland-based business.”

Increased machinery automation and the growing use of arti cial intelligence (AI) in equipment engineering, manufacturing, and day-to-day on-site operations are notable features of the modern aggregates industry.

“We’ve set up an AI council to look at how best to use AI in all departments,” McCracken said. “Naturally, some departments have adopted the use of AI faster than others. We’re using it in marketing for different things, with some caution.

“When it comes to factory production, in the future, you’ll want automation and AI to be used as much as possible, reducing the amount of required process steps and increasing ef ciency.”

Monroe said the company had started investing in an AI, including an AI consultant, to understand how the technology could support its operations.

“AI can also help progress our conveyor belt [research and development], getting the belts smarter in terms of nding out where they are working, how they’re performing and their condition,” Monroe said. “Developing the software linked to this will be huge. Combining this and our ZIP CLIP solution will take our business to another level.”

Conveyor belt roll being prepared for an order at Smiley Monroe’s new GB hub.

Aggregates Business is a go-to source for up-to-date news and views on the European, Asian, African, Middle Eastern and American aggregates and building materials sectors. Our wide-ranging features line-up includes in-depth articles on the latest crushing and screening, loading and hauling machines. Subscribe today:

subscriptions@primeglobalpublishing.com

PAOLO ZAMBIANCHI

Championing the new aggregate technology age

Holcim Italy’s Paolo Zambianchi talks to Aggregates Business about the critical importance of aggregate supply and why he is advocating the use of technology to optimise primary and secondary production.

Holcim Italy technical director of aggregates and ready-mix Paolo Zambianchi believes the current global geopolitical landscape has awakened politicians and policymakers to the critical importance of essential raw materials, including aggregates, and the need to secure their supply for the health of their nations.

“I have seen over the last 20 years a political regression regarding the critical importance of raw materials, at a national and European level,” Zambianchi said.

“After dramatic events, including the Russia–Ukraine war, perspectives are changing. The European community now understands the crucial role of raw materials as strategic resources. Without raw materials, there is nothing.”

An Italian national, Zambianchi has been in his current role since 2011 and is responsible for production, maintenance, safety, and investment at Holcim Italy’s four aggregate quarries and 22 ready-mix plants. The former produce a combined 1.3 million tonnes of aggregate and sand annually, while the latter generate up to 1.5 million cubic metres of ready-mix per year.

“Holcim concentrates its operations in northern Italy. I am also in charge of these sites’ environmental side and their relationships with the authorities,” he said.

Another key element of Milan-based Zambianchi’s work is securing operating permits and licenses for Holcim’s aggregate and ready-mix sites. This increasingly complex and challenging aspect of production has long been a focus of the European sector.

“Permitting and licensing for our business is crucial. Without approvals, we won't produce any more aggregate and ready-mix cement, and we won’t have the civilisations we have now,” Zambianchi said.

“Every region and every state in Europe has to be able to guarantee the quantities and supply timing of raw materials for more than 50 years, but we are getting permits and licenses for only two to ve years. It’s such a short time.”

Zambianchi said ensuring work site safety is his most signi cant constant challenge.

“Holcim wants to achieve a fundamental target of zero Injuries. It’s a tough target we face every day,” he said. “This is not just for Holcim employees; we work with many third parties.

“While Holcim is already a sustainable company, we want to reduce our CO2 footprint further and also do more to improve our circularity. We have tough targets to reach by 2030, so our transformation must be achieved in a short time.”

1. Example of a Ma-estro digitalised quarry plant optimisation solution. Ma-estro was among the key partners involved in the Holcim Italy Pioltello DigiEcoQuarry pilot.

2. Paolo Zambianchi believes big geopolitical changes have brought home to politicians and policymakers the critical importance of essential raw materials, including aggregates.

A keen advocate of the role of technology in modern aggregate production, Zambianchi led Holcim Italy’s involvement in the fouryear, EU-funded DigiEcoQuarry project, the brainchild of Asociación Nacional de Empresarios Fabricantes de Áridos (ANEFA), one of Spain’s oldest and most reputable associations for the national extractive industries and construction products.

DigiEcoQuarry saw ve pilot quarry sites (in Italy, Germany, France, Spain and Portugal) with different characteristics adopt Innovative Quarrying Systems (IQS), comprising sensors, processes, tools, and methods for data capture, processing and sharing, to provide integrated digitalised, automatic, and real-time process control for aggregate quarries.

Completed last year, the results of and conclusions from the DigiEcoQuarry project were shared by Zambianchi and other pilot leaders via in-person presentations to an independent international advisory board and other stakeholders at Aggregates Europe’s headquarters in Brussels in June.

Each pilot site reported signi cant improvements in health, safety and security, as well as in ef ciency, selectivity, and pro tability, while reducing environmental impact and increasing social acceptance.

With DigiEcoQuarry technology now rmly embedded in each pilot site, the project offers best practice examples for aggregates processing sites in Europe and the wider world.

“Holcim’s Pioltello San Bovio sand and gravel quarry, a 400,000-tonnes-a-year operation near Milan, was one of the pilot sites,” Zambianchi said. “It was exciting to be part of the DigiEcoQuarry project and to be working with so many great people. We focused on some key performance indicators related to the environmental and ef ciency aspects of production. Regarding the former, we explored ways to increase the amount of recycled water used in material production, thereby reducing the amount of freshwater required.

“We designed a system with around 80 to 90 machine sensors to add to the site’s

existing automation and help the quarry team focus on how they were processing materials through crushing, screening and washing. We also focused on safety, installing new sensors on some of the site’s heavy mobile machinery and utilising arti cial intelligence [AI] for stockpile measurement.

“We built a cloud platform where all the data was collected and analysed. It was a very interesting experience. Across the 25 or so partners involved, we had representatives from IT, software and arti cial intelligence companies.”

Firms working with Zambianchi and his Pioltello San Bovio project quarry team included Ma-estro, the Italian quarry

“I designed the CavoExpoTech brand and patented the name under ANEPLA. We’ve run it for 10 years and it’s the reference event for quarrying in Italy.”

and plant optimisation specialists; Arco, a leading Spanish industrial weighing solutions business; Sigma Cognition, a Spanish end-to-end, data-centric AI and machine learning solutions business; and Mintek, South Africa’s national mineral research organisation and one of the world’s leading technology companies specialising in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and related elds.

“The overall systems we and the other pilot sites chose had to be cheap and easy to install and manage, as this was linked to quarrying rather than mining,” Zambianchi said. “Over the four years of the project, Pioltello achieved around 10 per cent more productivity and ef ciency, cut production costs, and reduced freshwater use by two per cent. With ANEFA, the DigiEcoQuarry project leader, we are studying some other technology that we can test at Pioltello and the other pilot sites.”

Zambianchi is also excited about the circular economy opportunities offered by Holcim Italy’s rst construction and demolition (CDM) waste recycling hub at Gorla Quarry in Varese, around 60km northwest of Milan.

“This is a very important new development in our decarbonisation journey,” he said. “The EU target for recycling CDM [construction and demolition] waste is 75 per cent by 2030, and in Italy, we are already at 85 per cent. It’s a big success story.”

Zambianchi told Aggregates Business about his insights into the current state of the Italian aggregates market.

“The situation is dif cult for many reasons, including high energy costs and the fallout from what is happening internationally. More positively, the European Union is investing in large-scale infrastructure projects, such as new high-speed train lines and highways, which are bene cial for companies like Holcim,” he said.

“As a country, Italy is also investing in infrastructure, particularly in the north of the country.

“We have the [Milan Cortina] Olympics in February 2026, and Holcim is giving a lot of aggregate, cement and ready-mix to construction works, including our ECOPlanet green cement.

“The market is very interested in how our sustainable products relate to environmental product declarations [EPDs]. Enhancing

DigiEcoQuarry partners at Pioltello Quarry.

Image: Holcim Italy and

DigiEcoQuarry

sustainability in building works is a key strategy for us. Holcim Italy is focused on supplying ECOPlanet and other sustainable products to bigger infrastructure projects, as the regulations are clear around the amount of recycled and low-carbon materials that need to be used by contractors.”

Zambianchi is the vice chairman of Aggregates Europe’s environment committee and continues to serve on the board of ANEPLA, having previously served as the association’s president from 2014–20. Under Zambianchi’s leadership, ANEPLA became a prominent association member of Aggregates Europe and launched CavaExpoTech, an annual meeting place for producers of mining goods and services and quarry entrepreneurs.

Each event, held at different ANEPLA member sites throughout Italy, is traditionally divided into classroom-based professional development on current industry trends, followed by static and dynamic demonstrations of quarrying machinery and linked technology. In addition to each live event, a series of CavoExpoTech webinars is staged throughout the year.

In his six years as president, Zambianchi also signi cantly increased ANEPLA’s membership, bringing in aggregate industry service companies, and strengthened the association’s working relationship

with Con ndustria, the main association representing manufacturing and service companies in Italy.

“I designed the CavoExpoTech brand and patented the name under ANEPLA. We’ve run it for 10 years and it’s the reference event for quarrying in Italy,” Zambianchi said.

“We do one or two CavaExpoTechs per year. If we host two events, based on member demand, one will be held in the north and the other in the south of Italy. We invite industry stakeholders and local politicians, and always have one quarry site day for families, with children participating in all kinds of fun activities.

“At a CavaExpoTech event last year, Caterpillar and CGT, its Italian dealer, attended with Cat Command [remote control machine solutions]. Some important politicians heard about this and were eager to try it, so they took turns operating the excavator remotely. It was very nice to see.”

A geology graduate who also holds a master’s degree in business administration with a focus on the oil, gas and raw materials industries, Zambianchi spent three years working in the Italian oil and gas sector before entering the aggregates industry with Holcim Italy in 2001.

“I think we need to do more with schools and universities as industry companies

and, in ANEPLA’s case, as associations, otherwise we will lose the next generation’s interest and quarrying and mining industry competencies,” Zambianchi said.

“This is why Holcim Italy has started an academy near our headquarters in Milan that teaches local schoolchildren industry knowledge and skills.”

After an extensive career, Zambianchi is clear that there is still plenty wants to achieve in the Italian and wider European aggregates industries.

“Like in a rugby match, it is impossible to win without the support of your team and playing for each other. My team at Holcim Italy aggregates and readymix is crucial,” he said.

“You come to Milan, and in the last 20 years it has undergone signi cant changes, with skyscrapers, subways and buildings made from green, sustainable building materials supplied by Holcim.

“It’s a big transformation, and it makes me very proud. I am also proud of being the rst Holcim Italy manager to receive authorisation for a CDM waste recycling hub [at Gorla Quarry]. I want this hub and Holcim Italy in general to be the reference point when it comes to recycled materials to enable sustainable construction, not just in Italy but the whole of Europe.” AB

An overview of an edition of CavaExpoTech.

No wasted opportunity for SunEnviro with McLanahan

SunEnviro is expanding its waste processing capabilities to produce premium aggregate products and sand at its site in Thetford, England, following a £3 million investment in a state-of-the-art McLanahan waste recycling plant. Aggregates Business visited the site for a close-up look and to hear about the long-term expectations for the set-up.

When Aggregates Business toured the SunEnviro open day, the company’s managing director Mat Stewart said his three business brands, SunSkips, SunDemolition and SunAggregates, generate no waste that is directly sent to land ll.

SunEnviro’s new up-to-70-tonnes-perhour (tph) waste recycling plant in Thetford, Norfolk, one of several SunEnviro operates in eastern England, will process up to 100,000 tonnes of waste annually into premium aggregate products and sand in compliance with (BSE 9321) British Standards.

While SunEnviro’s signi cant seven- gure investment in the comprehensive McLanahan set-up has already started to prove its worth since becoming fully operational in May, the rm’s notable increase in its waste processing is likely to also prove highly shrewd.

Introduced in 1996 to encourage more sustainable waste management practices, the Land ll Tax applies to taxable disposals at land ll sites and, more recently, unauthorised sites. In April 2025, HM Treasury, the UK Government’s economic and nance ministry, and HM Revenue & Customs, the UK’s tax, payments and customs authority, launched a consultation on Land ll Tax reform, proposing the removal of the lower rate of Land ll Tax (£4.03 per tonne for inert materials such as rocks and soil) by 2030. In its place, an escalator will be applied to the lower rate until it reaches the standard rate level (currently £126.15 per tonne), with the qualifying nes regime and quarries and dredging exemptions being removed from April 2027. The new Land ll Tax rules will be coupled with increased penalties for illegal disposals.

Stakeholders, including the Mineral Products Association (MPA) and British Aggregates Association (BAA), have expressed concerns about the economic impact of the Land ll Tax reform proposal. Consultation closed in July, with a wide range of industries, including quarrying, construction and recycling, awaiting the UK Government’s next steps.

Stewart, who has nearly 30 years of experience working in environmental services, with SunEnviro, which started as SunSkips in Stowmarket in May 2020, now covering sites in Thetford, Cambridge, Haverhill, Ipswich, Dereham and Hoddesdon, told Aggregates Business this could present an opportunity for his company.

“If all goes to plan, we thought we’d start seeing a return on our investment in three to four years, but if the Government do what they say they are going to do [on Land ll Tax

L–R: McLanahan’s David Hunter with SunEnviro managing director Mat Stewart in front of the McLanahan waste recycling plant.

reform], it will be a lot quicker, potentially 12 months,” he said.

“We are saving £600,000 to £700,000 a year by not having to put 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes of waste and nes into land ll, and that’s at the lower [Land ll Tax] rate. If the standard tax rate applies, I don’t know how many businesses like ours will be able to put a skip out and be competitive.

“We are also fortunate in being able to control what we bring here in our own vehicles. We can keep material coming in, but our guys have got to sell the recycled aggregate and sand product that goes back out, so we adjust the daily volumes we are processing.”

SunEnviro’s bespoke waste recycling plant features a McLanahan UltraSCRUB, UltraSAND and HRT10 Thickener, which work together to ensure high throughput, minimal water usage, and full site circularity, culminating in the nal step of the process: a McLanahan Filter Press.

The McLanahan set-up at Thetford, which washes and recovers materials from construction and demolition sites, excavation waste and trommel nes, is part of SunEnviro’s nationwide effort to turn waste into valuable recycled aggregates under its SunAggregates brand.

Comprised entirely of McLanahan equipment and plants, the Thetford solution has been designed to minimise water intake and ensure the process retains as much material and water on site as possible.

The site’s tight two-acre footprint has necessitated a considerable planning process for McLanahan. The system forms an ‘L’ shape along two sides, maximising room for feed material and clean, sorted end products.

Stewart said a lot of research went into the decision to opt for a McLanahan waste recycling plant at SunEnviro Thetford.

“I looked at eight suppliers and then a friend of mine at Global Machinery Solutions introduced McLanahan to me,” he said.

“I whittled it down to three suppliers and then worked with McLanahan to optimise what we wanted here, looking at the site we had available. It was good to work with people who wanted to provide us with a solution: a, to t on the site; and b, to wash what we wanted to wash.

“McLanahan was the easiest to work with and had the breadth and depth of knowledge that others didn’t, or didn’t want to share. I also think they really wanted to work with us. The whole [recycling plant investment] deal took around 10 months.”

SunEnviro manages more than 120,000 tonnes of waste across the east of England, with an inventory of 4000 skip containers and a eet of 65 fuel-ef cient vehicles. The company only processes waste collected from its SunSkips and SunDemolition sites.

“The plant feed is half crushed rubble and half trommel nes, which is turned into 0–4mm sand, and 4–10, 10–20 and 20-plusmillimetre aggregate,” Stewart said.

“I like to say that what we do is spinning plates. All of our [SunSkips and SunDemolition] sites are full of nes and

With support from McLanahan, SunEnviro is turning waste into valuable recycled aggregates under its SunAggregates brand.

rubble, which is great feedstock for here. This Thetford site sits in the middle [of SunEnviro’s site network], and I can bring nes in from, say, Norwich and take washed sand or 0–10mm aggregate back to sell out of bags at that site.

“We sell to local construction companies, housing developers, highway contractors, and civils and utilities companies.”

SunEnviro and McLanahan partnered for an open day at SunEnviro’s Thetford site in September. The two companies welcomed around 80 industry professionals representing a variety of construction and civil engineering companies, as well as council highways authorities, to experience SunEnviro Thetford’s innovative McLanahan recycling system.

This open day offered those looking to improve or add a recycling process to their plant, as well as those who are struggling with the upcoming costs associated with the end of qualifying for trommel nes in the UK, signi cant insight into best practices for building a circular system.

“We are really excited about what’s happening in Europe. We made a substantial investment in the market over the past veplus years and have over 100 employees in the UK and [mainland] Europe,” McLanahan chief executive of cer Sean McLanahan said.

“We are continuing to expand, and part of that is in construction and demolition [C&D] waste recycling, which is extremely important to us.

“The two areas in which our company continues to grow around the world are

Screening material in the McLanahan waste recycling plant.

in C&D recycling and water management, utilising our thickeners and lter presses.”

Stewart said his company was proud to showcase its latest solutions with McLanahan.

“I think it’s great to work with McLanahan and help them get into a market that is desperate for professional businesses to sell them a product that works,” he said.

“I think [the open day] has been good for people to see how we t and operate this kind of plant on an industrial estate site. Everyone automatically thinks it would be based in a quarry.

“If you look at the Norfolk Local Plan, all inert recycling is being directed towards industrial sites rather than extending the life of quarries. We are very proud of what we have here. We want to replicate it at some of our existing sites and potentially at some new ones that we buy in the future.”

McLanahan business line director David Hunter said the process shows what could happen when suppliers and producers collaborate together,

“This installation has been a real collaboration, a lot of sitting down together, talking through the process and adjusting,” he said. “This is the rst time we’d put a plant like this in, and we were saying, ‘Guys, we will make this work’.

“Changes in legislation are increasing interest in what we can offer. There are a lot of operators who aren’t geared up yet for what might be coming. SunEnviro has got ahead of the game, and it’s great to be part of that.”

Stewart said he wants the Thetford McLanahan plant to feature an eddy current separator (ECS). This machine uses highspeed rotating magnets to induce eddy currents in non-ferrous metals, such as aluminium and copper, creating a repulsive magnetic eld that pushes them out of the waste stream. The process is used in recycling facilities to recover valuable metals from materials such as plastics and wood,

increasing recycling rates and reducing land ll waste.

“I don’t think many McLanahan customers had asked for this, but they found us a supplier we could work with and included it in their package. We didn’t want to have to nd our own supplier and add bits into the plant,” Stewart said.

“We were also clear that we wanted to meet the WRAP quality protocol (a document that sets ‘end-of-waste’ criteria for the production of a speci c recovered product, such as aggregates, compost or glass cullet). This plant does.

“We like the fact that McLanahan is a 190-year-old family business, with a similar philosophy to SunEnviro. Just looking at the quality of the equipment and the fact that they were keen to handle any problem were also big selling points for us.”

“We don’t look at changes in legislation as a pain in the neck; we look at them as opportunities.” AB

Close-up look at the 0–10mm final product.

High-quality sand is among the final products after processing by SunEnviro Thetford’s McLanahan waste recycling plant.

Inspecting final aggregate product at SunEnviro Thetford.

As the only national quarrying publication and the official journal of the Institute of Quarrying Australia, you’ll always be up to date with the latest developments in industry news, technology and events with Quarry Magazine. It’s quick and easy to subscribe to our monthly print issues, our annual Suppliers Directory and our weekly eNewsletter. Don’t miss out!

Doubling down on sustainability with CDE

PMG Services has reinforced its commitment to sustainability by making its second purchase of a CDE waste recycling plant. Aggregates Business took a close-up look during a CDE openhouse event at the company’s new headquarters.

Clare McGuinness is excited about the future of PMG Services (PMG). And the managing director of the family-owned-and-operated business has every right to be given PMG’s impressive new headquarters in Severn Beach, 10 miles north-west of Bristol.

At its heart of the HQ is a new 25-tonnesper-hour (tph) CDE waste recycling plant solution, part of PMG’s ‘zero-to-land ll’ movement, which is setting the rm up for a new era of success.

“We’re on a journey to process even more waste across the south-west of England. Our vision is to keep growing the waste processing capability at PMG and be able to divert more valuable material from land ll,” Clare said.

“We’re a family-run business with over 35 years of experience, and in that time there has been a lot of change and investment.”

For over a decade, PMG operated a 10tph CDE waste recycling plant set-up at its former site in Albert Road, behind Bristol Temple Meads train station. Clare said this enabled a better understanding of CDE’s new waste recycling plant technology.

“We’d outgrown our previous city centre site and needed to move to a new one. During the early stages of this investment, we ensured that the design and layout were tailored speci cally to our operation, such as making the plant quite compact and allowing as much automation as possible. An example of this is the automated liquid feed into the plant, which was previously a manual process,” she said.

“As we were doubling the size of the operation, we also wanted to consider wider yard operations and traf c ow around the site. To gain a better understanding, we visited a few reference sites across the UK.

“It can be dif cult to process the gully waste and road sweeping waste we’re working with, so with the new design we were able to prioritise access to ensure that the operation and maintenance of the plant is easier, and so that we can continue to optimise the solution going forward.”

A signi cant amount of PMG’s waste material is recovered by the company’s vehicles, with a growing amount brought in from third parties, such as councils and other road sweeper and tanker companies.

“We service a lot of housebuilders, groundworks contractors and councils,” Clare said.

“We may collect waste from a construction site customer, and the same customer is then taking it back as PMG recycled sand for use in a building project. It’s a fantastic circular economy.

“We have a 62-strong vehicle eet and cover Gloucester down to Taunton and into south Wales with our road sweepers. We also have a depot in Swindon, which enables us to extend our service to Oxfordshire.

“Here at Severn Beach, we are open from 6:00am to 5:30pm, Monday through Friday. We can also open on Saturday and Sunday by appointment, and when we have night shifts booked we can be open for tipping then as well.”

Designed for what Clare is a decade-long growth plan for PMG, the new CDE waste recycling plant comprises an R1500, one of CDE’s R-Series primary scalping screens, an AggMax scrubbing and classi cation system, an EvoWash sand washing system, and an AquaCycle high-rate thickener and static screen.

When the tanker or road sweeper arrives on-site, it allows the water to drain out of the body into the pit, removing any solids or lightweight organics using a bespoke PMG-designed system. The remaining liquid contents are then pumped automatically into the AggMax.

PMG’s Clare McGuinness, Pat McGuinness, and Paul McGuinness with CDE’s Fergal Campbell on the new CDE waste recycling plant.

Once the truck has released the liquid, it will then discharge all solid waste, such as road sweepings. This waste is then loaded into the R1500, where oversized material will begin to be processed. Anything under 80mm will continue to the AggMax, which is eventually passed to the EvoWash.

All material that remains in the liquid and can’t be extracted through solid separation is sent to water treatment. Any sludge is then sent to a centrifuge, where the silt is separated to ensure process ef ciency.

The water gets returned to the system for further processing through the AquaCycle, which recycles up to 90 per cent of the process water for immediate re-use in the system.

The solution enables PMG to produce two products: a 5–25mm aggregate and a 0–5mm sand product for use in Bristol’s construction market.

“We’ve built in the ability to add a third deck in the screener so that we can have the option of producing another stone size,” Clare said.

PMG’s recycled aggregates and washed sand are mainly used in earthworks, but also meet the speci cations for highway works, pipe bedding and cable laying.

With strict regulations on waste products that can be sent to land ll, there is a pressing need to turn gully waste and road sweeping waste into an opportunity.

Under European land ll regulations, liquid waste consisting of road sweepings with a water or liquid content of 10 per cent or more can no longer be sent to land ll. In turn, this presents a challenge for disposing of this waste.

According to the Mineral Products Association (MPA), the UK’s market share of recycled aggregates is three times higher than the European average, highlighting the increased importance of repurposing waste.

Clare said PMG’s operation not only supports sustainability objectives but also generates new revenue streams to bene t the local economy.

“This was an investment that we had been thinking of for several years, and we are delighted to see the plant in action,” she said. “We’re proud to be recovering this material to transform it into high-value materials for the local industry. We’ve also been taking on people over the past year to prepare for this next business step.

After a year living and working in Australia, Clare joined the family business in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I studied civil engineering at university and had worked on the other side of this business as a contractor working on major projects such as Crossrail and Thames Tideway. I understand the pains inherent in construction sites and the need to offer a seamless service to customers,” she said

“It’s been great. The CDE people visiting us are extremely knowledgeable. If they are making a minor change to the plant, they also ensure the whole plant is running as well as it can. They are very proactive and

really helpful.”

Joining Clare and the CDE team to welcome customers and dealers at the open house event in June were her father, PMG founder and director Pat McGuinness, and her brother, PMG technical lead Paul McGuinness. Clare’s mother, Bernie, who, along with Pat, is originally from Ireland, played a key role in building PMG’s nance function and continues to support the business today.

“We’ve had a very good relationship with CDE throughout the last 10 years or so,” Pat said. “About two years ago, we wanted to invest and move to a bigger site, as our site by Bristol Temple Meads station was only 0.6 acres.

CDE’s AquaFlo 450 is part of the turnkey CDE waste recycling plant solution for PMG.

“This new site spans 6.5 acres, and we already have four acres of planning approval for the waste recycling plant, of ce premises, storage facilities, lorry parking, and other amenities. We have more room to tip off and can accept more material deliveries on site at any one time. We’ve got good customers and they’ve all come with us to this new facility.”

Paul said CDE has been a great support to the family business during this process.

“We learnt a lot from the rst CDE plant and worked closely with them on designing the new one,” he said. “Their engineers have been with us these rst few months of operation, ne-tuning the plant. You always get a few teething issues, but it’s been running well. We’re happy.”

CDE key accounts manager Fergal Campbell said the company is proud to be associated with a forward-thinking organisation like PMG.

“PMG’s commitment to recovering and repurposing material is second-to-none. Over the years, we’ve seen the team’s ambition grow and how sustainability is truly at the heart of every decision they make,” he said

“This type of material is challenging and costly to dispose of, but PMG identi ed the opportunity in this space over a decade ago, and since then they’ve continued to push boundaries and invest in the right technology to divert even more material from land ll.

“With depletion of virgin materials across the world, there’s a greater need more than ever to turn today’s waste into tomorrow’s resource, and we will continue to champion the vital service that PMG is providing.” AB

CDE key accounts manager Fergal Campbell.

Images:

Image:

CDE

Varied power to the loading people

Increased machine power options are good news for cost-savvy quarry operators, while one major loading machine player is leading the way on smart production.

Sebald Zement is getting things moving in its quarry with the new Volvo EC530E and a matching HB48 hydraulic breaker from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE). The family-run company from Hartmannshof, Germany, is relying on excavator power for the rst time, gaining speed, exibility and peace of mind in its operations.

Sebald Zement not only stands for highquality cement products, but also processes gravel, limestone and dolomite into, for example, high-quality fertiliser granulate. The business’ new Volvo EC530E is a 50-tonne tracked excavator with a quickchange system and hydraulic hammer. It is the rst ever excavator in Sebald Zement’s eet, marking an important milestone in the company’s quarrying process.

“Originally, we had a wheeled loader in use for demonstration purposes. But in discussions with the customer, it quickly became clear that an excavator would be a much better solution for the requirements in the quarry,” Volvo CE dealer Robert Aebi sales representative Florian Forster said. “The EC530E was the perfect t – both in terms of performance and handling.

“The feedback after the demonstration was consistently positive, so the decision to purchase was made very quickly.”

“The breaker is not only powerful but also surprisingly quiet. This is an important argument for us, especially outdoors, as we want to disturb our neighbours as little as possible,” Spieß said.

The introduction of the Volvo excavator has fundamentally changed daily work in the quarry. Where previously large chunks of stone had to be laboriously sorted out by a wheeled loader after blasting, and then stored for weeks before being crushed later by an external service provider, the EC530E now performs this task directly on-site – and much more quickly and ef ciently.

“With the new excavator, we can not only process the entire blasting shot directly but also optimally feed our systems at the same time,” Sebald Zement technical operations manager Maximilian Spieß said.

“The oilQuick quick coupler makes it possible to switch between bucket and hammer within a very short time. This gives us enormous exibility and increases throughput in processing.”

The team was particularly impressed by the factory’s own Volvo breaker, which works in perfect harmony with the EC530E. Despite its immense impact power, the machine works surprisingly quietly – a real plus given the proximity to the site.

The purchase of the Volvo EC530E excavator was much more than just a machine decision; it was part of a comprehensive change process at Sebald Zement. With the generational change in the company management and the new appointment of Jochen Pohl as quarry manager, many areas were rethought internally. Processes were analysed, potential for improvement identi ed, and the team was actively involved in further development.

“We deliberately took the time to scrutinise existing processes and work with our employees to consider how we can work more ef ciently and sustainably,” Spieß said.

“The new excavator is the result of a whole series of tests, comparisons and discussions, and the feedback from the team was clear: this is the right machine for us.”

Another key factor in the decision was the close and reliable cooperation with sales partner Robert Aebi. From the rst meeting to commissioning, it was not only the technology that impressed, but above all the teamwork.

“Advice, service, support – it was just perfect,” Spieß said. "We always had a contact person, regardless of whether it was about technical details, special conversions

Sebald Zement’s new Volvo EC530E excavator and matching HB48 hydraulic breaker at work.

Images:

Volvo CE

or service issues. The exchange with our permanent service technician also ran smoothly, a really good collaboration, both professionally and personally.”

Next-generation release

The new heavy-duty Cat 980 GC wheeled loader offers low fuel consumption with an on-demand fan, load-sensing hydraulics, intuitive controls and Performance Series buckets. Easy to own and simple to operate, the new wheeled loader is the right economical solution for a broad range of applications.

“We’ve built the new 980 GC on a long legacy of high-performance and highly reliable wheeled loaders with proven components and integrated Cat machine systems,” Frank Stadelmann, Caterpillar global product application specialist said.

“The loader’s simple user interface, intuitive controls and excellent visibility make for comfortable and ef cient operation, even with less experienced operators.

“New features to this model, like our Engine Idle Management System [EIMS], minimise idle RPM and fuel consumption to help deliver low owning and operating costs.”

Adding to the full line of Cat medium wheeled loader choices, the Cat C13 engine powers the new 980 GC. The engine’s Cat Clean Emissions Module works in the background without affecting production. The EIMS, Auto Engine Idle Shutdown, variable speed fan and load sensing hydraulics combine to offer low fuel consumption and sound levels on the machine.

Its eld-proven automatic planetary powershift transmission delivers high reliability and long service life. Four forward/ reverse speeds reach a maximum 39.8km/h (24.7mph) speed to move about the site quickly, and the well-known Electronic Clutch Pressure Control (ECPC) shifting system provides smooth, ef cient gear changes in all operating conditions. Available ride control improves operating smoothness over rough terrain while helping to ensure strong material retention and increasing ef ciency, and the optional limited-slip

differential axle increases traction in poor underfoot conditions.

With a bucket capacity range of 4.3–5.8m³, easy-to-load Cat Performance Series buckets use a system-based approach to balance bucket shape with the machine’s lift and tilt capacity, weight and linkage. The bucket design improves material retention and reduces dig time with build options that include general purpose, at- oor, heavyduty rock, coal and light material to meet any application.

Field-proven, the Cat Z-bar loader linkage with cast crossmember and tilt lever provides strong digging ef ciency and high breakout forces for superior production capabilities. Load-sensing hydraulics produce ow and pressure for the implement only when needed, improving machine productivity and resulting in low fuel consumption. The new 980 GC can be equipped with the Cat Fusion quick coupler and controls, and combined with optional third-function hydraulics, the coupler allows use of a wide variety of work tools.

Cat VisionLink, standard for the new 980 GC, allows eet managers to track critical loader operating parameters like machine location, hours, fuel usage, diagnostic codes and idle time to improve productivity and lower operating costs. In addition, Cat Payload

The acquisition of the Volvo EC530E excavator was part of a comprehensive change process at Sebald Zement.

offers optional material weighing during transport and lifting for on-the-go weighing (not legal for trade), allowing operators to load to exact speci cations, load more trucks, and avoid over- or under-loading.

The Cat Payload for Trade option for Cat Advanced Payload allows users to integrate the scale data directly into business processes. It is also type-approved by the International Organisation of Legal Metrology, while retaining all the features of the standard version of Cat Advanced Payload.

Providing a comfortable working environment throughout the shift, the 980 GC’s spacious cab design features easy, intuitive controls and excellent visibility. The complete user interface is designed as an intuitive system, allowing the operator to monitor machine health. Pilot-operated hydraulic controls deliver low-effort, comfortable operation and include a remote transmission kick-down switch for operating comfort.

Keeping safety in mind, ladders are standard on both machine sides, providing easy access to the cab from the left-hand side and to service points from the right-hand side. Extended windows with wide, at and distortion-free front windshields, combined with rearview mirrors and spot mirrors, offer clear visibility to the job site. A rearview camera is standard, and a windshield guard option is available. Air conditioning with louvred vents allows the operator to direct air ow for optimum cooling, while the comfort cloth mechanical suspension seat features adjustable armrests, headrest and multiple variations for superior comfort.

The new loader features convenient service points, a one-piece tilting hood with swing-out radiator, and sight gauges for quick and ef cient daily maintenance. Hardto-reach pins have remote, conveniently grouped grease ttings for easy preventative lubrication. An optional Cat Autolube System boasts simple, one-button control and includes a fault ash function to alert the operator to issues.

The new heavy-duty Cat 980 GC wheeled loader.

Image: Caterpillar

The new 980 GC is built on a legacy of high-performance and highly reliable wheeled loaders with machine components designed and manufactured to high-quality standards. The Cat dealer network backs it to help maximise machine uptime by providing global parts support, trained technicians and Customer Value Agreements.

Next-level investment

HD Hyundai Construction Equipment has invested €131 million in the development of an advanced smart factory at its Ulsan Campus in South Korea. The 4710m² campus is a single, cohesive facility with automated product ow and advanced quality control, and has seen the modernised factory increase production capacity by 56 per cent.

The company has been working on the Advancement Project since 2023, expanding and reorganising production lines, constructing a new quality assurance centre and a new receiving building, developing an updated of ce structure and transforming the plant into a smart facility. Production and logistics have been streamlined under an integrated factory system, while a real-time product tracking system has been introduced to optimise work ow and overall ef ciency.

Welding robots have been installed in the fabrication facility, featuring vision sensors on the body welding production line, which enhances productivity and consistency in quality. Unmanned transport vehicles (AGVs) and arti cial intelligence (AI)-based quality inspection systems in the assembly line further increase automation. According to HD Hyundai, this has resulted in labour productivity improvement of more than 20 per cent, while time required to complete a machine has decreased by up to 35 per cent.

The Ulsan facility, which manufactures medium to large excavators and wheel loaders, will see its production capacity increase by 56 per cent, from 9600 units per year to up to 15,000, enabling HD Hyundai to meet the growing demands of customers

worldwide. The smart facility will act as a ‘Mother Plant’ with direct connections to HD Hyundai’s major overseas production plants and customisation centres in Europe and the US.

“The new factory, transformed with a smart and safe production system, aims to become the world’s leading production hub, integrating advanced technology and environmental sustainability,” HD Hyundai chairman Kwon Oh-gap said.

The site has already delivered its rst machines, including a 40-tonne Next Generation crawler excavator that was launched to the market at the recent bauma exhibition in Munich. The site has also provided a 125-tonne class excavator and 35-tonne large wheel loaders to dealers worldwide.

“The Ulsan Campus has been transformed into a smart factory, signi cantly improving its quality competitiveness,” HD Hyundai chief executive of cer (CEO) Choi Cheol-gon said. “We are dedicated to providing top-tier products that will lead the construction machinery sector, including our Next Generation models.”

UK milestone

At its regional hub in Portsmouth, England, LiuGong recently hosted a landmark event, Zero Boundaries: LiuGong BEV Experience, bringing together key partners and stakeholders to showcase its next-generation electric construction equipment and reaf rm its long-term commitment to the UK market.

The event welcomed industry experts, including Construction Equipment Association (CEA) CEO Viki Bell and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce CEO Ross McNally, alongside key LiuGong dealers, customers, and representatives from leading industry bodies and regional business organisations.

LiuGong Europe resident Howard Dale, president re ected on the company’s global strategy and the importance of the

HD Hyundai Construction Equipment has invested €131 million in its smart factory in Ulsan, South Korea.

UK as a hub of international cooperation and innovation.

“We’re building a strong and sustainable future, across Europe and right here in the UK,” Dale said. “Our direction is clear: we are on a mission to empower people with intelligent, electric machinery and become a world-leading equipment and technology provider.”

Dale emphasised that this vision is underpinned by LiuGong’s Three TOTAL Strategy, a framework rst introduced at bauma 2025, built on the pillars of Total Globalisation, Total Solutions, and Total Intelligence.

LiuGong Europe product director Harry Mellor outlined the company’s leadership in battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology, with over a decade of development and real-world application, outlining LiuGong’s roadmap for future expansion across BEV and internal combustion engine (ICE) categories.

“By 2027, all major product categories will be launched in Europe,” Mellor said. “And by 2030, we aim to cover 85 per cent of total industry volume. That’s what being a fullsolution provider means for us.”

Mellor presented the BEV Model Plan 2026, which includes 10 new machines, including LiuGong’s rst electric skid steer loaders, reach stackers and forklifts for Europe, as well as expanded excavators and wheeled loaders, such as the 95-tonne 995FE and 35-tonne 8110TE.

He also highlighted the proven BEV performance across UK and European job sites, as well as the company’s innovations in battery, charging and site energy systems. These are supported by the integration of AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and information and communication technology (ICT), enabling smarter, more connected job sites.

“China leads in BEV technology, and LiuGong is a leader in China,” Mellor said.

Image:

HD Hyundai CE

“But leadership isn’t just about innovation; it’s about application. Our electric machines have proven themselves on real job sites, with our highest-hour unit now exceeding 20,000 hours, a clear benchmark for longterm durability.

“If customers have any questions, we’re here to answer them. With over 10,500 BEVs in operation globally, we’ve got the data and experience to back it up.”

Bell shared her perspective on LiuGong’s electric capabilities and the company’s growing role in the UK market.

“The range that LiuGong has is phenomenal, and the BEV capability I’ve seen today has pleasantly surprised me,” she said. “The partners LiuGong have brought together to put the whole package together are going to be key to unlocking the market. UK customers will be encouraged by hearing from those already using the machines, as many operators now prefer them.”

She also spoke about the broader importance of the construction equipment sector to UK infrastructure growth and the need for stronger government backing in zero-emission technologies. “The machines are there; now the government needs to step up and put the infrastructure in place so they can operate ef ciently and effectively.”

Hosting the event in Portsmouth, the home of LiuGong UK, served as a powerful symbol of the company’s long-term con dence in and commitment to the British market. Company leaders reaf rmed their ambition to expand UK dealer coverage, enhance regional service capabilities, and deliver electric solutions tailored to local customer needs.

“The UK is a key market for LiuGong,” Thornewell said. “We’ve built real momentum over the past few years, and our continued investment re ects our belief in its long-term potential. From growing our dealer

network to delivering electric solutions, our focus is on building lasting partnerships and supporting sustainable growth.”

UK technology. Now they don’t want to go back into the diesel area.”

Images: LiuGong

The event served as a platform to deepen partnerships and formalise forward-looking agreements. Holcim UK head of plant, engineering and asset maintenance Paul Mitchinson shared the company’s experience trialling LiuGong BEV machines.

“The experience we’ve had with the LiuGong machines has been very good,” Mitchinson said. “We put the bigger machine, the 870HE, into one of our south-west quarries, Callow, where the operators fully embraced the new

He recognised LiuGong’s support in con guring equipment to the operator’s needs. Holcim is in a position to nalise an order to a 20 electric wheeled loaders, pending nal approval from HQ, with extra units under consideration beyond 2025.

“I think the behavioural shift in the business is a big change,” Mitchinson said.

“The product itself is a very robust and powerful unit and will be key to supporting our carbon reduction programme.”

A signing ceremony also marked several key developments reinforcing LiuGong’s growing momentum in the UK. This included the formalisation of a new dealer agreement with Dragon Plant Sales (Wales). LiuGong also recently announced a new partnership with Lloyd Ltd, now covering north-west England and Scotland.

As LiuGong continues to roll out its strategic roadmap, UK operations will remain at the forefront, delivering global reach, full solutions, and intelligence-led technologies through its electric platform.

“This event was about setting a clear direction for the future, for LiuGong as a company and for the dealers and customers we support,” Dale said. “It gave stakeholders a comprehensive look behind the scenes, from our parts distribution centre to our technical and service support platforms.

“We’re con dent in our strategy, proud of our progress, and committed to growing our presence across the UK and Europe. With the right people, partners and products in place, we’re pioneering a smarter, more sustainable future for the construction industry.” AB

LiuGong Europe president Howard Dale.

A LiuGong 9027FE electric excavator on show at LiuGong UK HQ in Portsmouth.

Hauling rebuild and demo gains

Hauler rebuilds are an increasingly popular option for aggregate producers, while the value of job-site demonstrations is clear for one leading manufacturer.

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) dealer Babcock has completed its rst articulated hauler rebuild in South Africa. Speaking after the milestone was reached, Volvo CE service market manager for Africa Anders Eriksson explained why more eet owners across Africa are turning to machine rebuilds as a smart, sustainable way to maximise value and embrace the circular economy.

“Earlier this year, in South Africa, our dealer Babcock completed its rst full rebuild of a Volvo A40G articulated hauler, stripping the machine to the chassis and building it back to Volvo standard with a new powertrain. It’s a signi cant step – not just for Babcock, but for the many contractors and eet operators across Africa who are starting to look at their machines differently,” Eriksson said.

“Instead of asking, ‘when should I replace this?’, more and more customers are asking, ‘How much more can I get from it?’

“And, increasingly, the answer is,‘quite a lot’, especially with a Volvo-certi ed rebuild.”

Eriksson noted that the rebuild process is about protecting an original investment. You already own the asset. You know its history. And with a rebuild, you can restore it

to a high-performing, reliable state, without the  nancial burden of buying new or even used equipment.

“For our customers across Africa, that’s an appealing proposition,” he said. “It lowers your total cost of ownership, reduces downtime, and helps you get more value from every machine in your eet. Rebuilt machines typically bene t from lower depreciation, more favourable insurance costs and, thanks to the known history, more predictable operations.

“For many businesses, especially in today’s economic climate, that can make a serious difference.”

Asked about the right time to rebuild, Eriksson said there is no single answer.

“The decision depends on the application, the environment and the maintenance history of the machine. But, in general, we see machines become eligible for rebuild between 10,000 and 20,000 operating hours,” he said. “Before any rebuild, our trained Volvo technicians carry out a detailed health check of the machine. From there, we work closely with the customer to recommend the right scope of work, whether that’s a powertrain overhaul or a full-scale rebuild with structural restoration, a renewed cab, and retro tted upgrades.

“With proper planning and scheduling, a typical rebuild takes around 12 weeks. We ensure all components and parts are ordered in advance, so there are no surprises or delays once the machine is in the workshop.”

Eriksson said there are some common misconceptions regarding machine rebuilds.

“When completed to Volvo factoryapproved standards, rebuilt machines deliver excellent productivity and uptime,” he said.

“You’re not extending a machine’s life by simply xing or replacing a few components; you’re proactively restoring it to top performance – and often upgrading it in the process.

“Just as importantly, rebuilds reduce the risk of unplanned failures. When a rebuild is complete, customers have peace of mind. The machine is known, serviced and backed by a warranty on all major components. And because the rebuild is planned, site teams can schedule around the downtime instead of reacting to it.”

Eriksson said environmental bene ts of rebuilds are also gaining attention, not just in Europe, but also in Africa. By reusing large structural components and restoring major systems, rebuilds dramatically reduce the energy, raw materials, and transport emissions associated with new equipment.

The Komatsu Power Agnostic 930E truck is undergoing field trials at Boliden’s Aitik mine in Gallivare, Sweden.

Image:

Komatsu

“To give just one example: rebuilding a used engine saves around 56 per cent in CO2 emissions compared to producing a new one. For a transmission, that gure is closer to 60 per cent. And when you consider how much copper, aluminium and bronze is built into every large machine, the resource ef ciency of a rebuild becomes even more compelling,” he said. “This matters for customers facing increasing pressure to report on sustainability performance or align with ESG [environmental, social and governance] goals, particularly in mining, infrastructure and public-sector projects.”

Eriksson said Volvo CE is seeing increased interest in rebuilds throughout Africa and the Middle East. Articulated haulers, wheeled loaders and large excavators are especially well suited for rebuilds – not only because of their durability but because the cost of full replacement can be signi cant.

“What’s even more encouraging is that many customers who try a rebuild once come back,” he said. “They see the bene t –nancially, operationally and environmentally – and begin to integrate rebuilds as a standard part of eet management strategy.

“With trusted Volvo dealers like Babcock now delivering rebuilds locally, customers in South Africa and beyond can access this service closer to home, with full transparency and support. And we’re proud to support this shift, because when a machine still has more to give – and the right partner is there to help extend its life – rebuilding isn’t just an option; it’s the right thing to do.”

Power-agnostic hauling

Komatsu, in collaboration with Boliden, has started eld trials for the rst diesel trolley truck in its new series. The Komatsu Power Agnostic 930E truck was of cially deployed on April 23 at Boliden’s Aitik mine in Gallivare, Sweden, marking a major step forward in the journey toward decarbonising surface mining operations.

Unveiled at MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas, the Power Agnostic 930E haul truck garnered signi cant attention for its modular, future-

forward design. The truck displayed on the show oor was earmarked for Boliden’s Aitik copper mine, marking the rst truck to undergo site testing. Now operating at one of Europe’s largest and most productive openpit copper mines, this next-generation haul truck is set to undergo a 12-month eld trial.

Built on Komatsu’s new modular platform, the Power Agnostic 930E offers exibility and future-proo ng. The power-agnostic platform enables customers to begin with diesel power and later transition to alternative energy sources such as battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell technology, depending on their operational needs, technology readiness, and pace of decarbonisation efforts. The integration of diesel trolley assist functionality further enhances performance by reducing fuel consumption and emissions, while paving the way for an electri ed mine.

“Integrating the Power Agnostic 930E into our eet re ects Boliden’s ambition to be at the forefront of sustainable mining,” Boliden senior project manager Jonas Ranggard said.

“Partnering with Komatsu on this pilot helps us explore innovative solutions that align

The Komatsu Power Agnostic 930E haul truck garnered significant attention for its modular, futureforward design.

LEFT: Machine rebuilds can bring older equipment into a condition that is as good as, if not better, than when it was new.

RIGHT: The first articulated hauler rebuild completed by Babcock in South Africa.

with our climate goals while continuing to deliver productivity and performance. We see great potential in this technology and look forward to where it can lead us next.”

As a founding member of Komatsu’s Greenhouse Gas Alliance, Boliden is reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable future. The upcoming trial will enable Komatsu and Boliden to gather detailed operational insights and lessons to advance haulage decarbonisation efforts further.

“This is more than just a technical achievement; it’s a meaningful step forward in our joint commitment towards zeroemission mining,” Komatsu Europe senior mining manager Jeroen De Roeck said. “By commissioning the rst diesel trolley truck in our Power Agnostic series at Boliden’s Aitik Mine, we are turning vision into reality. Our partnership with Boliden is a shining example

Images:

of how collaboration can drive sustainable innovation in mining.”

The lessons from this eld trial will play a critical role in guiding future advancements in Komatsu’s power-agnostic line-up. This will support the companies’ shared ambition to decarbonise mining operations and drive progress toward a lower-emission future.

Rokbak reins on Spanish plains

By showing the Rokbak RA30 articulated hauler in action on rough terrain, heavy equipment dealer DIR has sparked growing demand among construction and quarrying rms in Spain, proving that performance, not promises, sells trucks.

When construction and quarrying companies look for new equipment, they want more than technical speci cations – they want proof. This focus on tangible results is precisely what motivated DIR, Rokbak’s recently appointed dealer for Spain and Portugal, to take a bold, hands-on approach: bring the Rokbak RA30 articulated dump truck (ADT) directly to the region’s toughest job sites and let the hauler speak for itself.

“We wanted to respond to a growing need in the Spanish market for reliable, highperformance articulated haulers,” DIR chief executive of cer David Iglesias said.

“Customers want to see trucks in real job-site conditions, not just specs on paper. With the RA30, we knew we had something worth showing.”

DIR’s demonstration programme was anything but theoretical. The team selected challenging earthmoving and quarry sites, environments where productivity, manoeuvrability and durability are pushed to the limit. Steep inclines, loose aggregate and muddy, uneven terrain were all part of the test. The 28-tonne RA30 consistently maintained traction and stability, loaded

or unloaded, and did so without a single performance-related issue.

“Customers consistently pointed out the comfort of the cab, the smooth ride and the intuitive controls,” David said. “But, above all, they appreciated the hauling power and how well it handled dif cult ground. It’s a truck that just keeps going.”

DIR didn’t shy away from direct competition. In several demonstrations, the RA30 was tested side-by-side with other leading ADTs. Customers observed that Rokbak matched or outperformed competitors, particularly in operator comfort, simplicity and fuel use. The value-for-money ratio was clear and, for many, decisive.

“In terms of fuel consumption, the RA30 impressed,” David said. “Real-world data showed better-than-expected results compared to previous-generation haulers and some current competitors. This was one of the key decision factors for customers.”

Feedback from operators and technicians was equally positive regarding maintenance. The RA30’s design prioritises accessibility and straightforward daily checks, with no unnecessary complexity.

“Technicians found everything easy to access and praised the clarity of the daily checks,” David said. “The design is clearly made with real-world service in mind.”

A signi cant factor in building customer con dence has been Rokbak’s membership of the Volvo Group.

“Rokbak’s connection to the Volvo Group signi cantly boosts customer trust,” David said. “It reassures buyers that this is not just another hauler, but one backed by a global name in reliability and after-sales support.”

Perhaps the most telling outcome of DIR’s demo initiative is the conversion of sceptics. Several customers who were initially hesitant made the purchase decision

after seeing the RA30 operate live on their own sites.

“One client said, ‘I needed to see it in my pit, with my material – and it delivered,’” David said.

The market’s response has been swift and positive. The demo unit itself was sold before all planned trials were even completed, a clear sign of growing trust in the product and brand.

Awareness and interest in Rokbak are said to have increased substantially as a result of these hands-on experiences.

“Based on feedback, the RA30 now stands as one of the most competitive articulated haulers in our market segment. It’s no longer the ‘newcomer’, it’s a real option for serious work,” David said.

Looking ahead, DIR is preparing to introduce the larger 38-tonne RA40 demo unit, targeting quarrying, mining and large infrastructure projects. Expectations are high that this model will open new opportunities for Rokbak in Spain.

To companies unfamiliar with Rokbak or hesitant to move away from more established brands, David offers simple advice.

“Come see the truck in action. Talk to customers who have it,” he said. “Rokbak offers performance, reliability and support. Plus, it’s backed by Volvo. Give it a chance.”

Rokbak regional sales manager for EMEA Paul Culliford echoed that sentiment.

“At Rokbak, we believe in earning trust the hard way – by showing up, working alongside our customers and delivering on our promises,” he said.

“The success of our partnership with DIR and the enthusiastic response to our demo programme in Spain prove that when customers see Rokbak in action, they see a hauler that’s as down-to-earth and dependable as the people who run it.” AB

The Rokbak RA30 articulated hauler in action on rough Spanish terrain.

Image: Rokbak

Proven crushing capabilities

From demonstrated results for customers to expanding distribution networks and new appointments, the crushing and screening sector is full of new updates.

In 2010, Spain was a hive of activity. Rafael Nadal claimed Wimbledon, Spain conquered the world in the FIFA World Cup, and Barcelona was no exception as the city celebrated Barcelona FC becoming Spanish champions once again in LaLiga.

It was also the year that ADEC Global was founded as a waste materials processing company, specialising in construction materials and eventually incorporating steelworks materials.

“We convert waste materials that used to end up in land lls into valuable products,” ADEC Global operations manager Maria Vazquez said.

In the subsequent decade and a half, ADEC Global has become a major name in Spain’s recycling sector, in part due to the support of Kleemann, a company with expertise in processing highly abrasive slag.

ADEC Global processes around 500,000 tonnes of material, which includes a signi cant amount of black slag contaminated with steel. The company owns 11 Kleemann plants, including a MOBIREX MR 130 PRO, which supports its quarrying services to produce aggregates for the concrete and cement industry.

At the heart of the ADEC Global is the impact crusher MOBIREX MR 110 EVO2 and coarse screening plant MOBISCREEN MSS 802 EVO. This particular plant has been at ADEC Global since 2018 and has notched more than 10,000 operational hours. This combination works to process slag into asphalt while ensuring the separated iron components can be returned to foundries.

ADEC Global worked closely with Kleemann and local Kleemann dealer EMSA to tailor an ideal solution suited to the recycling application.

“Together with Kleemann and EMSA, our local contacts for Kleemann plants, we have developed an ideal process to tackle this demanding task,” ADEC Global managing director and founding partner Fernando Hernandez said.

“Wear parts were a real challenge: how could the impact bars withstand the abrasive material and achieve a long service life without breaking? How could we make the process safer? In the end, a solution was found in close collaboration with Kleemann that is economically viable despite the challenging material.”

The performance of the MOBIREX MR 110 EVO2 and MOBISCREEN MSS 802

EVO has impressed many of the ADEC Global employees.

“There are very few machines out there that can withstand this extremely abrasive material,” ADEC Global machinery and logistics manager Oscar Hernandez said.

“The slag contains iron deposits that are broken down during the crushing process. Even then, the Kleemann impact crusher remains steadfast. I don’t know of any other plant that can handle that.”

This Kleemann plant is capable of processing feed material up to 200mm and producing up to 200 tonnes per hour at maximum capacity. The plant is also equipped with a magnetic separator, which splits the metal from the slag in the processing stage, and an overload system, which protects the crusher when material or foreign objects jam the crusher. This is coupled with low fuel consumption, with the Kleemann plant consuming 19 litres per hour.

“The plants we had in the past consumed signi cantly more than that. Here, the dualpower drive gives us the option of operating

ADEC Global has been impressed by the performance of its Kleemann plant equipment.

Images: Kleemann

Kleemann has supported ADEC Global’s operations in Spain.

the plant with electricity in the future, which means zero CO2 emissions locally,” Hernandez said.

“Without this high-performance impact crusher, the entire process wouldn’t work.”

Metso broadens footprint

Metso has expanded its presence within the construction, aggregate and contractor sectors of the Caribbean and Latin American markets.

The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has signed a distribution agreement with Millennium Machinery Parts and Service Corp.

The agreement will see Millennium represent the Metso line of products in key territories, including the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Dominica, Granada, St. Lucia, Bonaire, Aruba, Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Guyana, French Guyana, Ecuador and Panama.

“We are proud to welcome Millennium as part of our distribution network,” Metso director of distributor management and organisation (South America region) Federico Villalba said. “Millennium brings extensive knowledge and expertise in the market.

“With a strong focus on providing dedicated customer support and tailored solutions, we are con dent they will deliver the added value of our products to all customers. This partnership marks an exciting step in expanding our support to our customers.”

Millennium Machinery Parts and Service Corp president Robert Valdes believes the partnership will bene t customers with enhanced support and a broader range of tailored equipment and services.

“We are very proud to announce the addition of the Metso line of products for the construction, aggregate and contractor business segments,” Valdes said.

“We will be supporting sales for new and used machinery as well as technical support, spare parts and wear items.

“This partnership enables us to offer our customers access to top-tier products and technologies, combined with our local expertise and commitment to service excellence.”

This is one of several key dealer announcements Metso has con rmed in recent times, including ICM Solutions’ move into Arizona in the US.

ICM Solutions acquired the crushing business from Empire Southwest, which meant its authorised distribution sales and service territory with Metso now includes Arizona alongside Utah, southern Idaho, Nevada, and northern California. It follows ICM Solutions’ acquisition of Compass Equipment in April to bolster its presence in the western US.

Metso vice president of Americas distribution management Steve Cianci said the strategic collaboration marks a signi cant step in strengthening Metso’s distributor network.

“We are thrilled to see ICM Solutions’ continued investment and commitment to the Metso brand by expanding their operations and in uence into the Western United States,” he said. “This acquisition strengthens our partnership and enhances our ability to deliver exceptional service to our customers across a broader territory.”

The announcement means ICM Solutions will be responsible for supporting industrial, crushing, and mining customers throughout Arizona.

“ICM is thrilled to add Arizona to its existing Metso territory. We are committed to a seamless transition for Empire Southwest customers and will maintain the highest level of standards these customers have come to expect,” ICM president Scott Gardner said.

“This acquisition allows us to deepen our relationships with customers in Arizona and provide even greater value through ICM’s resources, expertise and dedication.”

Superior Industries adds leadership Superior Industries has con rmed Kristin Sweeney will join the US-headquartered manufacturer and supplier as its director of sales for the company’s turnkey plant and construction management division.

Sweeney has had an extensive career, with more than 18 years in the aggregates sector, including roles in engineering, operations and sales. Her background includes positions with US Aggregates, Pennsy Supply, and Oldcastle, where she managed multi-million-dollar projects.

Sweeney’s appointment marks the continued expansion of Superior Industries’ construction management division. The company has invested heavily in this area to support dry bulk producers and material handlers across every project stage.

The construction management division at Superior Industries has supported customers across all stages of complex project processes, including initial design and engineering through fabrication, construction and start-up.

Superior Industries president Jason Adams said Sweeney will bring valuable experience to the team.

“Kristin has walked in the boots of our customers,” he said. “Her unique blend of

operations, engineering and sales experience means producers gain a partner who understands their challenges and can deliver projects that perform reliably.”

Great Britain calling for MAGNA

Terex’s newest brand, MAGNA, has unveiled its new distributor for Great Britain as it continues to expand its presence in the global aggregates sector.

Blue Machinery has signed a distributor agreement with MAGNA, which will see Blue Scotland, Blue Central and Blue Southern represent the brand’s product range in their territories. Additionally, Blue Spares has also been named as the “authorised supplier of genuine MAGNA OEM parts”.

“We are thrilled to appoint Blue Machinery as our distributor for Great Britain, and rst in Europe,” MAGNA business line director Neil McIlwaine said. “The group has displayed over many years an unrivalled level of support to material processing customers, most notably in the crushing, screening and conveying industries.

“MAGNA will bene t from regional expertise in both sales and support, ensuring our end users have the best service and support available when required. With a comprehensive product portfolio aimed at larger volumes and higher throughputs, Blue Machinery will help us deliver solutions to this segment of the market.”

MAGNA is Terex’s range for high-capacity crushing and screening equipment, designed especially for customers who work with larger volumes or output levels. The range includes large-format crushers, jaw, cone and impactors, and screening solutions ranging from horizontal screens, trommel screens, scalping screens, and more.

“We are delighted to further strengthen our relationship with Terex through the distribution of the new MAGNA range,” Blue Scotland managing director Austin Carey said. “This marks an exciting new chapter in our collaboration and allows us to provide our customers with access to a truly premium line of high-capacity equipment.

“We’re excited to introduce customers across Great Britain to the MAGNA range ... showcasing its capabilities in highperformance material processing.” AB

ADEC Global has been a key customer for Kleemann.

Break through the noise

Companies are increasingly investing in drill rigs and rockbreakers within the quarrying and aggregates sector with positive results.

Collins Earthworks has earned its reputation as a capable operator on some of the biggest and most challenging earthmoving projects in the UK.

A fundamental part of its recent success has been the 2023 purchase of the Ball Eye Quarry, near Cromford in the Peak District in Derbyshire. The famed quarry was once a hive for the extraction of lead, uorite, baryte and limestone, but had fallen by the wayside when it was abandoned in 2014.

“The purchase of the Ball Eye quarry was of strategic importance for us. Owning a quarry gives us the opportunity both

to obtain high-quality aggregates for our projects and to supply them to our customers through the transport division,” Collins Earthworks chief executive of cer David Collins said.

The UK-based operator was determined to restart operations at the quarry. Since taking it over under Collins Earthworks, the quarry has become known for its high-quality limestone aggregates.

The company has taken a sustainable approach to developing the quarry including investing in a eet of Volvo FMX electric vehicles, off-grid rapid charging stations and numerous other initiatives.

The UK-based producer has also invested in a portfolio of Indeco demolition hammers from long-standing distributor Derek Fitzgerald Plant in Leicestershire. Collins

Earthworks’ portfolio includes a range of Indeco demolition hammers ranging from small HP 621/700 versions to the medium and large HP 1500, HP 2500, HP 5000 and HP 7000 models, up to the giant HP 12000.

A key feature of the Indeco hammers is the automatic variable blow technology that adjusts the power and the frequency of the blow to match the material’s hardness.

The HP 12000 has been in constant use at Ball Eye Quarry since it arrived.

Indeco has supported Collins Earthworks in the UK.

The largest Indeco demolition hammer plays a key role in primary and secondary pulverising of limestone at the quarry while mounted on a Volvo EC700 excavator. Collins Earthworks has estimated that the hammer works for around eight hours a day on about 1700–2000m³ of material.

“We are very happy with our HP 12000. It works non-stop with no problems at all. No hammer from any other manufacturer compares to it in terms of power and production capacity,”Collins said. “It amazes me that every rock quarry in Britain doesn’t have one.

“We now have a eet of Indeco equipment, and we are very satis ed with its performance at the various worksites.

“They have proved to be hard-wearing and ef cient with low maintenance requirements, which means less time lost in repairs and more time dedicated to productive work. When assessing demolition equipment, we look for machinery that can ensure high productivity with minimum downtime – and Indeco meets these expectations.”

Bulls eye for Luck Stone

Epiroc engaged Luck Stone to launch the SmartROC D65 drill rig in the US aggregate market, which the manufacturer has heralded as a rst for the worldwide quarry sector.

The two companies, in partnership with James River Equipment, will work together long-term in the project, which will include local service, training and technical support.

Luck Stone director of engineering Chuck Stilson said the company is committed to investing in autonomous technology.

“Our philosophy has always been about doing the work in the best possible way,” he said. “Partnering with Epiroc on autonomous drilling aligns perfectly with that vision.

“We’re not only improving productivity and safety, we’re providing new opportunities for our associates and rethinking what’s possible in aggregates.

Epiroc and Luck Stone will share data from the performance of the SmartROC D65 MKII, which both said will deliver broader insights for the industry relating to automation.

Established in 1923 by Charles Luck Jr, the Luck Stone, part of Luck Companies,

has several operating locations, including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. In recent times, Luck Stone has been a proven adopter of autonomous technology, including autonomous plants and autonomous haulage systems (AHS).

Earlier in the year, Luck Stone marked one million tonnes hauled autonomously at its Bull Run Quarry in Virginia. Bull Run Quarry was one of the rst in the aggregates sector to deploy Caterpillar’s autonomous Cat 777 trucks with a full autonomy technology stack and site integration services.

At the announcement, Luck Companies president and chief executive of cer Charlie Luck said the milestone reaf rmed the company’s belief in autonomous technology.

“This autonomous journey with Caterpillar has been one of the most powerful and

The HP 12000 plays a key role at Ball Eye Quarry.

transformative projects in our 100-year history. What once felt like a dream at our Bull Run site is now a reality, thanks to the trust, collaboration and shared commitment between our teams,” he said.

“Reaching the one-million-tonnes-hauled milestone has engaged every part of our operation, from training and mine planning to operating ef ciency and teamwork, proving that this technology can work, and work well, in a quarry environment. Most importantly, it’s creating opportunities for our associates to grow, lead and be part of something groundbreaking.

“This project is an example of what’s possible when people, purpose and progress come together.”

Now, in partnership with Epiroc and James River Equipment, Luck Stone has expanded its autonomous technology.

The SmartROC D65 MKII features Epiroc’s advanced automation technology, which is capable of supporting complete drill patterns without an operator in the cab. It is compliant with Global Mining Guidelines Group Level 4 standards for fully autonomous equipment.

The SmartROC D65 MKII drill rig is capable of operating under remote supervision through Epiroc’s Common Automation Panel and Link Open Autonomy (LinkOA) platform. The platform also provides data integration and eet management.

“Luck Stone’s leadership and commitment demonstrate that autonomy in quarries isn’t future vision, it’s current reality,” Epiroc USA business line manager Ron Hankins said.

“Our partnership is not about a proof-ofconcept; it’s about meaningful operational gains that the next generation of drilling will bring in the US.” AB

Epiroc and Luck Stone collaborated to launch the SmartROC D65 drill rig in the US market.

Image: Epiroc

A positive OTR tyre outlook

A leading figure in the global o -the-road tyre industry has provided an optimistic sales outlook for a quarrying machine market area that is increasingly embracing sustainability.

BKT (Balkrishna Industries) eld engineering director Piero Torassa said that throughout the 2024–25 nancial year, BKT consolidated its position in the mining and quarrying off-the-road (OTR) tyre segment, which represents a strategic pillar for the company’s growth.

“The year ended with a positive result in terms of both volume and pro tability, con rming the soundness of the path taken and the company’s ability to meet the needs of a highly challenging industry. Overall, for the 2024–25 nancial year, the OTR sector accounted for almost 37 per cent of the company’s total sales,” Torassa said.

“Major factors that contributed to these results include the expansion of manufacturing capacity, with new production lines dedicated to large-sized OTR tyres, and intensive research and development [R&D] efforts aimed at ensuring that products are increasingly high-performing, durable and safe, with a particular focus on developing advanced compounds and enhanced tread design.

“Other factors include eld performance tests and the development of tailored products for extremely challenging conditions, as well as a growing focus on sustainability and innovation. These two drivers guide the development of more ef cient processes with a lower environmental impact.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Torassa offered a positive outlook. He said global demand for tyres in mining and quarrying activities

continues to grow, driven by expanding extraction activities and infrastructure projects.

“BKT’s response to this growth is continuous investments in research and development, focusing on technological innovation and advanced solutions, such as sensors for performance monitoring,” he said.

Torassa said BKT’s geographic expansion strategy aims to strengthen the company’s presence in key markets, such as North America and Europe, while the Asia-Paci c region is also generating increasing demand for tyres.

“BKT’s next goals will focus on sustainability by developing more ef cient and environmentally friendly tyres, and on supporting global infrastructure growth, particularly in emerging markets, as a lever to further stimulate demand,” he said,

For the mining and quarrying industry, which typically involves highly complex operations, BKT has speci cally designed a highly specialised tyre range to meet the speci c needs of heavy equipment, such as rigid dump trucks and loaders. In these environments, where traction, stability and resistance are crucial for safety and ef ciency, the EARTHMAX tyre range, with its diverse patterns, is designed to meet even the most demanding applications.

EARTHMAX SR 45 H2 is an all-steel radial tyre suited to all operations requiring exceptional traction and stability. The E-4 tread depth increases durability, while the tread pattern reduces vibrations, improving operator comfort.

The all-steel structure with multi-layer belts helps to ensures resistance to cuts and punctures, as well as an extended lifecycle. The tyre is available in several compounds: standard, cut-resistant, or for long-haul cycles. EARTHMAX SR 459 is an all-steel radial tyre for rigid dump trucks operating in open-pit mines and quarries. Its symmetrical design facilitates the mounting process.

Engineered for durability, EARTHMAX SR 459 features extra deep tread, the deepest among all BKT tyres of the same size. In addition, the multi-ply steel belts offer superior protection against impacts and rock penetration. The tread depth is designed to provide optimal casing protection without compromising tonne-kilometres-per-hour (TKPH) values, promoting a long tyre life. The closed pattern with multiple lugs maximises ground contact, providing strong handling and stability, as well as operator comfort. Ultimately, BKT said, EARTHMAX SR 459 stands out for its claimed excellent traction on any terrain, even on muddy surfaces.

BKT’s EARTHMAX SR 46 is designed for rocky and abrasive environments. This tyre is said to offer excellent resistance to cuts and tears along with a longer life cycle thanks to its all-steel casing and belts. According to BKT, the tread, featuring block lugs and a longitudinal groove, delivers increased productivity and performance.

Latest BKT innovations include the EARTHMAX SR 47 TP, an all-steel radial tyre for rigid dump trucks speci cally designed for extreme conditions that require maximum traction and puncture resistance. The deep E-4 tread allows for a long lifecycle even on long hauls, reducing downtime. Ideal for muddy or slippery terrain, it is available in standard or cut-resistant compound.

BKT EARTHMAX SR 45

M tyres on Caterpillar haul trucks at Imerys’ clay quarry in Nanpean, England.

BKT Europe has recently appointed Paolo Mantovani as head of original equipment manufacturer (OEM), industrial and OTR Europe, and said the move is a “strategic milestone” that accelerates the business’ journey to become a top-tier global player in the OEM market.

With more than 15 years of commercial and strategic experience across the tyre industry, Mantovani has held key roles in the passenger, truck, retread and off-road segments throughout Europe. His strong business acumen and deep understanding of OEM requirements will, according to BKT, be instrumental in driving the company’s growth and expansion in the industrial and OTR sectors across its key markets.

Time for Triangle

Following its successful participation at bauma 2025 in Munich, Germany, where it showcased agship OTR products and its new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Triangle Tyre is unveiling additional OTR products in the second half of 2025.

“We are seeing tangible improvements in tyre life and site productivity thanks to a focused strategic approach to tyre management,” Triangle Tyre OTR director Europe Luca Mai said. “End users are enjoying the bene ts of changes in tyre policy that have extended the lifespan of tyres on their machines, signi cantly boosting productivity at their sites.

“These new products are a direct response to our customers’ need for durable, high-performance solutions that reduce downtime and operating costs in harsh and demanding environments."

Recognised as one of China’s largest tyre manufacturers and, according to Triangle Tyre, to be the world’s fourth-largest OTR tyre producer, Triangle delivers solutions for quarrying, mining, construction, port and industrial sectors. Its tyres are trusted by industry giants such as Caterpillar, Hyundai, Sany, CNH, and many OEMs.

The second half of 2025 will see Triangle introduce two new sizes – 23.5R25 and 29.5R25 – to its TB516 PRO E3/L3 range.

This non-directional tread pattern is designed for machines operating on sand and aggregate surfaces, offering a doublemarking option suitable for loaders and articulated dump trucks.

Also joining the range is the new TL538 PRO E4/L4, available in sizes 23.5R25, 26.5R25 and 29.5R25. Compared to the TB516 and TB516 PRO E3/L3, the E4/ L4 version features larger tread blocks, greater tread depth, and enhanced carcass protection. It delivers a deep-tread rock pattern and technology aimed at maximising durability, traction and overall performance in challenging environments.

In the L5 segment, the TL559S range will see the addition of 17.5R25 and 18.00R25 sizes. These tyres are designed with an extradeep tread, damage-resistant buttressed shoulders and sidewalls, and heavy-duty casing construction for greater longevity. Their cut-resistant rubber compounds and radial design help to ensure a smooth ride in abrasive conditions.

For quarry operations, Triangle is introducing the 18.00R25 size in the TB516 PRO range for rigid dump trucks. This tyre features a 150-level tread depth for improved traction and wear resistance in harsh working conditions.

Triangle is also expanding its Giant/Jumbo OTR tyre range by introducing a new generation of products for mining rigid dump trucks (RDTs). New additions include the 27.00R49 TB599 PRO, 46/90R57 and 50/80R57 TB599 A PLUS, and the 46/90R57 TB999A. These OTR tyres are especially recommended for (TKPH) operations. They are designed to t RDTs with payloads of up to 300 tonnes, such as those used in coal and copper mines, and oil sands operations worldwide.

Engineered for ultra-high durability, these new giant tyres feature innovations in tread patterns, rubber compounds, steel cord construction, advanced materials, and structural engineering. They are said to offer enhanced durability, more aggressive tread designs, improved heat dissipation, and the ability to carry larger payloads.

“Demand for premium OTR solutions keeps growing worldwide,” Mai said. “Our investment in cutting-edge products ensures that we can serve customers with a complete, high-quality range backed by expert service and support.”

Established in 1976, Triangle Tyre has signi cantly accelerated its global presence since its 2016 listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Its distribution network spans more than 180 countries, with sales and technical service branches in China, Russia, the US, India, Singapore, Dubai, Panama and Australia, in addition to its Milan of ce serving the European market. The company operates a large manufacturing facility in Huasheng, Shandong Province, producing around 400,000 OTR tyres annually.

Into an AI era

Magna Tyres, an OTR, industrial and truck tyre manufacturer, has launched a new arti cial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot on its website. This powerful tool is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering instant assistance to customers and prospects worldwide in any language.

The chatbot represents a signi cant step forward in Magna Tyres’ customer service strategy, ensuring visitors receive fast, consistent, and helpful responses, regardless of their time zone, location or language. AB

Triangle Tyre OTR director Europe Luca Mai.

Image : Triangle Tyre

BKT’s EARTHMAX SR 46 is designed for rocky and abrasive environments.

Volvo R60 rigid haulers at work in a quarry.

A welcome site for quarrying eyes

Volvo Construction Equipment has been rolling out its new digital service, Volvo Site Operations, in many key markets following its European launch earlier this year. Aggregates Business looks at the opportunities the new platform o ers quarry and aggregates operators.

Volvo CE site solutions manager Jeroen Snoeck is excited about how Volvo Site Operations can help elevate the operations of the company’s quarrying and mining customers to new heights.

He told Aggregates Business that the solution was piloted at Swedish and German quarrying customer sites, along with other industry customer sites, from early 2024 before its of cial launch at bauma 2025 in Munich, Germany, in April. Now rmly embedded at those quarry pilot customer sites, Volvo Site Operations is also being initially made available to quarrying and mining customers in European and Oceania markets.

“Our current solution is Volvo Connected Map and Performance Indicator, which uses data from the Volvo Co-Pilot platforms [Dig Assist, Haul Assist, and Load Assist], but we also wanted to get the data from the non-Volvo machines, and Volvo Co-Pilot was not built for that. Customers needed and wanted to get the entire picture,” Snoeck said.

valuable insights to streamline tasks and optimise material movement. This can result in claimed productivity increases of 10–20 per cent. Production dashboards share key information on material movements and fuel consumption, removing the need for paperbased tracking and guesswork.

The service alerts operators in real-time to potential faulty dumps, helping to avoid

“As well as seeing machines going from A to B, quarrying customers wanted to start managing their material ows and stockpiles. As well as Volvo CE and other brands’ loaders and haulers on a quarry site, Volvo Site Operations integrates data from crushers and screeners, conveyors and silos. All those units can measure material volumes, and we wanted to bring all that tonnage information together to enable customers to leverage the data into actionable insights.”

With Volvo Site Operations, machine operators are provided with an intuitive tablet that collects geo-position, load ticket and other data. This information is then integrated with machine and productivity data gathered through a cloud-based solution, consolidating everything into a single, cohesive view. Site managers can monitor machine performance, track material ow and assess CO2 emissions and productivity across each process, enabling them to pinpoint areas for improvement.

Measuring critical parameters in the production ow, Volvo Site Operations offers

Volvo site solutions manager Jeroen Snoeck.

Images:

Volvo CE

costly mistakes and rework. By automating data collection and reporting, administrative burdens can be reduced by up to 80 per cent, according to Volvo CE, simplifying processes, saving time and improving accuracy.

Snoeck said through advanced geo-fencing and asset positioning, Volvo Site Operations enables the real-time mapped tracking of machines and assets across worksites, enhancing situational awareness and supporting operators in making safer decisions.

Alerts notify operators of approaching vehicles, speeding and unauthorised entry zones. Instant communication of important site changes, like speed limits and restricted zones, helps prevent potential hazards. By improving visibility across the job site for operators, site management and visitors, the latter through a smartphone visitor app used by, among others, engineers arriving on-site to carry out machine maintenance and servicing, Volvo Site Operations elevates safety standards.

Volvo CE has estimated that Volvo Site Operations could enable potential fuel savings and CO2 emission reductions of between 10–15 per cent. The map, together with real-time positioning, helps optimise traf c conditions, reduce queues and waiting times to improve productivity while lowering fuel consumption. Accurate CO2 emission measurements from all machines and assets provide insights for eet optimisation. By leveraging data, actionable steps can be taken today to reduce emissions signi cantly.

“Most OEMs have signed up to the AEMP 2.0 standard, which allows us to get data from 120 different brands of machinery. But for the real-time production data, we work with third parties, like Loadrite and Tamtron, that provide weighing systems, and we integrate their APIs [application programming

interfaces] and clouds with our clouds,” Snoeck said.

“Volvo Site Operations is available in two levels: Site Operations Start and Site Operations Advanced.

“The rst level enables machine operators to view the location of other machines on their work site, offering better site safety and coordination. To start accessing and using data from Volvo CE and other machines, you require the Advanced package, and that is charged per asset. We don’t charge visitors for using the visitor app.”

Snoeck said each installation of Volvo Site Operations at a quarrying or mining customer site is not a case of “ icking a switch and it works”, but more of a close collaboration with the customer and their Volvo CE dealer.

“It takes around three to four months to get everyone to buy into it,” he said.

“We work with customers and let them tell us exactly what they are looking for. That’s how we ended up including silos and crushers in the system, given their criticality to material ow.”

Snoeck said Volvo Site Operations can be integrated into a quarry customer’s work site.

“We start by having a meeting where we don’t say much but instead listen to the customer describe their operation. From that, we might identify a key issue or pain points,” he said.

“We come to the next meeting with a proposal saying, ‘what if we implemented it [Volvo Site Operations] like this?’ If the customer likes this, we will go into more detail with one of our engineers and one of theirs about how we’ll set it up. The customer may want to test the solution with just two

or three machines to see how it works before expanding it across their eet.”

Snoeck said Volvo Site Operations has been designed for easy usability.

“You do have to specify material type if there is more than one material in a zone, so a loader operator can identify which they should be loading,” he said.

“If there is only one material type to load from a speci c zone, the system will automatically work with that.”

Snoeck said Volvo Site Operations can also be used to inform a loader operator or haul truck driver about their daily tasks and areas of operation.

“It may be that the site manager has asked an excavator operator to work on several material ows, and the operator can pick the ow he wants to start with. The system will recognise if the excavator operator is digging in the right ows, or if a truck is dumping in the right zone,” he said.

Based on customer feedback, Snoeck said Volvo Site Operations may be further enhanced at some stage by integrating each quarrying and mining customer’s planning systems, enabling them to better direct and monitor load and haul machine operators.

Snoeck said Volvo Site Operations has the potential to grow in key quarrying and aggregates markets.

“I think that the system suits sophisticated markets, such as Europe, Oceania and also North America,” he said.

“It is dif cult to roadmap its take-up. It is down to customer demand.” AB

Volvo Site Operations can help increase quarrying customer productivity.

Develon wins new machine order from RJ McLeod

RJ McLeod has taken delivery of a new order for 16 machines from Develon, formerly Doosan Construction Equipment.

One of Scotland’s largest privately owned civil engineering and building contractors has con rmed a major investment in its eet with the support of Develon.

The new equipment has been supplied by Castle Douglas-based James Gordon Ltd (Gordons), the authorised dealer for the whole of Scotland for Develon. The order comprises 12 new Develon DA30-7 articulated dump trucks (ADTs), along with six crawler excavators, including four DX225LC-7 models, a DX300LC-7, and a DX300SLR-7 super longreach machine.

Acting as both replacement and eet expansion units, the new Develon equipment has joined RJ McLeod’s in-house plant and transport eet, part of the company’s sizable in-house resources, which employ around 450 staff members.

“For more than 70 years, RJ McLeod has excelled in delivering solutions for clients, often in logistically demanding locations,” RJ McLeod company director Jamie Corser said.

“It is essential that the machinery we use is of the highest quality, and we chose Develon because our research showed that this brand of machinery provides the reliability, productivity, lower emissions and reduced running costs that we need.”

Stage V-compliant DC09 9L diesel engine, which provides 276kW of power.

The DA30-7 and DA45-7 6X6 models feature an articulation hinge positioned behind the turning ring, providing equal weight distribution to the front axle, even during maximum steer articulation. This, combined with a free-swinging rear tandem bogie, helps to ensure an equal distribution of weight to each wheel, as well as permanent six-wheel contact and drive, providing equal power distribution and strong performance, particularly on all types of terrain. Collectively, the forward turning point, the unique tandem bogie and the sloping rear frame result in highlevel capabilities in rough and soft terrain.

“We’re delighted to take delivery of these new machines, which are the rst stage of a signi cant investment in our expanding eet,”RJ McLeod plant yard manager Righa Gauld said.

The DA30-7 is one of three models in the ADT range from Develon, comprising the DA30-7 and DA45-7 6X6 models, complemented by a new 4X4 version of the DA45-7. The DA30-7 6X6 model has a payload of 28 tonnes and is powered by the Scania

for its operations.

RJ McLeod undertakes contracts throughout Scotland and northern England across a broad spectrum of civil engineering disciplines, with resources spread across Scotland, including the Western and Northern Isles. Specialist areas include work in the energy, roads and structures, marine, infrastructure, streetscaping, waste and ood prevention industries.

to get the best from all who worked for him, and this, along with his business acumen, was instrumental in creating the successful company still ourishing today.

In June 2024, RJ McLeod was acquired by OCU Group, which continues to support the company’s future growth.

Established in 1865, Gordons is a premier distributor of agricultural and construction equipment in Scotland. With six strategically placed depots, the company is committed to providing a fast and ef cient local service for machinery, attachments and, most importantly, the best possible after-sales support. Gordons is now solely responsible for sales and servicing of the Develon crawler, wheeled and mini/midi excavator, wheeled loader, articulated dump truck, dozer and attachment ranges in Scotland and Cumbria in England.

Gordons’ customers bene t from a superb on-site service network, covering everything from emergency repairs to routine maintenance. The company’s factorytrained engineers have extensive hands-on experience in the repair and servicing of all types of plant and machinery.

Roderick John McLeod created RJ McLeod in October 1951. ‘RJ’, as he was affectionately known, is remembered for his ability

Develon is one of the world’s leading construction, quarry and mining equipment manufacturers, offering a broad selection of products including crawler and wheeled excavators (with operating weights from 1–100 tonnes), wheeled loaders (covering capacities from 1.9–6.4m3), articulated dump trucks (with maximum payloads up to 41 tonnes), compact wheeled loaders (from 3.5–5 tonnes), dozers (up to 15 tonnes) and products with alternative power sources. AB

RJ McLeod has invested in Develon machines

Image: Develon

Experience the big show

Registrations are open for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in March next year.

Anticipation of CONEXPO-CON/ AGG 2026 continues to build as the major trade show has of cially begun taking registrations.

The show is set to return to Las Vegas, Nevada, from March 3–7, 2026. The show will focus on the major sectors within the construction sector, including the latest equipment, innovations and technologies.

“CONEXPO-CON/AGG is far more than an industry event; it’s the crucible where the future of construction is forged,” CONEXPO-CON/AGG show chair and LBX Company president and chief executive of cer Eric Sauvage said. “For exhibitors, this is a rare and invaluable opportunity to connect directly with thousands of decisionmakers, showcase state-of-the art products to an international audience and gain rsthand insight into the evolving needs of the marketplace.”

“The world’s leading innovators unveil their latest breakthroughs, create meaningful partnerships, and shape the direction of our industry for years to come.

“CONEXPO-CON/AGG is truly an unrivalled platform to demonstrate cutting-edge technology, engage with the brightest minds, and build enduring momentum for lasting success.”

New attractions

Held just every three years CONEXPO-CON/ AGG is a major event for construction industry professionals from all over the world. It showcases the latest equipment, products, services and technologies, along with industry-leading education.

“Attending CONEXPO-CON/AGG provides valuable exposure to any potential new and improved safety-related solutions and resources that can be shared, applied and

implemented in our business,” Payne and Dolan Inc aggregates manager Spencer Johnson said.

“There is a wide array of equipment, manufacturers, products, technology, education and people, and the show is very large, allowing for ample opportunity to explore speci c interests.”

Next year’s iteration will include several innovative additions to the line-up, including the Ground Breakers keynote stage and specialised workshops. This stage will serve as a central forum to spotlight the construction industry’s global in uence. Highlighting emerging factors in construction technology and methodology, will see discussion about key public policies and their implications, as well as solutions for the workforce, including labour shortages. Other key discussion points will include sustainability practices and mental health in the construction sector.

The Women in Construction: EmpowerHER Workshop will be a dedicated event designed to champion the aspirations of women throughout the industry. The workshop will provide networking opportunities and sponsorships that advance women-led construction projects. It will also include panels and keynote addresses from leading industry professionals.

The Small Business Workshop will empower the backbone of the industry and acknowledge the indispensable contribution of small businesses with the workshop crafted to address their unique obstacles. Attendees will be able to take part in networking opportunities and learn about actionable strategies and resources to support their business growth. The workshop has sponsorship options to support smaller enterprises.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG will return to Las Vegas in 2026.

The Shop Talks and Walks Workshop provides practical solutions for everyday operational challenges faced in the sector. This maintenance-centric workshop equips participants with hands-on solutions for daily operational challenges.

“CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 is more than a gathering; it’s the launchpad for the next era of construction,” CONEXPO-CON/AGG show director Dana Wuesthoff said.

“This is where construction industry leaders, innovators and visionaries converge to rewrite what’s possible. From groundbreaking technologies to lasting partnerships, every moment at the show is designed to inspire progress, spark new ideas, and propel the construction industry forward.”

CONEXPO-CON/AGG has also created a new cost-effective way for attendees to experience the Las Vegas-based event next year. People can use the code NEWS30 until December 5, 2025 for discounted pricing.

The show will offer early registrants priority access to limited-capacity workshops, hands-on experiences, and exclusive education sessions.

“If you move dirt, lay pipe or build infrastructure, this is your show. Period,” D2 Contracting owner Dylan Mercier said. “Don’t waste time wondering if it’s worth it.

“At CONEXPO-CON/AGG, you’re not sitting in a conference room listening to buzzwords you’re hands-on with machines, tech, and people who do the work.

“One trip out to Vegas could change how you bid jobs, build crews, and run your entire operation. You’ll leave with ideas and connections that will put you miles ahead.” AB

Registrations for the show are available via conexpoconagg.com

MARCH 2026

3–7

CONEXPO CON/AGG

Show producer: Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Show owners: Association of Equipment Manufacturers, National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Tel: +1 (866) 236 0442

1–4

National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association Annual Convention 2026

Organiser: National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA)

Tel: (703) 525-8788

MAY 2026

6-9

SaMoTer 2026 (International Construction Machinery Exhibition)

Organisers: Veronafiere in partnership with UNACEA and CECE

Tel: +39 045 11176091

JUNE 2026

23–25

Hillhead 2026

Organiser: QMJ Group

Tel: +44 (0) 115 945 4367

A LONG WAY TOGETHER

JULY 2026

1–2

PNG Expo

Organiser: Prime Creative Media

Tel: +61 (3) 9690 8766

SEPTEMBER 2026

2–5

steinexpo

Organiser: GEOPLAN GmbH

Tel: +49 72 29 606 0

EARTHMAX SR 49

Experience unparalleled tyre performance with BKT’S EARTHMAX SR 49. Designed to equip your fleet of loaders, dozers, low profile dump trucks (LPDT), and load haul dumps (LHD), this tyre is engineered for excellence. With its All Steel radial construction and block pattern structure, EARTHMAX SR 49 delivers unmatched reliability and efficiency, whether on construction sites or in severe mining operations. Say goodbye to downtime—the tyre’s cut and chip-resistant design ensures durability even in the toughest conditions. Trust BKT to fuel your business growth and choose EARTHMAX SR 49 for unbeatable performance and reliability.

For info: europe@bkt-tires.com

Tough on stone. Big on performance.

MOBISCREEN MSS 1102 PRO

Powerful, rugged, versatile: The MOBISCREEN MSS 1102 PRO stands out with its exceptionally robust design. It was developed mainly for use in natural stone and for high feed capacities of up to 750 t/h. The coarse screening plant excels with its easy operation – including SPECTIVE CONNECT. For greater sustainability, the MSS 1102 PRO can be operated 100% electrically thanks to its optional dual power drive. The MOBISCREEN MSS 1102 PRO – a genuine powerhouse.

www.wirtgen-group.com/mss-1102-pro-kleemann

MSS 1102 PRO