Industry Leaders Discuss the Future of Aggregates
At the 2025 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference held at The Wigwam Resort, leaders from the aggregates sector gathered to explore the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation into their operations. The conference featured discussions on the current state of technology and its potential future impact on the industry.
As companies look to modernize their operations, questions surrounding equipment, technology, and digitalization linger.
Insights from Experts
Kevin Yanik from Pit & Quarry moderated a discussion among industry leaders, including Chris Williams of Capital Aggregates. Williams shared insights about evaluating a Silicon Valley startup focused on semiautonomous hauling technology. ‘We’re trying to find a way to break into a space that utilizes new technology for safety and cost efficiency at our site,’ he explained. However, he acknowledged the financial risk associated with adopting new technologies.
Chad Greenfield from Syntron Material Handling emphasized the manufacturing side, stating, ‘We’re looking at AI, automation and all those things,’ and noted that making data accessible in an efficient manner remains a challenge.
Technological Advancements in Monitoring
Gage Wandler from L&H Industrial discussed how their monitoring systems have evolved to meet customer needs, enabling integration with existing systems. They have incorporated AI tech assistants to assist users directly on their platform.
Dominic Nasso from Buffalo shared advancements in implementing longer-range chip and RFID technology, aimed at improving inventory identification. Jeremy Bell from Trux highlighted their partnership with Vulcan Materials, focusing on innovation and customer excellence through technology.
Challenges and Future Opportunities
Experts like Tracy Slieff from LJ Inc. argued that demonstrating automation effectiveness is crucial for widespread acceptance. ‘It’s hard to get people to embrace the full technologies portion of it, because people are scared,’ she noted, suggesting that piece-meal implementations may help ease the transition.
Conclusion
As the industry strategizes on the adoption of AI and automation, understanding and addressing the challenges of implementation, cost, and reliability will be key drivers of successful integration. Industry leaders express optimism about the potential for technology to enhance efficiency and safety in the aggregates sector.
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