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TRIANGLE Tyre have introduced EnsureX Efficient Technology, a new bonding and structural protection technology for their giant off-the-road (OTR) tyres. The first production batch manufactured with this technology has been shipped from Triangle Tyre’s Huasheng plant in Weihai, China, via Qingdao Port to the Deo Nai coal mine in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. Giant OTR tyres are critical components for mining and quarrying equipment such as rigid dumptrucks and large wheel loaders, where durability and reliability are essential to operational efficiency and safety. Performance requirements vary significantly depending on operating conditions, and factors such as climate, haul-road quality and load cycles play a critical role in tyre service life. In regions with hot and humid climates, such as Southeast Asia, giant OTR tyres can have a short service life and a high wear rate. Open-pit lignite mines in Vietnam’s Quang Ninh region can see temperatures reach 40 C, with the rainy season last


SEEPEX have introduced Smart Joint Access (SJA), a new inspection-friendly pump design developed for demanding industrial environments where uptime and reliability are critical. Integrated into the BN progressive cavity pump, SJA combines a compact footprint with direct visual access to both joints via a large opening in the suction housing. This enables efficient condition assessment while ensuring precise handling of shear-sensitive, abrasive, or corrosive media. Designed for space-constrained installations, the BN pump with SJA is particularly well suited for mobile manufacturing units, underground installations, and skid-mounted or stationary systems. Flexible integration and low-energy operation support reliable performance in applications where downtime is not an option. Rock blasting plays a central role in mining, quarrying, tunnelling, and construction, requiring accurate and consistent loading of explosive emulsions to achieve controlled fragmentation and maintain productivit


Caterpillar has equipped its new 140-tonne 6015 hydraulic mining shovel with significant design enhancements to increase uptime, operating efficiency and improve durability. The result is a higher annual shovel output, and the new flexible shovel design delivers low cost-per-ton operation. “We’ve given the new 6015 class-leading tool carrying capacity and heavy-duty undercarriage protection to deliver reliable and productive operation in the most demanding conditions,” said Ryan Mitchell, Hydraulic Mining Shovel Product Value Stream manager for Caterpillar. “With its 14.6-tonne bucket payload, the shovel provides proven pass match efficiency with Cat 773, 775 and 777 haul trucks operating in the 55 to 90-tonne-class range. It delivers flexible and productive loading efficiency across a full spectrum of applications, including mining, quarry and aggregate, heavy construction and industrial.” The shovel’s 824-hp Cat C27 engine delivers class-leading power and features a new maintenance-f


The Annacis Water Supply Tunnel Project aims to increase the reliability and capacity of the water supply system in New Westminster, British Columbia. When complete, the tunnel will ensure that more than 2.7 million residents have access to clean drinking water. The new pipeline has been built under the river, including valve chambers and surface pipelines, and will be one of five new water supply tunnel crossings in the region, built to ensure water supply in the event of an earthquake or natural disaster. Sarens has been contributing to the construction of this project since 2022 with various heavy lifting tasks and is expected to remain involved until its completion in 2027. The heavy lifting specialist recently completed the dismantling of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) used for the construction of the new Annacis Water Supply Tunnel in New Westminster, British Columbia, on behalf of its client Traylor Aecon. This tunnel boring machine had been used to construct a 2.3 kilometres l


Ireland Mike Ireland , who has served as president and CEO of the American Cement Association (ACA) for the past eight years, announced his retirement. ACA established a search committee to identify a candidate who will assume the organization’s leadership role. “It has been an absolute honor to work with the many wonderful people in this industry, which carries the unparalleled responsibility of not only facilitating everyday life for people around the world, but for making modern-day society possible,” Ireland says. “I’m humbled by the significant strides ACA has made during my tenure in raising the cement industry’s profile from one that quietly helps provide the literal building blocks of America, to a recognized, leading voice in the construction arena, whose opinions are sought after and greatly valued by Washington’s decision-makers,” he adds. “I deeply appreciate the opportunity I’ve had to represent this illustrious industry.” During Ireland’s tenure, the association implement


FINNING UK & Ireland, the world’s largest dealer of Cat machines, engines, equipment, and power solutions, are aiming to increase its number of apprentice recruits, with up to 24 roles available across the company’s 10 branches nationwide. The Finning Apprenticeship Academy, founded in 2007, boasts a 92.3% achievement rate – with the national average being just over 60%. Last year, the Finning Apprenticeship Academy took on 24 new apprentices, as well as hiring all qualified members of the graduating class in full-time positions across the company. With over one quarter of the current construction workforce set to retire within the next five years, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board suggests the industry will need around 40,000 additional workers by 2030 to meet existing demand for major infrastructure projects. Acknowledging the need for industry training in order to bridge the skills gap, the Finning Apprenticeship Academy focuses on improving education prospect


Essential construction materials provider Breedon Group have launched their 2026 apprenticeship programme, opening rewarding career pathways for anyone looking to gain new skills and grow within the industry. As National Apprenticeship Week gets underway, the Group have announced roles ranging from site supervisor, plant operator and civil engineer through to customer service, operations manager and maintenance technician, available across England, Scotland and Wales. Through their ‘Shape your Future’ campaign, Breedon are offering people, whether they’re a student, school leaver, or ready for a fresh start, an unrivalled opportunity to gain their first steps into the construction industry, working alongside experts at the FTSE250 construction group. Dominic Konopka, group head of people development, at Breedon Group, said: ‘We’re really excited to be welcoming a new cohort of apprentices into the business, opening up a wide range of placements that give ambitious people a great career


WITH a versatile, flexible design offering efficient operation for a range of tasks, the new Cat 6015 hydraulic mining shovel boasts significant design enhancements that are said to increase machine uptime, operating efficiency, and improve durability and serviceability, resulting in higher annual shovel output and delivering low cost-per-tonne operation. ‘We’ve given the new 6015 class-leading tool carrying capacity and heavy-duty undercarriage protection to deliver reliable and productive operation in the most demanding conditions,’ explained Ryan Mitchell, hydraulic mining shovel product value stream manager for Caterpillar. ‘With its 14.6-tonne (16.1-ton) bucket payload, the shovel provides proven pass match efficiency with Cat 773, 775 and 777 haul trucks operating in the 55- to 90-tonne-class (61- to 100-ton-class) range. It delivers flexible and productive loading efficiency across a full spectrum of applications, including mining, aggregate quarrying, heavy construction, and in


JANUARY data indicated a much slower decline in construction output than at the end of 2025. All three sub-sectors recorded weaker rates of contraction than those seen in December, helped by a more stable demand environment and reports of a gradual turnaround in sales pipelines. At 46.4 in January, the seasonally adjusted S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – a headline index tracking changes in total industry activity – was up sharply from December’s five-and-a-half year low of 40.1. The latest reading was the highest since June 2025, but below the 50.0 no-change value for the thirteenth month in a row and indicative of a solid reduction in total industry activity. House building was the weakest-performing segment in January (index at 39.3), though the pace of contraction eased to its slowest for three months. Survey respondents cited a lack of new residential development projects and subdued demand conditions. Civil engineering activity also decreased at a


The European equipment sector is entering 2026 with cautious expectations. I mean, who isn’t? Last week, analysts shared the latest Euro outlook during Intermat’s Industry Day in Paris. Intermat is an enormous off-highway equipment tradeshow in France. At Industry Day, associations reviewed a variety of topics — market data, sustainability initiatives, economic risks and opportunities — and painted a realistic picture of Europe's off-highway sector. I visited Intermat once, and it might be time to go again. The Paris-based tradeshow runs every three years and gathers global OEMs, contractors, rental firms, and policymakers to discuss infrastructure, equipment, and technology trends across Europe. These ideas and products often end up in America as well. The next edition of Intermat takes place April 21-24, 2027, at Paris Nord Villepinte. Now, here are seven things I learned from Intermat’s Industry Day press kit: 1. Equipment sales have maybe stabilized European equipment sales improve


As ConExpo returns to Las Vegas this March, the industry’s largest trade show is reinforcing its reputation not only as a showcase for new machinery, but as a forum for ideas that are reshaping how work gets done on the jobsite. For earthmovers, the show will offer nine education sessions. Across three days, contractors will hear from operators, consultants, OEM experts and technology providers. Tuesday’s program opens with (9:30 a.m.). The session highlights site preparation projects that use tractors and side dump trailers instead of traditional scrapers and haul trucks. Speakers Grayson Edwards of Global CM and Stephen Moyna of Moyna Consulting will walk through a real-world case study that also highlights reduced labour complexity and improved performance in wet or harsh conditions. Technology adoption continues with a practical session on drone use in earthmoving. Through (10:45 a.m.), Zach Pieper of Quantum Land Design will break down how contractors are deploying drones today —


BRISTOL-based B&A Group, who became part of Heidelberg Materials UK in May 2024, are setting the standard for the use of quality-assured recycled 0/4mm sand in the production of ready-mixed concrete. The company has received BS EN 12620 accreditation for the 0/4mm sand produced by the it installed at the site in July 2025, which allows the recycling of excavated waste at scale. ‘We are delighted to be one of only a handful of companies to reach the BS EN 12620 standard by developing a robust quality plan as part of WRAP Quality Protocol,’ said Helen Griffin, managing director of B&A Group. ‘The 0/4mm recycled sand produced by the wash plant can be used to replace the primary aggregate in ready-mixed concrete, helping to meet the increasing demand from customers for more sustainable construction products.’ Richard Wilcock, recycling director at Heidelberg Materials UK, added: ‘Compliance with the standard for our 0/4mm washed sand is another example of our commitment to conservi


to perate through hands-on experience have the opportunity to participate in Develon's mixed reality (MR) guidance and virtual reality (VR) simulator experiences, offering hands-on virtual training for the operation and maintenance of For latest industry news, jobs events and articles direct to your inbox Agg-Net is the ‘go-to’ website for key decision makers within the aggregates and recycling industries. General commentary, market reports and industry features provide an independent and informed voice for the industry. Agg-Net is the official digital partner for Hillhead, providing unrivalled coverage of our June event. © The QMJ Group Ltd 2025. All Rights Reserved 7 Regent Street Nottingham NG1 5BS United Kingdom


AGGPRO (Aggregate Processing and Recycling Ltd) have been appointed the exclusive dealer for Arjes Impaktor GmbH across England, Scotland and Wales, strengthening the German manufacturer’s distribution and customer support network throughout Great Britain. Based in Leimbach, Germany, Arjes Impaktor bring nearly four decades of innovation to the mobile shredding sector. Founder Norbert Hammel developed the first twin-shaft, slow-speed shredder in 1989. Over a 37-year career, he has been responsible for numerous industry-defining advancements and is widely credited with the conception, development and production of the globally recognized Impaktor 250 and Impaktor 350 models. The current Arjes Impaktor portfolio comprises five machines, with an additional two models in development. The range is engineered to deliver high levels of versatility across a broad spectrum of applications, including stone, concrete and demolition materials. All machines feature the latest quick-change shaft cas


Travis Perkins, one of the UK’s leading builders’ merchants, are aiming to lead the way in sustainable construction materials by trialling Ecoblend – an innovative aggregate solution made with up to 30% recycled construction and demolition (C&D) waste to produce MOT Type 1. An initial 25,000 bags of Ecoblend will be available in selected South East and South West branches, providing customers with a more environmentally-conscious alternative to traditional aggregates. The trial is delivered in partnership with Day Aggregates, a major UK supplier to the builders’ merchant and construction sectors. Ecoblend blends conventional Type 1 quarried material with processed recycled content sourced locally, including crushed concrete and asphalt, and is produced to BS EN and Highways Specifications standards. Additional environmental benefits include reduced landfill demand, minimized extraction of virgin materials, and preservation of natural resources. The product is packaged in black bags


TARMAC and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service recently staged a multi-agency exercise at Langford Quarry, retrieving life-like rescue dummies and metal drums from the lake. The controlled exercise took place on the morning of 4 February and simulated a scenario in which ‘intruders’ faced difficulty after attempting to dump an unidentified substance into the quarry lake. Following an alert from site staff, a coordinated response involved Newark and Collingham fire stations, Lincolnshire Water Rescue specialists, and East Midlands Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). The drill enabled all agencies to practice rescue techniques and coordination in a safe, controlled environment. The exercise is the latest in a series of scenarios at Langford Quarry organized by Tarmac and Newark Fire Station, providing opportunities to sharpen emergency response skills. A previous drill saw a dummy rescued from beneath a loading shovel after a simulated heart attack. Planning is


Komatsu is making some interesting moves. The global equipment giant just announced its plans to acquire the assets of SRC of Lexington , expanding its remanufacturing footprint in North America. The deal is expected to close by the end of February 2026, pending standard conditions. From the press release : “North America is one of Komatsu’s most important markets for both construction and mining equipment,” said Danny Murtagh, Vice President, Parts and Infrastructure, Komatsu North America. “This acquisition allows us to deepen our reman capabilities closer to customers, improve responsiveness, and support dealers and end-users with high-quality, cost-effective solutions throughout the equipment lifecycle.” This is not a flashy tech acquisition. It is a practical move, and I love practical moves. Komatsu sees growing demand for reman components across construction and mining. The installed base keeps aging. Fleets need quicker repairs. Buyers need economical part options. Recycling is


Diamond Mowers is expanding beyond attachments with the introduction of the DM360 and DM360X municipal maintenance machines. Diamond Mowers, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, started in 2000 in the roadside mowing space and has grown to become a manufacturer of equipment used in a broad variety of mowing and mulching applications. Now, the company is expanding its product offering with the introduction of its first dedicated carrier. From boom mowing to snow removal, the DM360 is an all-season municipal work platform that increases asset utilization through a wide range of available tools. Diamond Mowers CEO Wayne Baumberger said the DM360 was created using Voice of Customer (VOC) research. “We heard from our customers, and took that voice of the customer, and coupled that with our years of industry experience to create this true multi-function machine,” Baumberger said. “We looked at a number of different things during the design process. We tried to make sure all these things were


HEIDELBERG Materials Australia have signed a binding agreement to acquire Maas Group Holdings’ construction materials business, which operates across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria and employs over 1,000 people. The deal includes 40 quarries with over 350 million tonnes of combined reserves, 22 ready-mixed concrete plants, two asphalt operations, a recycling site, and related activities. The transaction carries a total enterprise value of AUD 1.7 billion on a cash- and debt-free basis, reflecting an implied EBITDA multiple of 8.4× after synergies based on projected proforma EBITDA for the 12 months following completion. ‘This acquisition is part of our growth focus combined with a disciplined approach to continuously optimize our portfolio,’ said Dr Dominik von Achten, chairman of the managing board of Heidelberg Materials. ‘We are taking a significant step to expand our business in Australia, focusing on further improving our aggregates capacity and concrete supply capabili


WEARKRAFT, a global provider of high-quality wear solutions for quarrying, mining, and recycling operations, will make their first appearance at Conexpo-Con/Agg 2026, taking place 3–7 March at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Visitors can meet WearKraft in Booth C-33074, where Jamie Ash, business line director, and Troy Hartman, wear parts sales manager, will be available throughout the show to discuss the company's range of products. The WearKraft team will offer in-depth guidance and one-to-one consultations on all-makes of wear solutions, sharing expertise drawn from years of supporting quarrying, mining, and recycling operations worldwide. WearKraft design and supply wear solutions for jaw crushers, cone crushers, impactors, and VSI machines across a wide range of applications. With strategically located distribution centres in the UK, USA, and Asia–Pacific, the brand provides fast, reliable delivery and localized technical support, helping operators reduce downtime and maintain co
