IRock Crushers named Tim Smith director of sales.

Smith most recently served as managing partner of Maverick Environmental Equipment, a provider of environmental and recycling equipment.

“Tim is a high-profile, influential figure in the heavy construction equipment industry,” says Chris Larson, general manager of IRock. “A proven performer, he brings the tenacious drive and leadership needed to elevate IRock to the next level. We are proud to welcome such a well-respected and accomplished leader to the IRock team.”

IRock characterizes Smith as having demonstrated leadership in sales, consistently achieving targets while mentoring team members.

“After 30 years in this great industry, a new opportunity to serve and lead has been presented, and my heart is leading me in a new direction,” Smith says. “I am looking forward to supporting our dealers from the manufacturing side and will pull from my past experience to assist them in their success. As with everything I approach, I am looking forward to turning challenges into opportunities and will be working diligently to promote and build the brand.”

Related: Finlay to preview prototype crusher, new impactor at Hillhead

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Engineered to help high-production customers move more material while burning less fuel, Deere says the new X-Tier machines combine advanced electrified drivetrain technology, intelligent machine controls and optional operator awareness features to deliver measurable productivity and value.

“In high-production, harsh environments, every pass and cycle matters,” says Colton Kreber, marketing manager at John Deere. “Our new X-Tier wheel loader models are designed to help customers load faster, carry more and maintain consistent performance where it matters most. Whether they’re working in the pile or loading trucks, they’ll see strong performance, exceptional traction and highly efficient cycles throughout the day.”

Both the 844 and 904 X-Tier models feature the John Deere Electric Variable Transmission (EVT), which Deere says replaces traditional drivetrain constraints with electronically managed power. The result is smoother operation, faster response and optimized efficiency across demanding applications compared to other P-Tier models. The EVT system enables single-pedal control and decouples hydraulic performance from engine speed, reducing operator input while maintaining consistent power.

The wheel loaders also feature Deere’s new Pile Slip Assist feature, which helps improve traction and bucket fill. Additionally, larger high-strength steel buckets allow operators to move more material with every pass, compared to existing P-Tier wheel loader models, Deere says, minimizing tire wear – one of the largest cost drivers in this size class.

The X-Tier loaders have two operating modes – standard and performance – which the company says help operators maximize efficiency without sacrificing performance. In standard mode, operators can achieve fuel savings of up to 15 percent, while performance mode can increase productivity by up to 5 percent for high-demand applications. Together, these gains help reduce total cost of ownership by up to 4 percent compared to previous models, according to Deere.

Optional features on the X-Tier models include Advanced Vision System (AVS) and Advanced Object Detection, which help expand visibility for the operator. AVS expands side and rear visibility beyond conventional mirrors, with two digital cameras installed on the side-view mirrors to widen the field of view, while dynamic reversal-projected path lines help operators visualize the machine’s reverse path based on articulation. These side views, along with the rearview camera, are integrated into a dedicated single display within the cab and help enhance jobsite awareness, especially in aggregate operations.

Like other John Deere X-Tier machines, the 844 and 904 models are supported by John Deere Operations Center, remote diagnostics and a range of service and maintenance plans.

Related: John Deere launches new P-Tier midsize excavators

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Across aggregate operations, every hour of unplanned shutdown translates directly into lost production and revenue – and, sometimes, regulatory risk.

Equipment reliability has always been vital. But amid supply chain volatility, inflationary pressure and labor challenges, plant operators increasingly recognize that uptime isn’t just a maintenance metric; it’s a strategic differentiator.

As a result, many are shifting from reactive service models to proactive aftermarket strategies designed to protect performance throughout the equipment lifecycle.

Aftermarket service includes all activities following installation and commissioning: preventive maintenance, spare parts planning, repairs, warranty support and lifecycle optimization. When structured strategically – not simply deployed as last-minute fixes – these programs reduce total cost of ownership, extend equipment life and strengthen overall operational stability.

The real cost of downtime

The financial impact of equipment failure varies by industry, but disruption is universal.

In high-volume mining operations, unplanned outages can cost more than $100,000 per hour. In cement production, a feeder failure can halt clinker processing and trigger costly material rework. Recycling facilities that rely on separation systems experience throughput losses and contamination risks when magnets, eddy current separators or metal detectors underperform.

Beyond production loss, downtime can affect safety, traceability and customer confidence. Many feeding and separation systems serve as upstream control points, meaning a failure can compromise downstream operations and force a complete reset.

These risks are magnified by harsh environments, where heat, vibration and abrasion accelerate wear. Without structured maintenance and defined response protocols, minor issues can quickly escalate into major failures. Increasingly, operators understand that preventing downtime – not simply responding to it – is central to competitiveness.

The expanding role of aftermarket

Aftermarket support was once seen as a cost center. Today, it’s recognized as a critical driver of performance and asset value.

A well-structured service organization enhances reliability, supports capital planning and safeguards long-term return on investment. A comprehensive aftermarket framework typically integrates four core components:

■ Service. This includes installation support, commissioning, field diagnostics, annual inspections and preventive maintenance. Tools such as magnetic field testing, performance audits and system recalibration help sustain peak operating efficiency. Remote diagnostics increasingly allow quick identification and correction without site visits.

■ Spare parts management. Effective planning uses failure-rate data, lead times and part criticality. Bundling recommended spares with new equipment orders improves readiness and reduces the risk of emergency procurement.

■ Repairs and rebuilds. Rebuild programs restore functionality while conserving capital, often incorporating upgrades that improve efficiency or safety.

■ Warranty support. Tracking warranty claims highlights recurring failure patterns and operating conditions, guiding product improvements and reliability gains.

When these components work together, they create a feedback loop that strengthens lifecycle performance – where service insights refine parts planning, warranty data informs design, and repairs double as modernization opportunities.

Rebuild versus replace

Capital budgets rarely align perfectly with production demands. Proactive rebuilding strategies help facilities maintain reliability while deferring major expenditures.

The economics are strong across equipment categories:

■ Suspended electromagnets. Rebuilds may include new coils, improved oil systems and resealing, yielding 30 to 50 percent savings over new units while resolving common failure modes.

■ Magnetic wet drum separators. Bearing replacement, resealing, shaft repair and element realignment can cut costs by up to 60 percent, often with added wear protection.

■ Scrap drums. Structural reinforcement and bearing upgrades restore performance at roughly half the cost of a new unit.

■ Vibratory feeders. Upgrading springs, trays and drives restores function for 40 to 60 percent of new equipment cost, with optional liner or drive enhancements.

■ Metal detectors. Electronic upgrades and recalibration can return units to original – or better – specifications for far less than replacement.

Rebuilds also deliver faster turnaround. While new equipment may take months to produce and deliver, rebuilds are often completed in a matter of weeks.

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The American Cement Association (ACA) named Diane Tomb president and CEO, effective June 1.

With more than 25 years of experience shaping policy, ACA says Tomb brings a combination of policy expertise, coalition-building skills and executive leadership.

Tomb previously served as a partner at ACG (American Continental Group) Advocacy, advising clients on trade, housing, federal investment, energy and infrastructure policy. Prior to role, she served as CEO of the American Land Title Association, forging partnerships with AARP and the FBI to protect consumers from real estate-related fraud.

Earlier in her career, Tomb was president of the National Rental Home Council and, before that, president and CEO of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Tomb also has federal government experience, serving as assistant secretary of public affairs at the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development; as director of public affairs at the International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce; and in the White House.

“Diane brings strong leadership experience to ACA, a deep expertise in national trade associations and a long history of driving collaboration both within and across industries to create lasting value, with the proven ability to advocate effectively on Capitol Hill,” says Monica Manolas, president of the Ash Grove East region and ACA board chair. “She has an impressive track record of raising the profile of other respected trade associations, and I’m certain she will take ACA to the next level, as well. I’m happy to welcome Diane to this role at this exciting time in the industry’s history.”

Tomb looks forward to the new opportunity, as well.

“America’s cement industry is a foundational pillar of our national infrastructure, our manufacturing base and our national security,” she says. “As innovation and technology reshape how we build from data centers to next-generation infrastructure, domestic cement production is central to America’s economic competitiveness. I am honored to lead ACA at such a consequential moment and could not be more excited to get to work.”

Tomb will work closely with ACA’s outgoing president and CEO, Mike Ireland, to ensure a smooth and coordinated transition. Ireland will remain on staff at ACA until the end of the year.

“The board is sincerely grateful for Mike’s tenure leading ACA with his significant contributions to the association and the industry,” Manolas says.

Ireland is grateful for his time leading ACA.

“ACA’s strength has always come from its people, its mission and its commitment to serving the industry with excellence,” Ireland says. “It has been an honor to lead ACA throughout the past decade, and I am confident that under Diane’s leadership, ACA is well-positioned for continued growth and impact in the years ahead.”

Related: Cement outlook dims as ACA adjusts 2026 forecast

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What sets the HPI-H apart is its intelligence. The HAZtronic system allows operators to optimize performance with pre-programmed apron settings, delivering enhanced product quality and consistency. If tramp jams in the crushing chamber, the impact aprons raise hydraulically, allowing material to pass through and automatically revert to their original settings, avoiding costly stoppages and safety issues.

Add in interchangeable wear liners designed to extend service life, and you’ve got a machine that doesn’t just perform. It protects your bottom line.

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The BUILD America 250 Act, which is short for the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure & Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act, would authorize $293.9 billion for the nation’s federal-aid highway programs from fiscal 2027 through 2031. The bill also authorizes new funding for bridges, transit, rail and other transportation programs.

Rep. Sam Graves (R-Missouri), chairman of the House T&I Committee, released the BUILD America 250 Act’s text alongside Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Washington).

As the congressmen describe, the BUILD America 250 Act injects the Highway Trust Fund with its first new stream of revenue for infrastructure in more than three decades.

“I believe the BUILD America 250 Act is the most important surface transportation bill since President Eisenhower built the Interstate Highway System,” Graves says. “Like the America 250 celebration this year, this bill is not simply about honoring our past – it’s about moving forward and building upon the legacy of our nation’s infrastructure.

According to Graves, more than $50 billion of the bill is targeted at the nation’s bridges.

“It’s the largest such investment in our history,” he says. “And the BUILD America 250 Act ensures that electric vehicle owners begin paying their fair share for the use of our roads. The bill also makes smart and targeted reforms to our surface transportation programs, focuses on strengthening our core infrastructure system, drives innovation, bolsters safety, ensures states have the flexibility they need and cuts red tape to get projects built faster.”

To prepare for the BUILD America 250 Act, the House T&I Committee held hearings across the the last year and a half and solicited input, ideas and priorities for consideration from all members of the House and the broader infrastructure stakeholder community. More than 11,000 individual policy requests were submitted.

“A commitment to bipartisan lawmaking means finding compromise,” Larsen says. “While this bill does not include every priority, I am committed to building on the last bipartisan infrastructure law by creating good-paying transportation jobs, growing the economy and safely transporting people and goods across the country by road and rail.”

House T&I Committee leaders plan to soon formally introduce the bill. At a later date, the committee will unveil plans for a legislative markup of the bill, with the ultimate goal to send the legislation from Congress to President Trump before IIJA – the nation’s current surface transportation authorization – expires on Sept. 30.

The American Cement Association was among the first construction materials trade groups to react to the BUILD America 250 Act, calling it a “successful, bipartisan deal.”

“Not only will this critical work erase years of uncertainty regarding the upkeep and future construction of essential roads, bridges and highways, but it will jumpstart the overall transportation infrastructure market, spurring the creation of new jobs and growing the demand for all domestic construction materials, including cement and concrete,” says Sean O’Neill, senior vice president of government affairs at the American Cement Association.

Related: NSSGA eyes next highway bill as IIJA expiration nears

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Carmeuse came to an agreement with Caterpillar to deploy autonomous haulers at the Drummond Island quarry in Drummond, Michigan. 

Delivered by Caterpillar and supported by Fabick Cat, Carmeuse will integrate Cat MineStar Command for hauling across its fleet of 777 trucks. Additionally, Carmeuse will utilize complementary MineStar capabilities for loaders and staff-supported equipment.

“We are proud to partner with Caterpillar on this journey into autonomous haulage,” says Todd Sheffer, vice president of engineering at Carmeuse. “Caterpillar’s proven technology and expertise, combined with Carmeuse’s operational excellence, create a powerful platform to elevate us to new production horizons. This deployment reflects Carmeuse’s commitment to innovation and utilizing technology to future-proof our operations.”

Caterpillar’s John Shanahan says his company’s autonomous solutions are already addressing some of the industry’s most pressing challenges, raising the bar on safety and enabling consistent, efficient production.

“Our advanced technology will help take Carmeuse’s operations to the next level with greater safety, performance and positioning for the future,” says John Shanahan, senior vice president of Resource Industries sales, services and technology.

Related: Inside Heidelberg Materials’ push into autonomous haulage

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Masaba works directly with producers to design layouts that fit their site, material, and production goals. Whether accommodating different screen brands, deck configurations, or additional components like fine material washers and slurry tanks, the result is a cohesive system that keeps material moving while maintaining structural integrity and ease of maintenance.

With a focus on durability, portability, and practical design, Masaba provides the foundation for a wash plant built around how you operate. Start a conversation with Masaba to design a wash plant system tailored to your operation.

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