With the first half of 2025 now complete, LJ Inc. is among the industry’s equipment manufacturers looking to the second half with optimism. Elliot Archibald, the company’s director of business development, recently visited with P&Q to reflect on the year so far – and what’s to come.
On the first half of 2025
LJ is blessed to have enjoyed the busiest first half in its history. As a result, one of our main focuses as a company is adding to our team. We are gearing up in every department, so hopefully everyone else out there is also enjoying the growth.
On 2025 capex
This time of year, we spend a lot of time with our customers reviewing budgetary quotes for projects that are set to hopefully be approved in the fourth quarter for completion in the year or years to follow.
On current opportunities in the market
With the major producers in the industry continuing to pursue acquisitions, LJ is often brought in to help bring the acquired operations up to the acquiring producer’s standards. Sometimes, this is production related. Sometimes, it’s safety related. Other times, it’s modernizing an old plant. This is definitely a strong area of focus for us – and one we hope to grow over time.
Plant automation is also a huge focus at LJ. That continues to grow exponentially.
On any market concerns
There are economic concerns that everyone is thinking about. Some are politically related – domestic and international – but the aggregates industry has always stayed consistent. So, if we can continue to be patient and weather the storms – big or small – betting on the industry to succeed is always a safe bet.
If interest rates could come down sooner than predicted, residential construction will almost certainly pick back up.
On expectations for the second half of 2025 and 2026
LJ is already blessed to have a healthy backlog through the end of this year. As mentioned, major acquisitions that continue to take place should be a telltale of what’s to come.
LJ has been blessed to already have a significant workload in ‘26, so hopefully the second half of ‘25 continues to increase our ‘26 position. We have several dredges under construction, as well, with several more orders imminent. We are hopeful that some of those projects are awarded in the third and fourth quarters.
Related: Developments in dredging tech
