Zech Canfield, owner of Canfield Materials, is no stranger to mining.
With nearly 15 years of experience in frac sand and a background rooted deep in the field, Canfield took a bold step by venturing into aggregates with the purchase of a limestone quarry in Blum, Texas.
Canfield’s opportunity came through his brother, who owns a pit just down the road from the current quarry. Canfield was introduced to the site’s former owner, sparking a new chapter in his career and ultimately launching Canfield Materials into the market.
Canfield Materials now runs an all-Powerscreen fleet of two jaw crushers, a cone crusher, two scalping screens and five conveyors.
High-output operation
Canfield Materials focuses on both tan and blue limestone.
While its blue limestone is more abundant and serves a broad range of uses, its tan limestone has proven to be in high demand due to its rarity. The quarry primarily produces road base, along with byproducts such as 2- to 5-in. oversize, 4- to 8-in. rock and 1-in. utility rock.
Customers pick up most of their materials on-site, but Canfield Materials also offers a direct and efficient distribution model within a 100-mile radius around Blum.
Canfield’s eyes are firmly set on high production, with a goal of hitting 2 million tpy. He knew early on that his success in aggregates would rely on partnering with the right equipment provider. And for Canfield Materials, that partner is Powerscreen Texas.
The right setup
Canfield’s relationship with Powerscreen Texas dates back to 2017, when he was working with another company in West Texas.
It was there he was first connected with Barry O’Reilly, vice president of Powerscreen Texas.
“Back then I rented equipment from Barry to screen frac sand, and when I made the move into aggregates, I knew exactly who to call,” Canfield says.
Today, Canfield Materials runs a robust equipment lineup that includes a Premiertrak 400X jaw crusher, a Premiertrak 450 jaw crusher, a Warrior 1800X scalping screen, a 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher, a Titan 1800 scalping screen and five CT80 stacking conveyors. These machines are the heartbeat of the operation.
The Premiertrak 400X, which is ideal for medium-scale quarrying, can achieve up to 441 tph. It includes user-friendly features such as hydraulic crusher setting adjustment and overload protection.
The 450 model, meanwhile, steps it up with a two-piece grizzly feeder and a direct-drive chamber for efficient fuel use and fast setup times. The Warrior 1800X reaches up to 689 tph.
On the secondary side, the 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher plays a crucial role, producing up to 330 tph with its high-capacity hopper and Scania engine. The plant is responsible for making Canfield Materials’ utility rock, which is one of the site’s staple products.
The Titan 1800 works aggressively to size material properly, with an output capacity of 661 tph thanks to a 16-ft. x 5-ft. double-deck screenbox. With five CT80 stackers in play, material movement and organization across the site is seamless.
From trial to commitment
Canfield is currently in a rent-to-buy arrangement with his Powerscreen machines, but with the production results he’s achieved so far, he’s making the move toward ownership.
“We had to prove ourselves first,” Canfield says. “Being new to aggregates, we needed to show we could keep up with demand. Now that we’ve seen what these machines can do, it’s a no-brainer to make them ours.
“I’ve worked a lot with other machines in various industries, including Powerscreen, and Powerscreen will outperform all others in every aspect,” he adds.
According to Canfield, the people at his dealer partner are what truly set it apart.
“Powerscreen Texas is a one-stop shop,” he says. “I tell them my output goals, and they get back to me with the right setup. Their knowledge and experience make all the difference.”
In addition to the machines, Canfield speaks highly of the dealer’s parts and service departments.
“Their response time, their expertise and the fact that they’re local – those are major advantages,” Canfield says. “It’s a real partnership.”
Scaling up
With a rapidly growing operation and a reliable equipment partner in Powerscreen Texas, Canfield is already looking ahead.
His expansion plans include duplicating his current equipment setup as he increases production capabilities at his current quarry.
“The goal is to keep scaling,” Canfield says. “As long as Powerscreen equipment keeps delivering, I’ll keep investing.”
Canfield’s transition from frac sand to aggregates may have only started in late 2024, but with his deep industry knowledge, proven operational performance and supplier partnership, Canfield Materials is poised to become a bigger name in Texas limestone for years to come.
Information for this article courtesy of Molson Group.
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