What will the industry’s story be when 2026 is said and done?
No one can say for certain just yet, but aggregate producers at least have good momentum entering the year after a solid 2025.
The infrastructure market remains strong, giving producers firm footing as they start 2026. Nonresidential megaprojects – including data centers, LNG construction and manufacturing facilities – are giving some producers a healthy dose of supplemental demand. And with yet another interest rate cut taking place in December, perhaps the residential market will get the boost it needs to reignite activity in this frustrating sector.
Looking Ahead
What we do know about the industry and 2026 is that another ConExpo-Con/Agg is upon us. The March 3-7 trade show will surely set the tone for the years that follow, as manufacturers unveil the next generation of equipment that will feature even more technology – sensors, automation and connectivity – than ever before.
Pit & Quarry’s ConExpo-Con/Agg coverage is already off and running, with our full slate of content offerings at pitandquarry.com/conexpo-con-agg. Several exhibitors have already shared their show previews with us.
In addition, P&Q’s February and March editions will feature even more pre-show content, with the sponsored “Aggregate Show Guide to ConExpo-Con/Agg 2026” coming soon.
Hillhead, another industry trade show that’s based in the UK, is also on my to-do list this year. The show, which takes place June 23-25, isn’t one North American aggregate producers typically attend. But more U.S. equipment manufacturers have identified Hillhead as an international expansion opportunity – plus many of the equipment trends emerging there ultimately translate to this market.
Beyond these shows, I’m excited about visiting more of you – our readers – in 2026. I already have a short list of producers to visit throughout this year. If you want on the list, reach out and let me know what’s happening at your operation.
P&Q managing editor Jack Kopanski and I still have content to unpack from some of our 2025 site visits – and we’ll be doing so in the magazine in the months to come. Two of our visits are featured this month: Jack’s to Capital Aggregates’ Ozark Quarry and mine to the Knife River Training Center.
We touched on these during recent episodes of P&Q’s Drilling Deeper podcast. Hear from Capital Aggregates’ Chris Williams (Episode 53) and Knife River’s Kris Latimer (Episode 51) on these industry locations at drillingdeeperpodcast.com – or by listening wherever you get your podcasts.
Our podcast will be a mainstay for P&Q in the new year, as well. And however 2026 unfolds, we look forward to bringing you fresh insights – from this month’s Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference, from ConExpo-Con/Agg and from wherever our travels take us.
