Family-owned company Conco Quarries is using Terex Trucks\u2019 TR70 to increase productivity at its limestone mine in Willard, Missouri.<\/p>\n
From soil conditioner to building material, toothpaste filler to decorative garden rocks, limestone has many uses. Found throughout the world, vast quantities of limestone are located in America’s \u2018Show Me State\u2019 \u2013 better known as Missouri. Two examples of such abundant deposits are owned by long-standing family business Conco Companies.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the last seven decades Conco has grown from a small operation with just seven employees and four trucks to almost 200 staff members and close to 100 delivery trucks,\u201d says Chris Upp, vice president and general manager of the quarry division at Conco Companies. \u201cDespite the large-scale growth of the company we are still very much a family business and we pride ourselves on maintaining close relationships with our customers through excellent service.\u201d<\/p>\n
Founded in 1947, Conco Companies was set up by Ralph Reed and his stepson Tom Baird. With a primary focus on the production of ready-mix concrete, Conco sailed through its first decade of business and made the decision to purchase the Garrett Construction Company in 1958. The assimilation helped the company become a leader in the industry by expanding its operations significantly and the acquisition also led to the corporation becoming the owner of two quarries, which gave rise to Conco Quarries. In its present day Conco is also a subsidiary of Ash Grove Cement, the country\u2019s largest privately owned U.S. cement company.<\/p>\n
Seamless operation<\/strong><\/p>\n With 70 years\u2019 experience, Conco has a service built on providing quality products and exceptional customer service. To help continue the smooth running of its operations at its Willard facility, the company recently purchased Terex Trucks\u2019 72-ton capacity rigid hauler, the TR70. Designed to aid maximum production with minimum effort, the machine is working 10-hour days hauling crushed limestone from the face of the quarry to the crusher.<\/p>\n Supplied by Terex Trucks\u2019 Midwest dealer GW Van Keppel, Conco opted for the TR70 as part of an ongoing equipment renewal program. The renowned business also decided the dump truck was a perfect fit for its operation due to the machine\u2019s haulage capacity which exceeded that of its existing machines by 30-tons. Well suited to the environment of the quarry, which is made up of wide roads, the hauler is designed to bear the weight of the abrasive rocks at high volume.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reputation of Terex Trucks\u2019 rigid frame trucks precedes itself and it\u2019s great to have a respected company such as Conco putting our machines to the test,\u201d says Dan Meara, regional sales manager at Terex Trucks. \u201cWhen we got the call from GW Van Keppel that Conco was keen to put one of our trucks to work in its Willard facility we knew the TR70 would fit right in, and we worked together to create a competitive offer. Once the deal was done, we did two days of training with operators on site at the quarry and the machine has been delivering since.\u201d<\/p>\n Powerful performance<\/strong><\/p>\n The TR70 is fitted with a Detroit Diesel MTU-2000TA 12 cylinder 24-litre engine that provides a maximum torque of 3,323 Nm (2,450 lbf ft) and gross power of 567 kW (760 hp). The robust rigid hauler features a high capacity body with exhaust heating to limit carry-back and increase productivity while a 15-degree sloping tail chute gives good retention and permits controlled dumping into the crusher. Effective gearing coupled with optimum weight distribution also means the machine can move more material using less fuel, less fuss, and in less time.<\/p>\n Constructed in Motherwell, Scotland, the TR70\u2019s haul cycles are kept short thanks to smooth acceleration which helps to keep operators comfortable. Furthermore, the hauler boasts a spacious air-conditioned cab complete with an air-suspension seat to reduce operator fatigue, ergonomic controls, large mirrors and a colour reverse camera to provide excellent visibility.<\/p>\n \u201cThe truck is a welcome addition to the operation we run at our Willard facility,\u201d says Upp. \u201cWe provide vital services to our community here at Conco; we have many high priority customers so everything we crush we sell meaning downtime simply isn\u2019t an option. Our expectations for the TR70 were big and it\u2019s done well to help increase productivity.<\/p>\n \u201cGoing into this transaction we were a first-time Terex Trucks customer but based on our early analysis, we believe this truck will give us solid, long-term performance.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"