Rogers Group, an aggregate supplier, has boosted productivity at its northern Alabama quarries
With approximately 1,400 people at 70 locations in 10 states, Rogers Group is one of the nation’s top ten aggregate production/asphalt companies, and it’s the largest that is privately owned, according to the company. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Rogers Group has facilities throughout much of the southeastern and midwestern United States, including four quarries, two asphalt plants and a construction company in northern Alabama.
Rogers Group has been a force in the industry for more than a century, due to a founding philosophy of providing customers with quality products at competitive prices, treating employees as a valued resource and always acting with strong business ethics. The company has won numerous awards from industry associations, including the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association; the National Asphalt Pavement Association; and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. Signature projects include Oak Ridge, Tenn.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; and Epcot Center in Orlando, Fla.
“Rogers Group is a good company,” said Tommy Thurman, area production manager of the North Alabama Division. “It has high expectations, but it also has the tools and personnel to do a good job. Additionally, Rogers Group is an excellent corporate citizen and heavily involved in our local communities.”
Wide Range of
Aggregate Products
In northern Alabama, Rogers Group’s four quarries supply crushed aggregate for its asphalt plants and construction group, as well as other plants and paving firms in the region. Rogers Group quarries are located in Lacey’s Spring, Moulton, Tanner and Tuscumbia. The company has asphalt plants in Russellville and Tuscumbia, and its paving firm also is based out of Tuscumbia.
The quarries make a wide range of products, but one of the primary ones is known in the industry as #89, which is a small rock product, basically 3/8 inch to #16 mesh in size. It’s an important ingredient in many asphalt mixes, including the primary mix required by the Alabama DOT.
“The #89 product is key throughout our region,” said Thurman. “We have several customers who use #89, and we have a major customer who asked if we could produce an #89 with less fines. So we started looking for a better way to make the product.”
The answer was a new mobile screen plant. Rogers Group turned to Tractor & Equipment Company in Decatur, Ala., for a new Kleemann MS 19 Z — a double-deck, track-mounted screen plant. At 127 hp, the plant weighs 39 tons (35.3 t) with maximum feed capacity of 500 tons (453.5 t) per hour.
“We bought the Kleemann MS 19 Z about two months ago, and it has done everything we expected and more,” said Thurman. “It’s far exceeding the production we anticipated. The final #89 product is cleaner, which is what the customer wanted. Additionally, we’re able to use the fines that we’ve screened out of the #89 to make ag lime, so we’re making two sellable products rather than one.”
Rogers Group will use the new Kleemann screen at all four of its quarries in the region.
“We’ll transport it wherever it’s needed,” said Terry Sutton, lead man at the Moulton Quarry. “One of the advantages of the M 19 Z is its simple tear down and setup. Also, from a maintenance standpoint, it’s easier to change the screens and work on the engine.”
“The Kleemann screen has a rugged design,” said Rusty Harris, Moulton supervisor. “It’s heavier than the same size competitive plant, which indicates it uses stronger, better materials and components, so we expect good longevity from it.”
“We’ve worked with Donnie Burgreen and his team in Decatur for many years,” said Thurman. “We have a number of Komatsu machines in our quarries, and TEC has always supported us well. We expect the same thing with our Kleemann plant, and so far, that’s certainly been the case. Kleemann sent a representative here for two days to help with setup and installation, and they’ll be sending another rep back in the next few weeks to check in with us.
“Overall, we’re very pleased with the plant performance and the service,” Thurman said. “We’re confident that TEC and Kleemann will be a good combination for Rogers Group operations here in northern Alabama.”
This article was reprinted with permission from Tractor & Equipment Company.
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