In the ever-changing world of aggregates and soil, Western Aggregates stands out as a company that knows how to mix innovation with sustainability. We had a yarn with Jeff White, the Operating Manager, to get the inside scoop on their operations, product range, and the unique challenges they face in the industry.
Cash Sales and Trade Accounts
At Western Aggregates, they keep things straightforward. Cash sales are sorted right there in the office, making for an easy and smooth transaction. Jeff reckons signing up for a trade account is the way to go for regulars—it speeds up service and keeps things ticking along nicely.
The Recycling Process
Western Aggregates takes recycling seriously, and it shows. Jeff walked us through their recycling process, which is all about turning waste into something useful:
- Tipping and Grading: Waste concrete comes in, gets tipped off, and is graded right from the get-go.
- Initial Crushing: The big stuff goes through a large jaw crusher to get it down to size.
- Screening: From there, it’s all about sorting. The crushed material is screened into different sizes—20mm, 40mm, and the bigger chunks, which get granulated into 65mm.
- Final Products: The end result? You’ve got 65mm, 40mm, 20mm, and a 40/20 mix. That last one’s a real favourite for drainage—looks good and won’t break the bank compared to rock.
“We sometimes get a bit of casting sand or brick mixed in,” Jeff says. “We’re not too keen on brick, but if there’s just a smidge stuck to the concrete, we can still process it. You might spot a bit of colour difference in the final product now and then because of this.”
The process also involves some serious work to get rid of debris and steel. “We use a fair bit of water to keep the dust down, and we’re pretty efficient at pulling out the steel—about 98% of it gets recycled before we move on to the next stage,” Jeff explains.
Challenges and Quality Control
One of the trickiest parts of the job is dealing with contaminants like wood, which can gum up the works, especially in the granulator. Jeff underscores the importance of keeping the feedstock clean and clear of any unwanted materials.
To keep things running smoothly, they grade incoming loads into:
- Ready to Crush
- Spoil
- Oversized
- Oversized and Unclean
This sorting helps maintain the quality Western Aggregates is known for.
Product Offerings and Certifications
Western Aggregates has something for just about every need when it comes to crushed concrete, aggregate, scoria, and soil:
- Crushed Concrete:
- AP 65
- AP 40
- AP 20
- DR 40/20 Drainage Metal
- Crush Concrete 65
- Aggregate:
- GAP 65
- GAP 40
- GAP 20
- GAP 7
- SAP 7
- Scoria:
- SC 50/20
- SC 25/7
- DRQ 40/20
- Soil and Landscaping:
- Screened Soil
- Landscaping Rock
GAP40, in particular, is a top pick for a basecourse layer, while crushed concrete is a go-to for subbase—a budget-friendly alternative to traditional rock aggregates. For certified projects, Western Aggregates has scoria ready for drainage. “It all comes down to the engineer’s specs or what’s on the approved drawings. For jobs that don’t need consent, uncertified products like crushed concrete are popular, especially for retaining walls under 1.5m,” Jeff mentions.
Additional Services and Green Waste Acceptance
Western Aggregates isn’t just about the heavy stuff. They also supply screened topsoil and are happy to take in green waste. “Home gardeners, small contractors, and landscapers who don’t have the gear to mulch find our green waste service a real lifesaver,” says Jeff. “Plus, we give them a hand with unloading, which is a nice touch compared to the local tip where they’re left to do it all themselves.”
Waste Management and Fleet
Handling waste is a big part of what Western Aggregates does. They ship spoil off to landfill sites in Bombay, including spots like Memera and Ridge Road. The government’s recent levy on Earth has bumped up disposal costs, but Jeff assures us they’re still doing their best to keep prices reasonable for customers.
When it comes to moving materials around, Western Aggregates runs a diverse fleet, from 4 Wheelers to Truck & Trailers, with capacities ranging from 5 to 28 tons. These include:
- 4 Wheeler
- 4 Wheel Large
- 8 Wheeler
- Truck & Trailer
These trucks are out and about two to three times a day, depending on what’s needed. “The key to making it work is efficiency—being full both ways, whether we’re picking up aggregates or dumping spoil, is what keeps us in business,” Jeff says.
No Bagged Products or Loan Trailers
Western Aggregates sells everything by the ton. If you need to bag it up, you’re welcome to do it yourself, or you can load it straight into your vehicle. They don’t offer loan trailers, but they’re more than happy to load up any trailer you bring along.
Maintenance and Future Plans
Keeping the gear in top shape is a priority at Western Aggregates. Their machines get serviced every 250 hours by mobile mechanics, while their trucks have a dedicated mechanic to keep them running smoothly. Jeff is keen on modernizing the fleet but acknowledges the hefty costs that come with it.
Wrapping It Up
Western Aggregates is leading the way in the aggregates industry, combining sustainability with top-notch products. Jeff White’s insights give us a good look at how they’re pushing the envelope on innovation, customer service, and quality control. As they continue to tackle the challenges of the industry, Western Aggregates remains a solid choice for all your aggregate and soil needs.
