Oct. 20, 2020
For over four decades, Butler-based听听had built a thriving business out of coal. But as demand for their core product became unsteady in the early part of the 2010s, the family-owned company realized they would need to diversify to remain stable and continue their growth.
They came up with a plan: Open new lines of business to reduce the volatility in demand for their products.
鈥淚 liken it to a three-legged stool,鈥 John Stilley, the company鈥檚 president,听听in 2015. 鈥淚f one of those posts is a little wobbly, you have the other two posts to provide some stability for the company.鈥
To achieve that stability, the company would need to successfully open and maintain an aggregate quarry. While Amerikohl owned their own quarry, they needed help to get a start into uncharted territory.
Amerikohl Aggregates began to search for a business partner that could help them to pull it off.
The Search for a Comprehensive Crusher
鈥淲e needed a serious听,鈥 remembers Jamie Stilley, Amerikohl Aggregate鈥檚 Vice President. 鈥淲e wanted someone who was reliable, with good equipment, and, ideally, with their own shop.鈥
They quickly realized that听Mellott听checked the boxes.
鈥淲e were familiar with Mellott from being in a few of the same associations in the area,鈥 Jamie notes, 鈥渟o we began to consult with them on opening up this aggregate quarry, and it became clear that they were a good fit for us.鈥
鈥淔rom top to bottom, they鈥檙e a one-stop shop with great expertise in every aspect of the business. You just don鈥檛 find that with many companies.鈥
The Road to a Successful Quarry
For the past eight years, the relationship between the two companies has paid dividends.
James Levy, Vice President and General Manager of Crushing and Service Operations at Mellott, has worked with Amerikohl Aggregates for the entirety of the project, and he is proud of the results the partnership has been able to achieve.
鈥淎merikohl came to us without much experience in portable crushing and processing or starting green field crushing sites,鈥 he remembers, 鈥渁nd we were able to consult with them and get their quarry up and running quickly with the right equipment. We used a听听at first, then built things out from there.鈥
It took significant effort to get that first quarry off the ground. In addition to designing and installing the crushing plant, Mellott brought in its own expert team for plant operations which included hauling the shot rock and feeding the primary.
One of the most impactful benefits Mellott was able to bring to the table was consistency of spec product. By leveraging Mellott鈥檚 crushing experience and versatility, Amerikohl was able to meet fluctuating market demand, maintain Pennsylvania Department of Transportation鈥檚 specifications, and minimize plant related downtime.
鈥淸Mellott] is always available and always quick to adapt to our needs,鈥 says Jamie. 鈥淭hey can tweak plants to our products and tonnages 鈥撎齮hey don鈥檛 miss a beat.鈥
Amerikohl has increasingly gained the trust, respect, and business from their aggregate consumers. Jamie credits much of that to the quality of product Mellott is able to provide. 听 鈥淭hey鈥檙e the best contract crushing company in the business and their other businesses are top notch as well,鈥 he says.
The Future Is Bright
These days, Amerikohl has built an impressive aggregate business. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e a major force in the aggregate industry now,鈥 Jim Levy notes. 鈥淲ith the experience they鈥檝e gotten working with us, they鈥檝e been able to open up two new quarries on their own. That鈥檚 rewarding to see.鈥
鈥淚t started out as a business agreement, but it鈥檚 turned into friendship,鈥 he says. 鈥淎merikohl has become a great partner for us.鈥
Jamie Stilley agrees. 鈥淚 think the success of our first engagement with that quarry speaks for itself,鈥 he says, 鈥淎nd as we open up new quarries, I know there will be more to come.鈥
Want to Capitalize on Our Contract Crushing Services to Build Your Business?
We are honored to meet the needs of our customers as a one-stop crushing shop. If better crushing could benefit your organization, let鈥檚 talk.
To learn more about how Mellott serves companies like Amerikohl with comprehensive crushing services,听听or at 855.554.1606.
And check out a short video on one of the plants Mellott and Amerikohl have worked on together below.

