Continued growth
An Indianapolis-area aggregate producer also recently provided Pro Lawn with a sizable crushing opportunity. Houssain had one concern before he made a commitment to this customer: lining up all of the necessary processing equipment.
Ultimately, Houssain turned to Powerscreen Crushing & Screening, an equipment dealer he describes as a partner in continuously aiding Pro Lawn’s growth. Ahead of the Indianapolis-area job, Houssain called Powerscreen Crushing & Screening president Alan Coalter with details about the equipment he’d need for the quarry job. Coalter assured Houssain he could assemble the necessary pieces as rentals.
“Because they’re so big, they have equipment out in Kansas and Missouri,” says Houssain, referring to Coalter’s ownership stake in Powerscreen Central. “He told me: ‘You get us in there, and we’ll make it happen.’”
Having previously run other crusher brands, Houssain prefers Powerscreen in part because of the equipment’s ability to produce high volumes.
“We’re going for production,” he says. “We want the numbers. It’s not about if the price is low. It’s how do you make money. You have to put rock on the ground.”
Houssain and his crews aren’t afraid to push the capacity limits of Powerscreen’s crushers, either.
“Take the 550,” Houssain says, referring to Powerscreen’s Trakpaktor 550 impact crusher. “It’s an animal of a machine. I love that. It was running close to 600 tons [per hour] last week with good shot rock. I think we usually hang around 350 to 400 [tph].”
Those hourly tonnages are typically where Pro Lawn operates on recycling jobs, according to Houssain.
“I get on a crusher and guys are like: ‘There’s no way,’” Houssain says. “I’m like: ‘There is a way.’”