SOURCE: Aggregates Business | August 19, 2026
Safety innovation, major capital investment and expanded distribution networks within the crushing segment are reshaping the aggregates equipment landscape.
Kleemann, part of the Wirtgen Group, has been recognised for its efforts to improve operational safety with its “lock and turn quick access” system, following its recent award of the International Social Security Association Safety Award 2026.
The system, installed as standard on the Mobirex MR 100 NEO impact crusher, enables operators to open and close the crusher housing at the push of a button, crucially only after the rotor has come to a complete stop.
This directly addresses one of the most significant hazards in crushing operations: accessing the crushing chamber during or immediately after operation.
Traditionally, opening the crusher required manually loosening numerous bolts in difficult-to-access areas, increasing both workload and risk.
The automated system eliminates these tasks, reducing the risk of injury and improving efficiency.
Operators can now gain full visual access to the chamber in approximately 30 seconds, supporting faster inspections, maintenance and wear detection.
For quarry operators, the implications go beyond compliance.
Better ergonomics and less downtime can boost productivity in the quarrying sector, showing how safety-focused innovation adds value for quarrying businesses and operators alike.
Investing for the future
Metso is taking a long-term view with the second phase of its Lokomotion technology centre in Tampere, Finland.
The €60 million investment will fund construction of a new crusher factory, forming part of a broader €200 million-plus development designed to strengthen Metso’s global aggregates capabilities.
Once complete, the facility will function as a fully integrated hub where equipment and components for aggregates and sand production are designed, tested and manufactured.
“Metso has been a key part of Tampere’s industrial history for decades, and we continue to develop our operations in the area with a long-term perspective. The Lokomotion technology center is the largest industrial investment in Tampere in this century and plays an important role in developing the regional industrial ecosystem,” Metso president of the aggregates business area Markku Simula said.
This second phase builds on earlier efforts that began in June 2024, which involved establishing assembly, testing, and logistics facilities for mobile crushers. Production at the new crusher factory is projected to start in 2028, with the full technology centre expected to be completed by the early 2030s.
By consolidating research and development, production, and logistics at a single site, Metso aims to improve global delivery capabilities and maintain its competitive edge in a market where lead times and supply chain resilience are critical.
The project’s first phase is expected to be finalised by August 2027 with work on the interior building services and structural engineering underway.
Metso’s current Lokomo site for its aggregates business in Hatanpää, Tampere, will be gradually relocated to the new technology centre. Following the relocation, the company plans to divest the Hatanpää site and its buildings.
“Altogether, this is a significant investment of over €200m, which will improve our global delivery capability and support our position as a market leader in aggregates solutions,” Simula said.
Strengthening distribution
Alongside investments in facilities and technology, OEMs are also reinforcing their market presence through strategic partnerships. Powerscreen’s appointment of Hesselberg as its authorised distributor for Norway is a case in point.
Hesselberg, a long-established Norwegian supplier, will provide the full range of Powerscreen equipment, as well as spare parts and maintenance services.
The partnership leverages Hesselberg’s extensive engineering expertise and local market knowledge to support customers.
“We are delighted to be appointed as Powerscreen’s distributor for Norway. Powerscreen’s reputation for innovation, quality and reliability aligns closely with the values that have guided Hesselberg for more than 125 years,” Hesselberg chief executive officer Andreas Corwin said.
“It is a natural addition to our existing portfolio, and we look forward to bringing their market-leading crushing, screening and conveying solutions to customers across Norway.”
For Powerscreen, the move strengthens its footprint in Scandinavia and brings it closer to end users. For customers, it improves access to equipment and after-sales service, both of which are increasingly important as fleets become more sophisticated and uptime expectations rise.
“We are pleased to welcome Hesselberg to the Powerscreen network. Powerscreen has an enviable range of reliable solutions for the crushing, screening and conveying industry, and combined with Hesselberg’s strong reputation across Norway, this will support a successful long-term relationship,” Powerscreen business development manager Gerry Mulgrew said.
Compact crushers evolving
At the equipment level, RubbleCrusher’s launch of the J72 tracked jaw crusher highlights growing demand for compact, high-performance machines tailored to smaller-scale or urban applications.
Key features include an integrated vibrating grizzly feeder, which removes fines before they reach the crushing chamber, reducing wear and improving efficiency.
The machine also incorporates a “crush and creep” function, enabling it to move slowly while processing material and depositing output in organised rows, which reduces the need for additional handling equipment, saving on operational expenditure.
“This mid-size jaw crusher has the capability to crush very hard rock with ease, whilst still maintaining the classic tight footprint of our RubbleCrusher product line,” RubbleCrusher business line director Liam Holland said.
Maintenance has also been prioritised, with gull-wing access doors providing full exposure to the engine bay for faster servicing.
“The bespoke design of the gull-wing access panels to the service bay is a feature we think operators in particular will love,” Holland said.
Designed for moderately sized operations and hard rock processing, the J72 combines mobility with productivity, delivering up to 90 tonnes per hour in a compact footprint. Its 711mm x 406mm jaw chamber and ability to handle feed sizes up to approximately 558mm x 330mm provide flexibility across a range of applications.
“The J72 is a unique offering from RubbleCrusher, and one we are particularly excited about,” Holland said.
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