Pico Stone Crushes Growth Targets: How One Machine Turned into a Complete Mobile Fleet with Machinery Partner
Customer Profile
Name: Manny Madruga
Company: Pico Stone
Location: New Bedford, MA
Industry: Rock Crushing and Recycling
Summary
Manny Madruga, owner of Pico Stone, needed a flexible crushing solution that could easily move between job sites across Southern Massachusetts. Starting with one mobile jaw crusher, Manny's business quickly outgrew its initial capacity. Over the course of his expansion, Manny partnered with Machinery Partner to strategically acquire three additional pieces of equipment—a screen, a stacker, and eventually a cone crusher—to build a comprehensive, highly efficient, and profitable mobile crushing operation.
“The experience has been real good. Everything I got there goes perfectly on a 35-ton low-bed. Plus, there’s always somebody who picks up the phone for service.” — Manny Madruga, Owner, Pico Stone
The Challenge: Mobility and Scaling Efficiency
Pico Stone focuses on handling small-to-midsize recycling and crushing contracts across multiple locations. Manny's primary constraint wasn't just processing material, but moving the equipment affordably and quickly. He needed machines that could:
- Maximize Mobility: Fit easily onto a standard 35-ton low-bed trailer to avoid costly and time-consuming overweight permits.
- Diversify Product: Move beyond basic crushed material to produce high-value products like ¾” stone.
- Increase Efficiency: Reduce labor costs by minimizing the need for loaders and operators to move and stockpile material piles.
The Solution: A Phased, Strategic Partnership
Manny found Machinery Partner through a simple Google search for small, mobile crushers. The partnership began with a shared vision for scalable, efficient growth, which led to a phased acquisition plan:
Phase 1: The Foundation - Barford 750J Jaw Crusher
Manny’s first purchase was a Barford 750J Jaw Crusher. This choice was deliberate, aligning directly with his core requirement for mobility.
“That's the size of the machines I want to be on. I don't want nothing bigger than that, I don't want nothing small. It’s perfect for me to do the small stuff I do.” — Manny Madruga, Owner, Pico Stone
The 750J provided the reliable crushing power needed while ensuring it remained street-legal and easy to transport to his three primary sites, keeping operational costs low.
Phase 2: Product Diversification - The Screener and Stacker
To move up the value chain, Manny quickly added a screener to his fleet. This allowed Pico Stone to produce different, higher-margin products.
- High-Value Output: With the screener, Manny began efficiently producing three-quarter-inch stone (his most valuable product), an inch-and-a-half material, and three-inch dust.
- Operational Efficiency: To manage the newly separated material streams, he next acquired a stacker. This simple addition solved a major efficiency headache by stacking finished product directly, eliminating the need to pay an extra operator and keep a loader running constantly just to move material piles.
Phase 3: Continued Expansion - The Cone Crusher
With a successful crushing and screening circuit in place, Manny is now planning his next step: adding a Cone Crusher. This will further expand Pico Stone's capability, allowing for even finer, high-grade aggregate production and setting the stage for continued long-term business growth. HIs crushing operation will now product much more high value ¾” stone with the addition of the Ranger C12 Cone Crusher
Why Machinery Partner?
Manny credits the continued success and growth of Pico Stone to the reliability and support provided by Machinery Partner every step of the way.
Seamless Support and Financing: From the initial inquiry to ongoing operational needs, Machinery Partner ensured the process was smooth. This included securing the necessary financing for the machines.
Reliable Communication: When dealing with heavy equipment, uptime is everything. Manny emphasized the peace of mind that comes from knowing help is available.
“We've been able to get financing, been able to get service when you need it... Always somebody picks up the phone.” — Manny Madruga, Owner, Pico Stone
Results
- 4 Machines Acquired: Pico Stone grew its fleet from a single jaw crusher to a complete, highly-efficient mobile processing circuit (Crusher, Screener, Stacker, and Cone).
- Increased Profitability: Diversified into high-value aggregate products (3/4" stone being the most valuable).
- Maximized Uptime: Ensured rapid on-site service and support to keep operations running smoothly.
Pico Stone’s success story is a testament to what can be achieved when smart equipment choices are backed by a trustworthy partner dedicated to seamless financing and service.
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