P&Q Profile: Conn-Weld Industries’ Ryan Corkwell

Ryan Corkwell has been in the aggregate industry for more than 15 years, with experience both as a manufacturer and a producer. Now in his second year with Conn-Weld Industries, Corkwell visited with P&Q to discuss how business has been, what he expects from the months ahead and what Conn-Weld has planned for ConExpo-Con/Agg.

Can you tell us about the path you’ve taken to get where you are today?

Starting in 2007 as an entry-level mechanic for privately owned Carver Companies, I was hungry to learn the business and expand my knowledge. This led to Martin Marietta in North Carolina before going back to Carver Companies as operations manager. From there, I went on to Lehigh Hanson in North Carolina.

After years of reporting to the same sites daily, I felt the desire to see different locations and aspects of production processes. A brief facility tour and hearing the passion Conn-Weld employees had for what they did made the decision to join them an easy one.

Joining Conn-Weld in April 2022 has allowed me to interact with producers that all have their own niche in the industry and gain knowledge from each of them.

How was 2022 for Conn-Weld, and how have the first couple months of 2023 been?

2022 ranks among our top three most successful years at Conn-Weld. Coming into 2023, we are delivering orders that were placed in the latter part of 2022 while already completing and delivering products that have been sourced in 2023. Our manufacturing facility is in full swing while preparing for future growth and business.

What are your business expectations for the rest of the year?

While 2022 was a great year, I expect 2023 to surpass previous years. Existing sites are taxed with large amounts of work all throughout the country while new sites are being built. In turn, M&R (maintenance and reconditioning) and new machines are needed.

It’s possible to expect nearly double the business in 2023 compared to what we experienced in 2022. With continued growth due to the ever-busy market, we expect to gain more employees and expand our capabilities of offering custom-built vibrating screens.

With ConExpo-Con/Agg around the corner, what are you most looking forward to at the show? Will Conn-Weld have any new equipment on display?

Interacting with industry leaders and customers is at the top of the list. As we are participating in the first post-COVID ConExpo-Con/Agg, I’m extremely excited to see new products coming to market while expecting an extremely large turnout.

Conn-Weld unveiled our elliptical horizontal screen at AGG1 in Nashville last year and, with that, we are ecstatic to have it running on display for daily demonstrations in Booth C30089. Conn-Weld will also have educational sessions daily during ConExpo.