Quarry sat down with Kobelco general manager of marketing Chris Wolf and general manager of product Mark Johnson to discuss industry trends and learn what the company has planned for 2026.
How has Kobelco seen the quarrying industry change over the past 12 months?
Chris Wolf: From both the data we track and the conversations we have with quarry operators, the quarrying industry has remained steady. While broader construction activity has softened in some segments, quarry production has remained comparatively stable.
We’re hearing that demand for aggregates continues to be strong, driven by population growth and ongoing infrastructure needs. Operators tell us utilisation is up, and machine availability and overall reliability is critical.
Maintenance planning and total cost of ownership (TCO) continues to be a core focus for quarry operators. For equipment, that really comes down to maintenance and repair expenditures, component longevity and fuel consumption costs. These priorities remain front-of-mind for quarry customers and are a key driver of product development at Kobelco.
What are some of the challenges in the quarrying industry and how is Kobelco addressing them?
Mark Johnson: As utilisation increases, machine durability becomes even more critical. Our job is to deliver equipment that minimises downtime and maximises productivity for heavy duty applications.
Kobelco’s focus on structural durability, illustrated by the launch of Kobelco’s Extreme Duty (XD) excavators in the 38t and 50t classes, demonstrates its commitment to delivering machines built for the long haul and the high duty cycles that quarries expect.
Effective maintenance planning via GEOSCAN telematics and K-Assist remote support tools give quarry operators clearer visibility of servicing needs and machine behaviour, while improving reliability over the long term. These tools give customers an insight into how the asset is operating, how much fuel it’s using, how much CO2 it’s outputting, and how often it’s travelling.
It’s also important for us at Kobelco to find new methods that can reduce operating costs. Fuel efficiency, wear protection, and simplified serviceability all contribute to lower TCO. Kobelco’s high durability, strong reliability, high resale value and benchmark fuel efficiency, combine to delivery real world TCO savings in our quarry class machines.
Labour shortages will continue to impact the quarry industry. To address this industry pressure, Kobelco has announced its K-DIVE system as a key technology that will be available in the future to facilitate remote machine operation. This technology will help to attract and retain the next generation of operators, by allowing them to operate excavators in remote or potentially hazardous environments, from anywhere in the world.
What was the most important takeaway for Kobelco in 2025?
CW: Quarry customers continue to prioritise low TCO, reliability and equipment versatility. Customers want equipment they can trust day in, day out. They want machines that deliver predictable maintenance cycles, long component life, and the flexibility to handle different materials or attachment needs. We will continue to develop machines and tools that improve the productivity and efficiency of our customers.
We continue to hear from our quarry customers that fuel efficient machines are a key requirement for their operation. Kobelco already has a strong reputation for exceptionally low fuel consumption across the range, and quarry customers have responded very positively to that.
What surprised you in 2025?
MJ: It isn’t so much of a surprise, but rather a comment on the industry, that the quarry segment of our business has remained stable and resilient this year compared to other market segments.
Looking ahead, we expect quarry operators to be even more demanding of machine quality and reliability. With more recycled aggregates entering the market, versatility and durability are becoming more important than ever.
CW: As Mark said, the fundamentals of the quarrying industry remain constant. It’s about evolution, not revolution, and I think that Kobelco products continue to build a solid reputation for low total cost of ownership. We expect more of the same in 2026 and beyond.
Looking ahead to 2026, we’re optimistic. Quarry output remains strong and infrastructure pipelines continue to support steady demand for aggregate, which requires productive, low-TCO machines, like Kobelco excavators.
How is Kobelco helping the industry grow?
MJ: We’re constantly taking on board customer feedback—particularly from high-utilisation quarry operators. Our XD Series machines were developed directly in response to that feedback. They deliver improved durability, lower operating costs through fuel efficiency, and longer component life.
We’re also investing in tools that support better lifecycle planning, continuing to enhance data tools like GEOSCAN and K-ASSIST, which support smarter maintenance planning and help reduce unplanned downtime.
What does Kobelco have planned for 2026?
MJ: While we don’t have major new quarry-specific models releasing in 2026, we’re focused on strengthening support for the existing range and consolidating our position in the market.
We’re continuing to support our dealer network to ensure strong aftersales service, reliable parts availability and consistent customer support. Our national market share reflects that commitment, and we plan to build on it further.
CW: Kobelco has been the highest selling heavy excavator brand by unit volume in Australia for the last three years, so we’d like to secure that market position once again in 2025, and build on that success into the new year.
Where does Kobelco think the quarrying industry is headed in the next five to 10 years?
MJ: I think we are going to see more emphasis on sustainability.
Sustainability is a key driver of the quarrying industry. We anticipate an increased demand for recycled aggregates and technology that improves fuel efficiency and reduces demand on fossil fuels.
I think environmental pressures from the governments around quarries are forcing them to rethink the equipment that they buy in terms of its emissions outputs. I think the future of the industry will be a lot more environmentally aware and conscious, and OEMs will need to balance productivity, emissions, and overall value proposition.
CW: Building on that, I would say that predictive maintenance and data-driven decision-making will continue to grow in importance. Operators want machine data that helps them make smarter maintenance decisions, improve productivity and reduce cost per tonne.
Equipment manufacturers today continue to deliver improved fuel efficiency, so there’s no doubt that within the next five to 10 years, suppliers will continue to deliver innovations that allow the machines to be even more fuel efficient and less reliant on fossil fuels.
CW: Quarrying remains one of Australia’s most essential industries, underpinning the country’s infrastructure projects and economic growth.
Kobelco is committed to delivering unmatched reliability, low fuel burn, and durability that supports higher production targets in quarries around Australia.
We build excavators that help deliver lower TCO and reduced cost per tonne, which are the metrics that matter most for quarries.
The post Evolution, not revolution appeared first on Quarry.