Staker Parson Transforms Inventory Management at Beck Street Quarry
Overview
Used Systems
The challenge
The Difference between Scales and the Reality
Staker Parson primarily relied on belt scales to track material volumes. However, production numbers did not always reflect what was physically present in the quarry. Material is continuously moved, compacted, blended, and shipped causing stockpiles to change throughout the day.
Over time, discrepancies between belt scale data, internal transfers, and outbound sales created noticeable inventory gaps. In some cases, the difference between expected and actual material volumes reached up to $100,000.
Drone surveys could not always be deployed as frequently as needed, especially with windy or dusty conditions. Additionally, drone data is typically processed after the flight – meaning site conditions may already have changed by the time results are available.
Staker Parson needed a more continuous and operationally integrated way to verify inventory across the quarry.
Our Solution
Turning a Wheel Loader into a continuous Scanning Unit
Staker Parson installed the SDX-Compact OnTop on a wheel loader operating at the north end of the Beck Street Quarry. The operator drives as usual – no tablet or interaction required. Scanning happens automatically during normal production work.
Volume analysis and boundary management are handled in the office. As stockpile layouts change, boundaries are updated centrally in the system. Daily dashboards are shared with key stakeholders, enabling accurate communication of available material and sales capacity.
Drone flights are still conducted periodically for aerial imagery. However, because conditions in the pit change constantly, Sodex provides continuous volume updates between flights.
Customer Feedback
"The loaders are just busy bees running around the jobsite all the time. The piles are growing, getting smaller. It’s good to be able to have a live count of stuff instead of a snapshot in time."
Next Steps
Increasing Coverage and Use-Cases
Staker Parson is planning to expand the system’s coverage. In addition to the wheel loader, the team intends to mount the SDX-Compact OnTop on a truck to scan larger and more remote areas of the pit. This will allow broader topographic coverage until additional Sodex systems are deployed.
While the initial focus is on pit operations, the long-term plan extends beyond quarry inventory. As familiarity with the system grows, Staker Parson aims to use Sodex’s technology in more environments – including construction sites and areas where drone flights are restricted or rover surveys are impractical.
The Result
Verified Accuracy and Faster Decisions
To verify system accuracy, Staker Parson compared Sodex‘s data with drone survey results. The results confirmed that the SDX-Compact OnTop delivers highly accurate volume measurements, giving the team confidence in the system.
Today, plant managers reference outbound scales, belt scales, and the dashboard. While outbound scales remain essential, Sodex provides a reliable on-ground volume figure that supports inventory and sales decisions with reduced dependence on belt scale numbers.
Most importantly, data is available immediately. Instead of sending personnel to fly drones or manually survey terrain, live volume updates are generated directly from daily machine movement. Faster data improves planning, reduces unnecessary machine movement, and lowers operational effort.
Customer Feedback
"We want to get to a point where this is the only thing giving us numbers."
Turn your heavy machinery into surveying devices.
