Industry Overview: Stockpile Volumes
In mining and aggregates, customers use drones because drone-based volumetric measurement has become the industry standard for bulk inventory. While early on we had to prove accuracy, today the conversation has shifted. Customers generally trust drone accuracy but struggle reconciling drone-measured volume with their internally measured mass.
The core tension in sales conversations is this:
They measure mass. We measure volume.
Bridging that gap requires education around density factors, moisture content, and measurement methodology.
The biggest competition is not another drone company — it is internal drone programs. After that come established players like Firmatek, scale companies like Wingfield, and contract-driven firms like Stockpile Reports.
▶️txStockpiles: Sales Training Videos
txStockpiles 1 - Industry Overview txStockpiles 2 - Customers Pt. 1 txStockpiles 3 - Cu...
Part 1: Industry Structure
PART 2: THE MATERIAL FLOW
Why This Industry Works for Us
2.1 Quarry (Stone Mining)
Process: Remove overburden Drill bore holes Blast rock Load shot rock Ha...
2.2 Sand & Gravel Plants
Process: Excavate or dredge Wash material Screen material Separate sand vs gr...
2.3 Cement & Lime Plants
Process: Mine limestone Crush material Heat in kiln (extreme temps) Produce c...
2.4 Terminals
Function: Rail in Stockpile Load out to trucks Serve metro markets Strat...
2.5 Ready Mix (Batch Plants)
Function: Store aggregates in bins Mix with cement + water Load concrete trucks ...
2.6 Asphalt Plants
Process: Aggregate Oil binder Heat drum Mix Load hot Key marker: ...
2.7 Concrete Recyclers
Function: Accept demolished concrete Crush it Screen it Sell flex base O...
PART 3: COMPANY STRATIFICATION
Tier 1 – Super Majors
Examples: Martin Marietta Heidelberg Materials CRH Rogers Group AMI ...
Tier 2 – Regionals
Examples: Burnco TexMix Arcosa Knife River Characteristics: Multi-s...
Tier 3 – Local Multi-Yard Operators
Examples: Titan ReadyMix Reynolds Asphalt 3–6 site operators Sweet spot: ...
Tier 4 – One-Off Operators
Examples: Single yard sand pit Small ready mix startup Generally: Budget sens...
Part 4: Prospecting System
We structure it into 4 channels.
4.1 Visual Map Prospecting (Old School)
Method: Open Google Maps (Satellite) Look for: Scars on earth Silos Bins...
4.2 Permit-Based Prospecting (Underrated Weapon)
Key idea: Go where they are required to register. Examples: TCEQ wastewater permits (R...
4.3 Trade Organization Prospecting
Levels: National: NSSGA NAPA NRMCA American Cement Association State: ...
4.4 GIS & Industry Databases
Examples: Mineralocity State GIS Mine Locators Aggregates Atlas These allow: ...
PART 5: IDEAL CUSTOMER PROFILE (ICP)
PART 6: INTERNAL REQUIREMENTS
To serve this industry well, we must: Maintain strong RTK alignment month-over-monthPrevent vert...
Key Sales Concepts
1. Volume vs. Mass (The Core Education Piece) Customers measure: Truck scales (in/out weigh...
Strategic Sales Themes
Educate without attacking. Emphasize consistency over time. Frame internal programs as hidden c...
Competitor Breakdown
1️⃣ Internal Drone Programs (Biggest Competitor) Most common threat: “We do this ourselves....