Hawk’s Superior Rock owner Rosalyn Erickson has faced many challenges being the only female owner of a WSDOT-approved quarry in the county. When upgrading the equipment in her pit from Powerscreen of Washington, she got equipment that allowed her to produce high volumes of the best quality products, all with the guidance, support and respect of the Powerscreen of Washington team.

Family Roots in Mining

Nestled in the heart of Pacific County, Washington, Rosalyn Erickson’s Hawk’s Superior Rock stands as a testament to a rich family legacy and a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit. Rosalyn is a fourth-generation miner, but her story begins long before she took over the reins of the quarry in 2019. Her great-grandfather, Teddy Runyon, first began mining in Raymond, Washington, in the 1940s. He owned and operated H.G. Runyon Quarry, located just down the road from where Hawk’s Superior Rock stands today. Teddy’s work in mining set the stage for future generations of the family to follow.

In 1987, Rosalyn’s father took a leap of faith and founded Hawk’s Superior Rock with minimal resources, no equipment, and little money. Over the years, he built the company from the ground up, overcoming challenges through sheer determination and hard work. His determination laid the foundation for the business that Rosalyn would one day inherit.

A Woman’s Journey to Leadership

Though mining had been a part of Rosalyn’s family for generations, she never envisioned herself in a leadership role within the industry. She started working at Hawk’s Superior Rock in 2003, running the scales at the quarry. Little by little, she moved into the office, taking on more responsibilities and learning every facet of the business.

Over the course of the next twelve years, Rosalyn immersed herself in the intricacies of the mining industry. She studied specifications, learned how to quote projects, managed parts orders, dealt with fuel and oil, and became well-versed in the rules and regulations governing mining operations. Her commitment to learning was unparalleled, and she took on every challenge with an open mind and a deepening passion for the industry.

Broadening Horizons

As Hawk’s Superior Rock continues to grow, Rosalyn is exploring new opportunities to expand the company’s offerings. One of her key plans is to introduce chip rock to the quarry’s product line. Currently, chip rock is not readily available in the area, forcing contractors to purchase from outside sources. By producing this material locally, Rosalyn aims to meet the demand and further support the local economy.

The quarry already offers a wide range of materials, including base course, top course, ballast, drain rock, borrow, pit run, rip rap, and fill. Expanding into chip rock will allow Hawk’s Superior Rock to quote and provide even more comprehensive solutions to its customers.

To support this expansion, Rosalyn relies on two powerful and efficient machines, a Powerscreen Premiertrak 400X jaw crusher and 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher. Two machines specifically designed to handle the demands of Hawk’s Superior Rock’s growing product line, including the upcoming production of chip rock.

After experiencing failures to keep up with customer demands while using previous machinery, Rosalyn decided it was time for an immediate change. She made the switch to Powerscreen machines and has not looked back since.

Rosalyn stated, “I needed equipment that could keep up with our needs and I wanted to bid bigger jobs, and I now have the confidence that we can achieve those jobs with the help of our machines from Powerscreen of Washington.”

The Powerscreen Premiertrak 400X jaw crusher excels at processing hard and abrasive materials, making it the perfect fit for crushing raw rock into base materials. With a 44” x 28” crushing chamber, it can process substantial quantities of rock with ease, meeting the quarry’s daily production goals while maintaining award winning reliability. The 400X also boasts its hydraulic release system that protects itself from blockages, minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operation during high volume production cycles.

For the upcoming production of chip rock, the 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher that Rosalyn already utilizes will be the ideal solution for secondary crushing, providing precision and control over the final product. The 1150 Maxtrak delivers consistent sizes and shapes of material, crucial for providing high quality chip rock. Its variable speed adjustability in the feed belt ensures that material is fed smoothly at a pace that works for the operator to optimize the crushing process.

Working with Powerscreen of Washington

Much of the quarry’s recent success can be attributed to Rosalyn’s collaboration with Powerscreen of Washington. The heavy equipment provided by Powerscreen has allowed Hawk’s Superior Rock to keep up with increasing demand and produce materials more efficiently. Rosalyn notes that the ability to produce high-quality materials quickly has streamlined the company’s operations, reduced fuel and labor costs, and decreased downtime and stress.

“Powerscreen of Washington has been a game-changer for us,” Rosalyn says. “Beyond just providing high performing equipment, their team has helped us navigate our growth from the start. The sales team took the time to understand our specific needs and guided us toward the right solutions, making sure we selected the best equipment for our demands.”

Powerscreen of Washington was instrumental in getting the setup right for Hawk’s Superior Rock. Rosalyn highlighted, “They didn’t just drop off the machines and leave, they were on hand throughout the installation process, making sure everything was configured correctly and running smoothly. The technical expertise from their team has been crucial to maximizing our production.” This level of support has allowed Hawk’s Superior Rock to confidently quote larger projects without overextending resources.

By increasing efficiency, Rosalyn has been able to reinvest in her employees. Now offering enhanced compensation and benefits for her team, which have made a significant impact in employee satisfaction and retention, aspects that were not once attainable prior to operating the Powerscreen Premiertrak 400X jaw crusher and 1150 Maxtrak cone crusher. Rosalyn attributes these rewards given to her team for their hard work, to the high production rates that her equipment from Powerscreen of Washington gives achieves at her quarry. Powerscreen’s exceptional customer service has also stood out to Rosalyn. “From purchasing, to answering questions and providing parts and service, the support has been outstanding,” she says. “Being a woman in the mining industry has its challenges, but Powerscreen of Washington has treated me with nothing but respect.”