From Quarry to Road with Hitachi Construction Machinery

For the family behind Kriger Construction, reliability in the equipment they choose is a requirement. Kriger Construction is a third-generation family-owned business based out of Pennsylvania, serving projects across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

What began as a utility contracting business has evolved over decades into a fully vertically integrated operation. Their business model depends on every part of their operation working seamlessly together. This means there is no room for downtime or equipment that can’t keep up. That need for dependable performance is what led Kriger Construction to make the bold decision to replace a large portion of their fleet with approximately 70 Hitachi excavators and wheel loaders.

A Business Designed to Work Together

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AMERICASIn 2003, Kriger expanded into heavy highway construction, taking on highway, bridge, and roadway projects. As the business grew, they identified an opportunity to strengthen quality control and consistency across their work. In 210, they launched Bell Mountain Land Development and established their first quarry. It supported the highway division directly with material. As demand increased, so did the scope of their integration. So Kriger added an asphalt plant, further reinforcing their ability to self-support critical aspects of their projects.

Today, Kriger Construction operates a finely tuned system where quarry production, material processing, and highway construction all work in sync. “The diversification keeps us steady,” says Jim Marzolino, President of Kriger Construction. “That way if there is a slower part of the market, we are able to continue to grow.”

With vertical integration comes the unique challenge of equipment downtime rippling through the entire operation. A delay at the quarry means a delay in delivery to the asphalt plant, which can turn into a delay in material delivery to a paving project. Every machine at each site plays a role in keeping projects on track.

With that understanding, Kriger knew their equipment had to be reliable, consistent, and capable of delivering performance day after day.

That’s where the reliability of Hitachi Construction Machinery came in.

Where Everything is Connected, Equipment Matters

When the time came for Kriger Construction to evaluate their fleet, they chose to go all in on Hitachi Construction Machinery. They added approximately 70 Hitachi excavators and wheel loaders, replacing other brands entirely. With their focus on aggressive growth, they knew they needed equipment that would give them reliable uptime, power, and fuel efficiency.

Hitachi Construction Machinery has a reputation of over 75 years of manufacturing and engineering industry leading equipment. Since the beginning of their heavy machinery journey, they have manufactured equipment that is known for reliability. The Japanese engineering behind Hitachi machines is backed by precision and excellence that offers high quality equipment with decreased downtime.

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AMERICASAt the quarry, Hitachi excavators play a critical role at the very start of Kriger’s vertically integrated process. Every day, they are tasked with breaking, lifting, and moving boulders into trucks that take them to crushers. This demanding work leaves no room for inconsistent or jerky movements. The hydraulic power of Hitachi excavators delivers the steady, responsive movements operators need.

Once the material moves through the crushers, Hitachi wheel loaders take over,HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AMERICAS where efficiency is critical. At the quarry, loaders are responsible for picking up the processed aggregate and loading it for transport to the asphalt plant. As they move around, fast cycle times and smooth control are essential to keeping material flowing without delays. At the asphalt plant, the Hitachi wheel loader is the heart of the operation. All day, it moves materials from bin to plant at a steady pace.

“I believe the Hitachis have more power and better fuel economy,” said Anthony Bartoli, Heavy Equipment Mechanic with Kriger Construction. “We don’t usually experience any downtime with Hitachis.”

That same power, and efficiency carries through to Kriger Construction’s job sites. On paving projects, Hitachi excavators handle material placement with ease, supporting crews throughout the process.

Whether at the quarry, the plant, or the final project site, Hitachi Construction Machinery provides the quality and reliability that keeps every part of their operation moving smoothly.

A Fleetwide Transition Built on Confidence

“The transition into the Hitachi equipment has been ultra positive. We haven’t heard one negative thing,” said Marc Shibley, Corporate Secretary of Kriger and brother to Marzolino. “They are able to increase production.” From the operators in the field to leadership overseeing multiple divisions, the response was immediate. The machines exceeded expectations.

“Some of the hydraulics seemed to be much stronger than the competitors,” Marzolino adds, “That results in better efficiency, consistency, and speed on our projects.” These hydraulics are unique to Hitachi excavators because of the patented Trias III 3-pump system. This system allows the excavator to work the boom, arm, and bucket smoothly, sacrificing less hydraulic power with each movement.

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AMERICASFor an interconnected operation like Kriger’s, gains in power and consistency matter. Stronger hydraulics, consistent performance, and reliable uptime translate directly into smoother workflows, predictable schedules, and the confidence it takes on complex, large-scale work.

Reliability That Supports Growth

Kriger Construction has created a system that aligns uniquely with their needs, no matter how the market shifts. 

“We are focused on growth. We do believe we can continue a 10 to 20 percent growth rate over the next 5 to 10 years,” said Marzolino, “Which is fairly aggressive for a company our size, but we think it’s obtainable.”

“I do foresee us using Hitachi machines,” said George Shibley, Foreman at Kriger Construction, and brother to Jim Marzolino and Marc Shibley, “and we are going to take over the world.”

Hitachi machines are engineered to support full business models. For Kriger Construction, that reliability is what keeps their vertically integrated operation running strong, productive, and ready to take on what’s next.

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