A co-holder of 13 U.S. patents, Ron DeDiemar has made a lasting impact on the industry. DeDiemar was inducted on March 24 into the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame. Below are highlights from DeDiemar’s induction speech, which can be viewed in full here.

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I am so honored to be an inductee into the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame. I congratulate my fellow inductees: Gerry [Bauer], Tom [Hill] and the spirit of Edgar Symons. I also want to recognize all the current Hall of Fame members. Thank you to the selection committee for recognizing my contributions to the industry. I am humbled when I say this accolade means the world to me. In many ways, it serves as a reminder of the impact we can make when we commit ourselves to excellence and innovation. This recognition is really not about me. It’s about the dedication and hard work of the countless individuals who have supported and inspired me throughout my career.

I am a mechanical engineer with a passion for research, development and innovation. The quest for innovation has always been the cornerstone of my career, always driving me to explore new technologies and methodologies. I have been fortunate to have enjoyed the complete cycle of our industry, from basic machine design to business ownership. I was always busy. Every day was a challenge, as I experienced the highs and lows of our industries.

An African quote sums it up rather well: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ In early January this year, I had a bittersweet, emotional roller coaster ride. It started when we sold our home, but most profoundly, the unexpected death of my dear wife who had been my partner, my everything for the past 70 years: Nicolette. The day after Nicolette passed, I received a call from [Pit & Quarry’s] Kevin [Yanik] advising me of my selection for the P&Q Hall of Fame. Believe it or not, all four of those events happened within a 24-hour period. It was mind-numbing. 

Without the help of my family, friends and associates, I wouldn’t be here today. Together, somehow, we navigated through this emotional roller coaster ride. Two of those individuals that were instrumental in helping me navigate [all this] were my daughter, Dr. Jeanette DeDiemar and my lovely, accomplished granddaughter, Anneliese DeDiemar. I’m not sure if I believe in fate, but the confluence of these significant moments makes me wonder.

ON THE FUTURE OF THE AGGREGATE INDUSTRY: I am proud of our industry, and I want it to continue to do well. This means we must always strive to improve. Over a 15-year period ending in 2022, tons per manhour was virtually stagnant. My friends, stagnation is not friendly. As we forge ahead, it is imperative that we address the potential myopia that can hinder progress. The key to our industry’s future lies in embracing innovation and leveraging technology to its fullest potential. We must invest in more efficient machines and implement process innovations that will drive our industry’s productivity and sustainability. By doing so, we can overcome stagnation and set a new benchmark for excellence.

For more on the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, click here. To learn about Ron DeDiemar and his impact on the industry, read his Hall of Fame profile.