Dirt and Aggregate Delivery FAQs

Vulcan Materials is the largest US aggregates producer by its own count, with about 10% of the market, and it tops USGS crushed stone rankings for 2022 ahead of Martin Marietta, CRH Americas Materials and Heidelberg Materials. CRH leads construction sand and gravel. Vulcan estimates the ten largest producers made about 35% of 2025 output.

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What is an aggregate supplier?

An aggregate supplier is a company that produces or sells sand, gravel, crushed stone or recycled aggregate, from quarries and pits to sales yards. USGS estimates 1,400 companies ran 3,500 crushed stone quarries and 3,400 companies ran 6,500 sand and gravel pits in 2025. Haul distance often decides which supplier is cheapest delivered.

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What is the difference between dirt and aggregate?

Dirt is natural earth, mineral particles that can include clay, silt and organic matter, sold as fill or topsoil. Aggregate is granular material such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag or recycled concrete, screened or crushed and graded for concrete, asphalt and road base. Material retained on the No. 4 sieve counts as coarse.

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How do dirt and aggregate affect construction site stability?

Dirt and aggregate set site stability by how well they carry load, drain and resist settling. Organic or poorly compacted fill settles, so specs require compaction to a Proctor-based percentage, while angular crushed stone interlocks into a firm base. Soil type also governs excavation safety, and OSHA rates Type C soil the least stable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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