Wyoming-based aggregates producer McMurry Ready Mix has decided to use Kespry's drone-based aerial intelligence platform for inventory management, mine mapping and auditing.
Rob Jongsma, general manager at McMurry, says: “We needed Kespry because of its ability to help us control inventory and ensure it was accurate, so we could manage costs.
"We crush 1.2-1.5 million tonnes of materials a year. We sell approximately that much every year, too.
"So ... it’s a million tonnes in and a million tons out. That’s a lot of assets to have on the books and it’s really important to keep those inventory numbers accurate for sales forecasts and management.”
McMurry is also using Kespry's technology for mine mapping to confirm topsoil pile yardage for stripping and reclamation.
“We use Kespry a lot. And the great thing is, whether we use it 30 or 300 times in a year, the cost to us doesn’t change,” Jongsma continues.
“The value is really in taking advantage of the system and using it to its full ability. I personally haven’t found anything better than working with Kespry to manage the volume of inventory we do.
"The convenience and accuracy really helps us. Kespry’s drone technology is where it’s at.”
Kespry says McMurry also chose the platform for the safety benefits of its “touchless approach” to drone-based aerial intelligence.
“With Kespry, I don’t have guys crawling around in the Wyoming winter—where it’s 10 below zero—on top of frozen aggregate piles to get measurements.
"The safety for my employees and the ability to get inventory done in shorter weather windows has been great.
"We used to put a limit on the number of times we’d walk piles because of weather conditions because they’d be frozen or slick. We don’t have to worry about that safety factor any more."
Kespry's CEO George Mathew says this virtual approach for measuring stockpiles and conducting inventory management is helping McMurry fill sales orders, better forecast production and improve operations.
“Everyone at Kespry is dedicated to helping companies like McMurry get the job done without putting employees in harm’s way," he says.
The system also "ensures everyone who needs the data gets it with no fuss, rapidly and seamlessly.”
The aerial intelligence company claims these touchless benefits extend to all its data being available in the Kespry cloud, enabling McMurry to distribute reports digitally throughout its operations.
Jongsma believes this as a great way of sharing information within the company as well as outside sources.
“We can create a PDF directly from the cloud to verify quantities and area sizes. We don’t have to deal with spreadsheets or calculations any longer," he says.
"There’s no additional explanation needed. There’s a picture of the piles and a calculation of the measurements. Kespry is a source of 100% absolute truth."
