Hard Rock, Easy Choice: Finlay deliver for Breedon

Pam Reddish | 23 December, 2025

Breedon’s new Finlay J-1480 jaw crusher, supplied by Molson Finlay, in action at Daviot Quarry

First published in the December 2025 issue of Quarry Management

Breedon add a Molson Finlay-supplied J-1480 jaw crusher to their fleet at Daviot Quarry, to boost the processing of blasted material

A well-recognized name in the industry, Breedon supply aggregates, concrete, asphalt, and cement to support building and infrastructure projects across the UK. Situated south of Inverness, Breedon’s Daviot Quarry has recently decided to invest in a static plant due to the demand for Type 1 aggregate, while retaining its mobile plant to reduce the blasted material down to a 6–8in size range to supply the new static plant. The quarry is projected to move 500,000 tonnes this calendar year, which is more than a 20% increase from the previous year and only possible thanks to the new systems in place.

Breedon have worked with the Terex Finlay range for many years, so upgrading to the latest J-1480 jaw crusher was a straightforward decision. Known for its solid build and ability to handle tough materials, the J-1480 is more than capable of dealing with the hard, metamorphosed limestone found at Daviot Quarry. Alongside it, Breedon also run a J-1175 hybrid jaw crusher, a C-1550+ cone crusher, and a TC-80 conveyor, all of which play a part in hitting the company’s production targets. Material crushed by the J-1480 heads to the static plant and once processed, supplies the on-site asphalt plant, a concrete plant in Inverness, and Breedon’s customers.

With its large 10m3 hopper, the Finlay J-1480 allows for consistent high-volume loading, helping Breedon process up to 300 tonnes/h throughout a 10h day. Material is passed through an advanced pre-screen system, which efficiently separates the finer material before it reaches the jaw. This means only the larger rocks make it to the crushing chamber, helping to reduce wear on the jaws. With a 1,415mm x 820mm inlet, the J-1480 has no problem delivering excellent reduction ratios at Daviot Quarry, as quarry manager Mark Keith explained: ‘We’ve had Finlay machines for the last five years and they handle this material the best. Fuel efficiency in these conditions is also a big plus for us.’

The Finlay J-1480 jaw crusher is powered by a Scania DC13 six-cylinder engine that delivers 450hp at 1,800 rev/min, ensuring reliability even in the harshest of crushing environments. With better fuel efficiency than other models offering similar output, the Scania engine delivers high torque at low revs – 1,698 ft-lb at 1,100–1,500 rev/min. Scania are known for their reliable engines, which was a key reason for Breedon to continue using the Finlay range as a vital part of their process; the J-1480 keeps downtime to a minimum, making it a robust choice for handling tough aggregate materials with low running costs and high productivity.

‘The end products that we get from the Finlay machines are a lot better, better shape, and more suitable to our customers’ needs,’ Mr Keith explained. ‘The Finlay J-1480 offers adjustable closed-side settings of 75mm to 225mm, to deliver a wide range of production goals.’

With a 1,415mm x 820mm inlet, the J-1480 has no problem delivering excellent reduction ratios at Daviot Quarry

After five years of using Finlay machines, Breedon know they can rely on them, stating that the build quality, performance, and ability to handle tough materials speak for themselves. That is why they have stuck with the brand, and with Molson being the only UK supplier, they also have peace of mind knowing they’ve got proper backup from a team that knows the machines inside out.

In such tough environments, it is essential that Molson Finlay and Breedon continue to work together to ensure that downtime is kept to a minimum. Mr Keith said: ‘The service we get from Molson is excellent, and if ever we do need anything for the machines, the service engineers are out by the next day.’

Breedon run a J-1175 hybrid jaw crusher and a TC-80 conveyor alongside the Finlay J-1480

Molson Finlay say it is not just about offering genuine Finlay parts that is important to keep the machine running at its optimal performance, it is also about making sure they have the team that can keep them up and running or be on hand if needed. Molson Group, who have more than £16 million worth of parts in stock as well as service centres strategically placed around the UK, have made significant investments to enhance support for their customers in the quarrying and aggregates sector.

In a high-demand operation like Daviot Quarry, having the right kit and the right backup makes all the difference. The combination of trusted Finlay machinery and Molson Finlay’s responsive support means that Breedon can keep pushing production while staying confident in their equipment. With big targets ahead and no room for delays, it is a partnership built on reliability, performance, and experience where it counts.