Owner Troy Ownce says traditional methods of crushing stone are costly and inefficient. He also faults a lack of imagination in an industry wedded to the "old ways."

 

"The 21st century demands 21st century methods," he said. "Breaking rock with big machinery -- I did that for 20 years. It got old. I started thinking about new ways. Once I put my mind to it, the ideas just flooded in."

 

It's break-time at the Innovative Crushing facility on South 25th St., and workers are seated at picnic tables chatting, smoking and rubbing their feet. The women, all six feet or taller, look sharp in their yellow and black majorette outfits. Soon a bell sounds and they scramble to attention. Loudspeakers crackle and then a Sousa march starts up. The women fall into formation and march into position on the four-acre work area.

 

Wearing linemen's boots outfitted with two-inch soles of solid steel, the group tramps rhythmically to The Chantyman's March.

 

From the supervisor's platform, Ownce, in an emerald blue wool uniform with epaulets and scarlet piping, beams magnificently at his crew. He points out some of his hardest workers with the tip of his baton, and each salutes him sharply.

 

"We still have a large cost burden," Ownce says, "and the operation has some regrettable inefficiencies. But in terms of innovation, we're clearly the industry leader. And I'm proud of that. Damn proud."