For third-generation aggregate business Boden Sand & Gravel and sister construction company Road to Rail Construction Group, based in Alberta, Canada, the right articulated hauler is about more than just moving material – it’s about simplicity, reliability and a partnership built on trust.
In the Edberg pit in Camrose County, Alberta, three Rokbak RA40 articulated dump trucks (ADTs) are the backbone of the operation, diligently moving thousands of tons of overburden, sand and gravel every week. These trucks are shared between two companies with a common ownership group: Boden Sand & Gravel (Boden S&G) and Road to Rail Construction Group.
The partnership with Rokbak began when Road to Rail bought its first RA40 in September 2022. A year later, in August 2023, the company’s confidence in the brand led to the purchase of two more units – a second for Road to Rail and one for Boden S&G.
For Brandon Boden, the third-generation owner of Boden S&G, the investment was a straightforward decision. With a family legacy in the Central Alberta aggregate industry dating back to the 1950s, his company has grown to produce approximately 500,000 tons (US) of material a year.
“In this business, uptime is everything. You need equipment that just works, plain and simple,” Brandon says. “The Rokbak haulers are no-nonsense trucks. They’re robust, they’re easy on fuel and they don’t give us headaches. We run them hard, and they just keep going. That reliability is exactly what we need to keep our promises to our customers.”
Proven in the pit
With each machine now having clocked over 3,000 hours in their first three years, the three RA40 units have proven they can handle anything the pit throws at them. No matter the ground conditions and weather, the haulers’ exceptional traction effort and rim pull have overcome every challenge. But for the person spending their entire shift in the cab, performance is only half the story.
“It’s a straightforward and comfortable truck to operate all day,” says operator Ryan Skjonsberg. “Everything is where you expect it to be. The visibility is great, and it feels stable and secure, even with a full 42-ton (US) load. You can just get in, turn the key, and have confidence it’s going to get the job done.”
The dealer difference
For both Boden S&G and Road to Rail, the decision to purchase and re-invest in Rokbak was deeply rooted in their long-standing relationship with dealer Headwater Equipment, which has served Western Canada for close to three decades.
With five full-service locations across Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, Headwater has built its reputation on providing complete solutions – from new and used equipment sales to parts, service and rentals.
“We don’t sell a customer a machine and walk away; we sell them a solution and stick with them,” explains Scott Letkeman, a salesman at Headwater Equipment. “Brandon and his team knew us and trusted us. When we recommended the Rokbak, they knew it was because we believed it was the right fit for their operation. It’s a tough, reliable truck that we could stand behind.”
Headwater’s service manager Henk Coetzer coordinates this essential support from the Edmonton branch to ensure timely response at the Edberg pit.
“The beauty of the Rokbak design is its serviceability,” Henk says. “Our technicians can access service points easily, which means routine maintenance is faster and troubleshooting is simpler. This keeps downtime to an absolute minimum. We work with the Boden crew to schedule service proactively, so these trucks stay where they belong – out in the pit, earning their keep.”
Confidence forged in Scotland
The strength of this three-way partnership was cemented in May 2023 when Headwater sponsored a trip for the ownership group to visit the Rokbak factory in Motherwell, Scotland. The visit provided a firsthand look at the values driving the brand.
“When you walk the factory floor in Scotland, you see the pride the team takes in building these trucks,” Brandon recalls. “It’s a clean, professional, and people-focused environment. It reminded me a lot of our own company values. Seeing that commitment to quality, and meeting the people behind the machine, confirmed we made the right choice.”
This sentiment is echoed by Rokbak, which sees partners like Boden S&G and Headwater as a true reflection of its brand.
“We build haulers that are simple, hardworking, and reliable, because that’s what contractors in places like Alberta need,” says Greg Gerbus, Rokbak regional sales manager – North America. “But our real strength comes from having fantastic customers like Boden S&G and an incredible dealer partner like Headwater Equipment. They share our values.”
Back at the Edberg pit, every load hauled is another promise kept. It’s the result of a simple formula for success: generations of hard work, strong partnerships and reliable Scottish iron.
Visit the Rokbak website to learn more about the RA40 articulated dump truck.
