Behind the Machine: Alan Witherow on Product Development at Finlay

🎙️ RockTalk with Finlay | Episode 6The Rise of DPSIn this episode of RockTalk with Finlay, Charlie is joined by Alan Fallon of Dungannon Plant Sales and Hannah Gallagher, Regional Sales Manager at Finlay.With decades of experience in the crushing and screening industry, Alan reflects on a career that has taken him across multiple markets and OEMs before establishing Dungannon Plant Sales and growing the business into Finlay's dealer for the island of Ireland.Together, the group discuss the challenges of building a dealership from the ground up, winning customer confidence, navigating industry change, and how the crushing and screening sector has evolved throughout Alan's career.The conversation also explores machinery development over the years, the growing role of hybrid and electric equipment, the importance of aftersales support, and the recent partnership with Ace International that is helping shape the next chapter for DPS.Whether you're running a business, considering a career in the industry, or simply interested in the people behind the machines, this episode offers valuable insights from one of the industry's most experienced voices.#RockTalkWithFinlay #DungannonPlantSales #DPS #CrushingAndScreening #Aggregates #Quarrying

🎙️ RockTalk with Finlay | Episode 5How does a new machine go from an idea on paper to a product launch on the global stage?In this episode of RockTalk with Finlay, Charlie is joined by Alan Witherow, Product & Applications Manager at Finlay, to explore the journey behind developing the next generation of crushing, screening and conveying equipment.Alan provides a behind-the-scenes look at his role within the business, how customer and dealer feedback influences product strategy, and the process Finlay follows to bring new machines to market through its New Product Planning & Development (NPPD) programme.The conversation also covers several of Finlay's recent product launches, including the J-1280, C-1540+, I-130 and I-130RS, highlighting the challenges, testing, validation and collaboration required before a machine reaches customers around the world.Looking to the future, Alan shares his thoughts on emerging industry trends, evolving customer requirements, and how Finlay continues to develop solutions that deliver productivity, efficiency and performance across a wide range of applications.Whether you're a contractor, quarry operator, dealer or simply interested in how heavy equipment is developed, this episode offers a fascinating insight into what happens behind the machine.#RockTalkWithFinlay #ProductDevelopment #CrushingAndScreening #Aggregates #Quarrying #Podcast

In this episode of RockTalk with Finlay, Charlie is joined by Gerry McGuigan, Sales Manager at OPS, and Joe Donnelly, International Sales Director at Finlay.Gerry shares his experiences representing Finlay in Australia, discussing the unique challenges and opportunities of supporting customers across some of the world's most demanding crushing and screening applications. Together, Gerry and Joe explore the importance of strong dealer-manufacturer partnerships, evolving customer requirements, and what it takes to deliver value long after a machine leaves the yard.From customer relationships and equipment support to market trends and industry insights, this episode offers a fascinating look at the role dealers play in connecting customers with the Finlay brand.This is RockTalk With Finlay.

Recorded at Terex Omagh — the home of Finlay — Episode 3 of RockTalk With Finlay takes a deep dive into the people, products and decisions that have shaped the brand for more than six decades.In this extended conversation, Charlie sits down with Matt Dickson, Business Line Director for Finlay and General Manager of both Terex Omagh and Coalville, to explore Finlay’s journey from its earliest innovations to where the business is heading next.Matt reflects on his own career path, from engineering graduate to leading some of Finlay’s most significant product developments — including the J‑1175 jaw crusher — before stepping into broader leadership and commercial roles. Along the way, he shares the importance of mentors, learning the commercial side of the business, and why engineering remains such a strong foundation for leadership within Terex.The conversation then steps back to look at Finlay’s history, beginning in 1958, when John Finlay built the first screening machine — and how his original ethos of building robust, durable and reliable equipment still underpins the brand today. From early wheeled machines, through the tracked evolution in the 90s, the global success of the 883, and the emergence of flagship crushers like the J‑1175, Matt outlines the key moments that defined Finlay’s growth.Recorded on site in Omagh, Matt also walks through the evolution of Terex Omagh since 1976 — from fabrication and assembly expansions, through the 2008 downturn that shaped the site into a global Crushing Centre of Excellence, to its role today building crushers for multiple Terex MP brands.The episode also covers:How innovation at Finlay has evolved — from the Hi‑Way Crusher to hybrid technology, digital tools and T‑LinkThe role of customer feedback in shaping new productsRecent developments including compact equipment, conveying and the I‑130 / I‑130RS impactorsWhere Matt sees Finlay heading over the next 5–10 years, including distribution, NPD, hybrid/electric solutions and digitalisationWe close with RockTalk’s Big Question.This is a detailed, reflective conversation recorded at the heart of the business — offering rare insight into Finlay’s past, present and future.This is RockTalk With Finlay.

Recorded live in the middle of CONEXPO 2026, Episode 2 of RockTalk With Finlay brings the dealer perspective front and center.Join Charlie and guest co‑host Phil Berresford as they sit down with Keith McCann, founder of Finlay Eastern, to talk about what it really takes to build a successful dealership — and what the crushing and screening industry looks like from the ground up.In this episode, Keith shares:What trade shows like CONEXPO really mean for dealershipsHis journey from starting out in Finlay to establishing Finlay EasternHow crushing and screening equipment — and customer expectations — have evolvedHis Irish roots in Strabane and County Tyrone, and Tyrone’s wider influence on the industryThe challenges of setting up a dealership while relocatingFinlay Eastern’s territory, best‑selling machines, and their very first Finlay saleThe moment Finlay Eastern was named Regional Dealer of the Year (North America) and Spare Parts Dealer of the Year (North America) — with performance that surpassed every other NA dealershipWho Keith is outside of work, from rugby to footballWe close with RockTalk’s Big Question:What is your proudest achievement within this industry — or for Finlay?You’ll hear a bit of CONEXPO in the background along the way — that’s the reality of recording live at the world’s biggest construction show.Real journeys. Real dealers. Real stories.This is RockTalk With Finlay.

Recorded right in the middle of the buzz at CONEXPO 2026, this debut episode of RockTalk With Finlay brings you a raw, unfiltered look into the world of Finlay Service.Join Charlie as he sits down with Stewart and Adam—two of the legends who keep our machines running and our customers supported—to chat about:What life is really like as a Finlay service technicianTheir biggest challenges (and the moments that make it all worth it)The behind‑the‑scenes stories you don’t usually hearWhy great customer support matters now more than everYou’ll hear some CONEXPO background noise along the way… but that’s part of the charm of recording live at the world’s biggest construction show.Real people. Real stories. Real service.This is RockTalk With Finlay.