US Minerals
U.S. Minerals processes coal slag and iron silicate into roofing granules, mineral fillers, and blasting abrasives (Black Diamond Abrasives sub-brand), serving roofing manufacturers, industrial contractors, and construction materials customers across North America and select export markets through seven U.S. plants and a nationwide distributor and retail channel.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersTinley Park, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What US Minerals does
U.S. Minerals is a privately held U.S. industrial minerals processor founded in 1988 by Fred Vukas and headquartered in Tinley Park, Illinois, specializing in slag-based products for the roofing and abrasives industries. The company converts coal slag and iron silicate into roofing granules, mineral fillers, and blasting abrasives, operating seven manufacturing plants across Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, Kansas, and Wisconsin. The portfolio spans Coal Slag Roofing Granules, Iron Silicate Roofing Granules, and Mineral Fillers under the U.S. Minerals brand, with the Black Diamond Abrasives wholly-owned sub-brand covering coal slag, iron silicate, and specialty blasting media.
The company's underlying technology centers on metallurgical slag processing supported by what the company describes as a 43-million-ton iron silicate raw material stockpile, multi-stage QA/QC across raw material, in-process, and loading/shipment sampling, and a centralized corporate quality lab. End-product specifications include low free-silica content (under 0.1%), asbestos-free formulations, and TCLP-compliant chemistry, enabling qualification into cement, brick/tile, sealcoating, anti-skid, glass bottle, pavement/asphalt, and engineered fill applications alongside core roofing and blasting uses.
U.S. Minerals commercializes through a hybrid B2B/retail go-to-market: direct enterprise field sales to roofing manufacturers (the company cites Fortune 100 customers) supplemented by a nationwide distributor network, just-in-time truck and rail deliveries, and a consumer/SMB retail channel via Black Diamond Abrasives placement in 1,700+ Tractor Supply Company stores. The 51–100 employee company distributes domestically and exports to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and worldwide, with leadership transitioning in April 2020 when Peter Kossis (ex-LafargeHolcim) was appointed President.
US Minerals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- US Minerals
- Legal name
- U.S. Minerals
- Website
- https://www.us-minerals.com/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- U.S. Minerals processes coal slag and iron silicate into roofing granules, mineral fillers, and blasting abrasives (Black Diamond Abrasives sub-brand), serving roofing manufacturers, industrial contractors, and construction materials customers across North America and select export markets through seven U.S. plants and a nationwide distributor and retail channel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
US Minerals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Slag Products and Construction Materials
- NAICS
- Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying (2123), Abrasive Product Manufacturing (327910), Ground or Treated Mineral and Earth Manufacturing (327992), Asphalt Shingle and Coating Materials Manufacturing (324122)
- SIC
- Mining & Quarrying Of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) (1400), Abrasive, Asbestos & Misc Nonmetallic Mineral Prods (3290), Asphalt Paving & Roofing Materials (2950), Wholesale-Metals & Minerals (No Petroleum) (5050)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aggregate Processing & Value-Added Products (Washing, Screening, Asphalt/Concrete Aggregates) (IMAKAHAH)
Keywords
Where US Minerals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tinley Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
US Minerals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Roofing Granules Sales: Sale of coal slag and iron silicate roofing granules to roofing manufacturers for commercial and residential roofing products. Delivered through nationwide distributor network with just-in-time capability.
- Black Diamond Abrasives: Sale of blasting media products under the Black Diamond Abrasives brand for surface preparation, pipeline blasting, and industrial applications. Distributed through distributors and Tractor Supply retail stores.
- Mineral Fillers: Sale of inert, heat-resistant mineral fillers for cement manufacturing, brick and tile, sealcoating, glass bottle manufacturing, pavement and asphalt, and engineered fill applications. Available in bulk or jumbo bags (4,000 lb).
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
US Minerals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
U.S. Minerals manufactures coal slag and iron silicate roofing granules for asphalt shingle producers, mineral fillers for cement, brick, sealcoating, glass, pavement, and engineered fill applications, and abrasive blasting media sold under the Black Diamond Abrasives brand for surface preparation, pipeline blasting, bridge repair, and industrial restoration projects. The company operates seven manufacturing plants nationwide and supports a 43-million-ton raw material stockpile for stable long-term supply.
Product overview
U.S. Minerals produces high-quality slag products for two primary industries: roofing and abrasives. The product portfolio includes Coal Slag Roofing Granules and Iron Silicate Roofing Granules for roofing manufacturers, along with Mineral Fillers for construction and manufacturing reinforcement. The company also markets its abrasives under the Black Diamond sub-brand, which encompasses Black Diamond Coal Slag, Black Diamond Iron Silicate, and Black Diamond Specialty Abrasives. With seven manufacturing facilities across the United States and a 43 million ton raw material stockpile, the company emphasizes consistent quality, just-in-time delivery, and reliable long-term supply.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Black Diamond Abrasives: Abrasive products encompassing coal slag, iron silicate, and specialty abrasives for surface preparation and blasting applications. Operates its own website at blackdiamondabrasives.com.
Products and services
- Coal Slag Roofing Granules Coal slag-based roofing granules manufactured by U.S. Minerals for sale to commercial and residential roofing manufacturers (asphalt shingle producers). Delivered with consistent quality and just-in-time logistics.
- Iron Silicate Roofing Granules Iron silicate roofing granules manufactured by U.S. Minerals using a 43-million-ton raw material stockpile, providing stable long-term supply for roofing manufacturers in multiple granule types including headlap, prime surface, shadow line, laminate, back surface, and roll roofing.
- Mineral Fillers Chemically inert, heat-resistant mineral fillers with less than 0.1% free silica, asbestos-free and non-toxic, used in cement manufacturing, brick and tile, sealcoating, anti-skid surfaces, glass bottle manufacturing, pavement and asphalt, and engineered fill applications. Available in bulk or 4,000 lb jumbo bags.
- Black Diamond Coal Slag Abrasives Coal slag-based blasting media abrasive sold under the Black Diamond Abrasives sub-brand, designed for tough, effective surface preparation and restoration across industrial applications. Distributed via nationwide distributors and 1,700+ Tractor Supply retail stores.
- Black Diamond Iron Silicate Abrasives Iron silicate-based blasting media abrasive sold under the Black Diamond Abrasives sub-brand for industrial surface preparation and restoration applications. Available through distributors and Tractor Supply retail stores.
- Black Diamond Specialty Abrasives Specialty grade abrasives sold under the Black Diamond Abrasives sub-brand for unique and specialized blasting media applications beyond standard coal slag and iron silicate products.
Quantifiable outcome
- Consistent product performance - every delivery maintains specifications
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use US Minerals
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
US Minerals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
US Minerals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Combat Marine OutdoorsminorU.S. Minerals sponsored a charity golf tournament benefiting Combat Marine Outdoors, an organization dedicated to rehabilitation of Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Navy Corpsmen. Event held April 12.
- PTSD Foundation of AmericaminorU.S. Minerals sponsored a golf tournament for the PTSD Foundation of America on April 30. The foundation works to promote healing in the military community.
- Houston Coatings SocietyminorBlack Diamond was a Platinum Sponsor of the Houston Coatings Society's annual painting competition. Dean Whaley, Regional Sales Manager, attended the event which offered networking opportunities for the rapidly growing Texas market.
- Tractor Supply CompanycoreTractor Supply Company distributes Black Diamond abrasives through over 1,700 store locations nationwide. This partnership enables U.S. Minerals to serve individual consumers and small businesses with lower-volume orders. The company attends Tractor Supply's Annual Sales Meeting to connect with store managers.
- Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC)minorU.S. Minerals had a booth at the annual SSPC Conference in Orlando, Florida. This event helps the company connect with top prospects in the industry and stay up to date on customer and distributor challenges.
- PaintSquare (Contractor Connect)minorU.S. Minerals attended and sponsored PaintSquare's Contractor Connect for the second consecutive year. This industry event connects suppliers with qualified buyers. VP Jason Vukas spoke on a beryllium panel and the company hosted Casino Night for attendees.
- True ValueminorU.S. Minerals exhibited at the True Value Fall Reunion in Denver to connect with prospects. National Sales Manager Aaron Holdread noted good conversations with prospects and insights into western U.S. market where the company hopes to expand.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
US Minerals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- 3M: Diversified industrial conglomerate with a major roofing granules business (3M Roofing Granules) and a broad abrasives portfolio. A larger incumbent with overlapping roofing-granule and abrasive categories but a much wider product set.
- Saint-Gobain (Norton Abrasives): Global building materials group with a substantial abrasives franchise (Norton, Flexovit) serving industrial blasting and finishing. Competes indirectly in abrasives while also supplying roofing materials to the broader construction market.
- GAF: Largest U.S. roofing manufacturer (asphalt shingles). Direct buyer of US Minerals' roofing granules and a major force shaping granule specifications, volumes, and sustainability requirements in the asphalt shingle supply chain.
- CertainTeed (Saint-Gobain): Major U.S. roofing manufacturer and building products subsidiary of Saint-Gobain. Significant purchaser of roofing granules and a downstream customer shaping US Minerals' specification compliance and volume.
- Holcim (formerly LafargeHolcim): World's largest building materials supplier with extensive slag processing operations. Former employer of US Minerals' new President and Technical Operations Manager; competes in cement, mineral fillers, and aggregate-adjacent categories.
Direct peers
- Specialty Granules Inc. U.S.-based producer of roofing granules and specialty mineral products for the asphalt shingle industry. Direct overlap with US Minerals' coal slag and iron silicate roofing granule lines serving the same shingle manufacturer customers.
- Hodge Clemco: Manufacturer and distributor of abrasive blasting equipment and media, including slag-based blast media. Competes with Black Diamond Abrasives in the surface preparation market serving industrial and infrastructure customers.
- Opta Minerals (an IKO company): Direct competitor in processed slag products for roofing granules, abrasives, and industrial minerals. Most comparable business in terms of product mix (iron silicate, calcium silicate, abrasives) and end markets (roofing manufacturers, blasting contractors).
- Ervin Industries: Manufacturer of steel shot and grit abrasives used in surface preparation. Competes with US Minerals' Black Diamond abrasive line in the industrial blasting media category, particularly for pipeline, bridge, and structural steel applications.
- Marco Group International: Supplier of abrasive blast media and related surface preparation equipment. Direct competitor in coal slag and iron silicate blasting media with overlapping distribution channels to industrial contractors and abrasive distributors.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
US Minerals social profiles
Digital presenceUS Minerals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
US Minerals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
US Minerals subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
US Minerals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
US Minerals M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about US Minerals
What does US Minerals do?
U.S. Minerals manufactures coal slag and iron silicate roofing granules for asphalt shingle producers, mineral fillers for cement, brick, sealcoating, glass, pavement, and engineered fill applications, and abrasive blasting media sold under the Black Diamond Abrasives brand for surface preparation, pipeline blasting, bridge repair, and industrial restoration projects. The company operates seven manufacturing plants nationwide and supports a 43-million-ton raw material stockpile for stable long-term supply.
Is US Minerals a public or private company?
US Minerals is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was US Minerals founded?
US Minerals was founded in 2002. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is US Minerals based?
US Minerals is headquartered in Tinley Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does US Minerals make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Roofing Granules Sales are the primary driver. The others are black Diamond Abrasives and mineral Fillers.
Who are US Minerals's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are 3M, Saint-Gobain (Norton Abrasives), GAF, CertainTeed (Saint-Gobain) and Holcim (formerly LafargeHolcim). Direct peers are Specialty Granules Inc., Hodge Clemco, Opta Minerals (an IKO company), Ervin Industries and Marco Group International.
Does US Minerals have an API?
No public API is recorded for US Minerals.
What industry is US Minerals in?
US Minerals's product category is Industrial Slag Products and Construction Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAHAH, Aggregate Processing & Value-Added Products (Washing, Screening, Asphalt/Concrete Aggregates). Its NAICS code is 2123 and its SIC code is 1400.