US Minerals

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.

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

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

• Coal slag roofing granules
• Iron silicate abrasives
• Mineral fillers
• Blasting media manufacturing
• Slag processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Tinley Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Combat Marine OutdoorsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2019U.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 AmericaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2019U.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 SocietyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2019Black 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 CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2019Tractor 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)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2019U.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)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018U.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 ValueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018U.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

Broad 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjg0kdKE2zFd6spLVrqw0DQ/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/blackdiamondabrasives
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/us-minerals

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about US Minerals