122-year-old company expands into barge logistics to reduce congestion and improve efficiency

Braen Stone, a fifth-generation, family-owned business with more than 122 years of experience in the quarry and construction materials industry, today announced the launch of its waterborne aggregate transportation operations, marking the first time in company history that it will deliver stone products via barge.

This strategic expansion enables Braen Stone to transport its own aggregates across the waterways of the New York and New Jersey region—offering a more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional trucking. The move comes in response to increasing infrastructure constraints, including bridge traffic restrictions, congestion pricing, and growing demand for reduced roadway congestion in and around New York City.

“With the addition of our barge capabilities, we can better serve our customers while addressing some of the region’s most pressing transportation challenges,” said Scott Braen, President & Chief Operating Officer of Braen Stone Companies. “This investment allows us to move significantly larger volumes of material more efficiently—up to 2,000 tons per barge compared to just 25 tons per truck—while reducing the number of trucks on already congested roads.”

Braen has acquired six barges to date, each approximately one year old at the time of purchase, and is actively exploring opportunities to expand the fleet in the future. The company’s entry into waterborne logistics represents a major milestone in its evolution, positioning it to meet growing regional demand with greater flexibility and scale.

“This is about building for the future,” said Will Hannema, Braen Stone Production Supervisor, Northern Quarries. “By integrating waterway transport into our operations, we can control more of our supply chain, improve delivery timelines, and provide a higher level of service to our customers across the NY/NJ metro area.”

The company’s recent infrastructure investments further support this expansion. Braen’s acquisition of the Whitehall quarry in November 2022 enables efficient movement of stone products downriver to distribution points, while its Newark dock—acquired in November 2024—serves as a critical hub for transferring materials between land and water. Through advanced conveyor systems and stevedoring operations, materials can be loaded and unloaded seamlessly, strengthening the connection between maritime and land-based logistics.

Braen has already demonstrated the effectiveness of its waterborne operations through several recent projects, including transporting aggregates to Queens for use in asphalt production and supporting major infrastructure work at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Additionally, the company has utilized its barge fleet to support regional logistics needs, including leasing vessels for the transport of rock salt throughout New York Harbor.

As demand for smarter, more sustainable infrastructure solutions grows, Braen’s investment in barge transport underscores its leadership in adapting to the evolving needs of the construction and materials industry. The company’s expansion into waterborne aggregates reflects its continued commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and customer service.