Since 1957, Gillibrand Industrial Sands, LLC has built its reputation on consistency, quality, and the willingness to do whatever it takes to meet customer needs. With a focus on producing specialty sand materials, Gillibrand serves a broad spectrum of industries, ranging from construction and environmental work to recreational, equestrian, and even highly customized filtration projects. According to Production Manager Adam Winter, the versatility and reliability of their Powerscreen Chieftain screening equipment is a key part of their success.

Based in Simi Valley, California, and still family owned today, the company was founded by Phillip Gillibrand and has grown steadily over the years into a trusted name throughout Southern California. Gillibrand currently runs four Powerscreen Chieftain screeners, two Chieftain 1400s and two Chieftain 2200s, provided by Powerscreen of California, Nevada, & Hawaii. These machines are at the center of their daily operations, making it possible to handle the wide range of materials they produce. Adam emphasized that without these machines, their ability to meet the demands of their customers would be severely limited. 

Built for Variety

The Chieftain 1400, with its 11’ x 5’ two-deck screenbox and throughput capacity of up to 441 tons per hour, provides an agile solution for high-precision screening across a variety of applications. Meanwhile, the larger Chieftain 2200 features 22’ x 5’ screenbox and a dual-drive system capable of switching between two and four bearing setups, allowing it to push up to 772 tons per hour, making it a powerhouse for high-volume jobs or challenging material onsite for Gillibrand.

What makes the Chieftains so valuable to Gillibrand’s operation is their flexibility. The company is constantly adapting to customer requests, which often means creating entirely new materials based on unique needs. Whether it’s volleyball sand, raptor filter sand, playground blends, equestrian footing, or something completely custom, Gillibrand finds a way to make it happen. Adam explained that the Chieftains allow them to easily move machines around the site, swap out screen decks, and adjust sizing depending on what’s needed on any given day. This level of adaptability is crucial to keeping up with the pace and variety of customer demands. He shared that being able to quickly reposition the machines and reconfigure their output gives them a significant edge when it comes to meeting tight production schedules or responding to unexpected orders.

Beyond flexibility, the machines have had a direct impact on the company’s efficiency and throughput. Adam noted that since adding the Chieftains, they’ve seen a drastic improvement in how much material they can process within a single shift. This increase in throughput has made it possible to take on larger projects and to stockpile a wider variety of materials in anticipation of customer needs. The result is a faster, more responsive production line that allows Gillibrand to stay ahead of market demand rather than just reacting to it. That kind of operational capacity is essential when serving such a diverse customer base, and it gives Gillibrand a reputation for reliability in an industry where delivery timelines and material precision can make or break a job.

Service and Support

Even the best equipment needs support, and Adam spoke highly of the service and parts teams at Powerscreen of California, Nevada, & Hawaii. He mentioned that their service technicians are responsive and that parts typically arrive within the same week, helping to minimize downtime and keep machines running smoothly. That level of support, he said, is a big part of why they’ve remained loyal to the Powerscreen brand. Knowing they can get help quickly, whether it’s routine maintenance or a more urgent repair, adds peace of mind and keeps the operation moving forward without delays.

Safety is also a top priority for Gillibrand, and Adam, who comes from a safety-focused background, was quick to highlight the built-in features that make the Chieftains a smart choice from a worker protection standpoint. With integrated walkways, guardrails, toe boards, and other safety measures already in place, the machines meet high safety standards right out of the box. That means less time retrofitting equipment and more time focusing on production.

Environmental Compliance

In addition to performance and safety, Adam noted that the newer Chieftains have helped the company meet California’s strict environmental reporting standards. With built-in monitoring features that support emissions tracking and air quality compliance, the machines make it easier for Gillibrand to stay ahead of environmental regulations while maintaining high levels of productivity. It’s a combination that is increasingly important as sustainability becomes a bigger focus in industrial operations throughout the region.

Adam summed it up by saying that the Chieftains are delivering exactly what the company needs, and even sometimes more. Their ability to keep up with production goals while offering flexibility, safety, and environmental compliance makes them a key part of Gillibrand’s success.

In an operation where the material requirements are constantly evolving and customer expectations are high, having dependable, high-performance equipment isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. And thanks to their fleet of Chieftains and the support of Powerscreen of California, Nevada, & Hawaii, Gillibrand Industrial Sands is well-positioned to keep delivering for decades to come.