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For third generation Borgert Products an expansion into Colorado is paving the way for company growth. By John Pepper / Photos by Butkowski Digital Imaging
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rom truffles to couture, from Hermes to RollsRoyce, there’s always room at the top for the best. It’s as true of high quality paving as it is of anything else. That’s been good for Borgert Products, recognized as the 2016 Small Business of the Year by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, because paving is their business and they do it exceptionally well. As a third generation business established in 1923, Borgert Products has more than 90 years of experience and deep local connections. They have a top flight management team. And the ace in their hand is access to abundant granite, the best quality material available for manufactured paving. “That’s the best, highest quality stone you can use,” says company President George Strzala. “The only thing that would be better is diamonds.”
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Business Central Magazine // M AY/J U N E 2 0 1 6
A Culture of Innovation Borgert hasn’t always made pavers. For many years they made concrete blocks and other concrete products. But they were always looking for ways to be innovative. They developed new agricultural flooring products and decorative patio furniture, as well as the blocks which were the foundation of their business. However, it wasn’t until 1979 that they began making the product that would transform the company. “We were manufacturing blocks and were members of the National Concrete Masonry Association,” company owner Susan Borgert explained. “A Canadian group decided to approach American family-owned concrete manufacturers and promote use of pavers in the U.S. They were in Canada 10 years before they were in the U.S. My brother Kevin was excited about this. He flew to Canada to look at a machine with [Falcon National Bank President] John Herges. They were high school