Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction April/May 2025

WHAT’S ONLINE

Concrete vs Asphalt: Which Job Is Harder?

No Edge Lines Season 2 Episode 6

Fearless editor Brandon Noel, steps way out of his comfort zone and into a giant concrete pour. The crew at Ace Avant in North Carolina put him through the paces of any rookie’s first day on the job.

Formoreinformationvisit

https://pavemg.com/NELS2E6

Show Coverage: World of Asphalt 2025

Everything from the showroom floor in St. Louis, MO! New products, booth interviews, events, news, and so much more all in one place! Check this link regularly March 25-27.

Formoreinformationvisit

https://pavemg.com/WOA2025

Stop Trying to Solve 2025’s Labor Challenges With 1995’s Playbook

How behavioral strategies can help navigate labor market challenges and bridge the workforce gap in construction.

Formoreinformationvisit

https://pavemg.com/793z4ohi

PAVEMENT

Published and copyrighted 2025 by IRONMARKETS. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

Individual subscriptions are available without charge in the U.S. only to pavement maintenance contractors, producers and government employees involved in paving or pavement maintenance; dealers, and distributors of pavement maintenance equipment or materials; and others with similar business activities. Complete the subscription form at www.forconstructionpros.com or use your company letterhead giving all the information requested. Publisher reserves the right to reject nonqualified subscribers. One year subscriptions for nonqualified individuals: $35.00 U.S.A., $60.00 Canada and Mexico, and $85.00 all other countries (payable in U.S. funds, drawn on U.S. bank). Single copies available (prepaid only) $10.00 each (U.S., Canada & Mexico), $15.00 each (International). Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction (ISSN 1098-5875), is published eight times per year: January, February, March, April/May, June/July, August/September, October/ November, December by IRONMARKETS, 201 N. Main St. Ste 350, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI and additional entry offices.

POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to , 201 N. Main St. Ste. 350, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Printed in the USA.

PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE & RECONSTRUCTION is proudly supported by these associations:

ADVISORY BOARD

Agua Trucks Inc

Wickenburg, AZ, Scott Duscher

Asphalt Contractors Inc., Union Grove, WI Robert Kordus

Asphalt Restoration Technology Systems, Orlando, FL Connie Lorenz

Brahney Paving, Hillsborough, NJ

Steven Brahney

Eosso Brothers Paving; Hazlet, NJ Tom Eosso

Maul Paving/Concrete/Sealcoating, PLainfield, IL ........................................ Chris Maul

Parking Lot Maintenance, Lake St. Louis, MO

Todd Bruening

Petra Paving, Hampstead, NH ...................................................................... Chris Tammany

Pioneer Paving, Albuquerque, NM Don Rooney

Roberts Traffic, Hollywood, FL Lisa Birchfield

Show Striping Inc. (SSI), Wisconsin Dells, WI Amber Showalter

T&N Asphalt Services, Salt Lake City, UT Nick Howell

Young Sealcoating Inc, Lynchburg, VA Steve Young

The Paving Lady Mauro Comuzzi

JMP Excelsior Services

Jim Panzenhagen

Sweeping Industry Veteran Gabe Vitale

Flat Nickel Management

Wis-Coat Asphalt Maintenance

Michael Nawa

Marvin Joles

Clear Choice Sealing Warren Johnson

Jacketta Sweeping Services Debbie Jacketta

Royal Pavement Solutions Kenneth Roy III

ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES:

Pavement Coatings Technology Council Brian Riggs, Executive Director

Vol. 38, No. 4, April/May 2025

Why You Should Consider Mental Health Jobsite Safety

Getting your head in the game.

The month of April is usually reserved as the “Jobsite Safety” month for the construction industry. There are no shortage of social media posts and articles about hi-vis clothing, PPV, best practices, flagging, and many other ways to keep our people safe while on the job. However, one aspect of safety that isn’t often included, but has been gaining some traction in recent years, concerns mental health.

The construction industry is sadly plagued by an above average rate of suicide and self-harm when compared to other industries. It’s clear that there is a problem, and people are trying to do something about it. However, when I think about mental health in the trades, I remember my time working in a steel factory and the difficulty I had getting help.

Brandon Noel, Editor bNoel@iron.markets 234-600-8983

In 2013, I was going through a serious depression, and I was drinking heavily. None of my coworkers knew how bad I was struggling, and the drinking, well, let’s face this reality: drinking in our industry is completely normalized.

Don’t get me wrong! I love an ice cold beer after I’ve put in a hard days’ work. It’s the best. However, when combined with mental health struggles, it can be a recipe for disaster. That’s where I was, and it wasn’t until I sought out therapy that I began to get a better grasp on what was happening to me.

For the next eighteen months, I regularly saw my counselor, and began to get my mental and physical health back on track. But why should employers care about this, really? If a guy shows up, and is getting the job done, what’s the difference?

Before I sought help, I was coming to work, but the work I was doing was not my best. I wasn’t focused, I wasn’t sharp, and I wasn’t engaged with doing all that I could do. I was just... surviving. While no one could say I was slacking, no one would say I was excelling either. However, after I started to work on myself, my work also improved.

I went from being a bottom-line operator, expanding my knowledge and skills over the following years, and then became the go-to guy to train new-hires. I felt a kind of pride in my work that I hadn’t before.

So, just like you provide gloves, helmets, and safety vests for your crews, you should seriously consider how you are supporting the mental health of your employees. The investment you make in them, in that way, can provide direct benefits to you, your company, and your clients. It made all the difference in the world for me, and I guarantee that there is likely one person, at least, who works with you or for you that needs this kind of help today.

See you on the road! ■

PAVEMENT

EDITORIAL

Editor Brandon Noel bnoel@iron.markets

Content Director, Marketing Services Jessica Lombardo jlombardo@iron.markets

AUDIENCE

Audience Development Director Angela Franks

PRODUCTION

Senior Production Manager Cindy Rusch crusch@iron.markets

Art Director April Van Etten

ADVERTISING/SALES

Brand Director ........................................................... Amy Schwandt aschwandt@iron.markets

Brand Manager Megan Perleberg mperleberg@iron.markets

Sales Representative Sean Dunphy sdunphy@iron.markets

Sales Representative Kris Flitcroft kflitcroft@iron.markets

IRONMARKETS

Chief Executive Officer Ron Spink

Chief Revenue Officer ............................................ Amy Schwandt VP, Finance Greta Teter VP, Operations & IT Nick Raether VP, Demand Generation & Education ....................... Jim Bagan

Corporate Director of Sales Jason DeSarle

Brand Director, Construction, OEM & IRONPROS .....................................................Sean Dunphy

Content Director Marina Mayer Director, Online & Marketing Services Bethany Chambers Director, Event Content & Programming Jess Lombardo

CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS

201 N. Main St. Ste. 350, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (877) 201-3915 | Fax: (847)-291-4816 circ.pavement@omeda.com

LIST RENTAL

Sr. Account Manager Bart Piccirillo | Data Axle (518) 339 4511 | bart.piccirillo@infogroup.com

REPRINT SERVICES

Brand Manager Megan Perleberg mperleberg@iron.markets | (800) 538-5544

Published and copyrighted 2025 by IRONMARKETS. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

@PAVEMENTMAGAZINE @PAVEMENTMAGAZINE @PAVEMENTMAINTENANCE

Adobe Stock/SpaceOak

BUILDING AMERICA BUILDING AMERICA

ONE ROAD AT A TIME ONE ROAD AT A TIME

The 8680 Asphalt Paver delivers high production capacity while maintaining a compact and maneuverable footprint meeting the ne of heavy commercial and main-line contractors alike.

210 hp (157 kW) Kubota Tier 4 Final Diesel Engine

needs

Weight: 33,600 lbs. with LB5 Screed; 36,000 lbs. with LB7 Screed

Paving Widths Variable Up To 15’ 6”

High Speed Smooth Rubber Tracks

Actuator Driven Hood Lift to Aid in Maintenance

Asphalt Kingdom and Attentive.ai Join Forces

Attentive.ai, the leading provider of AI-based takeoff software, today announced a strategic partnership with Asphalt Kingdom. This collaboration aims to transform how contractors and paving professionals approach technology and AI.

Automeasure - powered by Attentive. ai, is designed to save contractors 95% of their time by automatically measuring asphalt, concrete, parking stall stripes, directional arrows, handicap stalls, and more.

“This partnership is an absolute game-changer for the asphalt and paving industry,” said Shiva Dhawan, CEO and Co-founder of Attentive.ai.

Shawn Prince, President of Field Services at Attentive.ai, added: “Our goal has always been to help professionals reclaim time spent on manual tasks & workflows. With this partnership, we’re doubling down on that mission, delivering unparalleled value to paving contractors and suppliers.”

The collaboration is set to elevate the operational efficiency of pavement professionals and bring AI-led transformation to the industry.

Judson Burdon, President of Asphalt Kingdom, shared, “With over 20 years of dedication to our customers’ success, Asphalt Kingdom is proud to partner with Attentive.ai. This collaboration enhances our AK DASH business solution by integrating AI into our assessment and proposal modules, providing our customers with unprecedented support and growth opportunities. Leveraging AI was a critical goal for us, and now, together with Attentive, we can provide a superior experience for all our valued customers.”

EVERLINE COATINGS MARKS A LANDMARK YEAR IN 2024

Over the course of the year, the brand experienced substantial growth, adding 20 new franchise locations in the United States and 1 in Canada, including in the key market of the state of California, further broadening reach for superior line striping and pavement maintenance services.

“EverLine continues to redefine what’s possible in the franchise world when it comes to exceptional line striping and pavement maintenance,” said John Evans, Founder and CEO of EverLine Coatings. “None of this growth would be possible without our incredible franchisees, whose dedication and hard work drive our success. Their commitment to excellence has strengthened our brand, fueled our momentum and proven our financial resilience – even in challenging times. We are immensely proud of what we’ve built together and excited to keep raising the bar in the year ahead.”

EverLine Coatings offers various parking lot services, including striping and pavement maintenance, seal coating, crack sealing, and repair. The franchise also offers specialized services including custom branded stenciling with durable traffic products, etc. Additionally, the brand has built a credible reputation among national accounts serving the pharmacy, retail, and convenience store sectors with interior floor coating applications for safety lines, slip-resistant, and protective epoxy floor coatings in industrial centers through its EverFloor Durable Systems brand division.

BOMAG AMERICAS NAMES LINDER INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AS NEW FULL-LINE DEALER FOR VIRGINIA

Linder now provides its customers with sales, rental, service and parts support for BOMAG’s full range of asphalt distribution and compaction, paving, milling, and recycling/stabilizing equipment, single drum rollers and soil compactors, and landfill compactors.

“Linder is a very successful dealer for BOMAG in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, and we are excited to extend this established and successful partnership to Virginia,” said Christoph Thiesbrummel, vice president of sales and marketing for BOMAG Americas. “Linder’s unique business philosophy places customers at the top of the organizational chart, putting their customers’ needs at the forefront of the business. This philosophy has served BOMAG construction, roadbuilding and landfill equipment customers well for years.”

Linder today is recognized as one of the nation’s premier heavy equipment dealers with a tenured team totaling more than 750 strong. Linder covers the new Virginia territory from five branches located in Bealeton, Chesapeake, Chester, Fishersville and Salem. Linder carries a wide range of new, used and rental equipment for customers as well as an extensive OEM parts inventory, remanufactured exchange components, aftermarket parts and a professional staff of customer support managers. Skilled service technicians provide technical support and training for customers.

Bobcat B760 Backhoe Loader

Bobcat Co.

The B760 backhoe loader features a lift capacity of more than 2,200 lbs. at full reach, digging depth of 18 ft., 5 in. and nearly 180 degrees of backhoe swing for less repositioning. The backhoe loader comes with a standard-equipped extendable arm that provides up to 8 in. of additional dig depth. The B760’s performance and versatility extend throughout the machine, with the front-end loader providing a lift capacity of 7,985 lbs. with its standard, general purpose bucket. Powered by a turbocharged 3.4L Bobcat engine, the B760 delivers powerful, high-torque performance. It achieves emissions compliance without the use of a diesel particulate filter (DPF).

Features include:

• Ride control for reduced bucket spillage

• Automatic return-to-dig positioning

• Eight work lights for long days of loader and backhoe operations

• A 1.4-cu.-yd. general purpose loader bucket for jobsite versatility

RefrigiWear Hi-Vis 3-in-1 Rainwear Jacket

REFRIGIWEAR

INC

The HiVis 3-in-1 Rainwear Jacket by RefrigiWear delivers warmth, safety and protection for concrete professionals on the job. The outer jacket features a 100% polyester, waterproof and wind-tight shell, equipped with 2 in. of reflective tape for visibility. This jacket meets ANSI/ ISEA 107-2020 - Type R, Class 3 and CSA Z96 - Class 3, Level 2 standards. The inner jacket provides 120g of diamond-quilted insulation, with knit cuffs and a stand-up collar for warmth. When combined, the outer and inner jackets offer protection in temperatures as low as 10°F. Roll out the hood to guard against glare and from overspray when you’re cleaning equipment, then zip it into the collar or detach it completely in dry conditions. The HiVis 3-in-1 Rainwear Jacket features multiple pockets and adjustable cuffs. The outer jacket includes two zippered hand-warmer pockets, a chest pocket and an inside pocket.

Elgin Sweeper DualEyes Camera System for RegenX Sweepers

Elgin Sweeper Company

Elgin Sweeper has announced the new Elgin DualEyes Camera system for RegenX sweepers. The camera system supports visibility on the front right tire and front right corner of the sweeper in addition to the right-side broom. Visibility of the curbline shows possible obstructions in the sweeper’s path. The new DualEyes will first be available on the Elgin RegenX – a mid-dump, regenerative air sweeper that is both reliable and durable. The DualEyes system is for use when there is no right-hand steering available, so operating the sweeper from the left-hand position is possible. DualEyes can be used in bright sunlight or in darkness without any lighting. A clear color picture is available at night due to the use of Starlight Technology. The camera integrates rear-view and pickup head cameras on RegenX sweepers utilizing a 10-in. dashmounted screen, so operators only have one central location they need to look.

Ditch Witch JT21 Horizontal Directional Drill

Ditch Witch

The JT21 directional drill is an upgraded replacement for the JT20. The JT21 features 21,000 lbs. of pullback, 20,000 lbs. of thrust and 2,250 ft.-lbs. of torque, allowing crews to complete installations at a faster pace in a variety of soil conditions. Also, a new design and lower center of gravity increases stability. Among the JT21 features that help boost productivity and ease operations are:

• Improved hydraulic efficiencies and a direct-drive rotation motor

• Virtually Assisted Make-up (VAM) technology provides software-driven makeup and breakout of pipe

• A proven pipe-loading system provides the horizontal-style pipe loading customers asked for

• An enhanced operator station provides a common display with other HDD platforms and multi-mode joysticks

E-Z Grader

E-Z Grader

BOMAG BW 174 AP-5

BOMAG Americas Inc.

Introducing the new E-Z Grader skid-steer attachment which boasts a built-in roller compactor, retractable ripper shanks, and deployable wings for superior performance. The attachment is designed for seamless compatibility with all top skid-steer brands. The E-Z Grader is a multifaceted attachment designed to deliver precise grading across a wide range of projects with the ability to grade in both 2D and 3D. This tool is perfect for various applications, including warehouses, parking lots, and athletic fields.

A pivot-steered tandem roller particularly suitable for thin-layer surfacing and compaction of asphalt layers, base courses, and anti-frost layers on new-build projects and maintenance jobs. It is designed for medium and large-scale construction projects, e.g. inner-city development, roads, airports, and parking lots. The roller is more efficient with ECOMODE/ECOSTOP and optional hybrid technology. Equipped with an individually configurable touchscreen, improving user-friendliness. ASPHALT MANAGER compaction system helps achieve the required compaction results in asphalt and road construction. Setting the machine parameters is easy − all the operator needs to do is select the paving layer. All functions of the tandem roller can be preset on the individually configurable 10-inch touchscreen.

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Water Wall System

TrafFix Devices

Water Wall, by TrafFix Devices, is a durable and highly adaptable safety device designed for superior performance that continues to set the standard in temporary barrier solutions. As a MASH-eligible TL-2 Longitudinal Channelizing Device, the Water Wall provides critical protection in work zones by clearly delineating spaces while maintaining optimal visibility for drivers. Its 32-in. tall by 72-in. long low-profile design ensures clear sightlines at intersections, improving traffic awareness and reducing accident risks.

Manufactured from durable, low-density polyethylene plastic, the Water Wall is built for longevity, resisting cracks and breakage even in demanding conditions. Its double-wall knuckle design reinforces hinge points, reducing the risk of structural failure. With a hinge that allows up to 30 degrees of pivoting, the barrier can be adjusted to fit various layouts, while a newly introduced corner piece enables 90-degree turns for even greater versatility.

LHP Utility Transport Vehicle Tracking

LHP Telematics

Tracking UTVs with a telematics platform is a cost-effective solution to enhance safety, prevent theft, and ensure timely returns. LHP’s telematics solution seamlessly integrates with leading UTV brands, including the Polaris Pro XD Full-Crew and the Kubota 900, 1100, and 1140 models.

• Plug-and-Play Installation: Physical connectors plug directly into the manufacturer’s telematics port, eliminating any chance of incorrect wiring.

• Easy-to-read mounting instructions: show you where to physically attach the hardware for a fast, hassle-free installation.

Astec Industries SiteLine

Astec Industries Inc.

Astec Industries announced the launch of the SiteLine operator environmental awareness camera system for its cold planers.

Key Features:

• The SiteLine system provides a custom panoramic view of mobile equipment, starting with the cold planer products.

• Advanced image processing stitches multiple camera feeds together, creating a natural and uninterrupted view for the operator - helping to identify and avoid potential hazards.

• Improved situational awareness allows operators to work more efficiently and confidently, leading to faster project completion times.

• Ability to tap any one of the camera screens to zoom in and get a close-up look at a specific area of the machine, then return to bird’s eye view.

SAKAI Echelon Mode Sakai America, Inc.

SAKAI America announced the release of its new Echelon Mode for the Guardman Automatic Brake Assist System. This feature improves the safety and efficiency of tandem asphalt rolling operations. The new Echelon Mode builds upon this foundation by specifically addressing the unique challenges of echelon rolling, a common technique used in highway-class paving.

Key features of Echelon Mode include:

• Millimeter-wave radar or 3D LiDAR to detect potential collisions with personnel or equipment, warn the operator progressively, and automatically brake to prevent accidents if needed.

• Echelon Mode allows two SAKAI SW884 (79”) or SW994 (84”) asphalt rollers, equipped with Guardman, to operate in close proximity without generating false alarms but still protecting against collisions.

• Enables closer, more efficient echelon formation, maximizing productivity.

Moasure 2 and Moasure PRO

Moasure

Moasure has released the Moasure 2 Series – comprising the Moasure 2 and Moasure 2 PRO – which offers a unique way to both measure and draw irregular job sites, quickly and precisely.

As the sure walks the site, Moasure automatically captures:

• Perimeter

• Area

• Volume

• Surface area

• Elevation changes

As the app is capturing measurements, it simultaneously draws a 2D and 3D diagram on the user’s smartphone or tablet. Exclusively with Moasure 2 PRO, users can also access Layout Mode, designed to help locate and mark points based on a set of predefined coordinates and without the need for GPS, Wi-Fi, line of sight, or even an extra pair of hands –only using a Bluetooth connection between the device and app.

The LISSMAC Multicut 575

LISSMAC Corporation

Built with advanced technology and tailored for high-demand construction and repair applications, LISSMAC’s Multicut 575 floor saw was designed to elevate performance, safety, and efficiency in concrete cutting.

Equipped with a powerful four-speed gearbox, the Multicut 575 provides unmatched flexibility for cutting at optimal speeds with any blade size. The speeds (800, 1300, 1900, and 2800 rpm) ensure precision with varying blade diameters, enabling operators to achieve the perfect cut for each project. The gearbox also includes a neutral position, enhancing safety by giving operators precise control over the blade shaft.

The Multicut 575 operates without the need for regeneration, simplifying maintenance and reducing downtime. This ensures field operations are seamless, eliminating the requirement for specialized service adjustments in the field, a benefit that business owners and operators will appreciate.

M ANAGER ASPHALT 2

3 Amplitude Options at the Touch of a Button

• ASPHALT MANAGER 2 cuts down on passes and avoids over compaction.

• Delivers professional level compaction results even when a novice is operating the roller.

• No manual drum adjustments required.

TanGO Takes the Risk out of Compacting near Buildings

• Tangential Oscillation (TanGO) is simple to operate and safe to run on bridges and near buildings.

• The TanGO technology creates a smooth mat finish even at higher working speeds.

Reduce Passes by up to 40% without losing Mat Quality

• Pair BOMAG BOMAP technology with ASPHALT MANAGER 2 and reduce your number of passes by up to 40% without compromising mat quality.

• Track and document compaction results in real time with the BOMAP App.

For Truly Intelligent Compaction look to BOMAG Heavy Tandem Rollers and BOMAG advanced compaction technologies like ASPHALT MANAGER 2, TanGO and BOMAP. BOMAG technologies not only improve finish quality but also reduce the number of passes needed and increase your compaction efficiency across the board. Even a novice operator can get professional level results with BOMAG! Contact your local BOMAG Dealer today to learn more. www.bomag.com

By Jessica Lombardo, Contributing Editor, Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction

See You In The Big Easy!

Held February 9-12th, PAVE/X 2026 will present attendees with a once in a lifetime experience during Mardi Gras season in New Orleansand the hotel room block is now open!

After a tremendous year two event, PAVE/X has solidified its position as the top tradeshow for paving and pavement maintenance professionals - and we’re not done growing yet - not by a long shot.

For its third year, PAVE/X: The Pavement Experience will be bringing their event to New Orleans February 9-12th 2026 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The best part? PAVE/X will take place before the official Mardi Gras

season, making attendance of the event a once in a lifetime experience.

“Not only is PAVE/X the ideal meeting space for paving and pavement maintenance professionals to grow their business through education, live outdoor equipment demonstrations and a full tradeshow floor of innovations from top industry manufacturers, but the 2026 event will feature a renowned opening keynote speech and an after-party on the Mardi Gras parade route,” Amy Schwandt, co-founder of PAVE/X said. “In year three, we are taking this experience to a whole new level to keep raising the bar for our attendees.”

OFFICIAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS*:

Monday 2/9:

Business Bootcamp: 12:00-3:00 PM

Roundtable Discussions: 3:00-5:00

Kickoff Party: 6:00-9:00 PM

Tuesday 2/10:

Education: 9:00-2:00

Opening Keynote: 2:00-3:00

Tradeshow: 3:00-7:00

Networking Reception: 5:00-7:00

Pavement Awards: 6:00-7:00

Wednesday 2/11:

Education: 9:00-12:00

Tradeshow: 9:00 – 2:00

Roller Rodeo/Striping Competition

Thursday 2/12:

Education: 9:00-12:00

Tradeshow: 9:00 – 12:00

Roller Rodeo/Striping Competition

Afterparty: 5:00 – 9:00 PM

*Schedule subject to change

“You can see from the 2026 schedule of events that we’ve been listening to attendees and exhibitors and trying to really maximize everyone’s time while they are with us at PAVE/X,” Jessica Lombardo, PAVE/X co-founder said. “We are moving the industry-favorite roundtable discussions to Monday to kickoff the event and get conversations started, expanding tradeshow floor hours, and shifting the outdoor equipment demonstrations by a day. All of these changes are a direct result of what we’ve heard will help streamline the event so everyone can get the most from their trip.”

Attendees can also expect the top industry education they have come to rely on from this event, but with an even more dialed in approach to the offerings. Educational hours will start later in the day and sessions will be revamped to accommodate professionals from every skill set and experience level.

“We read session evaluations, listened to attendees and met with our education advisory council and are continuing to fill in those course gaps where we were light on content,” Lombardo said. “The biggest goal we have with PAVE/X is to ensure we’re providing valuable and necessary education so that companies can bring their entire crews to the show and find multiple courses that they will benefit from.”

READY TO TEST YOUR SKILLS?

Another change and highlight of the 2026 event will again be the live outdoor equipment demonstrations. In

Adam Rahn

year one, the show provided a grand stand for attendees to watch equipment in action. We took it a step further in year two and let attendees operate equipment with the manufacturer product experts to teach them how to best use their innovations. Now in year three, attendees will get to test out their skills and take part in live competitions during the outdoor equipment demonstration time.

“We are incredibly excited to bring a competition-based event to the outdoor equipment demonstration portion of the show in New Orleans,” Schwandt said. “Not only will these demos provide valuable “seat time” for operators to get to try out equipment, but they will also be scored and timed so we will be able

to evaluate operators and showcase the top participants on a leaderboard. The Roller Rodeo will be a great way for attendees to see how efficient they can be on compaction equipment while still focusing on their quality and skill. We got to see this competition in action with C.W. Matthews Contracting and look forward to working with them to bring this event to life for PAVE/X attendees.”

There will also be a timed striping competition for contractors to test their skills and see how fast and precise they are during equipment operation compared to their peers. The PAVE/X team is looking to provide other competitions as well, space and time permitting.

INNOVATION IN PRESERVATION

“The best part about what we’re doing with PAVE/X is how we will continue to work every year to evolve the event with what the attendees are asking for,” Lombardo said. “Our team listens to feedback and works to ensure we’re bringing the very best experience to everyone involved. We truly care about this industry and want to continue to ensure we’re providing something valuable and impactful for everyone who invests their time and resources to come. We can’t wait to see you all in New Orleans!”

Hotel room block is open now at https://www.pavexshow.com/bookyour-hotel/ ■

Pothole Patching

Gallon Mastic Melter

Gallon Crack Sealer

How Dashcams Are Enhancing Safety and Protecting Fleets From FRAUD

The data collected from dashcams provides insights into driving patterns, enabling fleet managers to implement targeted training programs.

LEquipping vehicles with dashcams demonstrates a strong commitment to safety and transparency, building trust with clients and the public.

et’s face it — we live in a world where everything is prone to going viral. A recent epidemic that has taken the Internet and social media platforms by storm is auto insurance fraud attempts, thanks to the rapid adoption of dashcams. Dashcams have become essential for businesses reliant on vehicles and heavy equipment. They offer protection against a nefarious

@digidreamgrafix - adobe.stock.com

trend—staged accidents that exploit commercial fleets for financial gain. Staged accidents are a growing threat to fleet operators, particularly in highrisk industries like construction and equipment transport. Fraudsters target commercial vehicles, assuming companies, especially small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), prefer quick settlements over lengthy disputes. Fraudsters

RAISING THE STANDARD

Since its introduction, the Weiler P385 has set the standard for commercial pavers. The P385C raises that standard.

Variable speed and reversible conveyors and augers and a 25% increase in tunnel height provide optimal material output.

Increase to 120 hp with the Cat® C3.6 Tier 4F/Stage V engine.

Modular conveyor drive and sealed chain case increase feeder system reliability and life.

Enhanced heat system performance with direct-drive hydraulic generator and elimination of GFCI breakers.

employ sophisticated tactics, including orchestrated collisions, to exploit businesses. These incidents can result in substantial financial losses, disrupt operations, and severely damage a company’s reputation, especially for those in industries reliant on trust and reliability. In 2023, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) helped process nearly 160,000 questionable claims. To further show the scope of this impact, auto insurance fraud is significantly underreported, with 29% of victims failing to notify authorities. That said, the importance of video evidence has never been more apparent. Dashcams serve as impartial witnesses, providing video evidence to refute fraudulent claims. In one recent, notable case, footage from an individual’s dashcam exposed a staged accident in Queens, saving the real victim from a costly legal battle. With video documentation, companies can challenge false claims and protect their bottom line.

In a recent case study, a representative from the company Day & Nite explains how their use of AI dashcams has been instrumental in transforming fleet safety practices. Within six months of implementation, they reduced rearend accidents by 75% and decreased in-cab phone usage by 90%.

BEYOND THE FRAUD: A FOCUS ON DRIVER SAFETY

Dashcams have transcended their role as mere safety devices, evolving into indispensable tools for modern fleet management. Beyond fraud prevention, they enhance driver safety through AI-powered alerts that notify drivers of risky behaviors such as speeding or sudden braking. This real-time feedback empowers drivers to adjust their actions, mitigating accident risks.

Additionally, the data collected from dashcams provides invaluable insights into driving patterns, enabling fleet managers to implement targeted training programs. As discussed in a recent fleet management podcast episode, “Automotive Fleet Safety Beyond the Driver,” safety should be viewed as a collective

responsibility, extending beyond the drivers to the entire organization.

It also helps promote accountability because the awareness of being monitored fosters a culture of responsibility among drivers, encouraging adherence to safety protocols and traffic laws. This protects employees, enhances the company’s reputation, and builds client trust.

SPEEDING UP CLAIMS AND MINIMIZING DOWNTIME

Disputes over fault can delay repairs and disrupt operations, leaving companies riddled with legal fees and a potentially drawn-out case. Fortunately, dashcams also streamline claims processes by providing clear and irrefutable evidence in the event of an accident or incident. This expedites dispute resolution, minimizing delays, and reducing the time vehicles are off the road.

Additionally, fleet managers can dedicate more time to core operational responsibilities such as route optimization, equipment maintenance, and job site logistics by minimizing time spent on claim disputes. Dashcams expedite the claims process by providing irrefutable evidence in the event of an accident.

From a financial perspective, dashcams offer several advantages. Insurance companies often offer lower premiums to fleets equipped with these devices, recognizing the reduced risk. By preventing accidents and minimizing the severity of incidents, dashcams also contribute to cost savings related to repairs, medical expenses, and lost productivity. They also effectively deter fraudulent claims, protecting the company’s bottom line.

Beyond safety and financial benefits, dashcams contribute to optimizing fleet operations. By integrating dashcam data with fleet management software, businesses gain a comprehensive view of vehicle operations, including real-time location tracking, fuel consumption monitoring, and driver behavior analysis. This data-driven approach enables fleet managers to identify and address inefficiencies, such as ineffective routes or excessive idling, reducing fuel consumption and improving overall operational efficiency.

BUILDING CUSTOMER TRUST

Equipping vehicles with dashcams demonstrates a strong commitment to safety and transparency, building trust with clients and the public. Clients value openness and accountability, and equipping vehicles with dashcams reflects a commitment to these values. In the event of an incident, providing clear evidence through dashcam footage builds trust and fosters long-term client relationships.

BUILDING A FUTUREREADY FLEET

The evolution of dashcam technology ensures its continued significance in modern fleet management. Features such as live video streaming, realtime alerts for potential hazards, and automated incident reporting constantly enhance their utility. By embracing these innovations within a single, unified platform, businesses can improve safety and efficiency and position themselves as industry leaders, demonstrating a commitment to safety, accountability, and operational excellence.

The benefits of AI-powered dashcam technology extend far beyond fraud prevention. By enhancing driver safety, optimizing fleet operations, and building customer trust, these systems offer a multifaceted return on investment for any fleet-dependent business. ■ by Erin Gilchrist is vice president of fleet evangelism at Intellishift. @ ajr_images - adobe.stock.com

DECEMBER 3 - 5, 2025

LOCATED AT THE OPAL SOL | CLEARWATER, FLORIDA

LEAD WITH STRENGTH.

GROW WITH KNOWLEDGE.

Leadership isn’t about one person—it’s about rising together. At IGNITE 2025, discover strategies to navigate uncertainty, inspire your team, and drive success. Step up, lead boldly, and shape the future of your company.

By Brandon Noel, Editor

GREEN MEANS Sweeping Safety At NASCAR

The role of sweepers on race day is an important one, and street sweepers play an important part in protecting and preserving the track surface, as well as making it safer for those behind the wheel.

Every year, more than 100,000 people attend the 36 official NASCAR races around the country. The popularity of the motorsport has grown significantly over the last decade, and each individual race

becomes a sort of multi-day event where fans congregate to, not just watch the race, but hang out, enjoy tail-gaiting, swap stories, and find new memorabilia of their favorite racing stars.

To the untrained eye, the track is just like any other road, but to those who spend their lives paving and maintaining asphalt, they know better. According to the Asphalt Institute, NASCAR tracks typically use PG 82-22 for the surface mix, which ensures a higher than normal softening point (typically 190 degrees) and higher friction. This prevents it from shifting or deforming under the extreme conditions of a NASCAR race.

The hot mix asphalt (HMA) is made up from a combination of a fine gradation of sand, stone, and gravel,

without larger aggregates, as well as, a thick layer of Polymer Modified Asphalt binder (PMA). The surface of the track can reach temperatures in excess of 160 degrees Farenhheit during a race, just from the friction caused by the more than three-thousand pound vehicles flying across it with their specialty tires.

These forces are extreme. As the cars stop, turn, or accelerate they push the asphalt to the limit in ways that normal cars never could. However, compared to the thicker spec used for highway building, which supports vertical loads like a heavy semi truck, these race tracks are made to withstand greater lateral forces.

The design of a track is part of the overall safety plan for the drivers, because a surface failure could spell disaster when traveling at those speeds. Sadly, despite

Spotters use radios to alert NASCAR drivers to the sweeper’s location on the track, but it’s not without risk.

GO:

any and all efforts to prevent them, accidents happen in NASCAR almost every time they take the track. When they do happen, it’s important to the safety of the remaining racers that the track is cleared of any and all debris as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

To achieve this, they employ a pair of specially designed street sweepers designed by Elgin.

THE COOLEST SWEEPER OPERATOR YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

Wally Hayes is the liaison to track and NASCAR operations, working for Champion Tire and Wheel, and it’s his job to make sure the sweepers are transported to each race and that they are in full working order when they’re called into action.

“Elgin has been involved with NASCAR for quite some time now, ten plus years,” Hayes told me. “This season will be the third season since our group took over operating the sweepers for them.”

While he makes sure that the sweepers make it safely from trackto-track, Hayes didn’t come from a background in contract sweeping. His background was in transportation and logistics, including the large hauling of oversized loads across the country. He joined Champion Tire and Wheel about a decade ago.

“We haul, as a company, moving a team’s pit boxes and other things,” he said. “We don’t haul the actual cars, but almost everything else that a team needs with them on the track.”

Previously, local sweeping contractors were enlisted by Elgin to help operate the sweepers for NASCAR, but over time that changed. Like a lot of contract sweeping companies (and everyone else for that matter) it became harder to find qualified operators at every stop. That was a big factor why Wally’s team taking over the responsibility. Elgin sent out a representative to train Hayes and some of his team, and they’ve been running things ever since.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A NASCAR SWEEPER

Hayes and the sweeper team usually arrive at the new track before anyone else from the circuit gets there. It’s their first responsibility to make sure that everything is good to go, ready for when the circus arrives.

“The first day we have cars on the track is when it gets busy,” Hayes said. “That’s when we do what they call ‘track prep,’ and we’ll send our guys to blow [off the surface], then the Elgin’s come by and run the walls. They’re picking up everything from small particles, rubber, nuts, bolts, and whatever else might be out there.”

The remnants of previous races and collisions isn’t the only thing they use the sweepers for ahead of a new race.

Sometimes the weather isn’t ideal, especially if it dumps a bunch of rain over the track.

“When it comes down to rain, we have to do a lot of vacuuming, then dumping it out, and repeat that process until the track is dry enough,” he explained.

Hayes further detailed that the rain issue can be the biggest headache for the sweepers to deal with, especially if they’re having to make twenty or thirty trips from the track to a dump spot for the excess water they collect. A lot of times, they don’t have a nearby area to dump it, and then have to drive completely out of the course arena to dispose of it.

Other times they might sweep up something they aren’t supposed to, and finding it can be a bit of a time consuming problem.

“We’ve swept up all kinds of things, but sometimes [after an accident] we might sweep up the NASCAR transponders which they use for the cars. Once they get inside the hopper, they can’t see it any longer. So, we’ve walked and walked the track before looking for them everywhere, finally, dumping out the hopper to see if it’s there. You end up having to dig through a bunch of rubber and dirt, but it’s usually all the way at the bottom.”

SWEEPERS IN THE RACE

The pre-race preparations and storm water removal is all done on an empty track, but the most exciting and interesting sweeping happens

Provided by Elgin Sweepers Company

Provided by Elgin Sweepers Company

when, during the middle of a race, the sweepers have to join the cars on the track itself.

“They keep the cars moving, just not a race speed,” Hayes said. “If it’s a [big] mess they might throw a red flag and stop the cars. Then we sweep from the top of the wall, downwards. If it’s an oil-down, which is what it ends up being most of the time, they’ll lay out speedy dry to soak it up first. Then we will follow behind with these big stiff brooms on our machines.”

Even with modern cameras that virtually put spectators inside the cars, Hayes says that nothing does justice to what it’s like to be out on the track alongside the racers.

“If I do go out [in the sweeper] during the race, it’s pretty unique,” he said. “Obviously, you’re not moving anywhere even near what they do, but you’ve got the cars weaving in and around you. We have our safety lights flashing, strobes, and a NASCAR safety vehicle is usually behind us. When the cars are swerving, they can get pretty close, come across the nose of the sweeper. There’s nothing else like it, it’s pretty exciting even at slow speeds.”

The track crew uses safety spotters to help direct the drivers, alerting them to where the sweepers are on the course, but they also communicate to the sweeping team about where they are needed.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE SWEEPERS

Just like NASCAR has a specially designed asphalt spec for the track because of their extreme needs, they also had special requirements for the sweeper. To meet these challenges, Elgin created the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper.

“[It] differs significantly from standard street sweepers due to its specialized features tailored for racetrack maintenance,” said Noah Baran, Elgin Product Manager.

According to Elgin, here are some of the things that set the Crosswind apart from its off-the-shelf counterparts:

• Sweeper Functions: Engineered specifically for use on steep-banked racetracks.

• Pickup Head: Designed specifically for high-speed track cleaning, ensuring optimal debris removal.

• Side Air Blast: Uses a powerful side air blast to dislodge debris from the track surface efficiently.

• Poly Side Broom Bristles: Equipped with durable poly side broom bristles that effectively sweep without causing track damage.

• Object Detection Systems for Blind Spots: Integrated object detection technology enhances safety by identifying potential obstacles in blind spots.

• Camera Systems for Visibility: Advanced camera systems provide operators with enhanced visibility around the truck, improving maneuverability and safety.

But how do these features address the specific needs of NASCAR? And in what ways do those needs diverge from the standard needs of a commercial parking lot or municipal client?

“The specialized modifications of the NASCAR sweepers are designed to ensure a clean, dry, and safe racing environment, directly addressing NASCAR’s need for optimal track conditions,” Jeff Peters, Elgin’s Manager of Technical Services, explained.

The Elgin Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper is specifically engineered for steep-banked racetracks, making it ideal for both routine maintenance and emergency response cleaning.

“Its advanced features, including high-speed debris removal, oil absorbent material collection, and efficient drying capabilities, for enhanced track safety during races. By integrating powerful suction, side air blast technology, and precision sweeping, this machine plays a critical role in maintaining ideal racing conditions, reducing the risk of accidents, and allowing for uninterrupted competition,” he continued.

In the various echelons of pavement maintenance, those who keep and maintain the high-end surfaces of a major motor speedway might be a specialized group and few in number. However, the work they do is essential for safety and preservation, and that is no different than the work that all sweeper operators do day-in and day-out. ■

Photos Provided by Elgin Sweepers Company

Provided by Elgin Sweepers Company

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«

BB: Back-To-Business

Marvin Joles created a well recognized brand within the asphalt and pavement industry, and then he chose to step away. His experience coincides with the industry’s growing awareness towards mental health and self-care.

David Thomas from Oman with Marvin’s friends and family at a PAVE/X 2025 Event.

Provided by Marvin Joles

When I came into the asphalt industry, mid-way through 2022, one of the first calls I took was with the man who people told me was an, “asphalt influencer,” and since I was so new I wanted to make sure I connected with him as soon as possible.

I remember not really knowing what to even ask about, because I had a mere few weeks under my belt the first time we spoke. However, what I do recall from that conversation with Marvin Joles, the former host of the popular Blacktop Banter podcast, and creator of a massive back catalogue of video and web content on social media, was that the industry was a lot bigger and more complex than I’d previously imagined up until that point.

While most would consider asphaltpavement to be a niche subculture, the reality is that, like others of its kind, it shares a lot of crossover with other blue collar, trade-based professions. What speaks to the hard working people of the blacktop world has the potential to crossover to all trades-people.

This includes the current shift towards an awareness about mental health. While recent studies have shown the construction industry to be

more susceptible to negative outcomes concerning workers who struggle with mental health issues, there’s been a parallel rise of awareness and outspokenness surrounding the topic.

Last year, Jamie Roush, the former president of Dynapac North America, made news by championing major mental health initiatives aimed at encouraging contractors and business owners to be proactive with their employees as it concerns mental health.

With all this in mind, when I heard that Marvin Joles, the asphalt influencer, was taking a step back from his podcast and the multi-media machine, I wanted to sit down and find out why, from the source.

BRANCHING OUT INTO NEW TERRITORY

I caught up with Joles shortly after he returned from the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) Annual Meeting, which took place in Hawaii in 2025. NAPA has largely been made up of asphalt producers, plant owners, and quarries, or what blacktop crews jokingly refer to as, “the big guys.” However, more and more pavement maintenance contractors are starting to realize that what happens to the big guys, also effects them, eventually.

Likewise, NAPA is starting to make it more of a point to reach out and build relationships with the “smaller” asphalt companies working in the industry.

“It’s something I’m really excited about being involved with, because it’s all about how we attract more people to the asphalt industry. We all know there’s an ongoing labor dilemma, and it’s going to get worse when the older generation retires, and we want to

make sure that the asphalt industry is positioned as a smart and cool option that young people are aware of,” Joles said, on being part of the NAPA Impact Group and Meeting Planning group:

NAPA works throughout the year to lobby and consult in Washington on behalf of the asphalt industry at-large, but they also work in less direct ways to influence infrastructure policy, as well as, act as a self-regulatory body for asphalt producers.

For contractors who primarily work with sealcoating, striping, or pothole patching, NAPA meetings have the possibility of feeling a bit overwhelming at times.

“There are big companies, for sure, with hundreds of employees,” Joles explained. “It’s like all the circuitry and hydraulics of a paver. You don’t see any of that from the outside, it’s all hidden beneath the surface, making everything work the way it does. They work with Capitol Hill, environmental agencies, and other associations so that the rest of us can go out and spread around some asphalt, sealcoat, and make a living.”

In addition to seeing how the blacktop-sausage is made, Joles said that it brought about other benefits he’d not imagined ahead of time.

“For me, there were some opportunities that came about that I never would have even had on my radar, if I wouldn’t have been there,” he said. “A lot of the bigger contractors at these events have more work than they can even do, and you introduce yourself, what you do, and who knows? You might be getting a call down the line to sub with them. It’s a powerful networking opportunity, you know?”

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER ONE OPENS

I finally got down to our recent time together at PAVE/X in Chattanooga, TN, where I first heard the rumors swirling that Blacktop Banter was coming to a close, and I asked him point-blank what the journey was like that eventually led to this big decision for him.

“Life catches up to you, right?” He started with. “I had some really great mentors that spoke knowledge into me when I was young, but the thing is, when you’re young you don’t always want to take that into account. You still have to learn the hard way. There’s a humbling experience that goes along with doing things that way.”

Anyone who’s ever owned or operated a small business understands what kind of grind it can be, not just on you as an individual, but on the people around you, like your family. It takes a special kind of toll. However, most

people don’t think of content creation, or social media influencer work, in the same terms. The reality, though, is that it’s as much of a grind as any other type of business. In some ways, it can take a different kind of toll on you, and combined with running a small business on top of it, everything starts to add up.

For those of you who run your blacktop crews while also trying to throw videos and pictures of your work up on Tik-Tok, Instagram, or LinkedIn, you know how annoying it can be

to keep up with. Now, imagine that small annoyance taking on a complete life of its own, with its own clients and demands equal to the stress and complexity of running your asphalt business. That will give you a small taste of what it can be like.

THE END OF THE ROAD?

“I really dug in on Blacktop Banter, I truly enjoyed doing it. I like making content for social media and highlighting our industry,” Joles said of his podcast where he interviewed both people from the industry, and interesting figures from other walks of life.

Then, last year, Marvin started to notice a trend in the conversations he was having with his guests and people he met out in the field.

“I had lots of talks on the show about stress, mental health, and I heard lots of stories of how guys dealt with it. At first, I didn’t realize that, hey, maybe

Eli Joles & Chad Jung at PAVE/X 2025

Marvin Joles

this is something I should be looking at internally, for myself. It was as if my subconscious was already trying to help me deal with what was going on inside, but I didn’t realize it yet. I was under a lot of stress and anxiety.”

He hit a brick wall during the week of the first PAVE/X in San Antonio.

“I still thought that maybe it was just the stress of that week, but during the gap between PAVE/X and World of Asphalt [2024], things didn’t get any better,” He remembered. “We had [obligations] already in place for World of Asphalt, and we met those, but I felt sort of like I was going through the motions. It all feels like a blur now. And I wasn’t really recognizing what was going on with me.”

After WOA 2024, Marvin started to put the pieces together, and truly understand what was happening to him. He was overwhelmed, over committed, and not really coping with the negative

stressors in the healthiest of ways. As the planning for PAVE/X 2025 began to take shape, he had a decision to make.

“I was under some real pressure, and it was during the Fourth of July celebrations last summer,” Joles said. “Eli (Marvin’s son) and I were at a church service actually, and, suddenly, I was super dizzy.”

The bad news, it wasn’t the holy ghost. The good news, it was his body finally putting its foot down and making Marvin face reality.

After consulting with his primary physician, Joles realized that medication alone wasn’t going to solve the root of the issue: There were simply too many things on his plate, and it wasn’t sustainable.

Joles started seeing someone for regular therapy sessions, and a clearer selfpicture began to emerge from within. This led to one of the hardest calls Joles ever had to make when he had to step away from the partnerships and plans he

had set up for the coming year through Blacktop Banter.

“I had to tell my sponsors, I had to tell my team, the people we had contracts with, that I wasn’t going to be taking on anything new once our current obligations were met,” he said. “Those were some of the hardest conversations I’ve ever had.”

Since he stepped away, Joles’ said that the relief in stress has been significant, though he continues to work through it in cognitive therapy.

“I think we live in a world where people seek affirmation,” Joles explained. “If you want to make content or create a brand for your business, and it makes sense, then I think you should do it. It’s a personal thing, really. But people should think long and hard, and really ask themselves why they want to do it. Because if they can’t answer that question, then maybe it’s not a good thing to undertake.” ■

By Brandon Noel, Editor

SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE: Rethinking Pavement Striping

It’s

time to break the negative associations we tend to have with green or sustainable products.

In the pavement maintenance industry, products that market themselves as green, ecoconscious, or sustainable often have the unwarranted reputation of being inferior to their traditional counterparts. On the one hand, it isn’t without precedent.

There are examples from early adopters in the field of environmentally conscious products that may have come to market too soon, which offered a more sustainable product, but contractors didn’t feel it performed as well, and they often cost more. However, times have changed.

Many modern iterations are not only as good as the traditional options, but, in some cases, part of what makes these next-generation products more sustainable is that they, in fact, out perform their predecessors under the same use conditions.

“I wouldn’t say that sustainability is gone, it’s just fallen a little [as a priority],” said John Evans, CEO of EverLine Coatings. “The benefits are just coming from a different place. We have to rethink pavement maintenance, take another look at it. It’s not a matter of choosing between sustainability, quality maintenance, and saving dollars. These products can achieve all these things.” Evans’ company provides various products and services in the U.S. and Canada through a franchise network, they range from sealcoating and striping to asphalt repairs and infrared patches.

They primarily serve in the commercial property market place. Evans believes that sustainability and safety go hand-in-hand.

“By extending the life of the pavement, by its very nature, it should be more environmentally friendly,” he explained. “However, you put on top of that, products that last longer, like an MMA for example, it saves money, is more durable, requires fewer reapplications, and subsequently fewer trips back to the jobsite.”

MMA striping, or methyl methacrylate traffic paint, is a durable, twocomponent road marking system that offers long-lasting, high-visibility lines and markings, especially in high-traffic areas and harsh weather conditions. It’s popularity among striping contractors has grown significantly in recent years for multiple reasons, and safety and

sustainability are two big factors.

“For a property manager, of course, they want something that’s going to be of great value,” Evans continued.

“But at the same time, some of these large, publicly traded companies have their own internal sustainability initiatives. For contractors, this can be a differentiator. It allows them to connect deeper with those clients, opening up new budgets and opportunities.”

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS

MMA contains far lower volatile organic compounds (VOC) per liter than even water based traffic paints, while lasting far longer, retaining its visibility and integrity. Water-based paints contain approximately 150 grams of volatile organic compounds (VOC) per liter, and oil-based paints

can contain up to 350-400 grams per liter. MMA contains just 10 VOC grams per liter.

Additionally, water-based paints can require annual reapplications, and though oil-based paints are comparatively durable to MMA, requiring reapplications between two and five years, their VOC content is an order of magnitude greater. But MMA has other advantages when it comes to safety.

In the most literal way, the surface safety benefit of MMA has to do with its durability and visibility over time.

Cross walks at busy intersections, school zones, parking lots, etc. are safer when their markings are more visible and attention grabbing for drivers, alerting them to slow down or stop.

On top of that, when you make MMA reflective through the addition of glass beads, it increases the surface friction potential. This means that even when the markings get wet from rain, the glass beads reduce the chance of slippage as people walk across it.

In the application of traditional thermoplastics, as well, since they are frequently put down without a proper inlay, they can have a height of 60-90mm. That’s enough to be a trip hazard in its own right, especially for the senior members of the community. MMA goes down with a profile face of 15-25mm, nearly a quarter of the height.

For the contractors performing the application, MMA is safer for them too, because you aren’t dealing with heavy and potentially dangerous thermoplastic melters.

“We came to the Port of Houston, and they were painting their intersections with water-based products,” Evans said. “They were reapplying every five-to-nine days. We put down MMA a couple of months ago, and it hasn’t required a reapplication.”

While not right in every situation, its worth taking a second look at why a product is environmentally friendly, it may just save you money. ■

Alexandr Blinov

How Job-Costing Helps Construction Companies Improve Their Bottom Line

No pavement business should be operating without doing this.

Business ownership is hard. Grueling hours, financial risk, and constant unknowns are the life of most entrepreneurs. And for what? Most business owners are working harder and harder to grow their revenue, yet making meager profits, if any profit at all.

Consider this. Would you rather run an $11 million business that generates $350,000 in profit or an $8 million business that generates $750,000? Why work so much harder to make less money? It is arguably more work to operate an $11 million business than to operate an $8 million business. Why would

anyone want to do it while making less money? In many cases they lack the understanding of key financial metrics that tell them this is where they are going to end up.

Take for example a construction company that was doing well, growing every year, hiring more team members, serving more customers and increasing revenue. But its profit was declining. Sales staff were signing new projects regardless of margin, administrative staff weren’t capturing the right data to produce relevant financial reporting, ownership and management struggled to interpret the financial data they had,

preventing them from making informed decisions that would have had a positive impact on the bottom line. Something had to change.

KEY FINANCIAL ISSUES: Margins

Project margins were too low to sustain the overhead costs of the business. A company’s gross margin is the amount left over after taking total revenue and subtracting the direct costs associated with producing that revenue. In a construction company, margin would be the project revenue minus the materials, labor, equipment and other supplies

needed to complete the project. Margins are typically reviewed as a percentage of revenue. Through review of the company’s margins, it was clear that low margins were one of the biggest problems. Because its margin percentage was so low, it did not serve the company well to increase revenue. Each new dollar of revenue did not produce enough margin to cover the increased cost of doing business.

Job Costing

As a construction company, or any company that has direct costs associated with each project or customer, it should have been job-costing. Job-costing is the process of assigning all expenses incurred on a project to that project in your accounting or project management system. By job-costing, a company can track the direct costs associated with producing revenue, helping to provide information that can show whether a project or customer is profitable or not. Since the company was not job-costing, management had no way of knowing which jobs were profitable, and which jobs were losing money. They knew they had to fix their margins, but they didn’t know how to fix them because they had no insight into what the margins were on each job, on different types of jobs, or for different types of customers.

Lack of Understanding

Ownership and management had a lack of understanding of what the financials were telling them. They looked at the profit and loss statement each month, but it wasn’t accurate. And, they didn’t even realize it wasn’t accurate, because they did not understand the balance sheet and how to use it to verify accuracy. They didn’t look at trends, understand margins, or even know what they should be looking at to tell them how they were doing. They thought that consistently increasing revenue meant they were doing well, when in reality, they were in a growing business that was producing less and less profit each year.

SOLUTIONS

The first step to fixing the company’s financial pain was to implement jobcosting. With the primary issue being gross margin, management knew they couldn’t fix anything until they had some insight into what was causing their margin issue.

Implementing job-costing is no small feat. Job-costing requires increased tracking, additional tools, and participation from more than just the accounting team. With job-costing, every cost associated with producing a project is assigned to that project or customer – materials, labor costs, equipment and tools. Every cost should be assigned. For example, labor cost is not just the hourly wage or salary paid to a team member. Labor costs include benefits, taxes, workers comp, retirement match, paid time off and any other costs associated with that team member. While it is a big undertaking for any business, the insights and data job-costing provides are invaluable.

After 6-12 months of job-costing, management was able to determine a couple of key problems that were causing the margin issue. First, two of the four salespeople on the team were producing consistently lower margins than the others. This highlighted the fact that these two salespeople were struggling to price jobs appropriately to generate the necessary margin. Through coaching and training, the company was able to elevate one salesperson to the level needed for consistently hitting the margins required, while the other salesperson was not willing to adjust to

meet the requirements and is no longer with the company.

The realization that they had a sales team issue was not the only outcome of job-costing implementation. The company also realized they had certain types of projects that were consistently underperforming. These projects were in a specific industry and type of work that was regularly generating lower margins. Further research determined that the specialized labor needed for this type of work was too costly for the price set for these jobs. After much consideration and evaluation of more than 6 months of project margins, management discontinued that type of work.

In addition to implementing jobcosting and fixing margins, the company also focused on what the numbers were telling them and used that data to drive business decisions. Management learned how to read financial statements, including not just the profit and loss statements, but job profitability reports and the balance sheet. They received timely and accurate financial reports every month. They analyzed those reports to glean insights into what was happening in the business, using that data to make meaningful decisions that moved the business forward.

By diving into the numbers and understanding the true story, over just 18 months, the company doubled their annual profit, while cutting 45% of its jobs and reducing revenue by $3.5 million. ■

by Shauna Huntington, founder and CEO of the Small Business Bootcamp.

FROM THE OWNER’S DESK

BY NICK HOWELL

S10 Essential Sealcoating Strategies

Follow these tips to exceed client expectations!

ealcoating is a significant part of our industry, whether directly or indirectly. Most of us deal with it in some capacity -- and for many, it’s a substantial part of their business. This prompted me to reflect on various strategies and lessons learned over the years to optimize sealcoating jobs.

When considering this topic, I began by addressing common issues and concerns that arise before, during, and even after sealcoating projects are completed. Think about your most-recent sealcoating job and your process as I focus on a few key points as I progress through the sealcoating process.

1. Master the Art of Estimation: Sealcoating begins with accurate estimation, and proper job costing is crucial to ensure accurate estimates and job profitability. Unfortunately, many contractors make mistakes and lose money not because of poor job performance but because they don’t know their costs. Inaccurate estimates that are too high might cost you the job; estimates that are too low will cost you profits. And this happens even on small driveway projects. By understanding your numbers, you can make informed and accurate estimates and avoid financial losses. Job costing can be daunting, but there are valuable resources available. Trade shows like Pave/X and industry forums at www.pavementguru. com, for example, can offer valuable insights and guidance.

2. Build a Strong Relationship with Your Supplier: Develop a close working relationship with your sealer supplier. It’s surprising how many

contractors lack this connection. By collaborating closely, you can benefit from their expertise in bidding complex jobs. They may even offer reduced prices on larger projects, and they can often streamline sealer delivery or suggest when you might use a drop tank on a job. Additionally, they can assist with marketing efforts -- our company has even participated and supported our supplier in trade shows. Your supplier knows their product and knows the business so rely on them for support.

3. Prioritize Comfort and Expertise: Avoid taking on jobs that overwhelm you. Many contractors are tempted by large projects but lack the necessary skills and resources to handle them effectively. Stay within your comfort zone and focus on jobs that you can complete efficiently. There will be opportunities to take on larger projects in the future, but it’s wise to prioritize gradual growth. This doesn’t mean you should avoid the big jobs – what sealcoating contractor doesn’t want the high-profile jobs on his resume? But step up gradually, because larger jobs can be extremely costly if things go wrong.

4. Communicate Clearly Especially in the Contract: Use a contract for every job and clearly outline your intentions and expectations. What square footage are you sealcoating? How many coats of sealer will you apply? \ Who is responsible for turning off sprinklers? For removing parked cars from areas where work is scheduled? How will change orders be handled? When is payment expected? You get

the idea. Many asphalt contractors rely on verbal agreements, especially on smaller jobs, but a contract spells out all expectations and protects both sides. Communication is paramount to a successful job, so make sure to get the phone numbers and email address of your contact – and make sure they have yours.

5. Schedule promptly: No one likes to wait months, so try not to get too far ahead as that inconveniences the client. Communicate your scheduling as soon as you can and do your best to adhere to the date you select. If you do have to change the date, let the client know as soon as possible – and ask if that new date is acceptable.

6. When Sealing, Take Your Time: Many #low-bid contractors rush to complete jobs just to break even. These guys bid too low so they can get the job, then must work quickly to get to the next low-bid job because they are making very little on each. This often results in taking shortcuts and poor-quality work. Keep your schedule manageable to ensure time to perform a premium job – a job you and your crew can be proud of. The old saying, “The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price,” applies here.

7. Prepare a Post-Job “What to Expect” Sheet: This extends the communication process by detailing the work they’ve had done, how to care for it, and what to expect. Our “What to Expect” sheet points out that power steering marks are common and can last up to 30 days. We explain the difference between drying and

Pat Brown

curing, which can take up to 30 days. We explain that sprinkler water might stain the sealer, and that the sealer will eventually oxidize and won’t be “black black” forever. We discuss wear and tear and the need for reapplication. We explain that on commercial properties, wear is more likely to occur in entryways and hightraffic areas, while parking stalls (and residential driveways) might not show wear for several years. We caution homeowners who just want a black driveway against over-sealing. A postjob “What to Expect” sheet also serves as a marketing piece, reminding the client of the work you’ve done and reinforces your relationship.

8. Send Your Invoice Before Completion: Time it so the invoice arrives as you finish the job. This reminds the client of your company while your work is still fresh in his mind. It also shortens the receivables process and helps get you paid in a timelier manner.

9. “Sell” the Job: Your crew does great work, and you are proud of the jobs your company does. Let your client know! Many contractors feel the need to conceal themselves for some reason and refrain from communication with the client once the job starts. Don’t hesitate to invite the client to walk the site with you during the job so they can see what they’re paying for, view your progress, and witness your crews’ professionalism. Encourage the client to walk the finished job with you. If any issues arise, it’s much easier to address them promptly, which reinforces your

professionalism. Additionally, they might have a payment ready for you on the same day.

10. Send a “Thank-you” Note: Following up with a brief note is a great way to remind them of your company

and the work you did. It reinforces your relationship and gives you an opportunity to ask if they have any questions. Effective communication is crucial in building long-term loyalty with a client. ■

Pat Brown

SWEEPING ASSOCIATIONS

The Industry Standard for Training

A certification based on the national Power

Sweeping Standard

by Nancy Terry

NAPSA offers a variety of effective training tools available at www.SweeperSchool.com.

Among these, we provide Certified Sweeping Operator (CSO) programs tailored for parking lot, construction and municipality sweeping operations.

The CSO operator training programs establish a solid foundation for enhancing professionalism and safety among drivers. Upon completing the CSO program, the owner will conduct a verbal test and certify that the driver has accumulated at least 1,000 hours of incident-free sweeper driving. Following this, NAPSA will issue the driver a certificate, a hat pin, and a uniform patch to recognize their achievement.

Another area of training available is our Certified Sweeping Manager (CSM) series. These courses focus on the Power Sweeping Standard, equipping managers with valuable insights that enhance their operational management while shielding the company in litigious situations. In addition to our course on the Power Sweeping Standard CSM 101, we have introduced another course, CSM 102 –Emergency Preparedness. This course teaches participants how to respond appropriately in emergency situations, helping to prevent those potentially litigious scenarios.

Lastly, we have a series called Fleet Basics: Key Fundamentals. The course covers essential topics for individuals who may not operate a power sweeper but need to understand the terminology and other information related to sweeping and vehicle operation, such as portering.

The Role of Parking Lot and Street Sweepers in Enhancing Safety

Parking lot and street sweepers are essential for maintaining safe and clean environments.

Parking lot and street sweepers are often overlooked, yet play a vital role in maintaining the safety and cleanliness of shopping centers and city streets. These machines are more than just tools for tidying up; they are crucial in preventing accidents and ensuring public safety.

In shopping centers, parking lot sweepers remove hazardous debris such as glass and nails that can cause tire damage or accidents. This not only protects vehicles but also reduces the risk of injuries to pedestrians. Additionally, by clearing oil spills and other slippery substances, sweepers minimize the risk of slips and falls,

which can lead to costly liability claims.

Clean parking lots also ensure that road markings and signs are clearly visible, helping drivers navigate safely.

On city streets, street sweepers perform similar functions with broader implications. They clear hazardous materials that can cause accidents and injuries to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. By keeping roads free from debris, sweepers improve traction, preventing skidding and accidents. Moreover, they ensure that road signs and markings remain visible, reducing confusion among drivers and the likelihood of traffic-related accidents.

Both parking lot and street sweepers contribute to environmental protection by preventing pollutants from entering storm drains, which helps maintain better water quality and environmental sustainability. They also reduce liability

The FB and CSO courses cover essential topics including health issues, safe driving, recordkeeping, customer trash can management, people skills, ethics, and more. The CSO courses focuses on inspections, the parts of a sweeper, lot management, noise and dust control, blower operation, accident protocols, and safe driving.

NAPSA members receive discounts with all training costing less than $100 per course. For more information, contact the North American Power Sweeping Association at info@powersweeping. org or 888-757-0130. ■

The North American

the power sweeping community while enhancing the environment. For more information on NAPSA membership, please visit www.powersweeping.org or call (888) 757-0130.

risks by maintaining safe environments, leading to fewer accidents and injuries. Parking lot and street sweepers are essential for maintaining safe, clean, and environmentally friendly environments. Their role extends beyond aesthetics to include critical safety and environmental benefits that enhance the overall quality of life in urban areas. By recognizing the importance of these machines, communities can better appreciate the value they bring to daily life. ■ WSA contributor Ranger Kidwell-Ross has been providing information to the power sweeping industry since 1988. He is editor of WorldSweeper.com, an information resource for power sweeping, as well as founder and executive director of the World Sweeping Association. For more information about WSA visit www.WorldSweepingPros.org or contact Kidwell-Ross at director@worldsweepingpros.org.

Power Sweeping Association (NAPSA) is a nonprofit association made up of 200+ contract sweepers, service providers and sweeping equipment dealers, manufacturers and suppliers. NAPSA is dedicated to providing beneficial support to the membership and enhancing services to the sweeping industry. NAPSA is committed to promoting and educating

By Merina Shriver, Junior Editor |

Quality and Care in Asphalt

The Sebby family and their company’s team applied dedication and customer relations to their hard work, allowing Asphalt Authority to flourish.

Growing up in the asphalt and pavement industry is often the start of a pavement maintenance company. But not every company origin starts with a knack for marketing and returning interest in asphalt. Starting a business takes a lot of determination and can take a significant team effort. Combined with some grit and dedication, a company can be successful. With that in mind, plus a strong drive to put its clients first, Asphalt Authority flourished.

GROWING UP IN THE INDUSTRY

Gerry Sebby, owner of Asphalt Authority, grew up amongst asphalt. His mother and stepfather owned their own asphalt sealcoating company. Sebby started working in the industry at the age of fifteen and continued working with his family’s business through the summers during college. Sebby eventually experienced burnout from the industry and told himself he wouldn’t do that kind of work again.

Sebby remembered that his skin always burned and it was super hard work. As a result, Sebby pursued sales and marketing instead. However, this hiatus didn’t last long - just 10 years later, Sebby decided to return to

“It’s not one person, it’s not two people, it’s a collaborative group effort” -Gerry Sebby

the industry by starting up his own company.

Asphalt Authority, a Fort Waynebased company, does a little bit of everything when it comes to asphalt and pavement care.

Sebby said, “We’re not installing new asphalt, we’re preserving existing asphalt, that’s the market we want to operate in. So [we do] a lot of commercial parking lot work, I’d say primarily. We are expanding into municipal crackfilling of roads, parks, and trails. We do some residential driveway sealcoating. And, apart from that, … we do a lot of striping work as well - so that’s the parking lot pavement marking, warehouse markings, things like that.”

THINK LIKE THE CLIENT

When Sebby was taking his 10-year hiatus, he learned how to think from a marketing and sales perspective and Asphalt Authority has benefited. Being sales and marketing-oriented, the company puts the client first and takes on a different perspective altogether.

“I love thinking like my client does so I put a huge focus on online reputation social media, which is really the future and where we’re at. Currently, people don’t open up phone books or Yellow Pages anymore. When people

Asphalt Authority’s hard work, dedication, timeliness, and customer service skills combine to create a strong and successful team dynamic.

need something, they’re either going to ask a friend or family for a referral or the first thing they’re going to do is go online,” said Sebby.

Sebby said he studied similar companies around him and he took note of what made them excel and what held them back. Asphalt Authority has a large emphasis on its sales team but it also holds pride in its customer service - another important aspect to sales and marketing. Being customer-oriented, Asphalt Authority has a great response time and Sebby’s wife and co-owner, Leah, is the designated office administrator at the company. Having someone specifically tasked with answering calls and questions keeps responsiveness high and keeps customers’ feelings heard and valued.

HARD WORK AND DEDICATION

When Asphlat Authority first began, it was in the height of the coronavirus

Asphalt Authority

pandemic and Sebby’s wife was eight months pregnant. With the company’s start not being at the most ideal time, there was a lot of dedication required from the Sebby family. Sebby and his wife had to be all in and fully committed to make the business work.

With some hard work and persistence, Asphalt Authority was set in motion and continues to thrive today.

“We’re very blessed to have so many different people with so many different skill sets that go into us being successful. It’s not one person, it’s not two people, it’s a collaborative group effort, and it starts with the total overall customer experience, everything from the first time they call our company and my wife, Leah, answers the phone,” reflected Sebby.

Asphalt Authority’s hard work, dedication, timeliness, and customer service skills combine to create a strong and successful team dynamic. The company continues to grow, most recently adding municipal crack filling and government work to its services. In the future, Sebby said that the company will be looking to improve employee experience and enhance company culture.

NR201

NR-201 is a one-part, selfleveling, moisture-curing, isocyanate free sealant based on a unique hybrid STPU (Silyl Terminated Polyurethane) designed for use as a traffic loop sealant and applications requiring jet fuel resistance.

300SL

300SL is a self-leveling onepart, ultra low modulus elastomer designed for sealing joints in roadways.

301NS

301NS is a non-sag, one-part, ultra low modulus product designed for sealing joints in concrete or asphalt.

322FC

Pecora 322FC is a two-part, coldapplied, self-leveling, fast-curing, ultra-low modulus 100% silicone material designed for the sealing of concrete pavement joints that experience thermal movement.

PUTTING YOUR CUSTOMERS FIRST

Although Asphalt Authority launched during a challenging period, its commitment to customer relations fueled its success. While the expression states, “it takes a village to raise a child,” building a brand-new company from the ground up — especially with a a child on the way— demands an even greater collective effort. This required a dedicated team and significant hard work.

Asphalt Authority’s unique marketing and sales perspective allowed it to effectively understand and address its customers’ needs. Ultimately, Asphalt Authority’s success, achieved through unwavering determination and prioritized customer relations, demonstrates the potential outcome of striving for excellence. ■

NR201

300SL & 301NS

322 FC

7 Key Indicators of Project Success

These should be included in your team’s debrief on any completed project.

It is not uncommon that most general contractors conduct a post-project review. Sometimes nicknamed the “post-mortem,” the intention is to huddle the primary leadership from a given project to debrief on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that need to be eliminated. Sub-specialty contractors can learn from this same winning “best practices” process.

For any project that you complete, it is a good idea to bring the foreman, superintendent, estimator, or project manager, owner, and perhaps even a key craftsman from the project. Knowing that one individual in your company might fulfill more than one of the title roles, the meeting might include anywhere from 2-3 participants to 4-7, depending on the size of the job.

But what is the team to review?

Consider the following seven “key indicators” that should be included in your team’s debrief on the completed project.

LESSONS LEARNED AREAS TO ASSESS

1.Team Chemistry

2.Client Interaction and Retention

3.Company Process Execution

4.Conflict Resolution and Speed of Problem Solving

5.Engagement with Other Contractors

6.Safety Consistency and Compliance

7.Project Team Advancement of the Company’s Image, Values, and Reputation Notice that one topic missing is the financial results of the project. This critical issue is excused here because if there is one topic that

is mostly assessed, its financial. You need to discuss the financial issues, challenges, and results and this may very well be included as an eighth item. However, experience with contractors is that once they begin reviewing the financials, they rarely get to those other areas that often have more to do with causing profitable results financially.

Now, a quick tutorial on the seven items from the list.

Team chemistry is the review of how well did the crew members execute together. Were there personality or behavioral conflicts within the team,

and if so, were the conflicts corrected? Does there need to be a changing of the team members for the next project?

Client interaction and retention simply assesses how well did the estimator, PM, or foreman engage and maintain a positive relationship with the client. If you believe that your crews can gain the company more work, this key indicator must be discussed.

Company processes and execution represents compliance that the project followed to your company’s processes and procedures. Your company is unique for

that reason so it’s important that you execute what you say you do.

Conflict resolution and speed of problem solving represents the leaders and the crew’s abilities to resolve issues quickly, safely, and productively. Often, a problem may arise and the solution might cause additional problems to solve. Do you have thinkers and good decision makers?

Engagement with other contractors is common for many sub-trade specialists as there are often other contractors on the project who must be coordinated and engaged. From sharing a

space to negotiating the project area, your crew needs to be working on this key indicator, as it can often cost you valuable completion time IF you don’t get things squared with the other contractors.

Safety consistency and compliance must be regularly assessed as your crews can tend to let their guard down, especially on big projects or projects completed late in the season. Remember, unsafe job-site management can cost both lives and morale if not maintained.

Finally, project team advancement of the company’s image, values, and reputation. Did the project move

all the positive things about your company forward or did it cause the client, and other sub-contractors, to doubt your commitment to safety, quality, professionalism? Did your “troops” live what you preach as a company culture?

Are you going to use this process on a filling a $500 pothole? Probably not, but don’t overlook what your people do and are doing when it comes to executing work for the client. Take the projects that represent the middle to larger jobs and conduct a post-project review on each. Time consuming? Yes…but the results can be profitable. ■

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