A Pitch Black® Plant Can Make Time for What Matters Most
by Nicole Larsen
Starting a company in today’s business world can seem like a daunting task with endless hours and the rising costs of goods and services. Most people hesitate to do it at all, let alone while raising a family of little humans. But that’s exactly what about 85% of our Pitch Black® manufacturers are doing. The majority of our plant owners have younger children or grandchildren and run family businesses laying the groundwork to build something great for the next generation. While society often revels in the power of giant corporations, there’s nothing more wholesome than a small family business that starts from nothing and stands for everything.
Family-Owned Businesses are the Backbone of Our Brand
When we sell a Pitch Black® plant, it’s usually to a family-owned paving or sealcoating company that wants to expand and work smarter. They’re tired from moving parked cars, snowplowing all winter and maxed out on running crews and praying for better weather. They’re often a cornerstone of the community. They’ve hit the pavement, literally, to measure and bid jobs. These family-owned businesses are deeply connected to their customers and their needs. They’re often heavily invested in the communities they serve and they want products that are both healthy and beautify the area’s surroundings. They see a need for a Pitch Black® asphalt emulsion sealcoat plant in their area, and they’re ready to take on the challenge.
The Pitch Black® Mission
Robb Archie invented Pitch Black® asphalt emulsion sealcoat in the 1980s to solve a critical issue for his sealcoating company…getting reliable high-quality sealcoat when needed. Never did he imagine that this family-owned company would sell plants across the U.S., and now internationally. We started as the small contractor and building our own sealcoat plant changed everything. Suddenly we were able to meet the demand of our customers. We didn’t have to redo jobs because we knew the sealcoat we were making wasn’t watered down or cheapened with lesser ingredients.
Finally, we were in control of the cost of our product and maintaining the stellar reputation it took years to build. This is what we strive to provide our manufacturers…1) control over their material costs and availability 2) the financial freedom to set more flexible work hours to make time for family and 3) a strong brand that will help build a legacy for their future generations.
“ We’re a nationwide brand with a reputation for quality, safety and longevity. We consistently pass the PAHs testing with 0.00% polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons …”
The Pitch Black® Brand
For over 40 years, Pitch Black® asphalt emulsion sealcoat has stood the test of time. We’re a nationwide brand with a reputation for quality, safety and longevity. We consistently pass the PAHs testing with 0.00% polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It’s proven extremely durable in high-traffic areas like city streets and airports, and harsh climates from Arizona to Wisconsin. We’re strict about the Pitch Black® sealcoat formula, because it’s the heart of our brand. We’re not just promising a successful sealcoat formula, we’re providing a trustworthy and powerful brand you can build your business on. We’re proud of our commitment to quality that has lasted and will continue to last for many generations to come.
How Owning a Pitch Black® Sealcoat Plant Changes Everything
Imagine marketing a well-known premium sealcoat brand with a loyal customer base. Suddenly you don’t have to compete solely on price. All you need to do is get a sample in the hands of future customers and the product speaks for itself. Not only can you sell to contractors in your territory, but you can create a network of distributors who in turn sell to their customers. Instead of needing an entire job crew, it’s just 2-3 employees on the production side. You can cut your cost per gallon and increase your net profit on every job. Build your company with a brand driven by families that know what it’s like to hold out for every bid. Now they’re working on a future where they don’t have to.
Owning a Pitch Black® asphalt emulsion sealcoat plant changed our future. We’re here to do the same for you so you can make time for what really matters.
ABOUT PITCH BLACK•: The Archie family got its start in asphalt in the 1920s with Robb Archie’s grandfather, Joe Archie, in Western New York. Archie’s dad, Earl Archie, learned the trade from his dad during the 1940s and 50s and taught it to his son, Robb Archie, who carried that knowledge from the 1960s and 70s to make Pitch Black® in the 1980s. The family secret formula has only been licensed to Pitch Black® manufacturers for just over a decade, but Pitch Black® has been used for over 40 years. Robert Archie, inventor of Pitch Black® sealcoat, is also currently president of U.S. Seal International, Inc. and ASMA-USA (Asphalt Sealcoat Manufacturers Association).
ABOUT THE WRITER: Nicole Larsen has contributed cover articles on behalf of U.S. Seal International, Inc. (Pitch Black®) since 2013. She is also Chief Marketing Officer for U.S. Seal International and founder of marketing agency, Busy Ave, Inc.
