Asphalt Answers

Every Work Zone Has a Family Waiting at Home

Every Work Zone Has a Family Waiting at Home

by Joshua Trolinger Every orange barrel, channelizer, flashing arrow board, or temporary lane closure exists for one reason—to improve the roads we all travel on. While road construction may create temporary inconvenience, the end result is safer, smoother, and more...

Who Will Replace the Retiring Paving Foremen?

Who Will Replace the Retiring Paving Foremen?

by Shawn Hutchings With the nation’s infrastructure workload continuing to grow, many contractors are facing a shrinking pool of experienced workers. Not only are more projects competing for skilled labor, but many of the industry’s most seasoned professionals are...

The Infrastructure Boom:

The Infrastructure Boom:

What’s Driving Asphalt Demand and What Contractors Should Expect in 2026 by Kathryn Petrey Asphalt Answers: Each month, we break down the trends, challenges, and practical realities shaping the paving business today. This month, we unpack what’s fueling the demand for...

Smarter Streets

Smarter Streets

How small paving companies can use AI to do more, earn more, and win more—without losing the human touch by Brian Thornton By any name—AI, machine learning, or “smart” tools—none of it lays a mat, runs a screed, or shakes a customer’s hand. That’s your job. But think...

Time to Slow Down, So I Can Speed Up

Time to Slow Down, So I Can Speed Up

by Joshua Trolinger You’re probably wondering: who would write an article with such an oxymoron of a title? Well, that someone is a human who has experienced the highs and lows of not having a supercomputer for a brain. As we kick off the season, it’s imperative that...

Best Practices for Cold-Weather Paving

Best Practices for Cold-Weather Paving

by Shawn Hutchings Cold weather doesn’t have to bring your paving season to a stop. With the right planning, equipment preparation, and disciplined field operations, contractors can still deliver high-quality, long-lasting pavement even as temperatures fall. Winter...

Paving the Way:

Paving the Way:

A Woman’s Journey in the Asphalt Industry by Kristi Randolph Working in the asphalt industry as a woman—within an OEM manufacturing environment—means navigating a space historically dominated by men, while contributing to the innovation and progress that keeps our...

Paving the Way Forward:

Paving the Way Forward:

Why 2026 Is Set to Be a Breakout Year for Commercial Paving by Brian Thornton As the final quarter of 2025 rolls in, the commercial paving industry isn’t just holding steady — it’s gaining serious traction. From bustling new neighborhoods to revitalized retail centers...

Do Simple Better

Do Simple Better

by Brian Hall Do you ever find that you get to the end of the day, and you wonder how you got there? Of course, we all do. In most cases it’s because we are doing the same thing every day and don’t think about it. In fact, we’re pretty good at what we do, right? When...

Working Through Variable Weather  Conditions

Working Through Variable Weather Conditions

by Joshua Trolinger In the asphalt paving industry, no two jobs are ever the same. Deadlines are tight, client expectations are high, and every project comes with its own set of challenges. But one factor remains stubbornly beyond any contractor’s control: the...

Start Strong: How to Get the Most from Your New Paver

Start Strong: How to Get the Most from Your New Paver

By Chris Broome The purchase of a new asphalt paver can be an exciting time for owners and operators. We anticipate the increased productivity that the new machine delivers, as well as the new features that will make your day easier and improve the job quality we...

Growing Your Asphalt Business

Growing Your Asphalt Business

By Bryce Davis Today’s business world can be fun, tough, challenging and very rewarding. And this can all happen in the same week. Why do we even start our own business these days? It could be a dream we’ve always had for financial independence, your personal...

Jumping Back Into The Mix

Jumping Back Into The Mix

By Brian Hall Living in the deep south, it’s something that I am not accustomed to. I’ve never had to deal with re-assembling a paving crew in late March to start work in April. With very few exceptions, we are business as usual all year. On one hand, it’s great that...

Data: It will help drive and grow your business in 2025

Data: It will help drive and grow your business in 2025

By Bryce Davis It’s funny, we used to be able to make all of our decisions by ourselves with the knowledge we’ve learned along the way — hard knocks and learning the hard way, as they say. But in today’s world, the trend seems to be more data driven, and then more...

Is Now the Right Time …

Is Now the Right Time …

for A New Piece of Equipment? By Brian Thornton 2024 has certainly been a great year to be in the asphalt business. According to many operators we hear from, backlogs remain strong, and new business continues to pour in. As a manufacturer, we continue to juggle...

What are Asphalt Spray Patcher trucks?

What are Asphalt Spray Patcher trucks?

Are they worth adding to your fleet? By Shawn Hutchings A truck-mounted asphalt spray patcher is a specialized piece of equipment used for repairing and maintaining road surfaces, particularly in asphalt paving. It combines a truck chassis with a spray patching system...

Planning Begins with the Conclusion of Each Season

Planning Begins with the Conclusion of Each Season

By Joshua Trolinger Falling temperatures mean so much to so many. To the naturalist, fall is setting in and the world’s canvas is painted by every color in the spectrum. To the outdoorsman or woman, it means that the greatest time of the year is here and with bugling,...