Category: Management
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9 Steps to Keep New Asphalt Crew Members from Quitting
Almost every pavement maintenance contractor will be adding to their employee count by hiring new workers this year. It is incredibly important that those contractors set the pace and expectations they desire for the new worker. How a new worker is assimilated into the crew, that is, made to feel like one of the crew…
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Building Trust in Asphalt: The Power of Communication and Consistency
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In an industry where communication breakdowns, vague quotes and inconsistent crews can sometimes cause a headache, Sommerset Paving Companies, LLC offers something different. The Michigan-based contractor has built its reputation on clear communication, consistent quality, and a culture that values people as much as pavement. Louise Pernicano didn’t set out to run a paving company.…
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Transform Your Asphalt Maintenance Operation With Internal Customer Service
In the asphalt maintenance and reconstruction industry, we’re laser-focused on delivering a quality product to our clients, smooth, durable pavements that stand the test of time. But here’s a question that doesn’t get asked enough: How do we treat our internal customers? It’s a concept that might sound foreign at first, especially in a trade…
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Why Cash Flow Determines Long-Term Success in Construction
In the construction industry, it’s easy to get caught up by seven-figure contracts and impressive profit margins. But while revenue and profitability are important, they can mask an underlying threat that has taken down many otherwise successful contractors: poor cash flow management. Profit Isn’t Enough: The Cash Flow Blind Spot Many business owners equate financial…
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PAVE/X Builds the Education Your Whole Crew Needs
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At PAVE/X, we talk a lot about education. But not just the kind that targets business owners or first-year laborers. What about the people in the middle? The foremen, project managers, estimators, and superintendents who are the operational backbone of any paving company. That gap is exactly what Bryce Harem, General Manager of Central Paving,…
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Addressing Head Protection and Rotational Motion in the Workplace
In today’s hazardous workplace, safety remains a top priority– especially in construction, which consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous industries. In 2023 alone, construction experienced 1,075 fatal work injuries, the highest of any private industry sector[1]. The fatal injury rate stands at nearly three times the national average, at 9.6 per 100,000 full-time…
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10 Essential Sealcoating Strategies | For Construction Pros
Sealcoating 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…
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Prioritizing Mental Health Over Branding
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 I could. I remember not really knowing what…
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Why You Should Consider Mental Health Apart Of Jobsite Safety
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,…
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Contractor Snapshot: Building Trust With Asphalt
When running a business, a huge part of keeping it functioning is having good customer service. If you’re just starting out, keeping customer relations at top of mind is all the more important. Treating your customers well and ensuring constant communication can become key foundational qualities of your company. To succeed in customer-based industries, it…