June 20, 2024

The New Year Marks the Start of AEMA’s 2024-2025 LEAP Class

The new year brings a brand-new LEAP (Leadership Education for Asphalt Preservation) class for 2024-2025. The LEAP program is intended for AEMA (Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association) members looking to increase their knowledge of the asphalt emulsion industry. It is a 12-month immersive program that allows members to immerse themselves in the asphalt industry through facility/jobsite tours and other key learning opportunities. The classes kick off during the annual AEMA, ARRA and ISSA meetings and conclude at the meeting the following calendar year. 

Asphalt Materials’ very own Kim Gessner was named Class Dean for this year’s LEAP program. Zach Robinson and Jordan Vaughn, members from our division of companies under The Heritage Group, are also participants in this year’s program.  

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Hannah McFarlandCompany News, Industry News
May 30, 2024

RPE Extends the Life of County Highways in Dodge County, Wisconsin 

In road maintenance, securing funds for upkeep and improvements is a constant struggle as budgets grow even tighter. That is why it is crucial to protect your pavement early with the use of a rapid penetrating emulsion (RPE) like AMIGUARD™.  

Traditionally agencies have waited for oxidation and cracking to occur in new pavements before treating roads with crack or chip seals. Using a treatment like RPE before roads begin to deteriorate can lead to longer-lasting roads. The Dodge County Highway Department recently applied AMIGUARD on seven highways immediately after paving as a preventive treatment.  

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Hannah McFarlandCompany News
April 11, 2024

How Asphalt Materials Implemented the 5S Methodology

This past year, AMI continued to implement the 5S method within our plants to better improve safety, apply Lean principles and to support our employees at our plants. All 22 locations are trained on the 5S process by plant managers who have received their yellow belt training. 

AMI completed about 19 Kaizens this past year to improve their sites using 5S. Kaizens are business activities that help improve functions and processes. The Director of Operations and Quality Control Director helps prioritize and select which locations need to perform a Kaizen. 

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Hannah McFarlandCompany News, Safety
February 9, 2024

The Future of Rumble Strips: Innovative Materials for Enhanced Durability

Drivers are distracted now more than ever. Whether it be falling asleep behind the wheel or texting while driving, drivers are not paying attention to the roads. So, it is important to invest in a proven safety tool, centerline rumble strips (CLRS). Though rumble strips save lives, they may reduce the life and performance of the centerline joint.

By applying J-Band®, Asphalt Material Inc.’s (AMI) void reducing asphalt membrane (VRAM) product, and AMIGUARD™, Asphalt Material Inc.’s rapid penetrating emulsion (RPE), you can protect the joint, the pavement and the lives of workers and drivers alike.

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Hannah McFarlandCompany News
November 22, 2023

AMIGUARD™ RPE Applied to IND Airport Economy Lot

Rapid penetrating emulsions (RPE) fill asphalt pavement voids and reduce air and water intrusion in pavements. Asphalt Materials Inc.’s (AMI) AMIGUARD™ RPE is specially formulated to penetrate pavement quickly and thoroughly. The penetrating nature of RPE means asphalt residue gets “in” the pavement rather than “on” the pavement, and the emulsion’s reduced surface tension allows it to seep into the pavement voids quickly. Proactively reducing pavement permeability extends pavement life.  

The AMI team worked with the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) to support an RPE application on the Indianapolis International Airport’s (IND) Economy Parking Lot.  

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Hannah McFarlandCompany News
November 3, 2023

J-Band Advances in the Coolest Thing Made in Indiana Contest

Asphalt Materials, Inc.’s J-Band product has advanced to Round 3 of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Coolest Thing Made in Indiana contest! 

The competition celebrates the state’s long manufacturing history, and this year’s contest features 47 Hoosier companies that make both well-known and up-and-coming products. Entered companies face off in a single-elimination bracket format with winners chosen through public fan voting.  

We need your votes to advance to Round 4! Voting for Round 3 closes Monday, November 13, at 9 p.m. EST.  

Voting takes just two simple steps:  

  1. Visit this link.  
  1. Vote for Heritage Construction + Materials in the bracket matchup.  

About J-Band 

J-Band is AMI’s void reducing asphalt membrane (VRAM). It is applied before the asphalt mix is laid down, and when the asphalt mix is placed on top of the J-Band, it migrates into the asphalt mix from the bottom up. The product significantly reduces air voids within the longitudinal joint, which prevents deterioration and preserves the pavement.  

As voids are reduced, density increases, and permeability decreases. This extends the life of the joint, which improves the performance of the entire pavement and extends the life of the pavement by up to five years. J-Band was developed to help create longer-lasting, safer roads through a collaboration between state transportation agencies, industry experts and the laboratories of The Heritage Research Group.

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Hannah McFarlandCompany News
Eagle Creek airpark runway partially treated with RPE during installation
October 11, 2023

AMIGUARD™ RPE Strengthens Eagle Creek Airpark Pavement

Rapid penetrating emulsions (RPE) are used to fill asphalt pavement voids and reduce air and water intrusion. Asphalt Materials Inc.’s (AMI) AMIGUARD™ RPE is specially formulated to penetrate pavement quickly and thoroughly. Its reduced surface tension allows it to seep into the pavement voids quickly, and the penetrating nature of RPE means the asphalt residue gets “in” the pavement rather than “on” the pavement. Air voids adversely affect pavement life, and proactively reducing pavement permeability extends pavement life. 

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Hannah McFarlandCompany News