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 McFarland0 commentCompany 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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Zoe BuhlCompany 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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Zoe BuhlCompany News
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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Zoe BuhlCompany News
September 21, 2023

Transportation Builder: Innovative Solutions Protect the Weakest Part of Pavement

An excerpt from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA)’s July/August 2023 Transportation Builder issue. 

Have you ever heard the expression, “A chain is no stronger than its weakest link?” The adage can be applied to road construction. No matter how strong and durable your materials, if one component is breakable, the rest are compromised as well. 

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Zoe BuhlCompany News, Industry News
August 2, 2023

Higbie and Jenkins Join the 2023-2024 LEAP Class 

Asphalt Material’s Sales Representative Nate Jenkins and Heritage Research Group’s Senior Asphalt Research Chemist Campbell Higbie have joined the 2023-2024 LEAP Class. Nate Jenkins is a member of the Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI) sales team and has worked with the company since January 2014. Campbell began his career at The Heritage Group (THG) when he joined the Heritage Research Group (HRG) in March 2016 as a lab technician for the asphalt emulsion lab. In 2018, Higbie moved into a research and innovation role with HRG. This has allowed him to help AMI develop novel approaches in asphalt applications, specifically with emulsions.  

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Naarah HollowayCompany News, Our People