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. 

Read More
Hannah McFarland0 commentCompany News, Safety
March 20, 2024

Revitalizing Sustainability: Asphalt Materials and US Aggregates Unite in Pallet Reusing Initiative 

Heritage Construction + Materials companies Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI) and US Aggregates have joined together to build a program that finds new ways to reuse AMI’s pallets at US Aggregates’ locations.  

This initiative keeps AMI from recycling their pallets through a third-party vendor, as well as from being discarded. It also aids in increasing efficiency amongst US Aggregates since the pallets will be received through an internal company.   

Read More
Hannah McFarlandCommunity, Sustainability
February 22, 2024

AMI Awards Employees Who Demonstrate Core Values at Kick-Off

Each year, Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI) hosts a Kick-Off meeting in the spring. This gives all our employees the opportunity to share their wins from the past year and discuss their plans for the year ahead.

During this three-day meeting, AMI distributes Core Value Awards to several employees who have showcased our company values through their work. These values include keeping your eyes open for opportunity, betting on people, tackling the big problems, building long-term relationships and mutual trust, doing the right thing always, and creating enduring value. Joins us in congratulating this year’s Core Value Award recipients: Rebecca Rivers-Duncan, Bucky Brooks, Nick Martinelle, and Dan Robinson!

Read More
Hannah McFarlandOur People
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.

Read More
Hannah McFarlandCompany News
January 30, 2024

Better Together: One HC+M Supporting Reins of Life

At HC+M, we know that our work in the communities we serve expands beyond construction projects. We build relationships within our Heritage family and give back to organizations who serve our community and our very own team members. We are proud to share how Milestone Contractors, Asphalt Materials, Inc. and US Aggregates came together to support Reins of Life in Michigan City, Indiana. 

Read More
Hannah McFarlandCommunity, Our People
January 10, 2024

Enhancing Safety Protocols Through Strategic Operational Audits

Safety is an important part of everything we do. At Asphalt Materials, Inc. we understand that to succeed, we need to create a culture where everyone can share ideas and have a voice at every level of our company. Through communication, education and prevention, we accomplish our goal of getting our employees and associates home safely at the end of each day.  

Read More
Hannah McFarlandSafety
January 5, 2024

Hillard Joins AI’s 2023-2024 EPIC Leadership Program

Todd Hillard, senior purchasing manager at AMI, is part of the seventh EPIC (Experiential Participatory Image-Driven Connective) leadership program class through the Asphalt Institute (AI). The program is designed to foster future leaders within AI and develop AI members for further industry leadership. Hillard’s class began the program in June and will end at the Asphalt Institute’s spring meeting in April 2024. 

Read More
Zoe BuhlOur People
December 13, 2023

Paving the Future: Montana Highway 200

Co-authors: Andrew Eicher & Naarah Holloway

Road managers know that the longitudinal joint is the first part of the pavement to fail. As a road’s most permeable part, this joint is susceptible to the elements. Air and water work down through this gap causing the joint to deteriorate, crack and pothole. And when the longitudinal joint fails, the rest of the road soon follows—triggering the need for even more maintenance.

Read More
Hannah McFarlandIndustry News