Category: Production
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A Technician’s Role in Ensuring Asphalt Quality and Pavement Performance
In an industry where precision determines pavement performance, few roles carry more day-to-day responsibility than field quality control. It’s the kind of work that demands technical confidence, physical stamina and the ability to make confident decisions in unpredictable conditions. That challenge is exactly what drives Quality Control Inspector Tracy Richard. Richard specializes in the real-world…
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How California’s Refinery Closures Hit Asphalt Contractors
California is on track to lose another major refinery just months after Phillips 66 fully shuttered its Los Angeles-area operations at the end of 2025. Valero’s Benicia plant is now set to end refining by April 2026. Together those two closures wipe out roughly 309,000 barrels per day of capacity, about 18% of the state’s…
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What the PERMIT Act Means for Contractors: Faster Reviews, Fewer Delays
Washington has been busy reshaping how Clean Water Act permitting works, and for once, the changes appear aimed at reducing headaches rather than adding new ones. That’s really good news, considering that in our 2026 State of the Roadbuilding Industry contractor survey, one of the biggest concerns voiced by contractors was in regards to permitting…
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Astec Acquires CWMF: Strengthening Asphalt Plant Innovation Ahead of CONEXPO 2026
The two manufacturers of asphalt plant equipment announced their plans to join forces over social media on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, with Astec Inc. president and CEO Jaco van der Merwe said on a LinkedIn post: “Our Infrastructure Solutions (IS) segment is built on a commitment: to deliver innovative, reliable equipment that helps our customers…
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5 Ways Construction Technology is Transforming Asphalt Contracting Operations
The most successful paving contractors aren’t just skilled at laying asphalt – they’ve mastered the art of operational efficiency. While many companies rely on established manual workflows, forward-thinking firms are leveraging construction software to create competitive advantages that translate directly to their bottom line. The technology exists today to create connected workflows that span every…
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How Asphalt Contractors Can Profit by Adding Crushing Operations
For many asphalt and pavement maintenance contractors, the piles of leftover millings, broken concrete, and truck washouts that accumulate over a season are seen as waste, a problem to be dealt with, material to be hauled away somewhere. In some areas this waste even comes with its own costs associated with dumping it. But a…
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Building Connections in Construction and Asphalt at AEM
Dormie Weber laughs when she talks about her path into the construction and asphalt industries. It wasn’t a direct route, and she’s the first to admit it. “My career path hasn’t been a straight line,” Weber said. “Even dating back to my college days, I would go to school in the morning until noon and…
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ARTBA Responds to OSHA’s Proposed Heat Safety Rule
As the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues developing its proposed federal standard to address heat-related illness and injury in the workplace, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has submitted detailed written responses outlining the transportation construction industry’s perspective on how such a rule should be structured. I’ve written previously about state-level…
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Leading Women of Asphalt into a New Era of Workforce Development
The asphalt industry is known for tradition, grit, and a workforce built over generations. Yet women remain underrepresented, making up just 11% of the construction industry and often less than 2% of field roles, despite representing 47% of the overall U.S. workforce. Recognizing the gap, Women of Asphalt was founded in 2018 with a mission…
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Asphalt Contractor’s Industry Training Guide 2025-2026
Effective training is one of the strongest drivers of new employee retention. At the same time, keeping veteran team members up to date with the latest tools, technologies, and best practices boosts both job satisfaction and overall performance. With more online and remote options available today, companies can provide education at lower costs while still…