The Wisconsin Asphalt Industry Insider is a platform for WAPA members to share what's new and exciting at their companies with pavement owners, operators, and contractors across our state. We hope you find this information useful!
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SAKAI Guardman, with its new Echelon Mode, revolutionizes asphalt roller safety, particularly for echelon rolling patterns. Available on SW884 and SW994 highway-class rollers, Echelon Mode addresses the unique safety challenges of close-proximity rolling.
Guardman utilizes millimeter-wave radar (or 3D LiDAR on some models) to detect personnel and equipment, even in challenging conditions. This unique technology accurately determines object distance vs machine speed. If a collision risk arises, Guardman alerts the operator progressively and if the operator fails to take action, initiates automatic braking to potentially save lives and prevent equipment damage.
The new Echelon Mode optimizes the Guardman system for coordinated roller operation, preventing false alarms during close-proximity work. It recognizes intentional roller proximity while maintaining core safety functions. The system continues to monitor for collisions, ensuring automatic braking if a worker enters a danger zone. A proximity indicator on the Guardman screen provides real-time distance feedback, enabling operators to maintain optimal echelon formation.
Echelon Mode is easily toggled via one button press on the Guardman display, offering operational flexibility. This intelligent software, combined with advanced sensors, maximizes efficiency and safety, protecting both workers and equipment.
Guardman is available on most models from 3-tons to the largest 15-ton double drums. For SAKAI asphalt rollers, including those featuring Guardman / Guardman with Echelon Mode, contact American State Equipment. They serve Wisconsin from their locations in Milwaukee, Little Chute, and Wausau. Contact ASE to explore the safety advantages of this industry-first compaction technology. www.amstate.com/.
| | BATT — Better Asphalt for Today and Tomorrow | | |
Blankenship Asphalt Tech & Training (BATT) is an engineering and materials testing laboratory based in Richmond, KY. The company provides asphalt binder (verification and classification) and mix testing services at their state-of-the-art lab. BATT also provides asphalt product development, civil engineering consulting services, lab audits, forensic analyses, and pavement condition analyses.
BATT has achieved accreditation in accordance with the AASHTO accreditation program in the areas of Asphalt Binder, Asphalt Mixture, and Aggregates. Our binder lab technologist is certified by Asphalt Institute’s National Binder Technician Certification (NBTC) program.
Phil Blankenship, P.E., leads the company with his extensive, decades-long, experience in asphalt technology. Since its inception, BATT has earned recognition in the industry for its dedication to quality and excellence. The company provides a full range of asphalt testing services — including binder, aggregate, and mix testing/mix design — in addition to friction and performance testing, all done by certified asphalt professionals. Clients have learned they can trust the BATT Lab for detailed, expert, binder testing services and winning asphalt mix designs, such as ultra-flexible interlayers, that meet specs time and again.
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BATT also provides engineering design services and forensic analyses as well as product development expertise. BATT’s engineering consultation services provide clients an extra level of assurance that the pavement they place will meet long-term needs for durability and sustainability.
Additionally, BATT offers specialized training programs covering a wide range of topics, including Introduction to Asphalt, Asphalt Binder 101, BMD 101, Advanced BMD, and Lab Technician Training.
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We are excited to announce that Motion Engineering, Inc., a trusted supplier of industrial parts and services for the asphalt industry, has officially relocated its operations. The company has moved from Kenosha, WI, to a new, expanded location at 6040 Douglas Avenue, Caledonia, WI 53402.
As a leading provider of asphalt plant maintenance and services, Motion Engineering is the authorized supplier of Hauck/Honeywell burners and Webster Combustion burners. In addition to burners, the company offers a wide range of products including industrial filtration, valves, temperature controls, flex lines, blowers, and actuators.
With this move, Motion Engineering, Inc. continues its commitment to delivering premier service and high-quality products to the asphalt industry. We look forward to better serving our customers with enhanced capabilities in our new facility!
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FORTA-FI is a high-performance asphalt fiber reinforcement, providing full-depth three-dimensional reinforcement for asphalt pavement. It creates a root-like structure with the aggregates in the mix, helping reduce pavement distresses and increase durability. FORTA-FI fiber reinforcement extends pavement life with minimal up-front costs.
After using fiber reinforcement in their distribution centers, Walmart implemented FORTA-FI in their standard specification. They paved over 250 retail stores in 2024 using FORTA-FI reinforced asphalt and will continue to do so in the future. Walmart sees the benefits of fiber reinforcement: stronger, more durable pavement with lower life-cycle costs.
Producers for Walmart were introduced to the ease of use of FORTA-FI. Fibers are added at 1 lb per ton with a blowing dispenser. The dispensing system connects to the asphalt plant and ensures fibers are introduced at a consistent rate by using load cells, running on a loss-of-weight calculation. The system (or the FORTA Voyager) is inside of a trailer, allowing for quick setup and portability.
More information on Walmart is available upon request. If you’d like to learn more about asphalt fiber reinforcement or you have an upcoming Walmart in your region, contact Dan Large at 262-685-7749 or Cole Large at 262-685-8949.
| | Top image: Midwest Walmart retail store – three-year comparison of asphalt overlay over concrete. Center and bottom images: FORTA’s Voyager. | | From the Plant to the Pavement. Let’s Move the Needle Together and Go Smokeless! | | |
Paving longer-lasting roads and reducing smoke are not mutually exclusive. Ingevity’s Evotherm Smokeless Asphalt Technology allows you to drop your asphalt production temperatures to virtually eliminate smoke throughout the paving lifecycle – the lower production temperatures also improve your mix design and reduce your fuel consumption. Simply reduce your production temperatures to 270°F and you’ll be in the green zone for smokeless warm mix asphalt.
Evotherm smokeless asphalt transforms the entire paving process—starting at the plant, carrying through transport, and making a difference on the job site.
At the Plant. Lower production temperatures reduce fuel consumption, emissions, and odors, creating a safer work environment.
During Transport. More stable mixes mean improved workability and reduced heat loss, keeping asphalt at the ideal temperature for paving.
On the Pavement. Crews experience better visibility, reduced exposure to fumes, and a longer paving season — all without compromising performance
As an industry, we can move the needle to virtually eliminate smoke throughout the paving lifecycle. Evotherm smokeless asphalt translates into improved safety, cost savings and sustainability while improving air quality and the state of our roads. Just lower the temperature of your asphalt mix to start seeing the benefits!
To schedule a smokeless asphalt demonstration or in-house training with an Evotherm representative today, click here.
| | TransTech Systems Introduces the next generation of non-nuclear asphalt density gauges | |
The next generation of non-nuclear asphalt density testing is here! Continuing the tried-and tested-technology developed by TransTech Systems, this innovating company has released the next generation of electrical impedance asphalt density gauges – the PQI 380+!
TransTech Systems has been developing non-nuclear density since 1994, and continuously seek to improve the users experience with their products. With the new version, customers still get the same great benefits of the non-nuclear technology – quick, accurate, repeatable readings in three seconds, lightweight, no badges or licenses, no storage or transport concerns, four readings modes…all great features and benefits for the QC technician on the project.
What is NEW in the PQI 380+ ? A large IP 66 tablet touchscreen interface, cloud-based data transfer and storage through the TransTech Connect app and direct links with OnStation if using this platform.
QC managers and supervisors can now monitor compaction compliance for multiple projects without leaving the office or remote location.
TransTech Systems helping to make the hard jobs easy with the PQI 380+.
Check it out today!
| | MBR now offers the newly launched BOMAG asphalt distributors first seen at World of Asphalt. | | MBR now offers the newly launched BOMAG asphalt distributors first seen at World of Asphalt. The BOMAG BD 2000 is a 2000-gallon state-of-the-art asphalt distributor with an automatic burner for efficient heating. Dosing is computer-controlled, which provides exceptional accuracy and doesn’t compromise user comfort. Application rate controlled depending on your parameters of spraying width, speed of the truck, and the set application rate. The BD2000 has a telescopic spray bar that is fully expandable to 15.7’ and has an air-assisted suck-back system to prevent nozzle clogs. Other tank sizes are available. Units are assembled at BOMAG’s USA headquarters in Ridgeway, SC. Call MBR for more details. | | Save the Date for TDA's Annual Meeting on November 13 | | |
Thanks as always to all WAPA members who participated in this newsletter.
In closing, we would like to remind readers about our 66th Annual Conference and Business Meeting, to be held at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells on December 2-3, 2025.
Watch our Conference Page for updates regarding the agenda and hotel information, and make your plans to attend the asphalt event of the year in Wisconsin!
As always, please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if there is ever any way we may be of assistance. Thanks again, and see you in December!
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