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! 
Benchmark, Inc. welcomes Vince Ellison as chief operating officer
Benchmark, Inc., one of the largest commercial and industrial roof and pavement consulting firms in the nation, recently welcomed Vince Ellison as Chief Operating Officer/Integrator. Ellison’s primary responsibilities will focus on process management, business planning, and leadership/management/accountability.
 
Ron Harriman, president of Benchmark, Inc., commented, “With Vince’s operations experience and relational leadership skills, I believe he will help us grow and strengthen the company.”
 
Ellison comes to Benchmark, Inc. from Knutson Construction Services where he was the vice president/general manager for Iowa. During his time at Knutson, Ellison helped to oversee operations and complete multifaceted projects.
 
“I am excited about this new chapter in my life,” Ellison said. “Benchmark is rich in history and culture, and I like where the company is headed. Our team is dedicated to cultivating long-lasting relationships with our clients as well as with each other.”
 
Ellison was raised in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and holds a bachelor's degree in communications and a master’s degree in industrial relations, both from Iowa State University. He earned an MBA from the University of Iowa. Ellison is past chair of the board of directors for the Iowa City Area Business Partnership and continues to serve on its board. He previously served as president of the Hawkeye Area Down Syndrome Association and was a board member of the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. Ellison and his family reside in Solon, Iowa.
 
About Benchmark, Inc.: Benchmark has been providing proven roof and pavement consulting services for companies with multiple facilities and complex assets for more than 30 years.
UniFirst manufactures, supplies and services uniforms that are always up for the job
Creating and maintaining a cohesive, branded uniform program for a diverse staff can be challenging, particularly in the contracting and trades industry where a variety of garments and styles are often required to serve the distinct needs of multiple departments. That’s where UniFirst comes in.

A well-designed and managed work apparel program from UniFirst not only delivers the professional employee image you want, it can also help keep your personnel safe and comfortable on the job. Whether it’s tradition industrial or safety clothing like flame-resistant coveralls, work shirts or enhanced-visibility jackets, or image-enhancing business essentials like oxfords or polo shirts, UniFirst’s managed uniform rental programs offer the right workwear options for employees in all areas of your business. And our large selection of products and fabric choices is certain to match your brand’s performance needs.
Walbec Group employee resource groups build culture and support development 
Diversity, inclusion, recruitment, retainment, and development are hot topics for organizations focused on growing their businesses and team members. Like many other top organizations, Walbec's recent initiatives center around programs that build an inclusive culture and foster professional development and networking opportunities for team members. This includes two employee resource groups (ERGs).
ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups that foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with organizational mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives. Other benefits include the development of future leaders, increased team member engagement, and expanded marketplace reach. Our Women of Walbec (WOW) and United Voices of Walbec (UVOW) ERGs provide environments where team members feel safe, are free to express themselves, and are encouraged to grow through diverse perspectives and thinking.
WOW's mission is to help women reach their destinations by providing resources and support systems, offering mentorship and professional development opportunities, and fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture. UVOW helps people from different backgrounds reach their destinations by creating an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued. UVOW vows to continuously advance and support equity through inclusion while promoting its members' professional development and personal growth.
ERGs promote an all-encompassing culture while demonstrating an organization's commitment to its team members. Success with WOW and UVOW has been evident in participation and the relationships between individuals who may not have otherwise crossed paths. WOW and UVOW promotes different backgrounds coming together to move our organization forward.

Do you have ERGs in your organization? If not, look for opportunities to bring together passionate leaders who can spearhead ERGs in your organization. 
OnStation 3.0 released! 
The OnStation roadway location solution just got even better with new features and functionality aimed at making your days on the road and in the office more productive and easier.
 
NEW look 
We've got some exciting news... Our newest update introduces a state-of-the-art interface across the app! You'll see some of these changes in:
  • Sign In and Sign Up Views
  • Map View
  • Chat Views

Streamlined Flag & Chat
Ever wish you could navigate through Flag information in one spot with ease? Your wish has been granted! Tap through Chat, Share, Tags and Details while in a Flag!
 
A user-friendly redesign of Flag & Chat has been the most-requested update from our users, and we are so excited that it is finally here!
 
New georeferenced camera notes
Pictures can now be taken right from your project map! It's as easy as clicking the camera button and boom: your picture will now be dropped on the map. This gives you the capability to easily add more pictures, share with others and add tags to keep them organized.

New Route button
Life is a highway... and you can now get directions from a Flag to a Flag location.
Pavement coring pilot project gives valuable insight in effort to expand statewide
Benesch recently piloted a pavement coring program, providing a valuable test run of a more accurate way of testing pavement density in Wisconsin. The State Trunk Highway (STH) 175 resurfacing project in Fond du Lac County consisted of more than seven miles of asphalt pavement and was an ideal job to apply the Percent Within Limits (PWL) core sampling method -- one of the first projects in the state to do so.

The PWL coring method was implemented for pavement density acceptance on STH 175 and utilized standard nuclear density gauge tests on all core locations to compare results during the pilot test. Nuclear gauges are more variable in determining true density while pavement cores have a more consistent and repeatable test result. PWL success relies on data consistency, so that coring method appealed to WisDOT as the agency considers it as a statewide standard.
 
Using PWL coring on the mainline and longitudinal joints on STH 175 provided valuable lessons. Maintaining core integrity at the longitudinal joints was particularly challenging because they were notched-wedge Michigan-style joints, which are harder to core because of their shallow pavement layers. The volume of cores sampled also strained the core-dry machines. Benesch, WisDOT and the contractor collaboratively addressed these issues and modified the core drying process to ensure core integrity. Ultimately, the PWL coring pilot was successful in providing critical feedback in WisDOT’s effort to fine-tune and implement the program statewide.
The all-new CASE TV620B is MBR's largest and most powerful compact track loader
Power the hardcore attachments, including an 80-inch asphalt planer. Load quad axles without a problem. Dig into the toughest earthmoving applications. The CASE TV620B compact track loader offers industry-leading performance in operating capacity, breakout force, and hydraulic horsepower.

With this much power and performance, we’re also providing more standard features than ever before. These include switchable EH controls, high-flow hydraulics, automatic ride control and one-way self-leveling, a programmable hydraulically reversing fan, LED lights, and one year of CASE SiteWatch telematics.

Contact MBR for details on how to get into a TV620B and experience the most powerful compact track loader on the market.
Breaking records, shattering expectations at World of Asphalt
As reported in Asphalt Contractor, a lot can happen in three years. World of Asphalt 2022 proved that you can't stop progress and you can't stop an industry ready to work.

A record-breaking 11,400 asphalt paving and aggregates professionals came together for the 2022 World of Asphalt in Nashville to learn and experience everything that’s new and important in our industries. More than 440 companies spread across more than 193,000 net square feet of show floor space, selling out the Music City Center. 

It had been three years since we were all together for this show, and the anticipation surrounding both the exhibitors and attendees could be felt in every booth and in every honky tonk on Broadway. Contractors are ready to put the $1.2 trillion from the federal Infrastructure Bill to work and manufacturers are ready to help. 

From upgraded controls that simplify operation on equipment to brand new ideas and solutions from vendors, it's clear the industry has the back of the contractor. 

Technologies from the following WAPA members will soon be headed to a jobsite near you:

  • American State Equipment
  • Aring Equipment Company
  • Astec Industries
  • CWMF Corporation
  • Fabick Cat
  • Miller-Bradford & Risberg
  • Roland Machinery
  • WEM Automation

Read the full article from Asphalt Contractor.
Thanks as always to all WAPA members who participated in this newsletter. 

In closing, I'd like to remind everyone to please save the date for WAPA's 63rd Annual Conference and Business Meeting, to be held November 29 and 30 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. We will announce details for attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors later this year.

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 have a safe summer.
Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association | www.wispave.org