Hot Mix

SealMaster Opens Operations in Utah, Idaho

SealMaster, a leading global supplier of pavement maintenance supplies and equipment, has opened two new facilities in the western United States. Both facilities feature a manufacturing plant, distribution center and retail showroom.

Kevin McEntree opened his SealMaster franchise in June in Boise, ID, serving the state of Idaho.

With his sights set on owning a business he could establish and operate in Boise, McEntee researched a number of entrepreneurial opportunities. After several meetings with SealMaster franchise representatives, he determined a SealMaster franchise was the perfect fit for Idaho.   “I researched the pavement maintenance and preservation market for two years and saw how so many contractors were related, directly or indirectly, with pavement maintenance.”

Having the business based in Boise was a critical point for the third-generation Idahoan.  “It’s an important place to me and I love the idea of supplying locally produced products,” he says. “In search for consistency and quality, many contractors are sourcing products from all over the Western U.S.   We look forward to becoming a local solution for them.   Also, I look forward to becoming involved in a variety of community causes and providing cost-saving solutions to our Idaho municipalities and school districts.”

McEntee says Idaho road maintenance agencies are in step with the nationwide trend of preserving paved assets. “When people have available quality, consistent products that perform well, it’s an extremely good value to preserve pavement—a substantial capital asset,” he asserts. “Idaho’s harsh winters really underscore that strategy. It’s the approach of protecting investments and increasing the service life of asphalt.” 

The Idaho SealMaster is located at 6438 S. Supply Way in Boise.

The new West Valley City, UT, location, owned by Lyle Moody, will serve the entire state of Utah. This is Moody’s second SealMaster franchise; he has owned SealMaster/Honolulu for 14 years. The new business is located off Highway 201 at 6778 West 2100 South.

Moody officially opened the Utah business in 2016 while simultaneously renovating a combined 13,000-sq.-ft. warehouse, office space, and showroom; building a 5,500-sq.-ft. addition; and training new employees. Members of the family who live in Utah serve in key leadership positions. Moody’s son, former Hawaii plant manager John Moody, relocated to Utah and serves as vice president. Son-in-law Shawn Ormond, who had worked for SealMaster/Honolulu for more than five years, now lives in Utah and manages operations.

6^th Sweeper Summit Offers Equipment

More than 120 member partners and 20 manufacturing vendors attended the 6^th Annual Sweeper Summit Nov. 8-10 in San Antonio, TX. The Summit, hosted by 1-800-SWEEPER, a nationwide service network of independently owned power sweeping companies, featured Mike Pierce, better known as “Antarctic Mike,” as the event’s keynote speaker. Pierce delivered a message on how to develop companies and employees. He used his business experiences, as well as his personal experiences in polar expeditions and marathons, to outline practical ways CEOs and managers can recruit and retain quality employees. He also shared life experiences in sales and endurance sports to motivate executives in growing their businesses. For the first time the Summit also featured equipment displays in addition to training in industry-specific benchmarking.

Bomag Opens Workshop & Training Center in Germany

As part of its week-long “Innovation Days” last September, conducted in Bomag’s new demonstration and training center in Germany, Bomag’s 1,200 guests from 60 countries were able to see Bomag products in action, including a tandem roller deomonstration.

RoadSafe Acquires Beth’s Barricades

RoadSafe Traffic Systems, a provider of traffic control and pavement marking services with more than 50 U.S. locations, announced it has acquired Beth’s Barricades, Pittsburgh, PA.  

Founded in 2005, Beth’s Barricades serves Pennsylvania and Maryland, providing traffic control services including traffic signals, message and arrow boards, speed trailers, truck-mounted attenuators and steel barriers along with smaller items such as channelizers and signs.

“The addition of Beth’s Barricades supports our strategy of expanding our service offerings,” said David Meirick, president and CEO of RoadSafe. “Beth’s Barricades has built a robust infrastructure to support its business operations and earned a solid reputation with contractors across the area for its expert staff, service and cutting-edge product lines.”

 Heyer Named ODB President

Greg Heyer has been named president of Old Dominion Brush Company Inc. (ODB) effective December 4.

Heyer joined Schwarze Industries in as vice president of sales, marketing, customer service and product management.

“His initiatives to rebrand Schwarze products, improve customer support, develop the dealer network, foster product innovation, and strengthen dealer relationships, were key to driving Schwarze’ performance over the past several years.” said Howard May, president of Schwarze Industries Inc.  

The Old Dominion Brush Company (ODB), headquartered in Richmond, VA, has been manufacturing municipal products since 1910 and produces street sweepers and leaf vacuum equipment at a 200,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility. ODB offers a large inventory of street sweeper parts, brooms, and leaf vacuum parts and hoses.

Industry Appointments

Shawn Sweet is vice-president, sales & marketing, at Bomag Americas Inc., Ridgeway, SC...Also at Bomag, Tim Collie is national account manager, Rental for North America.

At Neyra Industries, Cincinnati, OH, Travis Parrish is regional sales manager covering the Mid-Atlantic territory.