The Roots of Reliability

At the core of our plant’s success is a simple truth: reliability starts with people. Every team member plays a vital role in keeping our operations running smoothly. While the our S.E.R.V.I.C.E. Principle of Reliability applies to all operations, in this article we focus on its importance in manufacturing of asphalt and emulsions.

In the world of emulsion production, reliability isn’t just a goal, it’s a commitment. It’s the promise we make to our clients, our communities, and ourselves: that every batch of emulsion we produce meets the highest standards of quality, consistency, and performance.

Reliable People: The Foundation of Our Culture

We’re building more than just a productive workplace, we’re cultivating a culture of trust, safety, and collaboration. Here’s how we’re doing it:

• Teamwork across departments is key. Operators, engineers, maintenance, and office staff all working in sync.

• We hire character, competence, and cooperation, ensuring every new team member strengthens our culture.

• Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) remains a top priority because a safe team is a strong team.

• We’re closing skill gaps through training, sharing lessons learned, and leading with intention, not impulse.

Monitoring Performance with Precision

Reliability begins with data-driven vigilance. We continuously monitor key performance indicators across our operations from raw material input to final product output. A critical part of this process is lab testing, where we rigorously evaluate samples to ensure they meet all required specifications. These tests help us detect even the smallest deviations in quality, allowing us to take corrective action before issues arise. By combining real-time operational data with thorough laboratory analysis, we ensure our emulsions perform reliably in the field.

Making Timely Adjustments

Being reliable means being responsive. When our monitoring systems or lab results flag a concern, we act fast. Whether it’s adjusting formulations, recalibrating equipment, or refining workflows, our teams are empowered to make decisions that keep quality on track and operations running smoothly.

External Relationships: Strengthening Our Network

Our reliability extends beyond our gates. We’re actively building strong relationships with:

• Vendors for equipment and parts

• Regulatory agencies like EPA, OSHA, and AQMD

• Industry organizations and sister companies for shared learning

• Community stakeholders, by being mindful of noise, odors, and lighting

These connections help us stay resilient and responsive, no matter the challenge.

Stewardship of Our Equipment

Reliability starts with how we care for our equipment. We view our machinery not just as tools, but as critical assets that deserve attention, respect, and proactive stewardship. Through preventive maintenance, thoughtful operation, and timely upgrades, we extend the life of our equipment and ensure it performs consistently under demanding conditions.

Our teams are trained to recognize early signs of wear, follow best practices for operation, and take ownership of equipment health. This mindset of stewardship helps us avoid costly breakdowns, maintain production quality, and uphold the trust our customers place in every batch we produce.

Driving Continuous Improvement

To support our culture of reliability, we use the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, a proven method for continuous improvement:

• Plan: Define the problem and hypothesize a solution

• Do: Implement on a small scale

• Check: Analyze results

• Act: Standardize or restart the cycle

This cycle helps us stay proactive, solve problems at the root, and keep improving every day.

The Takeaway

Reliability isn’t just a goal, it’s a mindset. It’s in how we communicate, how we care for our equipment, and how we support one another. Together, we are the Roots of Reliability, and our strength lies in how deeply we’re connected to our purpose and to each other.

Let’s keep building roads and trust, one reliable batch at a time.