As 2024 comes to a close, Gerken Materials, Inc. is on track to record its highest 12-month asphalt production volume ever. Moreover, many of this year’s projects required specialty mixes, which demanded extra attention from our asphalt plant teams.

“This only happens with every person’s dedication, knowledge, and hard work,” declares Susan Witt, Senior Vice President of Gerken’s Asphalt Production division.

Gerken Materials, Inc. takes pride in meeting every customer’s unique needs. That means selecting the correct aggregates and asphalt liquids and following the specific mix formula for each job.

“Our teams produce numerous types of mixes throughout the day and do an excellent job meeting the specifications for every mix,” says Susan.

According to Susan, asphalt production is becoming increasingly complicated with new mix types, polymer-modified liquid asphalt, and installation specifications. Gerken’s quality control department works closely with equipment personnel to expand our knowledge and skills. Continuous training is crucial for our ongoing growth, such as the roller instruction that started this year and continues into 2025.

Susan acknowledges those working in the asphalt, maintenance, and quality control departments for their contributions to many substantial projects, including the Ohio Turnpike, Toledo Express Airport, Norfolk & Southern, US 30, US 24, and I-75.

“The past year’s long, hot, and dry days made for challenging shifts,” recalls Susan. “Thank you all for a successful and, most importantly, safe 2024.”

All the Gerken crews
working Who Road
Liked construction a lot…
But one Grinch
Who lived on North Who Road,
Did NOT!

And he hated construction! The whole construction season!
We can’t tell you why. No one here knows the reason.
It could be it disrupted his daily commute.
Or that he was, perhaps, a sad, cheerless coot.
But the most likely reason, I happen to think,
May have been that he just liked causing a stink.

Whatever the reason,
His commute or his blues,
He stood there each morning, hating the crews.

He stared from his window with a furious frown
At the diligent workers as they all hunkered down.
For he knew every crew that was working Who Road,
Was making more progress with each asphalt load.

“And they’re taking great pride,” he snarled with a sneer,
“They’re enjoying their work in their bright Gerken Gear.”

Then he growled, “Why, for weeks I’ve put up with it now!
I MUST stop construction from happening! But HOW?”
For tomorrow, he knew, Gerken crew girls and boys,
Would rush back bright and early and start making noise.

Oh, the NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!

Then he got an idea! AN AWFUL IDEA!
He chuckled, and clucked, “What a wonderful, awful idea.”

Right before Christmas, while the crews lay asleep in the night,
The grinchy old fool snuck off to their job site.
He slithered and slunk, disguised by sly means,
Around the vast work zone, and he STOLE THEIR MACHINES.

The planers! And loaders! Drum rollers! And pavers!
The millers! And grinders! And ALL excavators.
He took the whole fleet. And this—this makes me quiver:
Why, that Grinch even took the 50-foot Concrete Conveyor and Mixer.

“PoohPooh to the crews!” he was grinchishly humming.
“They’ll be finding out soon that no construction is coming!”

It was quarter past dawn…all the crews were arriving,
And those crews began working, despite all his conniving.
As he stared at the workers, the Grinch doubted his eyes!
What he saw them all doing was a shocking surprise!

For every worker from Gerken, with jobs big and small,
Was working their hardest! With no apparatus at all!
They worked without backhoes! Without multi-terrains!
They worked without compactors, crawlers, or cranes!

He HADN’T stopped construction.
IT CAME!
Even with no 50-foot Concrete Conveyor and Mixer,
It came just the same!

And the Grinch, with his stunned look froze to his face,
Stood puzzling and wondering how they kept up the pace.

He wondered awhile, looking out from his door.
Then the Grinch thought of something that he hadn’t before!
“Maybe progress,” he thought, “doesn’t come from equipment.
Maybe progress…perhaps…comes from boundless commitment!”

And what happened then…?
Well…at Gerken they say
That the Grinch became happy,
And changed in his ways.

That very minute, he felt his heart lighten,
And his stance on construction? He allowed it to brighten.
And he brought back the pavers! The loaders and rollers.
And he, HE HIMSELF! The Grinch drove the big 50-footer!

In 1994, The Gerken Companies acquired the mineral rights and assets of The France Stone Co. The resulting business, The Custar Stone Co., has continued to grow and support Gerken operations in Northwest Ohio. The company produces high-quality limestone products of all sizes and gradation ranges, as well as other aggregate products.

The Custar Stone Co. recently launched a significant undertaking to replace the existing aggregate processing plant with a new facility in a different location on its Portage Road property. Construction of the new plant is underway, and with the 2024 production season winding down in the next few weeks, many milestones remain before the new plant is fully commissioned by mid-2025.

“Our goal is to increase production for future forecasted projects in the markets surrounding the Custar location,” says Joe Knepley, Senior Vice President, Aggregate Production. “The hope is to produce much more efficiently while giving our employees a safer and more economical processing plant.”

The Aggregate division is also considering adding and updating equipment at its other facilities to enhance production and safety processes for the 2025 season.

Images: New Primary Jaw Crushing station, Surge Pile Stacker, and Feeder Tunnel.

At our annual holiday party on Saturday, November 16, 2024, The Gerken Companies recognized employees who had reached milestone work anniversaries this year. The service awards acknowledge team members’ long-term commitments and contributions to Gerken’s success.

The party at the Glass City Center in downtown Toledo featured a fabulous buffet and party games.

The following individuals had milestone anniversaries in 2024.

In 2024, The Gerken Companies began implementing new software in the Logistics Division. XBE is a comprehensive platform designed to optimize operations in the construction industry, particularly in asphalt paving.

The initial phase has successfully laid the groundwork for streamlining Gerken’s operations and improving connections among business units.

“As with any new technology, the transition has not been without its challenges,” says Steve Weaver, Senior Vice President of Logistics. “We’ve encountered various growing pains as we adapt to new processes and workflows.”

Steve praises our drivers for their outstanding efforts and dedication during this transition phase. Their ability to adapt and commitment to learning the new system have been vital to early success.

“Their buy-in has played a significant role in overcoming initial hurdles and ensuring the smooth integration of XBE into our daily operations,” explains Steve.

As Gerken moves forward with XBE, the goal is to maximize the technology’s potential to improve efficiency, communication, and productivity throughout the organization. The insights and improvements from this initial phase will guide us as we implement XBE in other areas of the business.

The Gerken Companies is excited to announce that it has acquired Precision Paving, Inc., a family-owned paving company out of Milan, Ohio. This acquisition allows us to expand our capabilities and better serve our customers throughout our eastern division.

Since its founding in 2002, Precision Paving has strived to provide quality asphalt projects from start to finish. That commitment remains at the core of the company today.

In addition to asphalt paving, Precision Paving also specializes in concrete work, excavation, and site preparation. The company takes pride in its ability to handle any paving job, whether repairing potholes or undertaking major road or parking lot projects, using skilled crews and top-notch equipment.

As a small business, Precision Paving understands the importance of keeping clients well-informed and satisfied throughout the process. The company also emphasizes addressing on-site issues and finding solutions that meet everyone’s needs. Precision Paving takes pride in its employees’ dedication to integrity, hard work, and ensuring that the job is done right.

“We look forward to welcoming the new employees from Precision Paving and working together to achieve shared success,” says Brent Gerken, President of The Gerken Companies.