Gerken Paving, Inc. has received the 2025 Asphalt Paving Excellence Award from the Asphalt Pavement Association of Michigan (APAM) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The prestigious award recognizes high standards of quality and precision in asphalt pavement construction.

“I am proud that once again, The Gerken Companies has received recognition for the high-level quality work we produce,” says Kevin Ash, Senior Vice President, Asphalt Paving. “This award underscores the dedication and professionalism of our team.”

The award-winning project, the Lenawee County Road Commission’s Yankee Road Project, spanned from Riga Highway to South County Line Highway. The 3.12-mile road improvement represented a comprehensive effort, including Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) resurfacing, aggregate shoulders, slope restoration, and meticulous pavement markings. Now completed, the project exemplifies the quality and craftsmanship that APAM and MDOT highly value.

“The project was a team effort in every sense of the word,” insists Kevin. The award-winning asphalt was produced by Gerken Paving’s Sylvania Plant and placed by three different paving crews: Josh Busch, Brian Joy, and Jordan Kinder.

Winners accepted their awards on December 10, 2025, during the APAM Holiday Banquet at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing.

Founded in 1977, the Asphalt Paving Awards Program is a collaborative initiative that honors projects executed with excellence and precision. The awards acknowledge the dedication of everyone involved in a project’s lifecycle, from design and construction to inspection and management. The Yankee Road Project embodies the commitment to quality that this esteemed recognition aims to highlight.

About APAM

Since its inception in 1950, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Michigan (APAM) has championed the asphalt paving industry, representing leading manufacturers and contractors committed to excellence. Member companies are deeply committed to constructing durable, high-quality asphalt pavements through significant investments in advanced equipment and skilled labor.

The award not only recognizes the accomplishments of Gerken Materials but also highlights the collective excellence of the asphalt paving industry in Michigan. We look forward to celebrating more innovative projects in the future and the teams that bring them to life.

Congratulations to Gerken Materials, Inc. for this tremendous achievement, and to all the other worthy recipients.