As winter settles in and temperatures drop, the dedicated maintenance team at Gerken Materials, Inc. is hard at work preparing for the upcoming busy paving season. Careful assessments and prioritization of plant maintenance ensure that our facilities are ready to hit the ground running come spring.

Focus on Efficiency and Capacity

At the heart of our winter maintenance efforts this year is the Parkertown Facility, an essential asphalt plant located in Castalia, Ohio. This facility is not only responsible for producing high-quality hot-mix asphalt (HMA) for projects in Northwest Ohio, but it also boasts specialized capabilities that distinguish it from others. One such ability includes transporting asphalt to remote locations, such as North Bass Island, showcasing our logistical efficiency.

This winter, the Parkertown plant is undergoing significant upgrades. We are replacing one of our existing asphalt tanks and adding two new 25,000-gallon tanks. These improvements promise greater efficiency, enabling us to incorporate a broader range of liquids into our asphalt mixes. With plumbing work projected to take five weeks and Gerken employees performing all work internally, the upgrade is a significant step forward in our commitment to quality and capacity.

Environmental Responsibility

In addition to upgrades at Parkertown, our workhorse Sylvania Facility is making strides to enhance its environmentally friendly practices. The facility is upgrading its mixing plant dryer with an Astec Double Barrel drum mixer. The state-of-the-art system focuses on maximizing recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) content, which not only benefits the environment but also contributes to reducing costs and improving overall efficiency.

By separating the drying and mixing processes, we can incorporate more RAP while minimizing emissions and producing high-quality HMA.

Other Winter Projects

The winter season also brings other exciting projects that are crucial for maintaining our production standards. At our Archbold plant, work is underway to replace the screen decking that has been in place since 1968, ensuring that our equipment meets today’s high standards. Additionally, we are retrofitting and relocating bins from Sylvania to the Custar Facility, further enhancing our operational capacity.

The off-season is not just a time for upgrades; it also provides our Gerken team members with valuable opportunities for welding, cutting, and fabricating. These projects keep our skilled workforce engaged and ready for the upcoming season, while also promoting team cohesion.

Looking Ahead

“With winter maintenance underway, we’re excited about the opportunities for improving our operations and the quality of our products,” says Doug Willeman, Plant Manager for Gerken Materials, Inc. “The team’s dedication to these projects reflects our commitment to providing our customers with the high-quality paving materials they expect from Gerken.”

As The Gerken Companies prepares to ramp up for the busy season ahead, we remain focused on enhancing our facilities and operations.