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The business plan includes milling for generations to come. “With my daughter and two nephews taking a keen interest in the company, it’s a family affair,”
said Bob Wagner, president of Blacktop Service Co. “I’m proud to call the Roadtec RX-500 part of the family, too.”
When the company milled in
the past, the crew was not able
to come immediately behind
to fill. With the old mill, it was
really difficult to leave the streets
exposed.
“The surface had a very rough
texture and asphalt would
continue to break off before the
paving crew arrived,” said Alissa
Wagner, Bob Wagner’s daughter.
“With the RX-500, the milled
surface is very smooth and clean;
it’s drivable. The freshly milled
surface can be exposed for a few
days prior to us coming back to
pave. We still do a sweep and
clean prior to paving, but on a
surface that is left in better shape
versus the old machine.”
Bob continued,”Because of
the RX-500’s speed, we are
scheduling our crews faster
behind the milling machine; the
crews simply do not need the
lead time that they needed with
the old machine.”
Third Generation
Ms. Wagner is transitioning
into the company business.
She currently handles human
resources and government
compliance for federal and state
jobs. Her assistance on DOT and
county projects allows Blacktop
Service Co. to meet the mix
designs required and ensures
work quality. With a bachelor’s
degree in political science and
master’s degree in organizational
communication, she also teaches
classes at the local community
college, educating students in
Composition 1 and 2 for the
English Department.
“I’ve worked in the company
for so long and wanted to stay
connected to the industry,” said
Ms. Wagner. “The industry right
now has many challenges, one
of which is skilled workers in the
trades.”
Asphalt Industry
One of Ms. Wagner’s aspirations
is to advance the interest in the
asphalt industry as a career
choice. She wants to be part of
the solution and share the asphalt
career with those in her circle of
influence.
“It’s best to reach students in
high school and expose them
to the construction industry,
especially the asphalt business,”
said Ms. Wagner. “Students can
then get plugged into a business
and grow with the company,
learning the skills needed for the
job.”
Ms. Wagner is working on
building a relationship with the
high schools in the towns and
cities in her immediate area to
inspire the younger generation
to seek a career in the asphalt
business. The partnership will
help educate students about
the options of the construction
industry, and encourage work in
the trades.
Bob is proud of his daughter
working for the company and
taking an interest in its longevity.
“Blacktop Service Co. has five
asphalt plants scattered about
western and northern Iowa,”
said Mr. Wagner. “It’s a secondgeneration
business and the
third generation is starting to
move in, and that’s good for
business.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
about Roadtec equipment, call your Roadtec Regional Sales Manager:
800-272-7100
Fax: 423-265-7521 • E-mail: sales@roadtec.com
HOT-MIX MAGAZINE 18 VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1