ASPHALTopics | Fall 2015 | VOL 28 | NO 3

All in the family:
multi-generational businesses compete
and thrive amidst growing consolidation
by Lisa Fattori
As in other industries, asphalt
companies are not immune to the
advances of multi-nationals interested
in expanding operations through the
acquisition of successful businesses.
Multi-generational, family-run companies,
however, may offer a particular
level of experience, expertise and
efficiency that is difficult to replicate
in a larger organization.
While consolidation provides some
retiring contractors with a financially
rewarding exit strategy after years of
hard work, others are choosing to pass
the reins on to the next generation to
carry on the tradition and reputation
of the family business and to grow the
company to new heights of success.
Ontario’s asphalt industry has
numerous examples of companies
with humble beginnings: single
proprietorships that grew and
expanded, moving from earth
work and small paving jobs to
winter maintenance work and
multi-million dollar MTO highway
projects; operations that started
with a second-hand truck and grew
to include a fleet of pavers and
heavy equipment; or companies that
became more self-sufficient through
the acquisition of gravel pits, quarries
and asphalt plants. Organic growth
that was strategic and sustainable
provided a solid foundation, giving
operators the capital and confidence
to go after new opportunities.
28 OHMPA | ASPHALTOPICS
Dominic, Cosimo and Maria Crupi
Dominic Crupi, co-founder with Maria
Crupi of Crupi Group (inset), breaks a
bottle of champagne at the opening
of the asphalt plant in 1971.
Crupi resurfacing a
residential street, Whitby.
Established in 1951, Toronto-based
Crupi Group is a third-generation
company founded by Dominic Crupi
which offers paving and road
construction services through
D. Crupi & Sons Ltd., as well as
Halton Crushed Stone and Lee Sand
& Gravel. Today the company is led by
Crupi Group president Cosimo Crupi,
and vice-president Dominic Crupi –
the senior Dominic Crupi’s son and
grandson. With a 300 employee
workforce, three strategically located
asphalt plants, and aggregate pits
and quarries east and west
of Toronto, the company
has several competitive
advantages, including the
ability to offer quick service
to GTA clients.
“There are several benefits to
customers when they are dealing
with a family-operated company,”
says Cosimo Crupi. “When you own
a company, you stand behind your
product and work; you’ve got a tradition
and reputation that you’re trying to
uphold much more vigorously than
if you were running a public company.
Customers recognize this commitment
and pride of work. They also know that
they have access to the authority of a
company with a simple phone call. We
can respond much more quickly. Multinationals
can’t offer this same level of
service. They are great on huge jobs,
but aren’t going to go after anything
under $5 million, which is good for us
and other smaller companies.”