Unveiling the Best-Kept Secrets of Successful Asphalt Suppliers’ Selection
Asphalt paving can be highly profitable, but it takes a lot of work to make it happen. Choosing the right equipment, materials, and labor can be crucial to success.
When you have decided to purchase an asphalt mixing plant, it is crucial to choose a reliable manufacturer. This is because dependable manufacturers produce high-quality plants and provide excellent customer service, potentially saving you money. Suppose you are a commercial construction PM, a DOT contractor, or a residential homeowner. In that case, you will probably need to collaborate with a third party or supplier at some point during your project. These third parties, such as suppliers, vendors, contractors, subcontractors, or consultants, play a crucial role in the success of a project.
The first step is to determine your needs. This involves prioritizing your requirements and evaluating potential suppliers accordingly. Cost may be a top priority, but quality is also essential.
Experience
Experience in the industry can be valuable when evaluating asphalt suppliers. It can help ensure quality materials, on-time delivery, and effective communication with the project team.
Assessing a supplier’s experience can be done through conducting a prequalification process, reviewing past projects, and identifying certifications. Determining a supplier’s capacity and ability to scale up is also essential if project demands increase.
Lastly, considering a supplier’s pricing, like in asphalt paving Seattle, is vital for maintaining project budgets. A supplier’s resources are finite, and they must prioritize their efforts. Consider defining your supplier selection scorecard to evaluate suppliers and establish a protocol for evaluation.
Equipment
Whether you’re repairing asphalt, vacuuming carpet, or making a smoothie, the quality of equipment matters. When you use high-quality equipment, it lasts longer and works better. It also breaks down slowly.
Asphalt is a natural black or dark-colored, solid, semi-solid, or viscous cementitious material composed primarily of bitumen derived from petroleum with a mixture of aggregates such as stone and silica sand. Its many uses depend on its ability to waterproof and bind together aggregates, creating a strong surface that resists shear stresses.
The quality of asphalt varies depending on the source and preparation methods. In the industry, quality can be measured using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) that tests asphalt for its ability to resist shear stresses. Other field testing instruments include handheld spectroscopic devices and x-ray fluorescence that help detect road surface impurities, such as lime, sulfur, phosphoric acid, or REOB. These tools can be used to determine a pavement’s condition and performance, predict failures, and reduce construction costs.
Pricing
Asphalt is a unique product in that so many variables impact the market fundamentals. The demand side of the equation is affected by various factors that influence the paving industry, such as the weather, the economy, and the release of highway funds by State agencies.
On the supply side, the asphalt price is primarily driven by crude oil pricing, which impacts the production costs of asphalt. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the capacity utilization of refineries, thus impacting production and asphalt prices.
The pricing of asphalt is a dynamic and constantly changing commodity that requires knowledge and understanding to forecast future prices effectively. Choosing the right supplier requires more than scanning a series of price lists. It must take into account a variety of factors, including quality, reputation, and price.