Burkholder Paving is changing the color of blacktop with a manufacturing process called Warm Mix. “Warm mix technologies enable us to manufacture a much greener product,” says Production Manager, Bob Grow. “By reducing the temperature needed to keep the material workable, we decrease the energy consumption in the production process and also reduce emissions for crews and the environment.”

Burkholder began looking at warm mix technology in 2007 because of its environmental benefits. Compared to traditional hot mix asphalt, warm mix produces 70% fewer emissions. The reduced emissions are a huge benefit from the environmental aspect and, coupled with the lower heat exposure, are also a benefit for members of the laydown crews who are very grateful for a 50° cooler mix – especially on those 90+°F summer days. From the production side of things, warm mix should also help us control, and possibly reduce, our fuel costs. 

Warm mix asphalt developed in Europe in the late 1990's and arrived in the U.S. in 2002. Since that time, new technologies have been developed and tested and there are now numerous systems available. The system implemented at Burkholder Paving's Denver plant is called the Double-Barrel Green® System which is manufactured by Astec, Inc. Some warm mix technologies require chemical additives to achieve lower temperatures. This system however, injects water into the oil stream which turns into steam and causes the liquid asphalt to foam and expand in volume. This foaming action improves the fluidity of the liquid asphalt and enables it to coat the aggregate at lower temperatures (230 - 270°F versus traditional hot mix temperatures of 290 - 320°F).

The week of April 6 was the inaugural week for warm mix at Burkholder. Since then, the Burkholder team manufactured and placed 450 tons of warm mix for residential and commercial jobs. “By the end of May we plan to produce only warm mix for all private work coming out of the Denver Plant,” says Grow. “So far, the transition process has been a smooth one, both at the plant and for our crews doing the placement, so we don't foresee this being a problem.”

Burkholder is also hoping to land some PennDOT work for the summer in Berks County where they can use warm mix. According to Grow, “PennDOT has not yet thrown its full support behind warm mix so landing a few of these test jobs would be a real good platform for us to demonstrate the benefits and durability of the mix.”

Burkholder Paving, a Martin Limestone company, has been providing the highest quality asphalt materials and asphalt placement services for excavators, general contractors, municipalities, builders, homeowners and PennDOT projects since 1961. Servicing customers in Lancaster, Berks, Chester, Lebanon & surrounding counties, Burkholder Paving is a recognized leader in the asphalt paving industry.

In February, shortly after the devastating earthquake struck Haiti, Martin Limestone, Inc. was approached by Homes for Haiti in regards to their need for heavy equipment to help with the clean-up and rebuilding of the country. Homes for Haiti is a non-profit foundation providing homes for families in northwest Haiti who suffer from a lack of adequate shelter. This organization was not formed in reaction to the recent earthquake in Haiti and cannot offer immediate relief for victims of the quake as organizations like the Red Cross can. However, once immediate needs for food and water, etc. are met, the country will need to rebuild, and Homes for Haiti can and will help tremendously during this part of the process.

After checking equipment usage and inventories within Martin Limestone, Inc., as well as with our parent & sister companies (New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc, Valley Quarries, Inc., Buffalo Crushed Stone, Inc. & Eastern Industries, Inc.), we were able to donate a Euclid R-13 to the organization. The R-13 is a smaller unit than many currently in operation at our facilities, and this turned out to be a great benefit to Homes for Haiti as it is a better match for their needs and work.

The R-13 began its journey (by truck) to Miami the week of February 21. After it reached the port there, it was loaded onto a barge headed for Haiti and will then be put to work. All of us at MLI are excited to be able to help the people of Haiti in such a time of need for their entire country.

On June 24, 2009, 112 golfers got together at Foxchase Country Club in Stevens, PA for a great cause - the third annual Martin Limestone sponsored 18 Holes for Hope and Healing to benefit Family Resource & Counseling Centers (FRCC). Between individual and corporate donations and sponsorships, $27,775 was raised for the centers. These monies will help offset the costs for counseling sessions for children, families and individuals who could not otherwise afford it.

For more information about FRCC, visit their website at www.fracc.org.

February 25, 2008 - Martin Limestone, Inc. to Begin Operating Schoeneck Quarry

In January New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co., Inc. purchased Stabler Companies, Inc., which included the Eastern Industries, Inc. division. Martin Limestone, Inc. is also a subsidiary of New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co., Inc. and because the Schoeneck Quarry is in close proximity to other Martin Limestone quarries, Martin Limestone will become the owner and operator of the Schoeneck Quarry, effective March 1, 2008.

"We are excited about this new opportunity to introduce our service area and products to Eastern customers who may not have a current account with us," says Martin Limestone CEO Howard Winey. "We look forward to building on the relationship these customers have established with Eastern Industries, Inc., and we believe they will find that Martin Limestone, Inc. provides the same high level of service and quality products."

For additional information about this transition or to talk about products, service, or other opportunities that will benefit your business please contact Paul Stoltzfus at 717.354.1300.