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P.O. Box 235, Stockton New Jersey 08559
• Non-CDL version available
• Mechanical sweeping to handle heavy applications like millings
• Independent broom control for in-the-cut precision
• Single engine for fuel economy and less maintenance
• Simple start-up procedure with easy-to-operate controls
Our obligation is to perform to our clients’ expectations and needs. Our goal is to exceed them.
The story Crowns & Curbs is the history of a company so deeply embedded in the regional construction industry that it is a Midwest institution in its own right. The time-tested company has grown since its inception in 1989 as it has continuously overcome all the industry highs and lows, seasonal climate events, national economic fluctuations, and other challenges of operating in the central US through the decades. We are fortunate to have Ken Hohlt, Owner, Crowns
& Curbs, share with NAS readers some insights into management practices, operational priorities, and navigating the industry in the central United States:
The company offers its customers a wide variety of essential site services, making C&C a veritable one-stop shop of support services for general contractors. Crowns & Curbs also serves residential
The time-tested company has grown since its inception in 1989 as it has continuously overcome all the industry highs and lows...
property owners. The array of services provided by Hohlt’s team throughout St. Louis metro and beyond features construction site cleanup, dust suppression, non-potable water tank filling and rental, sod and landscape watering, portable sprinkler systems, flood clean-up, pool filling, soil and rock compaction, and water line pressure testing, among others.
The company was incorporated in 1989. I started it,
and this was our fourth business. Previously, we were a distributor selling municipal waste material handling products and selling pavement sweeper trucks — Athey Mobil sweepers. We started doing sweeping service work because we kept getting calls for it. Many businesses and government agencies that manage city or county pavement cleaning needed to have sweeping done, but they did not want to buy and maintain the heavy equipment themselves. So,
we started offering that service to meet the need. We expanded into water delivery about 8 to 10 years later, for the same reason — in response to the frequent calls for it.
We currently have 4 pavement sweeping trucks, all Athey Mobil. We’ve stuck with those primarily because of the type of work we do. They’re very dependable pieces of equipment. Athey went out of business about 20 years ago, and the trucks continue to perform well. We operate in very harsh conditions, and we’ve found the Atheys to be easy to maintain.
Our other business is a waste material hauling service for construction sites. It complements some of the sweeping debris services we provide. We deliver and
pick up roll-offs to customers’ sites. We currently have 8 roll-off transport trucks, about 400 roll-off dumpsters of all sizes. Our fleet, other equipment, and our administrative offices are all at our 20,000-square-foot building and yard on a little over an acre of property.
We currently have a total of about 20 employees. We have a couple of mechanics who prefab parts as needed, and we keep some parts on hand. Our lead pavement sweeper and water-hauling truck operator does our training. Between the shop mechanics and the drivers, all the work is done onsite. The operators of the equipment are all CDL licensed. They do a certain amount of daily maintenance, adhering to their initial pre-trip and post-trip processes.
We serve about a 50 to 60-mile radius. We will go farther, depending on the situation. The services we provide for our customers require high levels of skill. For example, we conduct pressure testing to validate the integrity of new plumbing lines and valves before initial use. We have knowledgeable, experienced professionals doing this procedure with the best tools for safely performing the necessary testing.
I have almost daily conversations with our customers. We focus on following our motto, which is to fulfill our obligation to perform to each customer’s expectations and needs and to strive to reach our goal of exceeding them. We encourage our drivers to be friendly with our
The services we provide for our customers require high levels of skill.
customers and do what the customer needs and wants them to do.
So, if they’re on the site, the worker’s name is on the job ticket. That means the customer and the worker can work together to solve issues. If guidance or additional support is needed, I can step in with solutions.
We’ve succeeded through word-of-mouth, referrals, repeat business from general contractors’ construction superintendents moving from company to company...
We offer consistency. Our drivers understand that it’s our job to exceed what the customer wants. People don’t call us just because they like us. They do like us, but they call because they need one or more of the services we provide and they know we’re very sensitive to customer needs. We provide a convenient all-in-one solution for our customers, whatever project they may be working on.
Our commercial water delivery serves all kinds of needs. We provide dust suppression service that helps prevent excessive dust from becoming a problem for equipment operators and even nearby businesses and residences. Our sweeping services help minimize messy conditions at construction sites, clean roads, parking lots, and other spaces, apply water, as needed, to control dust, clean up debris, wash away mud, etc. We also deliver large amounts of water for existing tanks on sites, and provide rental tanks as needed.
We’ve succeeded through word-of-mouth, referrals, repeat business from general contractors’ construction superintendents moving from company to company with new projects that they call us for, and from activity generated by the website. But, our business is unique, in that it’s not the kind of work that somebody could say about it, “I’m going to do that,” and then just start doing it.” It’s too relationship-based. You also need to be a union operator to work on the sites, and a CDL license is required to drive the heavy-duty machinery (sweeper trucks, water trucks, roll-off transport trucks, etc.).
So, for people interested in providing the kinds of services we offer, I’d suggest starting out by getting a job with a company in some part of the industry and taking advantage of all possible learning and relationship-building opportunities.
For more information about Crowns & Curbs, 1411 North Warson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63132, MO 63132, you can call (314) 645-8844 or visit crowns&curbs.com.
TO OVERCOME THEM
PAVING CONTRACTORS DEAL WITH TOUGH JOBS EVERY DAY. WHETHER MANAGING WEATHER DELAYS, HANDLING LABOR SHORTAGES OR KEEPING UP WITH CHANGING REGULATIONS, THE CHALLENGES CAN ADD UP FAST. BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO STAY AHEAD. HERE’S A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM.
Weather can make or break a paving project. Rain, snow and extreme temperatures can shut down operations, ruin materials or cause costly delays. Staying on top of weather forecasts is one way to reduce surprises. Long-term and short-term forecasts help contractors adjust schedules and plan around bad conditions.
When working in colder temperatures, fast-setting asphalt or concrete can keep projects moving. Crews can also use tarps and heating blankets to protect
Offering competitive wages and benefits helps attract workers, but training is just as important.
materials from extreme weather. Building extra time into the project schedule helps, too — if bad weather strikes, a couple of buffer days can keep things on track.
Finding skilled workers is a problem across the construction industry, and paving isn’t any different. Many experienced workers are retiring, and younger workers aren’t always eager to take their place. Offering competitive wages and benefits helps attract workers, but training is just as important.
Some companies hire entry-level workers and teach them the trade instead of waiting for experienced workers to apply. Others invest in automation, using machine-controlled paving systems to reduce the number of workers needed on-site.
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Contractors who negotiate pricing with suppliers can sometimes lock in rates and avoid sudden increases.
Keeping crews engaged with steady work and a good company culture also makes a difference. When employees feel valued, they’re more likely to stay.
Asphalt, concrete and other paving materials aren’t getting any cheaper. Supply chain issues and inflation
make it even harder to keep costs under control.
Contractors who negotiate pricing with suppliers can sometimes lock in rates and avoid sudden increases. To manage costs effectively:
4 Buy in bulk to take advantage of discounts
4 Track material usage carefully to reduce waste
4 Consider alternative materials that maintain quality while lowering costs
Every dollar saved on materials goes straight to the bottom line.
Paving equipment takes a pretty good beating on a regular basis. A breakdown at the wrong time can bring a job to a halt and cost you thousands in lost productivity. Preventative maintenance is the best defense. Sticking to
a strict maintenance schedule keeps your equipment in top shape, while daily inspections help crews catch small issues before they turn into major problems. It also helps to keep spare parts on hand for quick repairs and consider renting equipment as a backup in case of major breakdowns. These steps can reduce downtime and keep projects on track.
Rules around paving and roadwork are always changing. Environmental laws, safety standards and zoning rules can all impact projects. Keeping up with federal, state and local regulations is important.
To stay compliant:
4 Work closely with city and county officials to stay informed
4 Train employees on safety and environmental regulations
4 Keep organized records of permits, inspections and training sessions
Ignoring regulations can lead to fines and legal trouble. Staying ahead of the rules is always better than dealing with problems later.
Paving jobs involve big expenses up front, and payments don’t always come in on time. Poor cash flow can make it hard to pay workers, buy materials or take on new projects.
To keep cash flow steady, many contractors require deposits before starting work. Setting up clear payment terms with customers helps prevent
delays, and short-term financing can cover costs when payments are slow. Having a cash reserve for emergencies also keeps the business running smoothly, even when unexpected expenses pop up.
Small and mid-sized paving contractors often struggle to compete with larger firms that have bigger crews, more equipment and lower costs — but bigger doesn’t always mean better.
Smaller contractors can stand out by focusing on quality and customer service. Building relationships with local clients and municipalities helps generate repeat business. Offering specialized services — things big companies might overlook — can also create opportunities. A strong reputation and smart marketing
can make a smaller contractor the go-to choice in their area.
Paving contractors face plenty of challenges, but the right strategies can make all the difference. Staying flexible, investing in workers and equipment and keeping an eye on costs can help a business stay strong. The road ahead isn’t always smooth, but with smart planning, contractors can keep moving forward.
AMERICAN SWEEPER MAGAZINE TO HELP YOU DO JUST THAT — MOVE FORWARD!
Keystone Plastics has been manufacturing the industry’s leading replacement brooms for street sweeping and road construction since 1954. At Keystone we believe in reliable quality and strive to make the heaviest, longest lasting brooms in the industry. We also believe the only good broom is the one that arrives to you as promised. Contact us to find a distributor near you.
Huntsville, AL, February 19, 2025 - Schwarze Industries LLC is proud to welcome and announce the addition of our newest dealer, Faris Machinery to our Schwarze Trusted Dealer Network. Effective immediately, Faris will be providing Sales, Service, Rentals and Parts for Schwarze products in the state of Colorado.
Faris Machinery 5770 E. 77th Avenue Commerce City, CO 80022 Phone: 303-289-5743 www.farismachinery.com
Schwarze Industries LLC 1055 Jordan Road Huntsville, AL 35811 800-879-7933 www.schwarze.com
Faris will be responsible for supporting the Schwarze branded products in the areas of new whole goods sales, parts, warranty, factory-trained service, and reconditioned units.
Faris will be responsible for supporting the Schwarze branded products in the areas of new whole goods sales, parts, warranty, factory-trained service, and reconditioned units. Schwarze is focused on Quality, Performance, Public Safety, Value, and Customer Support. Having the right dedicated dealer is crucial to delivering the exceptional support our customers expect. We are pleased to have Faris Machinery as a trusted dealer.
About Schwarze Industries:
Schwarze Industries (ISO 9001:2015) is an Alamo Group (ALG:NYSE) company and the premier manufacturer of parking lot, airport, street sweepers, and asphalt maintenance equipment.
Faris Machinery:
For over 70 years, Faris Machinery has been committed to providing top-quality equipment, parts support, rentals, and sales assistance. Their Mission is to bring you specialized products from industry-leading manufacturers, provide responsive after-sale support, and create longterm relationships that benefit your business.
WE CAN CREATE A RENTAL PROGRAM TO ALIGN WITH SWEEPING CONTRACTS YOU HAVE WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS
Birmingham, Alabama (February 20, 2025)Ingram Equipment Company (IEC) , a leading provider of environmental, waste management, and commercial equipment across the Southeast United States, is proud to announce its newest partnership with Kärcher Municipal North America , bringing a cutting-edge line of compact and highly efficient municipal street sweepers and implement carriers to its lineup. This addition further strengthens IEC’s commitment to providing industry-leading solutions for municipalities and contractors across the region. IEC has long been recognized for delivering top-tier equipment and service, and the inclusion of Kärcher’s innovative sweepers and implement carrier expands the company’s ability to meet the evolving needs of its customers. Kärcher’s innovative sweepers offer precision and efficiency for urban cleaning, while their implement carrier provide year-round performance with interchangeable attachments, making it ideal for municipalities seeking versatile solutions.
“As two family-led businesses, Kärcher Municipal and Ingram Equipment understand the importance of long- term relationships, integrity, and putting customers first,” said Noah Noble, Vice President of Sales at Kärcher Municipal North America . “This shared foundation allows us to work seamlessly together to provide best-in- class municipal cleaning solutions with the personalized service and reliability that our customers have come to expect. By combining our innovative cleaning technology,
...the inclusion of Kärcher’s innovative sweepers and implement carrier expands the company’s ability to meet the evolving needs of its customers.
municipal sweepers, and implement carriers with Ingram Equipment’s strong expertise, we’re creating a partnership that delivers unmatched efficiency, service, and results, ensuring municipalities and businesses have the tools they need to keep their communities clean and operational.”
“With the addition of Kärcher Municipal North America to our lineup, we’re reinforcing our promise to provide customers with the best equipment solutions available,” said Jeff Martin, President and Owner of IEC . “Kärcher’s small municipal sweepers and implement carriers offer a unique and flexible product that we know our customers will be excited to see. Their reputation for quality and innovation makes them a perfect fit for IEC and the communities we serve.”
Kärcher sweepers and implement carriers are engineered for maximum efficiency, offering environmentally friendly operation, reduced noise
levels, and cutting-edge technology that enhances performance in both urban and industrial environments.
By adding these advanced machines to IEC’s already robust lineup, the company continues to uphold its reputation as a trusted provider of highquality municipal and environmental equipment.
IEC remains dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and expert support for all its product offerings. Customers interested in learning more about Kärcher Municipal’s street sweepers and implement carriers can contact IEC for demonstrations and product details.
About Ingram Equipment Company, LLC:
Ingram Equipment Company, LLC, an Alabama corporation, is an environmental, waste management and commercial equipment company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Family owned and operated since 1979, IEC is the dealer for 18 industry leading manufacturing partners in our Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida Panhandle footprint. With seven locations (Columbus, Dothan, Pelham, Priceville, Theodore, Tallahassee). ingramequipment.net.
SOME OWNERS OF SMALL SWEEPING BUSINESSES MAY THINK THAT IT’S NOT EVEN WORTH THEIR TIME TO TRACK CURRENT CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRY BECAUSE THE LATEST UPGRADES IN EQUIPMENT AND/OR OTHER CAPITAL INVESTMENTS SEEM TOO FAR BEYOND THE BUDGET ANYWAY. BUT, OFTEN, ADOPTING INNOVATIONS CAN INCREASE REVENUES BY MANY MULTIPLES OF THEIR INVESTMENT COST AND CAN START PAYING RETURNS RIGHT AWAY. SO, YOU’RE ADVISED TO STAY INFORMED AND STRATEGIZE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW MEANS AND METHODS THAT CAN IMPROVE YOUR SERVICE QUALITY, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION LEVELS, AND PROFIT MARGINS.
The industry shift to electrically powered sweeper trucks is a big move that will make pavement sweeping a significantly more eco-friendly process.
7 MAJOR ADVANCEMENTS IN THE PAVEMENT SWEEPING INDUSTRY
The current big advancements in the industry span the gamut of operational equipment and processes, from field services to small business administration. You already know about the wonders of sophisticated, broadly integrated GPS systems that have become a route management standard over the past 5 years or so. Here are the latest innovations for further upgrading the quality of your service equipment and business software:
The industry shift to electrically powered sweeper trucks is a big move that will make pavement sweeping a significantly more eco-friendly process. Pavement
sweeping is well understood as an indispensable environmental health measure that keeps ground surfaces cleaner and free from trash, other debris, and toxic sediments from running off into waterways. Sweeping improves water quality and maintains a healthier ecosystem. However, there have always been concerns about improving the sustainability of the sweeping operations. Electric trucks offer a fully green solution to the emissions from the extraordinarily large vehicles and the enormous fuel consumption by such heavy equipment.
State-of-the-art air filtration systems on pavement sweeping trucks have led to a new level of effectiveness in the industry’s role of environmental maintenance. HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filtration has changed the game of capturing fine dust and other particles during the sweeping process to prevent them from becoming airborne pollutants. The latest recently patented innovation in air quality enhancement technology for sweeper trucks is designed for maximal efficiency in either dry or wet conditions, enabling drivers to sweep through puddles, for example, without diminishing the effectiveness of the filtration process.
New water conservation technologies that minimize water usage during the pavement sweeping process are under development. The new water-saving innovation for sweeper trucks is focused mostly on fitting regenerative air sweepers, which function by forcing air to remove debris. This process includes spraying water to prevent dust from becoming
In addition to the popular external and internal cameras that sweeping business operators have come to rely upon for efficiency, rearview, and even sideview
cameras are being added to trucks for obstacle detection.
airborne due to the powerful forced-air action of the sweeping operation. The newest technologies feature water recirculation processes, advanced anti-clogging nozzles (for trouble-free application of recycled water), and road condition sensors to reduce water usage as much as possible.
In addition to the popular external and internal cameras that sweeping business operators have come to rely upon for efficiency, rearview, and even sideview cameras are being added to trucks for obstacle detection. New safety sensors are also being installed to help operators maintain 100% awareness of pedestrians, animals, and obstacles to help prevent collisions and operate more safely. The new proximity sensors trigger both visual and auditory warning signals when they detect a person, animal, or object that is too near the sweeper truck. The highly
complex technology utilizes artificial neural networks to recognize hazards and avoid them. That process is integrated with an autonomous braking and reverse shifting function as well as on-board diagnostics to facilitate the system’s “deep learning” processes.
Autonomous sweepers are still under development and are expected to make their debut in the national market over the next 12 to 24 months or so. This exciting innovation holds the potential for significantly increased productivity and safety benefits. It also may reduce labor, sweeping time, and fuel costs while improving the efficiency and thoroughness of the pavement cleaning process. There are further implications for simpler route management and lower vehicle maintenance costs with self-driving sweeper vehicles.
Pavement sweeper truck manufacturers have historically been and continue to be responsive to operators’ needs for a wide range of models to accommodate their customers’ specific demands. Whether you need to add a compact sweeper to clean narrow urban streets or the largest models made for highway sweeping, whether you need a vacuum truck, mechanical broom, or regenerative air sweeper, an advanced sweeper vehicle is available. For any type of surface and particulate, from milling grindings to landscape debris, to silt, to dust, there’s a sweeper truck with a newly enhanced design offering ideally adjustable angled brooms made of advanced synthetic brush material to pick it up from virtually any surface.
Sweeping company owners are increasingly making decisions based on their company’s internal historical data, data-informed expectations of the local and national economy, and presumptions about the future of the industry based in part on growing demand due to urban development. New ML- and AI-enhanced business technologies help factoring the projected influences of these conditions as well as myriad other considerations, such as upgrades to equipment, route management and administrative systems, and sustainability policies based on industry marketing data. They are using these ultra-modern information resources to optimize operations and strengthen their competitive positions.
New entrepreneurs often start out keeping sight of innovations and other industry changes. But, over time,
continued on page 28
it can become all too easy to live in a state of hyperfocus on the tasks at hand day in and day out that eventually a business owner drifts away from tracking key advancements. However, you can be sure that your early instincts were correct — you really can’t afford not to maintain awareness of changes coming to the competitive market.
The small business leaders who are most likely to sustain their success in pavement sweeping through the next decade and beyond can be identified now as those who stay informed of coming major advancements in technologies that facilitate better cleaning quality, increased efficiency, greener processes, and more cost-effective operations.
Here are some recommended options for additional reading on this critical topic of more effective competitiveness through improved service equipment and management processes:
The Future of Clean: Latest Developments in Street Sweeping , Schwarze Industries (Oct 9, 2023) https://schwarze.com/en/the-future-of-clean-latestdevelopments-in-street-sweeping/
Innovative Technologies in Road Sweeping Equipment , ODRA Road Sweepers (Jun 10, 2024)
https://www.odrasweeper.com/whats-new/innovativetechnologies-in-road-sweeping-equipment
NAPSA 2023 Power Sweeping Standard Update, ForConstructionPros.com (August 12, 2023)
https://www.forconstructionpros.com/pavementmaintenance/sweepers/article/22867184/napsanapsa-announces- 2023-power-sweeping-standardupdate
Bensink
704-658-1333 / buchermunicipal.com
Global
909-713-1600 / globalsweeper.com
866-994-4929 / gregoryhighway.com KeyStone
/ kpbrush.com
800-448-9364 / nitehawksweepers.com Nomad ........................................................................................
/ balaisnomad.com
/ oakmontfinance.com
844-888-6372 / odrasweeper.com
/ www.odbco.com
