Hayden Sharpe, Managing Director, Jet Black Pavements, shares some insights from his experience in the pavement industry with Roads & Infrastructure.
- How long have you/your company been an AfPA member and why did you decide to become one?
Jet Black has been a member since 2019, my previous business started membership with AfPA in the 1980’s. Being kept up to date with information from AfPA on safety and technology has been beneficial to my business.
- How did you start your career in the road construction industry?
I started my mechanical apprenticeship at my father’s road construction company in 1992. The company had a large fleet of road construction equipment including dozers, excavators, loaders, graders, compaction equipment, hot bitumen sprayers, asphalt pavers and all sizes of trucks. This gave me great knowledge on all types of equipment which is invaluable today.
- What is your current role and what does it involve?
Managing Director of Jet Black Pavements. This involves general management, strategy and designing road construction equipment.
- What is the best thing about your current role?
Setting strategy and seeing that strategy come to fruition. Designing and building equipment to overcome an issue and seeing that piece of equipment becoming sort after.
- What is your biggest achievement in the industry?
Designing and building award winning road construction equipment which achieves gains in all aspects of constructability.
- What is a recent change you have seen in the industry and how are you and the company prepared for that?
Not so much an industry change however, social change has had an impact. Making the road industry attractive to new talent is something the industry as a whole needs to work towards.
- What do you think is most interesting about the road construction industry?
For asphalting, it’s the innovation in recycling. I was at an AfPA Flexible Pavements Conference when a Keynote Speaker said, “Innovation will lead to all flexible pavements being made from 100 per cent recycled material within the next 50 years.” This means no additional quarried materials and growth to the road network will be based on recycling everyday items to fill the void of quarried products which we are already starting to see with recycled plastics etc. The impacts of this will be huge financially and environmentally.
As for road construction I am looking forward to the progress in 3D road networks in major cities through multiple layers of tunnelling.
- How has being a member of AfPA benefitted you in the industry?
Having success on projects drives motivation and interest. Secondly, asphalting has supported me financially my whole life being the third generation of my family’s involvement in the road construction industry. My passion for innovation and for this industry have fuelled me to keep up to date with the latest advancements, allowing me to ensure not only the best results for my clients, but the longevity of my career and business. AfPA has delivered the knowledge to allow this longevity through events, courses and meeting likeminded members.
- What are your goals for the future?
My goal is to keep innovating with equipment and systems to continue the success of Jet Black Pavements.