Sealants and Pavement Adhesives are one of few companies in the nation that offers both machinery and sealants, providing a comprehensive offering. As Roads & Infrastructure magazine learns, the company’s story is as compelling as its solutions.
For Kevin De-Simone, Sealants and Pavement Adhesives means much more than just a company and name.
Founded by his father-in-law – Murray Yardley – in 2002, the succession plan for Sealants and Pavement Adhesives was set in stone early, with De-Simone set to take over the business after learning the ropes.
Shortly after joining the company in 2022, De-Simone was thrust into the role of leading the company, following the untimely death of Yardley.
“I found the company really interesting when I came into the family,” De-Simone says.
“When the opportunity came up, Yardley said, ‘come on board, and we’ll do it over sort of five years, and then you should hopefully know enough to take it on yourself and grow the business to the next level’.
“That didn’t happen, but I like to think that I am following in his footsteps and doing everything that he’s taught me, to further grow the business.”
The company’s story has been one of substantial growth and achievement, hitting multiple milestones under De-Simone’s tutelage. The biggest of which has been the continuation of the company’s longstanding and continued partnership with Crafco, one of the world’s premier providers of packaged pavement preservation products for asphalt and concrete.
“Murray (Yardley) was previously working for another company that was a distributor for Crafco,” De-Simone says. “When that business closed, he started Sealants and Pavement Adhesives, which then became the sole distributor for Crafco.”
True partnership
The partnership between Crafco and Sealants and Pavement Adhesives has opened the door for Australian customers to have access to a globally proven product.
Crafco has helped to preserve pavements around the world for more than four decades, thanks to its range of pavement, asphalt and concrete preservation products.
This consists of asphalt crack sealants and rejuvenators, concrete joint sealants, as well as patching products.
Not only does the company provide the sealant, but it also provides the compatible equipment. More specifically, Crafco’s range – provided by Sealants and Pavement Adhesives – contains sealant application equipment, modified asphalt crack sealants, silicon joint sealants, on top of a variety of other asphalt and concrete repair products.
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Australia is one of 30 countries around the world that receive these products.
De-Simone says Sealants and Pavement Adhesives’ ability to provide both the sealant and the compatible machinery places the company in rare territory.
“We’ve practically built the business wholly and solely on Crafco, because they’re so good,” he says. “The machinery that we bring over here, are the number one machines in the United States. They’ve proven consistently, over a long time, that they are reliable and built to last.
“The biggest point of difference that I believe we have, is we sell both the machine and the product. Most companies only do one or the other. And I feel that because we do both, we know both.
“We know exactly what the machine needs to do, and likewise, know exactly what the product needs to do within the machine. Customers aren’t buying the machine off me and then looking to buy the product or parts from somewhere else. It’s all only through me.”
De-Simone adds that the vast international network for shipping and support means the international distance is rarely felt on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, also helping to support Sealants and Pavement Adhesives’ support of its own customers.
“If there’s a problem with the machine, they’re really helpful and at times can deal directly with the customer to help them fix the problem, as well as all the training,” he says. “I believe our oldest machine out there is from the early 2000s and still going strong to this day. That’s a testament to the longevity and support provided by Crafco and shows that these units are worthwhile investments that can stand the test of time.”
A number of standard resources are also provided to ensure that users can have operational support, year round.
“Every machine comes with a specialist manual that specifically goes into how the machine operates, the safety precautions, a very detailed troubleshooting guide with all the main fixes if a problem were to arise, as well as a detailed parts list,” De-Simone says.
“That manual helps to solve the majority of potential issues fairly easily. If it doesn’t, we’re here to be contacted, then we have the ability to involve Crafco if need be. We also have a range of spare parts, which can be shipped same – or next – day depending on what’s required.”
There’s even more room for growth, with De-Simone saying a lack of education around best practice use of sealant equipment, once rectified, will see the removal of a major barrier for a growing industry segment.
“The industry is slowly evolving and coming onboard the crack sealing side, but at the same time, I don’t think it’s being used to the full extent,” De-Simone says.
“By giving the industry a viable and proven option, we’re helping to contribute to that change.”
This article was originally published in the November edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.
