or distributes the material as their primary
business should do whatever it takes to meet
your needs.
3. Do your supplier’s products meet the ap-
plicable standards and specifications, and are
they willing to supply certifications of com-
pliance to the applicable standards?
4. Is your supplier an expert in both techni-
cal and general industry knowledge? Your
supplier should be thoroughly up to the speed
with competitive products, the applicable
specifications, and be in a position to make
recommendations to handle any applica-
tions. Additionally, your supplier should have
a thorough knowledge about the tools and
equipment required to do the job correctly.
In unusual situations, your supplier should be
able to analyze the need and offer a remedy.
serve you during weekends, holidays, and off
hours.
8. Does your supplier view your relation-
ship as a partnership? Your supplier should
be your partner and support you from A to Z.
This means not only taking charge in analyz-
ing complaints and solving problems, but also
in working with you on bids and proposals,
should you need help.
9. Can your supplier help you complete
large jobs? There’s nothing better than land-
ing that huge sealcoating job, but can your
supplier provide the material to get the job
done? Do they have access to spot tankers
that can be left on the jobsite so you can avoid
costly refilling trips?
By obtaining answers to these questions,
Dubey believes the sealcoat contractor will be
By obtaining answers to these questions, Dubey believes the
sealcoat contractor will be positioned to develop a positive
relationship with a sealer materials supplier who can help grow
the contractor’s sealcoating business.
5. Does your supplier support its contrac-
tors with printed literature and online re-
sources? The supplier should have printed
brochures and “Property Owner Friendly”
sell sheets. Also, they should have a good,
easy-to-navigate website for use by sealcoating
contractors. It could be impressive if you carry
an iPad to show your customers the product
descriptions, application specifications, and
performance reports right on the spot.
6. Is your supplier a “one-stop shop?” Does
your supplier stock items other than just seal-
er? The ability to purchase everything in one
place can save on fuel and downtime going
from one supplier to another.
7. What are your supplier’s hours of op-
eration? Make sure that the supplier has fa-
vorable hours of operation and is willing to
1.800.210.5923
positioned to develop a positive relationship
with a sealer materials supplier who can help
grow the contractor’s sealcoating business.
In selecting the best sealcoating material to
use, Monte Collins, sealcoat product man-
ager, Crafco, Inc., Nashville, Tenn., stated,
“There are three primary types of pavement
sealers--refined tar, asphalt-emulsion, and pe-
troleum resin.”
Refined tar sealers, according to Collins, are
used primarily East of the Rockies because
the sources of coal tar refineries that receive
raw materials from steel manufacturers are in
the Midwest and the East. Their long life, fuel
resistance, and resistance to color fade make
refined tar sealers attractive to the end-user.
Asphalt emulsion sealers are used more fre-
quently in the West because tar supply to the
West was not readily available while asphalt
is. It is said to provide advantages over refined
[17]
April 2020