October 2006 "Contractor of the Month"

It is our way of recognizing the contributions to the industry and society at large of our subscribers who go the extra mile, talk the talk, and definitely walk the walk. We have begun requesting recommendations from our advertising base for names of exceptional companies that they service. After reviewing the many qualified candidates, our editorial staff selects a company that they deem meets and or exceeds expectations. This month’s nominee was submitted by Keizer-Morris, International.
           
Thanks to the recommendations of both Cliff Cameron, Director of Sales and Marketing, and Bryan Burke, Operations Manager, Keizer-Morris, International, Bruce Biddinger, President and CEO of Great Lakes Striping & Sealing, Inc. is our choice this month. Cliff, emphatically stated, “Bruce has been a loyal customer and friend for years and has done a great deal to promote the use of infrared technology in the industry.”   Bryan added, “Bruce’s incredible work ethic is well respected within his community. He sets himself apart from others by looking past the day to day. Doing business with Bruce is a pleasure and I always enjoy talking to him on both a professional and personal level. Bruce is a great example of the hardworking contractors in the industry who strive to set themselves and their businesses apart.”
           
Great Lakes Striping and Sealing, Inc. (GLSS) is an extremely diversified company. Their services include striping, sealcoating, sweeping, power washing, snow plowing, pavement maintenance and paving recycling.
           
Bruce purchased the company from an existing asphalt/seal coating contractor who had been in business since 1972, on August 24, 1989.  Bruce had always been involved in the paving industry because his father, Richard, had worked with an asphalt contractor for over 21 years. Along with his job in the oil exploration industry, Bruce maintained a seal coating business for many years. When the opportunity to purchase a seal coating company arose, he chose to devote full time to his fledging company. His business acumen allowed him to finance the purchase with leverage from a number of rental units.

The original purchase of GLSS included one truck, one trailer (both with 550 gallon tanks), one leaf blower and a paint line striper. Over the years, his company has grown to include:

• Eight Sweeper Trucks
• Three Trailers w/550 gallon tanks
• One Trailer w/350 gallon tank
• One Truck with a 1000 gallon tank which allows them to transport 3,000 gallons to any one job!
• Six Paint Machines
  • Three Line Lazers
  • Three MB3-10
• Four Infrared Machines
• Two Crack Jets
• Two Vibratory One Ton Rollers
• A Bobcat
• Two One Ton Dump Trucks
• And a variety of 4x4 3⁄4 Ton for use while winter snow plowing and a Front End Loader for snow removal.
• One 5 Yard Salt and Sander for winter applications …
  and a partridge in a pear tree!

GLSS Commercial Division services the local community.  Their seal coating division, with the help of Surface Coatings of Auburn Hills, MI,  is approximately 75% commercial and 25% residential. Traverse City and the surrounding communities have a population of over 70,000. With the growth of subdivisions which, of course, led to new malls, roads, driveways, simply put, more asphalt, Bruce willingly helped the community to rewrite their code for asphalt repair and recycling. Bruce stated, “I promote year round asphalt infrared repair even during the winter months. Problems surfaced with the vulnerable sawcut seams during the freeze/thaw process. Early in 2001, we introduced to our civic leaders the infrared process. Formerly, in our community, winter repair was done with the cold patch method however, Keizer-Morris has provided many contractors with the opportunity for year round hot asphalt recycling and repairs. As the demand for “mill and fill” gained momentum on roadways and parking lots, so did the demand for powerbrooming and vacuuming behind the mill. I was able, with the help of Bell Equipment, to purchase a sweeper that we felt would do the job. In March of 2005, we had delivered a SC-8000 Elgin Whirlwind MV which serves the needs of major asphalt companies.”
           
GLSS has built a solid reputation by priding themselves in positive marketing and customer service. For example, they performed the aforementioned “courtesy” infrared repair for the local municipality with their engineers present. It was so effective that the city changed the specifications for street repair to read, “anytime the integrity of the streets are compromised, asphalt must be now reinstalled with Infrared Technology.
           
Regarding customer service, Bruce notes, “that we keep it basic, do as we say and apply our focus on details.” For instance, trimming the edges of parking lots and driveways when cleaning and hauling away all dirt and debris to be absolutely certain that it is not tracked onto the seal coat. “We also take care to place masking tape at he end of driveways and parking lot entrances for a sharp, straight line when the job is completed.” Bruce further commented, “Our business philosophy is always to remain positive about the current work and looking ahead, recognizing the demands of the future. Knowing that not everything always works out, I feel that you should attempt to stay the course and remain focused on the task at hand. I’ve been blessed by surrounding the company with hard-working people who take interest in our goal, which is to provide reliable service to the community and sustain our customer base.”
Bruce credits his excellent employees for much of his success. Key to his growing company are Steve Clouse, Superintendent, Robert Melvig, Striping Supervisor, Michael Wilson, Sweeping Supervisor, James Hall, Mechanic, Vern Attwood,CFO, Jerry Erway and John Carlson, Sales Representatives and certainly not the least, Amber Clous, Office Manager. He also noted that without the support and expertise of both his father and “little” brother Brian, his company would never have enjoyed its successful growth. GLSS customer services is reflected in the comments below:

As a community leader, Bruce and his family donate annually many square feet of seal coating to Goodwill, Catholic Schools, Gladhander Auctions and Northwestern Michigan College Automotive Tech Fund Raiser. Along with his charitable contributions, his civic “courtesy” asphalt paving jobs have given him much pleasure. Bruce is a member of NaPSa and the local chapter of APWA.

Bruce and his family reside in Traverse City, Michigan.  Their two grown children, Corey and Nikolos, have worked along side their father for many years during the summers. Vicki, his wife,  and Bruce have been married for 29 years. He credits much of his business successes to his personal happiness. Bruce said, “As we have grown older, we grow closer and support each other in our daily lives. We vacation with our entire family as much as possible. Even with my busy schedule, I try to make time for our children.”
           
Bruce would like to extend his thanks to Keizer-Morris International for his    nomination and their continuing support of his company.