Inside the specifications you’re looking at right now are opportunities to deliver better value and help your construction business grow, says Theron Tobolski of Prairie’s Technical Sales Team.

“We’re working closely with our customers to uncover these opportunities, giving them innovative solutions that can be presented as alternate bids,” Tobolski explains.

Prairie’s technical experts have always provided custom mix design and consulting services. However, now they’re diving deeper into selected jobs, partnering with architects, engineers, contractors and design-build firms to solve problems in ways that add even more value for owners – often at lower costs.

Case in point: Prairie’s new parking lot designs featuring composite or concrete paving, available this spring.

Says Tobolski: “We review many projects where a full-depth, 100% asphalt lot has been specified, typically made of 8 to 10 inches of aggregate base, 1.5 to 3 inches of an asphalt binder course and an asphalt surface.”

“With the price of asphalt rising, more and more owners are willing to look at concrete for greater durability and reduced costs,” he explains. “We’re working on two solutions – one using roller-compacted concrete as a durable core topped by asphalt and a second approach with all-concrete paving.”

Having detailed, engineer-approved specs at the ready makes it easy for contractors to bid parking lot work – a profitable portion of the job they may not have otherwise captured, Tobolski notes.

Another new service coming soon is FiberSwap – a fast and detailed review of specs for flat work to see if replacing welded wire fabric or reinforcing steel with fibers is a sound alternative.

“We can take a look at plans for any slab-on-grade, deck or large floor and determine how fibers can be used to deliver required strengths while reducing labor, time and dollars spent,” says Prairie’s Marketing Manager Brad Huiner.

Starting this April, customers will be able to request a FiberSwap on any project they’re bidding by contacting their Prairie sales representative. Working with basic information such as the type and thickness of the slab and the metal reinforcement specified, Prairie’s technical experts will determine the dosage rate and type of fibers best for the job.

An online form will make it easy for specifiers to submit all needed information, Huiner notes. Experts will take a look and return specific recommendations and costs via email, following up by phone to discuss the best approach.

These new services are part of Prairie’s long-standing commitment to help customers win new business by delivering quality and innovation for every job, Huiner says. “It’s a partnership that will help everyone’s market share grow over time.”

Asphalt and Concrete Shake Hands – and Everyone Wins​

For decades, asphalt was king when it came to paved surfaces. But as owners search for better value, composite paving solutions are gaining ground fast.

This April, Prairie’s Theron Tobolski will share his knowledge with asphalt professionals at ICAT: The Innovation Conference on Asphalt and Transportation at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.​

“We’ll take a look at how concrete-asphalt combinations are being used to achieve greater strength and lower costs,” he says. “After years of testing and refining these approaches with engineers and construction firms, we welcome the chance to share what we’ve learned with new partners in the asphalt industry.”

ICAT takes place April 3-4. Find registration info here.​