With road reconstruction projects becoming more common than sunburned tourists in Florida, Briggs Equipment has placed more and more focus on its paving products division over the past year.

The efforts began with the creation of Briggs’ paving products division, headed by Sal D’Amato, a former Wirtgen paving products specialist.

Briggs carries a full line of Wirtgen milling machines, stabilizers and reclaimers, as well as Vogele asphalt pavers, Hamm asphalt rollers, Noram motorgraders and Superior brooms.

“The paving market in the southeastern United States and Florida, where Briggs has multiple stores, is growing rapidly. Highway reconstruction and reclamation is especially critical as state DOTs are using asphalt recycling to stretch their budgets to get more projects done,” D’Amato said.

In his position, D’Amato has worked with the Briggs sales team at all of its branches to help customers find the best solutions for their paving product needs. He also is heavily involved in keeping Briggs’ service personnel trained on Wirtgen paving projects.

“With milling and paving machines, it is absolutely imperative that you have a trained staff that can keep customers running,” he said.

This new emphasis on paving equipment has sparked an increase in the number of highway contractors who now count themselves among Briggs’ customers.

D’Amato said customers shouldn’t have to wait for their newly purchased piece of paving equipment, since “we’re one of the few dealers who actually stock this equipment.”

He said the company recognizes that when a contractor is awarded a project, a quick start and fast completion is of the utmost importance. Having the inventory on the ground, serviced and ready to go are the pinnacles of a good equipment dealer.

Just in the past year, they have sold 10 milling machines.

Two of these machines, a 2000 and 2200, have gone to Horizon Contractors Inc. of Hialeah, Dade County, FL.

Co-owned by Vice President Joey Sanchez and his father, Jose M. Sanchez, the company has been in business for 11 years, mainly as a prime contractor for roadway reconstruction, paving or drainage projects.

He said the Briggs sales team helped them decide to enter the world of subcontracting with the purchase of the milling equipment approximately eight months ago. With a strong prospect of steady work ahead of them in the years to come, Sanchez decided it would be worth the money.

Horizon crews have used the Wirtgen machines for asphalt milling projects on Biscayne Boulevard, Grove Avenue in Coconut Grove and other projects in the Miami area.

D’Amato foresees continued growth for Briggs’ paving division and its customers, as “we work together to keep up with the endless public need for better roads.” CEG Staff

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