Tim Machelski
Chief Operations Officer
Insights
Our experts share their thoughts on asphalt sustainability, innovation, safety and creating a culture of care.
Polyco and All American Tire Recyclers Bring Sustainability Full Circle in Texas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ennis, Texas, November 21, 2024 – In its latest paving project, Polyco, manufacturer of high-performance, sustainable asphalt solutions for the roofing and paving industries, has solidified its partnership with All American Tire Recyclers (All American), affirming the collaboration required to achieve greener, more sustainable infrastructure. All American, Polyco’s crumb rubber supplier, contracted …
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Recycled Tire Rubber Comes Full Circle with SigmaBond
We experienced a full circle moment during one of our latest paving projects. All American Tire Recyclers (All American), our crumb rubber supplier, contracted Elite Asphalt and materials supplier Austin Bridge and Road to repave their high-traffic lot with a mix that included our SigmaBond rubberized binder! This unprecedented opportunity solidified our partnership as we move …
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Featured Article: Breaking the Limits of Rubber and RAP Content for Major Road Sustainability Initiative in Portugal
Sustainable practices have seen significant advancements across continents, with early adoption of technologies like Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) highlighting a global commitment to reducing environmental impact. The road to sustainability is paved with innovation, and Polyco is proud to be at the forefront of this journey. We believe that collaboration is the key to unlocking …
Honoring Excellence at the CalAPA Annual Awards Dinner
Recently, I joined industry leaders at the California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA) Annual Awards Dinner, held at the historic Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles. This evening of camaraderie, celebration, and reflection showcased the achievements of key figures in the asphalt industry while also paying tribute to its storied past. A Night of Recognition and …
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Webinar Recap: Rubberized Asphalt Performance Around the World
The first installment of our Back to Black webinar series, Not Lost in Translation, brought together two distinguished experts from opposite sides of the Atlantic to discuss the latest advancements in rubberized asphalt performance. Henrique Borges Miranda, Ph.D., a pavement engineer and assistant professor at Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, shared insights from his …
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What does the future hold for Polyco?
Before I say something about the future, let me tell you something about the past. My first interaction with Polyco was in 2012, when I went to Tom, the owner, with a need while working for a shingle manufacturer. We wanted to produce polymer-modified asphalt coating that could run at high speeds. Polyco developed a coating that ran smoother, faster, and better than the industry had ever seen. Now, RDP is going to help asphalt become a sustainable product. Polyco is on a growth plan. As we expand, one of my roles will be to keep this company true to its people and roots. I’m excited to help grow Polyco into a world-class organization.
What’s your history with sustainability in the roofing industry?
Under my sponsorship starting in 2012, GAF developed many options for recycling asphalt shingles, leading to the construction of a pilot factory in Lockport, NY, that creates briquettes of recycled asphalt from shingles. This was a considerable undertaking because sustainability wasn’t as big of a priority in 2012 as it is now, and the high price was a hurdle. Nevertheless, sustainability was and still is important to me, so we worked through it and opened the plant. I look forward to further growing Polyco’s—and my own—sustainability record.
Anything else you want to add about your professional experience?
As a manager at one of the plants, I was approached by a 21-year-old man who had just started and he asked why my attitude was so poor. He said, “You set the culture because you’re the manager.” The next day, I went to HR and asked for a list of every employee. I realized the only ones I knew were the 10% I had to correct constantly. After this, I made it a point to talk to every employee. In fact, at one company, my nickname was “Mr. Rogers” because I warmly greeted everyone each morning. To take this further, I established an Idea Board—no matter who makes the recommendation, it is written on a board and doesn’t come down until it’s implemented or discussed. Respect, fairness, trust, and integrity make up the culture I want to set with my employees.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I’m very active. I used to run marathons, and now I run for health. I’m also a barefoot waterskier—I can go 41 miles per hour across the water on my bare feet! Working on cars is another passion of mine. Recently, I combined what my faith taught me, “take your graces and share them with others,” with my car hobby and started buying cars, fixing them up then donating the restored vehicles to single mothers.