Hardrives Inc. hosted a Meet and Greet Luncheon to celebrate 50 years of business at its Lakeland, Minn., facility on July 24.

The luncheon was an opportunity for customers to get to know the company and its key players better, as well as for industry and legislator to speak and answer questions.

Guests were given a first-hand look at a highway contractor who does business in their area, as well as thoughts on general transportation funding issues of specific interest to the asphalt paving industry.

After introductions by Don Hall, executive vice president, Hardrives, Steve Hall, CEO of Hardrives, gave a brief history on Hardrives.

Founded in St. Cloud, Minn., in 1963 by Steve’s father, Kenneth Hall, Hardrives Inc. started out primarily as an asphalt paving company. Steady growth throughout the early years led to the opening of a branch office and stationary asphalt plant in Blaine in 1968.

The Metro Division was up and running. Shortly afterwards, the company acquired two portable asphalt plants to provide the nucleus for its newly established Travel Operating Division, one of whose first projects was I-90 in the Winona vicinity. Also, about that same time, the company established an Outstate Division to focus on the needs of Greater Minnesota and the Dakotas.

“In the mid 1990’s we purchased Roadbusters Inc. and got into the milling and reclaiming market to better service our paving divisions. Currently we operate seven milling machines,” Hall said.

“Currently we employ 290 people and rent 90 hauling units a day. Our safety record is remarkable and we are very proud of it. Employee turnover is less than 10% each year and we have many employees working in their 40th plus year of service,” he added.

Hardrives continues to be a family owned and operated company. The company services state, county, municipal and private construction markets with offices now in Lakeland, Waite Park and Rogers.

“Our revenues will exceed $125 million in 2013. This amount of work demands great teamwork, considering our season basically runs from Easter to Thanksgiving,” he continued. “We produce, purchase and lay 1.3 million tons of asphalt per year. We operate 10 complete paving crews and many grading crews,” Hall said to attendees.

Also attending the meet and greet were Rich Wolters, executive director of MAPA and Jim Wafler, MAPA lobbyist.

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