Twenty years ago, Asphalt Engineering was little more than a trailer, a few pieces of equipment, and a determination to do things the right way.
Today, the Bellingham, Mass.-based company has grown into one of New England's leading full-service paving contractors, employing nearly 90 people and managing projects ranging from residential driveways to large municipal roadway reconstruction throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Yet despite that growth, the philosophy that built the company hasn't changed.
“We've always believed that if you do what you say you're going to do, treat people fairly and never cut corners, the work will speak for itself,” said Nathan Moreland, founder of Asphalt Engineering.
For Moreland and his team, those aren't just words, they're the standard that guides every project, every customer interaction and every employee who joins the company. Unlike many contractors who specialize in either residential paving or large commercial work, Asphalt Engineering has built its reputation on being able to do both. Whether it's sealing a driveway, solving complex drainage issues or reconstructing an entire neighborhood, the company approaches every project with the same attention to detail and commitment to quality.
“We're a different type of paving company,” said Vice President Zack Ensko. “We're full service. We do everything from crack sealing and seal coating all the way up to full road reconstruction. Most companies specialize in one or the other, we're able to do both.”
That versatility is on full display in Belmont, Mass., where Asphalt Engineering is completing one of the largest projects in the company's history. The multi-phase neighborhood reconstruction includes eight roads, approximately 40 driveways, thousands of feet of granite curb and nearly 8,000 tons of asphalt.
“The Belmont project really shows the capabilities of Asphalt Engineering,” said Moreland. “Over the years, we've progressed from simple small repairs to driveways, parking lots and roads. It's just really awesome to see the progression and the growth.”
The work itself is only part of the challenge. Because families continue living in the neighborhood throughout construction, every phase must be carefully planned around residents, emergency access, trash collection and daily traffic. It takes constant communication, coordination and flexibility to keep the project moving while minimizing disruption.
For a project of this size, reliability isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. That's why Asphalt Engineering relies on a fleet of Cat equipment and Weiler paving machines to keep production moving day after day. On the Belmont project, Cat excavators, skid steers and rollers work alongside the Weiler 385C paver to tackle every stage of construction, from site preparation through final compaction.
“The Weiler 385C is a great machine because we can use it on everything,” said Ensko. “We use it on driveways, roads and parking lots. It's versatile, easy to operate and powerful enough to push fully loaded trucks uphill. It just performs.”
Paired with Cat rollers, the paving crew consistently produces the smooth, high-quality finish Asphalt Engineering has become known for. But dependable equipment is only half the equation.
Equally important is having a partner that understands the demands of the paving industry. For Asphalt Engineering, that partner is Milton CAT. Whether it's sourcing new equipment, providing rental support or delivering critical replacement parts, the Milton CAT team helps keep projects on schedule when every hour counts.
“In this business, asphalt is only hot for so long. It has to be put down immediately,” Moreland said. “So, the reliability is huge.”
Ensko said simply when asked what stands out most about the Cat and Weiler combination — “reliability.”
“The parts department is easy to work with. We call our representative, Cory, and he gets us what we need, usually the same day, if not then the next.”
That kind of responsiveness helps eliminate costly downtime and allows crews to stay focused on delivering for their customers.
While equipment plays a vital role, Erin Moreland, co-founder of Asphalt Engineering, believes the company's greatest strength has always been its people.
“The business has grown, but we've worked hard to make sure we never lose the family culture that got us here,” she said.
Many employees have spent years with Asphalt Engineering. Fathers work alongside sons. Friends recruit friends. One employee even met his future wife while working for the company. That family atmosphere is something leadership has intentionally built from the very beginning.
“What separates Asphalt Engineering from other paving companies is our culture,” said Ensko. “We're all kind of family. We enjoy coming to work, and we enjoy making a great product for every customer.”
Asphalt Engineering has grown dramatically over the past two decades, but success has never been measured simply by the number of employees, trucks or paving crews. It's measured by trust. Trust earned from customers who know they'll receive exactly what was promised. Trust shared between employees who take pride in their work. And trust built through long-standing partnerships with companies like Milton CAT that help keep the business moving forward. Because while asphalt eventually cools and hardens, a reputation is built one project, and one relationship, at a time.
