## Talking Tires Podcast: Exploring the World of Tires

**Host:** Craig Hunter, President of Tire Reclan
**Guest:** Craig Michael from Pleasants Construction

**Introduction by Craig Hunter:**

Welcome to Talking Tires, the podcast that delves deep into the world of tires. Join us as we explore everything from the science behind tire manufacturing to the latest innovations in tire recycling. Our aim is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of tires, including how they work, how to maintain them, and how to dispose of them responsibly. Whether you’re a seasoned mechanic, a curious car enthusiast, or an avid recycler, Talking Tires is the perfect podcast for anyone who wants to learn about the essential component of the modern vehicle and heavy equipment. So, buckle up and join us for an informative and engaging journey into the world of tires.

**Main Discussion:**

**Craig Hunter:**
All right, welcome to another episode of Talking Tires. I’m your host, Craig Hunter, President of Tire Reclan. I’m here with Craig Michael from Pleasants Construction. We’ve had a great conversation, and I just wanted to get him on for a podcast. You’ve heard a couple of speakers from the 10th annual Tire Recycling Foundation conference here in Denver, Colorado. And one was talking about the dry process, another was talking about the wet process. And this is all about rubber-modified asphalt. Craig has had the benefit of working with both of those systems. So, welcome, Craig. Thanks for being here.

**Craig Michael:**
Thank you for having me.

**Craig Hunter:**
All right. So, tell us a bit about yourself. Where did you get started in construction, in roads, and asphalt? Where did you go to school? Let’s start there.

**Craig Michael:**
At the age of 19, my father worked at Richard F. Klein as a superintendent in the asphalt division. I got hired on and was on a utility crew as a laborer. After about a year, I moved back to the lab. My dad managed the lab for a long time, so I had a background in that. I was a field technician testing density in the field for quite a while. Around 2009, I started going to school for civil engineering. I was paying for school out of pocket, and the company I worked for went bankrupt, so I could no longer pay for school out of pocket.

Pleasants Construction came in and acquired that asphalt plant shortly after that, and I immediately got hired back in the lab. I did both serving and lab work for a while, but eventually, I didn’t have to do two jobs anymore.

**Craig Hunter:**
Right, so you were saying that you managed the lab. What’s a typical day-to-day situation like that for you?

**Craig Michael:**
Day-to-day, as a producer, we have our jobs which require different mixes. We have three asphalt crews, and we’re producing mix for our crews in addition to private customers who want to buy asphalt. We test those mixtures in the lab to make sure all of our volumetrics are in spec. We have a continuous flow drum plant, and we test the mix in real-time to ensure the plant is running correctly.

**Craig Hunter:**
Interesting. So, what brings you to the Tire Recycling Foundation Conference?

**Craig Michael:**
We were awarded a state contract for Maryland 650, and in the fall/winter of 2024, I was approached by the Maryland DOT to do a portion of that project in crumb rubber. I spoke with my boss, and we decided to do the entire project in crumb rubber. We used two different products to collect data, which was beneficial for the state to get a good idea of what these products are.

**Craig Hunter:**
And how did that project go?

**Craig Michael:**
It went well. We ran performance testing on it before applying it to Maryland 650. The preliminary performance data looked great, so we were confident going in. The project covered about 11 lane miles, and we used different mixes for different sides. The mixes got approved, and the project itself was successful.

**Craig Hunter:**
Were there any challenges?

**Craig Michael:**
There were growing pains in the lab, but no significant issues arose during the project implementation. The plant handled everything well, and the results were positive. It’s important to continue observing and repeating the process to gain further insights.

**Craig Hunter:**
What’s next for you?

**Craig Michael:**
We have another contract in Frederick and plan to incorporate crumb rubber. It’s a great opportunity to continue learning and enhancing our skills. Producers should view these opportunities as a chance to gain more knowledge and improve their practices.

**Conclusion by Craig Hunter:**

Thank you for coming on, Craig. It was wonderful having you here to discuss rubber-modified asphalt. For listeners interested in reaching out, Craig Michael can be contacted via email or phone. This podcast provided valuable insights into the tire and asphalt industry, and I hope it encourages others to explore the possibilities. Thanks for tuning in to Talking Tires.