2014: A Year to Remember

We had an exciting and productive year here at Team Elmer's. Join us for a look at the highlights of 2014.

January
* Our people are our most important asset; so taking care of them and their families is top priority. That's why Team Elmer's added a company chaplain to our ranks to provide a listening ear and compassionate support.

February

* Who could forget the Polar Vortex, Snowmagedon, ice caves and record frigid temps we endured last winter? Certainly not the crews at Team Elmer's who snowplowed until the cows came home. Snow and ice was found in the middle of aggregate stockpiles into late June.

March
* There was no complaining when an equipment auction took us to warm climates during the off-season. Things got a little wacky, though... Unless you consider dogs in strollers to be completely normal, in which case, we'd like to meet you for coffee.

* Another c-c-c-cold weather related event! Despite temps below 20 degrees, Team Elmer’s Mt. Pleasant plant used steam to raise aggregate temperatures to reach the mid-60s during a pour for Davis Construction at the Mt. Pleasant Waste Water Treatment Plant. Wish we could pull that trick and make tomorrow a beach day!


April
* Team Elmer's patriotic super train aluminum trailers (used for hauling aggregate material to job sites) were featured at the MAC Trailers booth at the 2014 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky. The trailer is our small way of thanking those who sacrificed serving our country.



May
* Ground was broken on Phase II of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Heritage Trail (SBHT). Team Elmer's is thrilled to be part of this ongoing project, which added another 5.5 miles to the existing trail system. Once complete, the SBHT will be a hard-surfaced, multi-use trail paralleling M-22 and M-109 for 27 miles through the lakeshore. 

* We were incredibly excited to announce the Jayden Lamb Memorial Foundation (JLMF) as the winner of our non-profit $5,000 giveaway in the Tri-Cities region. In addition to receiving a monetary donation, JLMF is featured on a Team Elmer’s concrete mixer, which works throughout the region.

June
* To adhere to MDOT standards and ensure proper curing conditions, Team Elmer's worked nights to install concrete for the Platte River Bridge near M-22 in Benzie County. 460 yards of concrete were installed in the bridge deck areas.

July
* Repeated rain delays forced a change of schedule for an asphalt project on South Airport Road in Traverse City. What was intended to be five nights of resurfacing work, developed into 36 hours of continuous paving by multiple crews, just days prior to the busy Fourth of July weekend.

August

September
* We completed construction of an 800 foot recreational pier along Indian River at Burt Lake in Tuscarora Township. The project featured new sheet pile and a concrete walkway and hosted the First Annual Veterans Pier Walk a few months later.

October
* If you thought Legos at Christmas were mindbending, you should see what Team Elmer’s crane operator, Randy Brown, went through in conjunction with Grand Traverse Construction, to set forms for new treatment tanks at the Cadillac Wastewater Treatment Plant. The outside circle contained 30,000 pounds of reinforcing bar (rebar) per unit. The inside circle contained a whopping 10,000 pounds of rebar per unit.

November
* This might be the wine talking, but we like wine! Team Elmer’s set precast forms for Villa Mari Vineyards, the first northern Michigan winery with an extensive underground barrel aging area. According to Villa Mari, “winemaking relies on constant temperatures and high humidity, especially during the aging process. At a depth of at least 10 feet below ground, the caverns will naturally provide temperatures consistently between 55*F and 60*F and a humidity over 70%, both of which are considered ideal for winemaking – all without the need for air conditioning.”

December
* Hoooo had the coolest tree topper? Team Elmer's did when our resident snowy owl perched atop our Christmas tree display. This owl has made Elmer's its home for several years. Should we name this fabulous creature?
 

Photo Courtesy of Audubon Club Member Ed Kaminski.

* Putting the fun back in fundraising, Team Elmer’s president, Troy Broad, stretched his comfort zone to support a great cause. Leelanau Christian Neighbors, with Troy and dance partner, Pam McCormick, broke the Swingshift and the Stars all-time fundraising record. The team raised more than $127,435 for LCN’s four programs; Blessings in a Backpack, Food Pantry, Baby Pantry, and Emergency Assistance. Now, that is some dancing!

Thanks to everyone who made 2014 a great year! We can't wait to make 2015 even better!