California Asphalt Associations to Merge

California's two asphalt pavement associations will become one entity on Jan. 1 as the two groups have agreed too merge.

The leadership of the two asphalt pavement associations in California have voted to unite as one statewide entity effective Jan. 1 to more effectively represent an industry fighting through a down economy and increasingly burdensome regulations.

The Board of Directors of the Northern California-based California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA) voted to approve the merger plan Oct. 5, and the Southern California-based Asphalt Pavement Association of California (APACA) endorsed the plan on Oct. 18. The unified organization will be known as the California Asphalt Pavement Association. It will be based in West Sacramento and have a regional office in Orange County. The stated goal of the unification is for all services currently offered separately by both organizations to continue to be offered post-merger.

''As our industry faces the double-whammy of a severe recession and unreasonable regulations, our member companies recognized how critically important it is for us to speak with one voice in California,'' said John Holliday, owner of Holliday Rock and the 2011 Chairman of the APACA. ''Being as effective as we can be is no longer a goal, it's survival.''

Added Jeff Reed, owner of George Reed, Inc. and 2011 CalAPA Chairman: ''During this economic downturn, our companies have been forced to be as efficient as possible, and it is important for our trade association to be just as efficient and effective.''

According to the Construction Industry Research Board, construction employment in California in August was 557,900, which is down 41 percent since February of 2006. The goal of the combined organization is to more effectively advocate for adequate infrastructure funding and common sense regulations.

To facilitate the merger, a transition committee comprised of company representatives from both associations is finalizing the details of how the unified organization will operate on Jan. 1 and beyond. The first board meeting of the unified association is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles.