Several local companies play a role in road construction and safety measures along roadways.
LIMA — They’re used daily, and may not be given a second thought until they’re closed or damaged: roadways.
Many of Lima’s road’s are built and repaired by independent contractors, some of which are large corporations.
But there’s still a market for the smaller business in the roadway industry.
Brent Stechschulte, vice president of Tuttle Construction, Inc. in Lima, said while it does not primarily work on roads, the company builds entryways into parking lots, repairs the sides of some roads or anything a client asks related to roads.
“Whatever our customers need, we’ll try to get done for them,” Stechschulte said.
The company was founded in 1928 by Herbert Tuttle on “family values and a strong, honest work ethic,” according to its website.
Stechshculte said Tuttle has done roadway work on local plants, such as the Ford Lima Engine Plant and the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center.
Tuttle Construction is a local business with about 150 Lima employees that works in other areas of northwest Ohio, Stechschulte said. He said the company has evolved significantly in the 95 years its been in business.
Valtir, which started as Trinity Highway, makes barricades, barriers, sign posts and more road-related items. Headquartered in Texas, its Lima location manufactures guardrails, cable barriers, crash cushion, sign posts and other products, according to its website.
The company works locally and internationally and creates products aimed at improving drivers’ safety.
According to its website, one such innovation is a water-filled barricade used to separate construction zones on airport runways and taxiways.
Valtir also partners with Highway Care to supply the HighwayGuard barrier to areas across North America.
“This strategic partnership with Highway Care will enable us to offer a MASH-tested, low-deflection barrier system in North America,” said Jim Crowley, vice president of new product development sales and marketing for Valtir in a website post. “We believe the market will be enthusiastic about the versatility of the HighwayGuard with its simplified design, smaller footprint and narrow profile.”
Steschschulte said Tuttle Construction recognizes that its employees are the reason for the its success, so they treat them fairly and with respect.
“That’s a great source of pride and obligation we feel — making sure our people are getting paid and they can provide for their families,” Steschschulte said.
Steschulte said Tuttle Construction uses GPS in the construction of roadways to establish where it will lead to, where to place curbs, how deep to dig, how deep to place pipes, how much stone to place and more.
“We’re just adapting to the current industry and what current industry needs are,” Stechschulte said. “We’ve got a very good base of our skill trades, labor and keeping those people engaged and trained and ready to do work; that’s probably been our biggest asset over the years.”
CELEBRATING OUR SPIRIT
Plenty of foods, items and ideas are created right here in the Lima region. Celebrating Our Spirit looks at those organizations that make the area such a vibrant place to live, work and play.
Read more stories at LimaOhio.com/tag/spirit.
