Ace Asphalt paves hospital parking lot
with new BOMAG 814-2 commercial pavers

Successful businesses frequently grow and evolve from surprisingly humble beginnings. Some of today's most notable companies and entrepreneurs serve as prime examples. Any number of factors can play a part in transforming an upstart operation into a flourishing corporation, but every success story seems to have one thing in common, the ability to find a specialized niche and to do it very well.

Few would guess from its name that Ace Asphalt of Arizona, Inc. was once a small Wisconsin pavement striping company called Parking Stripes, Inc. But that's precisely how the business began in 1966.

Today Ace Asphalt's specialty is commercial paving, but even more unique is the broad repertoire of projects the company takes on. While Ace doesn't get involved with highway projects, almost everything else is fair game, from major site developments to small parking lot repairs. 

Ace Asphalt's emphasis on commercial asphalt paving and other non-highway work would seem to indicate that it's the thing it does best. But its commitment to providing high-quality service for every customer, large or small, may be the real difference contributing to the company's continued success. It is also a sign that despite its growth, Ace hasn't abandoned its modest roots.

The company's journey from Wisconsin to Arizona was preceded by gradually increasing sales over time, followed by expanded service offerings, such as asphalt patching and seal coating. The most extraordinary step in company history occurred in 1981 when the local operations were sold and today's existing company was formed in Phoenix. To further capitalize on rapidly occurring growth in the state, a Tucson, Ariz., branch was later added, and the company began to provide earthwork and grading services as well.

With the aid of its 350 employees, Ace Asphalt completes 4,000 projects per year for total annual sales in excess of $70 million, making it the largest private grading, paving and pavement maintenance company in Arizona and one of the largest in the United States. Its project portfolio is diverse and impressive, ranging from random patching jobs to construction of the proving grounds for auto manufacturers DaimlerChrysler and Volvo.