Western Emulsions Taps Veteran Paving Products Marketer Joe Platt

WESTERN EMULSIONS TAPS VETERAN PAVING PRODUCTS MARKETER JOE PLATT
Asphalt emulsions producer experiences growth, expands Southwest US sales force

December 4, 2008 – Western Emulsions Inc., a leading innovator of pavement preservation products, has named Joe D. Platt as senior technical marketing representative for Southern California and the Southwest U.S., as part of its continued growth in supplying pavement preservation and maintenance solutions for public agencies and the asphalt contracting industry.  

Mr. Platt is now responsible for sales and product support for Western Emulsions.   He comes to the emulsions manufacturer with over 25 years experience in the asphalt industry, and is a recognized expert in pavement preservation practices including chipseals, slurry seals and microsurfacing.  These techniques prolong the life of asphalt pavements and allow public agencies to avoid more costly demolition and reconstruction of their roads.  

During his career, Mr. Platt has held management positions in operations, and marketing, technical, management and marketing roles for Koch Asphalt Company and SemMaterials.   A native of Washington State, he studied business at Eastern Washington University before moving to Southern California in 1987 to assume the role of operations manager for a nationwide asphalt company.

Mr. Platt is past president and chairman of the board of the California Chip Seal Association and an active member of Asphalt Sealcoat Manufactures Association, Asphalt Pavement Association, Maintenance Supervisors Association, Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association and International Slurry Seal Association. 

Mr. Platt, 48, counts among his personal highlights in 2008 a 13,000-foot skydive, and performing a wedding ceremony in Coronado, Calif.   An avid outdoorsman, his interests include hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing and hunting, as well as scuba diving, skiing, golf and riding motorcycles.   He and his wife reside in Riverside, Calif. and have two adult children.

Mr. Platt has spent most of his career in the Southwestern U.S., where the asphalt emulsions industry is currently estimated at $250 to $500 million and growing rapidly.  Poor road conditions across the U.S. means new infrastructure projects are a high priority and Western Emulsions' pavement rejuvenation products offer a lower-cost, ecologically friendlier, and safer alternative to reconstruction while offering comparable quality, durability and reliability.

About Western Emulsions

Western Emulsions (www.westernemulsions.com) supplies specialty, patented and standard asphalt emulsions, and raw asphalt to a diverse array of customers, including: (i) federal agencies, such as those for roads and airports; (ii) state and local agencies, such as county and municipal public works departments; (iii) private entities, such as independent businesses; and (iv) intermodal consultation groups, such as government agencies who manage the highway infrastructure.   The company operates plants in Tucson, Arizona and Irwindale, California, and operations are scheduled to open in New Mexico in March 2009.

Western Emulsions enjoys added strength through its partnership with Marwit Capital (www.marwit.com), one of the oldest and most experienced private equity firms in the western U.S., founded in 1962.

Nationwide Sales hotline: (888) 705-4137
Email: western@westernemulsions.com