Press Release
May 17, 2001

Graniterock Production Plant Achieves Safety Milestone

Eleven Years Accident-Free at Innovative Plant

May 8, 2001 marks the eleventh accident-free year for Graniterock’s South San Francisco road materials production facility. The facility often operates 24-hours per day, 7-days per week supplying very high quality construction paving materials for demanding jobs at San Francisco International Airport and other projects elsewhere in San Mateo County. The decade-long safe operating record was achieved through a team effort according to team members, Frank Garcia and Eddie Dupee Sr., who have worked at the branch through those eleven years. They credit the accomplishment to the professional care given to observing the practices of each team member. “If we see someone doing something wrong, we tell them. There are no hurt feelings,” said Frank Garcia. Other full time branch team members responsible for reaching this impressive milestone include Tim Costello and James Wolfe.

The South San Francisco facility is known within the construction industry for the development of a new hot mix asphalt (“black top”) material which can withstand the fully loaded weights of Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet aircraft on taxiways and on runways. Previously, such heavy loaded aircraft would deform the asphalt pavement if they stopped for extended periods of time especially in hot weather.

Graniterock puts “Safety Before All Else” in both its corporate objectives and in practice as exemplified by the So. San Francisco location. This year’s safety motto is “Zero in on Safety,” alluding to the zero accident focus. This milestone represents a team operating safely for over 60,000 payroll hours producing millions of tons of hot mix asphalt. The location has also invested in safety improvements to the production plant and other facilities, making the production environments much safer than is common in the industry.

“The achievement at So. San Francisco is a testament to the dedication to safety that Graniterock People practice every day,” said Bruce W. Woolpert, President & CEO.

Granite Rock Company was founded on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1900. Graniterock has operations in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Seaside, Salinas, Hollister, Aromas, Felton, San Jose, Redwood City and South San Francisco. The Company’s Pavex Construction Division is a significant regional heavy engineering contractor building roadways, airports and private commercial and residential projects.

Granite Rock Company received the 1992 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the 1994 Governor’s Golden State Quality Award. The Company was just named one of the 100 Best Places to Work in America by Fortune magazine. This is the fourth year in a row the company was so honored.

For more information, contact:
Keith Severson, Graniterock, 831.768.2063