Ajax Paving, a Florida-based asphalt manufacturer in Florida, has turned to automation in response to a severe labour shortage.
Operating eight asphalt plants and responsible for paving thousands of miles of roadways, Ajax Paving faces a critical need for heavy equipment operators. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 91% of construction firms are struggling to find workers.
To address this challenge, Ajax has partnered with Teleo, a provider of autonomous heavy equipment.
A new Caterpillar 966XE wheel loader has been outfitted with Teleo’s technology, allowing it to be operated remotely from a command centre.
A second loader is being equipped similarly. This technology enables a single operator to control machinery at two separate sites, which Ajax Paving hopes will significantly ease staffing issues.
The company has said this initiative is a first in the asphalt industry, with Ajax Paving using remote operations to load their plants.
“We’ll be using Teleo at two of our asphalt facilities to remote-operate the loader which feeds the plant,” said Andy DeCraene, executive vice president of operations, Ajax Paving.
“This is going to allow us to not only staff the facility with just local folks, but we can do remote working from other places around the state.”
The benefits extend beyond staffing solutions. Removing operators from cabs reduces physical and mental stress, a significant advantage in an industry known for its demanding conditions.
In a statement, a company spokesperson for Teleo added: “While it may seem that younger, tech-native operators—those who are more familiar with gaming and technology—would be the only ones who quickly adapt to this new technology, that hasn’t been the case.”
“Even some of the older generation operators have picked it up within 20-25 minutes,” noted DeCraene.
Vince Hafeli, Ajax Paving’s president, emphasised the mental health improvements for operators, while fleet manager Dan Maitland noted the reduction in maintenance costs due to more efficient machine use.
Ajax Paving’s adoption of Teleo’s technology not only addresses labour shortages but also enhances operational efficiency and supports operator wellbeing, Teleo added.
