When Southeastern PA was decked with two feet of snow on Dec. 19, it guaranteed a White Christmas. The snowfall–more than the region’s average for the entire year–also ensured hundreds of new potholes, and thousands of expletives from the mouths of frustrated motorists.
Scott Kleiger has a guarantee of his own: his product kills potholes better than anyone else’s. The COO of Patch Management and developer of the Bucks County company’s Pothole Killer machines and technology says others–namely city, county and state agencies–are finally taking notice.
“It’s been a long road,” says Kleiger. “With new technology, there’s a huge social lag of acceptance. We’ve had to be very persistent and patient with a lot of agencies. But now we’re booming.”
Kleiger worked a variety of construction jobs more than two decades ago and combined processes from different jobs, like building swimming pools, to develop the patented technology of the Pothole Killer. The truck-mounted, spray injection patcher allows for customizable mixing of fill material, eliminating waste. The Pothole Killer only needs one operator and fills potholes in 60-90 seconds, meaning roads and lots can stay open while repairs are made–saving time, money and convenience.
The company counts Washington D.C., New Orleans, Philadelphia and 20 counties in PA as its customers. Patch Management has engineers who can operate the equipment or the company leases the equipment on a seasonal basis in a package that includes training, materials and maintenance.
“There’s virtually no one that does it like us,” says Kleiger. “We manufacture the material, lease the equipment and run the equipment. We keep control of performance, maintenance and results.”
Patch Management was honored by the U.S. Commerce Association with its Best of Local Business Award program. It moved its headquarters to a 10,000 square foot building, nearly twice as large as its old facility in Morrisville, to a new 3.5-acre site in Fairless Hills.
The company, which employs 38, has experienced steady growth over the last three years (close to 30 percent), but overwhelmingly positive results and reviews have Kleiger anticipating significant expansion. He hopes to double his workforce and fleet of Pothole Killers in the next two years.
Source: Scott Kleiger, Patch Management
Writer: Joe Petrucci
