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Have you ever wondered about the history of the Aggregate Producers of Wisconsin? When was it started, and by whom? And WHY?

In 1951-52, the Wisconsin Highway Gravel Crushers Association was formed, which later became the Wisconsin Aggregate Producers Association (WAPA). Members would meet during the road builders annual meeting, have lunch and discuss "jumpstarting" the organization.

Then in 1995 came NR135, which seemed to appear out of nowhere. Aggregate producers around the state were suddenly presented with a draft copy of this rule for public hearing comment. The industry flocked to the public meetings to voice their feelings to the DNR. "Frightful in its first several drafts, a large outcry from concerned producers was able to slow its march to reality." (Tom Halquist, APW News Vol. 1, November 1995) After a hearing in Wausau, Tom Halquist and Elaine Kraut stayed afterwards to speak with Tom Portle and Dan Graff of the DNR. They requested representation on the Technical Advisory Committee but were told that they needed to be a representative of an industry group.

Realizing that an organization was needed quickly, Tom Halquist called Tony Tomashek at Mathy Construction, and told him of the situation. A meeting of all those who had paid any dues over the past few years to WAPA was called.

It was apparent that the time was long overdue for the association to get going. The Wisconsin Aggregate Producers Association, reorganized as the Aggregate Producers of Wisconsin (APW) in 1995, exists today because of the necessity for productive representation of the aggregate industry in the legislative arena.

Some of the initial members gathered were Tom Halquist, Halquist Stone; Tim Todd, Vulcan Materials; Tony Tomashek (now with Mathy Construction), Otto Ramthun, Michels Materials; Elaine Kraut, Genessee Aggregate; Scott Janssen, Daanen & Janssen; Scott Mathy, Mathy Construction; Steve Sletner, then with American Materials; Mike Erickson, Erickson Quarries; and Doug Stevens, Janesville Sand & Gravel (to name a few). The organization was run out of the office of Tom Halquist for the first two full years and Tom served on the Board until his "retirement" in 2003. APW was able to seat Mike Erickson, current President, on the Technical Advisory Committee and also was able to incorporate a nine-member Non-Metallic Mining Council into the T.A.C. rulemaking discussions. Steve Sletner became the primary DNR liaison for APW, not only with NR135, but with a number of air issues, most notably, AP-42 values and establishing the GOP's. There were 55 producer members in the first year of reorganization. Since that time, APW has seen membership numbers grow to almost 100 producer members and 47 associate members. The association has also become a major voice for its members in the continuing struggle against anti-industry regulations. And to insure the continued growth and effectiveness of this association, your involvement is important.

Continue to respond to surveys, attend meetings held with various government agencies and plan on attending Legislative Day at the Capitol on March 12th. This is a great opportunity for you, as an aggregate producer or service provider, to get to know your legislators and let them know your concerns.

(Thank you to Tom Halquist for his many years of service with the APW and for this enlightening bit of APW history!)

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