Business View Magazine - July 2024

during aircraft takeoff and landings, creating uneven and potentially unsafe surfaces. “We stabilize the surface and increase the load-bearing strength of the runway and protect the newly installed aggregate.” The company’s approach includes eliminating the problem of foreign object debris (FOD) — loose gravel that can damage aircraft during take-off and landing. “FOD is a major hazard,” Vitale notes. John Burnett, General Manager - Gravel Runway Solutions, adds “When an aircraft lands, it can kick up gravel that damages engines, props, and the aircraft’s body. Our solutions prevent this by stabilizing the runway surface.” The company’s innovations extend to handling moisture and temperature fluctuations. “We use a freeze-thaw stable product that alters moisture penetration into the ground,”says Vitale.This is crucial in preventing the destabilization and weakening of runways due to moisture ingress. By addressing this, Midwest Industrial minimizes regional soft spots and ensures that runways remain robust through the harsh winter freeze-thaw cycles. TAILORED GEOTECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR RUNWAY INTEGRITY Midwest Industrial stands out not just for its innovative products but also for its comprehensive geotechnical services. Gina Greenlee, Director of Geotechnical Laboratory and Services, highlights the uniqueness of their capabilities. “We have a full geotechnical laboratory where we perform all the design testing for each runway before treatment,” she says. This includes determining the material’s particle size distribution and bearing capacity, as well as how the material properties improve once treated with their products. “This actual design work sets us apart,” Greenlee adds. Translating these technical findings into actionable insights for clients is crucial. “We provide a full laboratory report detailing all the information on their material,”Greenlee explains.This report outlines the current state of the runway materials and offers predictions on how these materials will perform once treated, ensuring clients fully understand the 138 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 07