Cheers to 75 years!

In 2021, Bituminous Roadways, Inc. (BR) celebrated 75 years in business. Founded in 1946 by Al Wendell, BR’s beginning was small. With a three-man crew and an asphalt plant in south Minneapolis, the company focused primarily on residential work. In 1958, Palmer Peterson was attending the University of Minnesota and answered an ad in the paper for an asphalt estimator. Al hired Palmer, and they became fast friends, one would even call it a father-son relationship. In 1965, Al and Palmer invented the first asphalt storage silo, which was eventually patented and sold.

After years of service and hard work, Palmer Peterson earned the title of president of BR. He continued Al’s legacy of hard work, growth and innovation. Eventually, Palmer purchased the company from AL. Today, 75 years later, Palmer’s son, Kent Peterson, carries on the tradition of ethical, progressive, and innovative business practices set in place by Al and nurtured by the Peterson family. The Petersons think of BR as a third-generation company, with the future potential for a fourth generation to continue the legacy.

BR has been in the forefront of the asphalt industry since its beginning with the purpose to create a growing, enduring and successful company with great people and expanding opportunities. Our core values of integrity, quality, commitment, respect, and safety are the guiding principles by which we navigate our company. By aligning our employees with these core values, we are ensuring our customers we will work with integrity, we will strive for quality, we will demonstrate commitment, we will be respectful, and we will promote safety throughout our organization.