From Pipelines to Potholes
The Weir Companies Pave Impressive Entrepreneurial Roads
With a quick look at the scope and scale of the George W. Weir companies, few would ever believe that the business was inspired by its namesake’s desire to surf the world’s biggest waves.
But, that’s exactly what happened. As a 19-year-old sophomore in college, George Weir longed to take a year-long adventure to some of the world’s surfing hotspots such as the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii as well as the coasts of France and Africa.
Surprisingly, it was George’s dad who created the opportunity for George to achieve this dream. Dad was a school teacher who painted houses and seal-coated driveways on the side to make a little extra money–jobs that often required the help of his two sons. He also shared a common garden with a neighbor, Bob, who wanted to start a paving company.
George recalls, “Dad made him a deal—he would loan us his truck if Bob partnered with me in the paving business.”
Thus began G&B Asphalt Repair. For four months, George and Bob drove around San Diego County filling potholes.
“We would go to the asphalt plant, load the asphalt in the back of the truck along with shovels, rakes and brooms, and drive around town asking people if they needed potholes fixed for $20,” explains George. “It was great! I made enough money to take the next year off from school to surf.”
Upon his return from his surfing adventure, George finished college, earning a dual degree in zoology and Spanish from San Diego State University. During this time of transition, George faced some life choices. He says, “After I graduated from college, I was also getting married. My father-in-law offered me a job in one of his stores. My dad and brother had a side business painting, which they said I could join. Or I could go back to asphalt. I chose asphalt.”
In 1979, George established George W. Weir Asphalt Construction.
Asphalt & Aggregates
In its early days, George’s asphalt company specialized in asphalt paving for both commercial and residential customers.
George says, “For the most part, we paved driveways and parking lots in those early years. We had one truck and a small crew of four or five. Then we started getting some bigger contracts with the city and surrounding communities, and kept adding trucks and equipment.”
He brought his brother, Mark, into the business in 1983.
“He’s always been my best friend. We shared a room growing up and we were college roommates,” says George. “He’s the operational brains of our company. It’s remarkable to have that kind of relationship with a brother.”
“We have a great team of people that work with us and I always desire to do what’s best in terms of individual and corporate growth.” George Weir, Founder & Owner, George W. Weir Asphalt Construction
Over time, George expanded the family business with several more independently operated companies. He established Pacific Oil Spreading Inc. in 1994, a trucking company that specializes in spreading asphalt binders over roadways surfaces. Next, George started Escondido Sand & Gravel Trucking, an aggregate hauling operation for homeowners, contractors and material suppliers.
In 2001, he saw the need for recycled aggregate. George says, “The number one recycled product in the world is asphalt. It makes sense for us to recycle and reuse the aggregates from old projects.” He opened Escondido Sand & Gravel Recycling that same year, which has since become the largest aggregate recycling company in San Diego County.
Strategic Integration
In 2005, George purchased a quarry to produce the basic ingredients of asphalt, namely rock and sand. He followed that up by permitting and opening a new asphalt plant.
“Owning a quarry and asphalt plant creates strategic opportunities for our operations,” explains George. “By this point, we now had a completely vertically integrated business. The quarry blasts, crushes and screens the rock and sand. That material is then shipped by our trucks to the asphalt plant. Once the asphalt mix is produced, we load it into our trucks for our crews to place on projects.”
The asphalt facility, called Escondido Asphalt, is about to undergo a significant upgrade with the installation of a new state-of-the-art asphalt plant.
George says, “This new plant will match perfectly with the silos that were installed in 2010 and double our hourly output.”
Management Transition
In mid-2015, George shook up his management team.
He says, “The business had grown about as far as I could take it and was ready for the next level. We have a great team of people that work with us and I always desired to do what’s best in terms of individual and corporate growth.”
So, he brought in an entirely new management team. He, his brother and wife maintain places on the company’s Board of Directors, but the new President, Barry Coley, along with a new controller and general manager, handle day-to-day operations and direct strategic growth for all of the individual Weir companies.
The new management’s influence is easy to see. In 2015, the company had about 75-80 people working across all operational divisions. Now, the company employs 110 people and anticipates significant expansion in 2017.
The Weir companies’ customers range from SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND® California Resort to school districts, airports, cities, major homebuilders and private owners.
All About Community
Beyond his business acumen, George is known for his commitment to community.
George emphasizes, “I was born and raised in Escondido; this is my home. I firmly believe that it is every resident’s responsibility to give back to the community in some way, large or small, and take care of home first. Any little thing contributes to the betterment of all.”
That thinking was the impetus for the Escondido pothole repair program that George began in 2010. He says, “At the time, local communities were really suffering through the economic crisis. Our community had just two pothole repair trucks. Then one truck died and the city didn’t have the money for a new truck or even for a second crew.”
George attended an Escondido city council meeting and proposed a pothole repair program. He recalls, “We offered to dedicate a crew to repair potholes once a week for free. We were already licensed and insured to complete these kinds of jobs, which resolved legal and safety concerns. They loved the idea and, once a week, would send us a list of potholes that needed repair throughout the city.” That program continues today.
George believes it’s every citizen’s responsibility to find some way to support their communities, adding, “I hope that programs like this will spur other organizations and individuals to find ways they can support their community. We simply cannot wait for the government to fix all of our problems—because it’s not going to happen.”
In addition, he supports several faith-based and community charities. For years, his company has donated 100-150 turkeys to the local Salvation Army for its holiday meal. George also provided cranes to install the world-famous Niki de Saint Phalle sculptures for the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. He helped found and build the Escondido Heritage Garden and helped construct the new Palomar Medical Center. Of note, he was honored with the California Small Business of the Year award presented by the state’s 75th Assembly District for his contributions to business and community in 2014.
George hopes he’s instilled the same sense of responsibility for community and business in his three sons. He concludes, “I tell them whatever career you choose, even if it’s not your great passion, do it to the best of your ability and always remember that your word is your bond. And of course, grab that surfboard and surf the waves!”