ASL Group, led by Bob Adams, started as a one-man lawn care business and has since grown into a successful paving and hardscape company in NJ. Adams emphasizes quality, owning equipment, and reputation. The company now includes a recycling division, using a Komplet crusher to save money and produce materials in-house.
When Bob Adams looks at The ASL Group today, it’s a far cry from where he started. What began as one man mowing lawns and cutting grass in high school has grown into a full-service operation in New Jersey, split into two active divisions: paving and landscape/hardscape.
Adams, who founded the company in 2015, said the growth comes from hard work, reputation and a focus on owning the equipment and expertise to control quality.
Adams’ path into construction wasn’t straightforward. He once envisioned a career in the film industry and even spent time working in New York City before returning to his roots in the trades. After graduating from Hofstra University where he earned a degree in business and communications, he partnered with a friend to run a small landscaping venture before striking out on his own.
“I gave myself a year,” he said. “My dad said, ‘If you fail, you fail. But at least you tried.’ I wasn’t married, didn’t have a house, so I took the risk.”
The risk paid off. In 2015, Adams launched his own business, laying the foundation for what is now The ASL Group.
Today, the company is split into two strong arms. The paving division handles both residential and commercial projects, ranging from private driveways to community roadways and small-scale municipal work. Adams’ crews operate with a mix of full-time and seasoned part-time workers who, he said, “can jump in and run a project start to finish.”
The hardscape and landscape division focuses on patios, pool surrounds, walkways, drainage systems and other enhancements that have grown more popular as homeowners seek long-term outdoor improvements. Adams has found opportunity in drainage work especially, as development patterns and changing weather create demand for proper water management.
Equipment is a backbone of both divisions. Adams insists on owning rather than renting.
“The business comes first,” he said. “It’s about saving time. I didn’t go out and spend $200,000 on a paver — I bought a $30,000 machine that fit what we needed. We always make a minimal investment up front when creating a new division and then later, we make a more significant investment in equipment once we learn exactly what we’ll need to be successful. We did that when we eventually purchased a LeeBoy 8510D paver. Matching the right equipment for the right job is essential for proper time management, which gives me the time to have a proper work/home balance with my wife, Kelly, and our 15-month-old, Madison.”
The company’s lineup includes compactors from Wacker Neuson and excavators and skid steers from Kubota, such as SVL75 models, a new fleet of trucks and dedicated paving equipment, including a LeeBoy 8510D paver.
Standing Apart in Competitive Markets
Adams acknowledged that paving is often price-driven, with low-bid competitors cutting corners. But The ASL Group leans on reputation and presentation. Trucks are kept clean, uniformly painted white, and simply lettered “ASL,” giving the company a recognizable brand on the road. “People see the trucks, they know the work is detailed,” he said.
That attention to detail has built a base of repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals. Adams calls it his secret to success: focusing on quality, reliability and a professional image that sets the company apart from “fly-by-night guys” who fade as quickly as they appear.
Seeing Opportunity in Recycling
A few years into running The ASL Group, Adams saw a new opportunity. With paving as a core service, the company generated plenty of reclaimed asphalt that was costly to haul away.
“We were paying thousands to dispose of material,” he said. “At the same time, we were buying base stone to use under patios and driveways.”
The solution was clear: recycle his own material. An old friend, Cody Price, suggested he look into Komplet crushers. Adams trusted the recommendation — not only because of the relationship, but because the machines fit the scale of his operation.
Adams ultimately purchased the Komplet K-JC 503 jaw crusher. The unit, the smallest in Komplet’s lineup, is designed for contractors who want portability and efficiency. Weighing 7,496 lbs., it runs on a 25-hp Tier IV Final diesel engine and is tracked for mobility.
The crusher’s 19-in. by 12-in. jaw opening allows it to handle a steady stream of material, producing aggregates from ¾-in. to 3¼-in. With a potential production rate of 34 tons per hour, Adams found it more than capable for his needs. Features such as hydraulic jaw adjustment, chamber level sensors and wireless remote control add to its ease of use.
“I can run it from inside the loader cab while I’m feeding it,” Adams said, noting that his setup funnels material through bins for efficient stockpiling.
Dollars, Sense
The economics, Adams emphasized, make the crusher pay for itself.
“Five tandems of material would cost us around $2,000 to dump,” he said. “Buying that same amount of stone costs another $2,000. By recycling, I’m saving both ways — no disposal fees, and I’m producing what I need for my jobs.”
Adams estimated processing 100 yards of reclaimed asphalt yields significant savings, even using conservative numbers. The machine’s compact size also means it’s easy to transport and doesn’t overwhelm the yard where he does most of his processing.
Just as important as performance has been the support behind the purchase. Adams credited Cody and the Komplet team with making the buying process easy and standing by the machine afterward.
“If you have a problem, they’re right there,” he said. “It’s been excellent service, and that gives you confidence.”
With its 12-month, 1,000-hour warranty and reliable build, the Komplet 503 has proven itself in Adams’s yard. He described it as simple to maintain and rugged enough to handle concrete and asphalt without issue.
For Adams, the crusher is another step in making The ASL Group more efficient and self-sufficient.
“Asphalt is always going to need to be replaced, and hardscape is always in demand,” he said. “Now we’re recycling, saving money and producing the materials we need.” CEG
October 30, 2025 – Northeast Edition #23
