Pioneer Asphalt Corporation

COMPANY HISTORY

In 1924, the Pioneer Asphalt Company, located in Lawrenceville, Illinois, was purchased by the Wishnick-Tumpeer Chemical Company.  Up until this point, the Wishnick-Tumpeer Company purchased and re-sold the output of this small asphalt company.   They specialized in the production of asphaltic products for the rubber industry.   In 1944, the Wishnick -Tumpeer Company changed its name to Witco Corporation.  Years later they changed their name again to the Witco Chemical Corporation.

Over time the make up of Witco Chemical changed to produce other types of specialty oils, fatty acids and chemicals.  The Pioneer Division, as the Lawrenceville Plant was known after Witco's name change, became a unique end operation, sometimes thought as out of the general scheme of Witco's operations.   Mr. Wishnick's loyalty to this plant and the people of Lawrenceville prevented him from selling this plant.

In 1985, The Texaco Oil and Refining Company decided to close their Lawrenceville plant.  As a result, Pioneer lost its local and least expensive source of raw asphalt.  This plant closing and the death of Mr. Wishnick two years earlier, prompted Witco to decide to close the Pioneer Division.

The Pioneer plant was sold in July 1985 to a group of investors lead by Mr. Gordon Ziegler, Jr. of Ziegler Chemical and Mineral Corporation.  It was decided that the plant should retain its original name of Pioneer Asphalt Corporation.  Pioneer and Ziegler share accounting and purchasing departments, as well as senior management.  The two companies produce similar lines of specialty asphalt, each having its own unique products, and customers.

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