Sealcoat Specialties is refining its sealcoating and striping techniques while restoring a grocery store parking lot to top condition.
Sealcoat Specialties Enhances Efficiency with Experience and Innovation
Managing sealcoating projects in high-traffic areas comes with a unique set of challenges. For businesses, maintaining customer access is a priority, making it difficult for contractors to complete work without disruptions. Weather, business hours, and crew coordination further complicate the process. This is especially true for grocery stores, where minimizing customer inconvenience is essential.
Sealcoat Specialties Inc. recently took on the task of resealing a busy grocery store parking lot—a job they had tackled before. However, this time, they approached it with a fresh strategy.
A Family Legacy in Pavement Maintenance
Founded in 1979, Sealcoat Specialties has been a trusted name in sealcoating, crack filling, pothole repair, and line striping for over four decades. Cody Helstern, the company’s current president, grew up immersed in the family business, starting work at just 12 years old.
“I still remember my first job like it was yesterday,” Helstern recalled.
After spending 17 years learning the trade under his grandfather’s guidance, Helstern officially took over the company in 2017.
Refining the Approach
When Sealcoat Specialties first worked on Schmitz’s Economart in Spooner, Wisconsin, they faced major challenges. As the largest grocery store serving two counties, the parking lot saw heavy traffic, making it difficult to complete work without disrupting customers. The team resorted to long overnight shifts, aiming to finish sections before morning business hours.
“The first day stretched to 18 hours, followed by a short break. Then we worked another 32 hours straight—it was brutal,” Helstern admitted. After a 14-hour break, they returned for another grueling 23-hour shift.
Adding to the difficulties, new equipment that was supposed to streamline the process ended up causing delays. Rather than improving efficiency, it slowed them down, making an already challenging job even tougher.
Determined to find a better way, Helstern took a specialized class on laser-guided line striping, which helped him fine-tune his approach. However, the biggest shift came from his personal life—he had recently become a father.
A New Perspective
With a newborn at home, Helstern realized that the previous all-night work schedule wasn’t sustainable. He restructured the workflow to allow for better efficiency and crew well-being. Instead of rushing to finish entire sections overnight, the team adopted a phased approach: sealing one section at a time, allowing it to cure properly before reopening it, and then moving to the next.
This method offered several benefits:
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Better curing conditions: Warmer daytime temperatures helped the sealcoat dry evenly, avoiding the issues caused by overnight moisture and cooler air.
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Improved crew well-being: The team worked manageable shifts instead of exhausting overnight marathons.
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Enhanced quality: The new approach ensured a smoother, longer-lasting finish.
“I was able to work, get the job done, and still be home with my little guy in the evening,” Helstern shared. His wife, Alissa, also appreciated the change, noting that having him home before dark was a welcome improvement.
A Smoother Ride for Customers
The revised process proved successful, allowing Sealcoat Specialties to complete the job faster and with fewer disruptions. Customers and store owners alike appreciated the fresh, well-maintained parking lot.
“People kept stopping by to tell us how great it looked,” Helstern said. “It was rewarding to see the positive feedback, not just from the store owner but from the customers as well.”
A well-maintained parking lot enhances both aesthetics and functionality. Customers found it easier to park and maneuver shopping carts, making their experience more enjoyable.
“When a parking lot is in bad shape, it makes simple tasks—like pushing a cart—a hassle,” Alissa Helstern pointed out. “Now, it’s smooth and easy for shoppers.”
A Recognition of Excellence
The improvements in Sealcoat Specialties’ approach didn’t go unnoticed. Their dedication to refining their process and delivering high-quality work earned them the 2025 Seal & Stripe: Small Job Award—a testament to their commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.
By embracing change and prioritizing efficiency, Sealcoat Specialties has set a new standard for sealcoating in high-traffic areas, proving that experience, adaptation, and a willingness to improve can make all the difference.
