Colorado Lyons Cement Plant

First things first:

1. Founded: 1906 with one cement plant owned by the Zambrano family.
2. Cemex grew to become the biggest cement company in Mexico and during the late ’90s and early 2000’s, Cemex went out into the world with the goal of growth and grew substantially.  Cemex is now one of the largest cement producers in the world.
3. Cemex manufactures and distributes cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates in more than 50 countries.
4. The Zambrano family is still heavily involved to this day!

We spoke with Dave Rumsey, Cement Senior Sales Manager at Cemex, to learn a bit more about our member.

Dave, you’ve been with Cemex for 16 years. How did you find yourself here?

I joined a training program right out of college and learned that I enjoyed the material supply side of the industry.  I started working with Rinker Materials in West Palm Beach Florida when it was acquired by Cemex in 2007. 

This opportunity opened in 2018 and I was traveling back and forth between Colorado and Florida to be with my family until we completely relocated to Colorado in June of 2019.

How would you define the values of CEMEX?

Cemex is a global building materials company committed to providing innovative and sustainable solutions for the construction industry. We deliver high-quality products and services that exceed our customers’ expectations through our vertically integrated approach to production and distribution—combined with our expertise in cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanization solutions. 

Our shared purpose is to build a better future for all our stakeholders; our employees, customers, shareholders, investors, suppliers, and the communities in which we live and work to make a difference in every region we are present.

What do you see as being the current challenges in the industry?

The fact that society doesn’t understand what we do. They only hear that concrete and cement are responsible for 8% of CO2 emissions.
They see the cost and not the benefits. In fact, we are stewards of the environment and do the best we can.  We have improved so much in the last 30 years and will continue to do so.

What is CEMEX excited about in the future? 

Solving the challenge of how we are perceived with innovations, making business more sustainable with green construction and being part of the circular economy, using waste streams in good and positive ways.

I am excited about green construction movements and getting to Net 0 by 2050.

Is there something that Cemex is proud of?

Just as a whole, we are proud of being the first in converting our production to Portland lime cement, creating greener cement ad products, and reducing CO2. It has been our goal for quite some time.

Does Cemex have any community involvements or passion projects?

We are very active in Lyons and Boulder County with partnering and supporting local foodbanks and several other communities, like Boulder parks and open spaces, tree planting. 

Cemex is very involved in several associations.  What do you find valuable in being a member of an association? 

The biggest thing is supporting our customers and working with them to grow the whole industry, network and strengthen relationships.

What can ACPA do for YOU?  How can we help support you?

While we need more concrete paving jobs, everyone does a great job, and we get the support when we need it.

 

 

Have you checked out the Summer 2023 Edition of the Colorado Public Works Journal?  

If so, you may have seen Angela Folkestad’s article about about  Urban Heat Islands.

Learn more about them, HERE, and also make sure to take a look around to keep current on what’s happening in our state!

I-80 Westbound Granger Junction, WY

We spoke with Brian Martinez, Area Manager, to learn a bit more about our member.

Brian grew up in Leadville and always wanted to be an engineer. He attended UC Boulder where he earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering. He visited his parents in Nevada where he lived and breathed asphalt, dirt and portable plants.  He also worked on

concrete in Reno. When deciding to move back to Colorado, a friend of his had great things to say about IHC which piqued his interest.

Now, his primary market is DIA and other airports and runways.  While it’s a complicated job, he takes pride in giving it his all every day and feels it’s rewarding work. “If it were easy, there’d be more competition.”

First things first about IHC Scott:

1. Established: 1947 as Interstate Highway Construction during post-war era in Michigan.
2. Moved regional offices to Colorado and Texas in 1983.
3. Ralph Wilson, former owner of Buffalo Bills, owned IHC from 1983-2020. His father, Ralph Wilson Sr. was one of IHC’s original investors over 60 years ago!
4. IHC was acquired by Clyde Companies in 2020. It was then that IHC and Scott Contracting, a highly regarded Denver-based contractor, were merged to create IHC Scott.

How would you define the values of IHC Scott?

Building better communities, it’s why we exist. We are built on a foundation of quality work, professionalism, and execution. We have a reputation for excellence and our goal is to maintain high quality products and services across the construction industry. Clyde Companies has been around since 1926. Our new company-wide vision statement is to be, ‘The most respected partner of our industry for another 100 years.’ Clyde Companies is known to be on the forefront of innovation, and we aim to continuously improve.

Our value: Our word is our bond. We aim to always give a full measure, and that means, we commit to answering a question, give our all, and be detail oriented.  We build values that prove that we are committed to each other and our clients.  We value people; ours and the people in our communities that we serve.

What do you see as being the current challenges in the industry?

Perspective.  This industry is not as attractive as it used to be. It is harder to build work compared to the past.  There are more options in this world to make money and perhaps, make money easier. How to attract people? What are we doing to overcome challenge of finding people? We can’t build without people. So, it has to begin with relationships.  Mentoring and exposure. We need more tradesman and the older people in the industry need not take the time as mentors to pass the knowledge on. 

The industry is also constantly changing. There’s so much cool technology happening so we need to show those people who enjoy tech that there’s a place for them in these industries. IHC Scott has a full-blown training department headed by Stephen VanOster, Director of Training. The Director of Quality Control, Martin Holt, has been with IHC Scott for nearly 40 years.

Does IHC have any other involvements, in the community, for example?

IHC Scott Employees Participate in Big Dig Northern Colorado

IHC Scott has a huge list of involvements.  From partnering with the Ronald McDonald house to the Habitat for Humanity, they also participate in and organize diaper drives for families in need and supply drives for the homeless. IHC Scott is open to suggestions from its employees on new ways to help and give.  “[Our employees] have the ability to engage, core level, skilled people to help families or interests.  Anyone can suggest an involvement.”

Giving back is a huge thing with Clyde.  From IHC’s website, you can find involvements with CCA, ACPA, ARTBA and The Associated General Contractors of America.  They value educational partners such as Colorado State University, the Colorado School of Mines Foundation, and the University of Colorado Foundation.

What do you find valuable in being a member of an association? 

WE love winning awards! Associations provide an invaluable and avenue for us contractors to come together and celebrate out industry. While we are competitors, in the end we are in this together.  We learn and share with each other, and you never know when you are going to need help.  The ACPA is a good way to getting together. I love the events.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Take pride in your industry – if you truly enjoy it, you can make a mark.

Thank you, Brian and IHC Scott, for your time in sharing a bit about what makes you great!