Mutual Materials Co. in Bellevue, Wash., was set to close by this month on Kanta Products Inc., a Three Forks, Mont.-based concrete masonry, paving stone and Keystone Retaining Wall producer serving its home state plus Idaho and North Dakota. “The purchase allows us to continue growing a great concrete products manufacturer within our Pacific Northwest footprint,” says Mutual Materials President Kendall Anderegg, who underscores Kanta Products’ history of high quality output and customer service, and confirms that the business will continue under the legacy brand.
Family-owned Kanta Products is marking 70 years in operation this summer. President Tom Kanta notes that the Mutual Materials transaction allows some key shareholders to transition from the business, and other shareholders to remain with the company post acquisition. In a nod to Mutual Materials Chairman Joe Bowen, an established acquaintance, Kanta adds, “When we decided to transition the business, our first choice was to try to do something with Mutual Materials as we share so many long-standing family values.”
To meet rapidly increasing demand, Boral USA is doubling TruExterior Siding & Trim capacity at its Salisbury, N.C., plant. The expansion follows the site’s recent addition of a 120,000-sq.-ft. finishing facility; along with TruExterior output, it will support continued product line development with Boral’s Innovation Factory in Texas, including the 8-in. and 10-in. Bevel Siding profiles due this fall.
“Unprecedented market interest and adoption of Boral TruExterior is driving a rapid expansion in our dealer and distributor base,” says Salisbury Plant Manager Ken Bruns. “By adding equipment and [20-plus] employees, we’re ensuring a steady supply of siding and trim across all profiles to meet the needs of existing and new end users.”
TruExterior’s polymer and fly ash formulation addresses both the moisture- and movement-related issues common in other exterior materials with real workability that exceeds that of wood—creating what product developers call a balance of performance and aesthetics that cannot be found with other manmade alternatives. Multiple siding, trim and beadboard profiles ship primed and ready to paint.
The Environmental League of Massachusetts honored Aggregate Industries US’ Northeast Region with the Green Star Award during the organization’s annual Earth Night, recognizing the ready mixed and aggregate producer’s dedication and commitment to creating a healthy environment and a future of clean energy.
“Aggregate Industries joined environmental leaders in meeting with Massachusetts state legislators to urge greater support for solar energy,” said ELM President George Bachrach. “[The company] is working with municipalities such as the City of Haverhill to turn a capped landfill into a new solar field. Aggregate Industries’ corporate leadership is important to the Commonwealth.”
“At Aggregate Industries, we see the environment as our responsibility to protect and act as a steward to the sustainability of our planet,” says Northeast Region Head Brad Kohl. “We’re proud to be a corporate leader embracing renewable energy policies and resources [and] dedicated to preserving our resources and sustainable development. As a company, we harmonize the need for quality construction materials and protecting the environment we get those resources from.”
Privately-held packaged materials specialist Laticrete has commenced a 70,000-sq.-ft. expansion of its Grand Prairie, Texas, manufacturing and distribution center, projecting a spring 2017 completion. At 100,000 square feet, the existing operation is the company’s largest site outside of the Bethany, Conn., headquarters. The Dallas-Ft. Worth area facility processes a wide array of construction products, employs a staff of 30-plus, and recently added a third shift to meet steadily increasing demand.
“Grand Prairie[’s] strategic location is perfect for distribution of our products,” says Laticrete North American Division President Ed Metcalf. “The region’s pro-business environment is both conducive to our needs and evidenced by the new construction throughout this industrial park. The area abounds with a skilled, available and eager workforce.” The plant expansion coincides with a period of unprecedented growth for the family-owned business, he adds, citing three acquisitions over the past three years and a Pottstown, Pa., facility expansion.