Founded in 1927, Cemstone Products Co. now comprises more than 50 ready mixed concrete plants in Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and northern Iowa. Highly
Tom Kuennen
Founded in 1927, Cemstone Products Co. now comprises more than 50 ready mixed concrete plants in Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and northern Iowa. Highly visible on account of its fleet of sky-blue mixer trucks, the company offers complete concrete placing and engineering services, in addition to concrete block and masonry products. Moreover, Cemstone is the nation’s largest distributor of Reward Insulating Concrete Forms.
We’re a fourth-generation company, 83 years old this year, notes Cemstone Senior Vice President of Operations Tim Becken, who recently was installed as 2010 NRMCA chairman. Our group of companies offers ready mixed concrete, aggregates, block, pumping services, and packaged materials.
Becken began his career at Cemstone in 1991. He has been an active NRMCA member and industry advocate for more than 20 years. During that time, he has served on numerous NRMCA committees, including Educational Activities; Government Affairs; Strategic Planning; and Operations, Environment and Safety. Becken clearly continues a family tradition, as his brother, Cemstone President Thor Becken, and their father, Tom Becken, both have a long period of service on the NRMCA executive committee. Additionally, Tim Becken completed two terms as president of the Aggregates & Ready Mix Association of Minnesota.
Cemstone has been involved in both state and national associations for years, Becken tells Concrete Products. We are passionate about our business. And, when you have that attitude, you want to see the business improve. Some improvements you can make on your own, while others need statewide or nationwide organizations to achieve results.
Retail sales also are part of Cemstone’s business model. Its Contractor Supply Stores in Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and northern Iowa offer professional-grade concrete and masonry items direct to professional contractors and homeowners.
Notably, Cemstone supplied 60,000 yds. of high performance concrete to the Flatiron Manson Figg design/build team for Minnesota DOT’s Interstate 35W bridge replacement. The high-profile, award-winning, fast-track project included four primary high-performance concrete mixes for superior strength and multiple levels of redundancy. By reducing the amount of virgin material Û particularly portland cement (and its attendant carbon dioxide emissions) Û required for the structure, the high-performance mixes also enhanced the project’s environmental sustainability.
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