A new identity for LafargeHolcim in the United States, Holcim US, unites legacy brands and strengthening the cement, aggregate and concrete producer’s purpose “to build progress for people and the planet.” Between cement, aggregates, concrete businesses under namesake, Lafarge, Aggregate Industries, Lattimore Materials and other brands, Holcim US operates in 43 states. As the country’s leading building materials provider, it partners with engineers, architects and customers to develop durable, low-carbon approaches to construction projects.
“The Holcim US identity is inspired by our talented people, rich culture and commitment to building a sustainable future,” says Holcim US Aggregates & Construction Materials CEO Jay Moreau. “We’re coming together as one team to accomplish ambitious goals in sustainability and innovation, and to deliver on the value proposition for us and our stakeholders.”
“We now share a common purpose and vision that draws on the Group’s rich 200-year heritage of building progress,” adds Holcim North America Region Head Toufic Tabbara. “As the company transforms to become the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, our US organization becomes even more closely linked to the leadership position that Holcim Group has been building globally.”
In July 2021, the Swiss parent moved on from the LafargeHolcim banner, established upon the 2015 Lafarge Group and Holcim Ltd. merger, noting how Holcim Group stands for making cities greener; empowering society with smarter infrastructure; improving living standards for all; and, building more with less.
Lafarge Canada Inc. has entered into a Purchase Power Agreement with Calgary-based utility TransAlta Corp. to supply 100 GWh/year of wind turbine-derived electricity for the Exshaw cement plant. “The PPA will cover 25 percent of Exshaw’s energy demands, depending on actual production volumes in 2022 and 2023,” says Lafarge Canada Head of Sustainability and Environment Cailee Ellis. “This agreement, first of its kind for us in Alberta, is an important step to utilizing higher amounts of renewable electricity at our facilities.”
“Cement manufacturing is an energy-intensive process, and we are considering all levers available to supply our operations with power from renewable sources of energy,” adds Lafarge Western Canada CEO Brad Kohl.
Along with the wind energy contract, the producer is in the final planning stages of a low carbon fuel project that will foster a lower specific net carbon dioxide emissions factor per ton of cement finished at Exshaw. “We can support renewable electricity development and low carbon fuel projects with innovative cement mixes to maximize our emissions reductions,” Kohl affirms. “It’s essential for us to meet the needs of our communities while building sustainably for future generations.”
Lehigh Hanson Inc. has acquired the assets of Meriwether Ready Mix, a Griffin, Ga. operator serving residential and commercial building customers from four plants south of Atlanta. The transaction is a bolt-on to Lehigh Hanson’s Fairburn Ready Mix business, whose seven plants are located mostly along the Interstate 85 corridor from Fairburn, Ga., near Atlanta, to Auburn, Ala.
“After the acquisition of Corliss Resources in the U.S. Pacific Northwest at the beginning of the year, we are now strengthening our position in the U.S. Southeast,” says Dr. Dominik von Achten, chairman of Lehigh Hanson parent HeidelbergCement AG. “The Meriwether Ready Mix assets will enhance our integrated footprint in the rapidly growing Metro Atlanta area. These operations better position us to capture growth potential and serve a broader customer base with a wide range of sustainable, low carbon concrete products, and digital solutions.”
Minnesota-based Wells, one of the largest building solutions providers in the United States, has promoted Scott Monzelowsky to director of Project Management for the Midwest division, leading a team of project managers while ensuring efficiency and consistency through the entire contract life cycle. Roles across two decades at Wells—including drafting, estimating, project management, sales, and business development—afford him broad perspective on the many advantages of the producer’s precast, prestressed concrete solutions, and how to complete projects effectively.
Monzelowsky will continue to partner with internal teams to assess project viability, proper estimates and contract accuracies. As director of Project Management, he will also effectively serve as the “Voice of the Partner” as it relates to product requirements, planning and scheduling.
Oldcastle Infrastructure, a CRH company, has acquired Rinker Pipe reinforced concrete drainage structure plants in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio from Quikrete Cos. An agreement behind the transaction was announced earlier this year as Quikrete moved to consummate its takeover of Forterra Inc., Texas concrete pipe and box culvert market leader. The deal continues Oldcastle Infrastructure’s recent expansion of drainage structure capacity, underscored by the early-2021 acquisition of six-plant Minnesota operator Hancock Concrete Products.
“Oldcastle Infrastructure has operated in Texas since 1996, primarily serving the energy and communications markets,” says President Jason Jackson. “The addition of reinforced concrete pipe and box culvert capabilities complements our existing offering, allowing us to fill key product gaps to better serve customers with end-to-end solutions within the water market. Oldcastle’s fully integrated model will allow customers in Texas easy access to a full product portfolio and quality they have always relied on.”