Essroc starts 150th anniversary celebrations

On 31 March, the official start of Essroc’s 150th anniversary celebration was held at the Nazareth Centre for the Arts. Hosted by the Nazareth/Bath Regional Chamber of Commerce, the event was attended by several national, state and local dignitaries, members of the press, Chamber members and Essroc employees.

President and CEO of Essroc, Alec Car, spoke at the event, and reflected on this momentous anniversary that recognises historical significant to the cement industry in North America, but also to Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. Car spoke of how the Valley tends to focus on the impact of the steel industry, however cement has played as critical a role in the local economic development; stating that “cement remains part of the economy and is supported by five local cement factories, two headquarters offices, and the ability to continue to provide good paying jobs to the local area”.

The location in Nazareth was chosen to signify the point where Essroc and Coplay initiated their expansion efforts that started in the mid-70s with the construction of a new state of the art facility in Nazareth. This began a series of growth and acquisition actions that continued through the 80’s, 90’s, and into the next millennium with the acquisition and expansion of the Martinsburg facility, as well as several ready-mix and aggregate operations, to most recently theacquisition of the Camden slag operation in 2015.

Following Car’s comments, presentations were made to Essroc by several dignitaries, which included presentations of Pennsylvania Senate and Congressional certificates of accommodation, placarded entries into the US Congressional Record, and appreciation expressed by local Council members. The history and impact of Essroc was duly noted and recognised.

The events surrounding the 150th anniversary will continue to be made throughout the year.

Adapted from press release by Rebecca Bowden

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/05042016/essroc-starts-150-anniversary-celebrations-823/