Cemstone, the upper Midwest’s leader in high performance concrete, has been chosen as a recipient of the 2024 National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s (NRMCA) “Producer Excellence in Quality Award”. This is the fourteenth year in a row that Cemstone has received this award! The NRMCA’s Producer Excellence in Quality Award recognizes the commitment to quality initiatives of ready mixed concrete producer members. This award is intended to provide a basis to recognize those that strive for continuous improvement through their quality initiatives. It sets measurable goals for those concrete producers interested in elevating their own quality management systems.
The Producer Excellence in Quality Award criteria is based on the following categories: Management Commitment and Decision Process, Customer Focus, Human Resources, Production Facility and Equipment, Material Management and Testing, Specification and Mixture Review, and Measurement Analysis and Improvement. By meeting and exceeding this criteria, the concrete industry is able to set qualification levels of ready mixed concrete producers to break down a significant industry barrier of changing specifications from prescription-based to performance-based specifications has been the qualification level of a concrete producer.
A shift to performance-based specifications is the next logical step in the evolution of the ready mixed concrete industry. Performance-based specifications provide details of required results, including strength and other mechanical properties along with requirements for durability and serviceability. The results are verifiable through standardized measurement or testing to ensure the product meets the desired requirements. Finally, performance-based specifications are free of process limitations such as mixture proportions and construction methods. Performance-based specifications encourage innovative products and construction methods along with rigorous quality management systems that lead to superior products and satisfied customers.
“We are very honored to be nationally recognized by the NRMCA for our commitment to quality for 14 years in row. Cemstone is committed to continual improvement of our quality management practices and standard operating procedures. This includes our raw material evaluation and selection process, mix design research & development, and use of new or innovative products.” said Lars Anderson, Cemstone’s Engineering Services Manager.
Established in 1930, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association is the leading industry advocate. The mission is to provide exceptional value to its members by responsibly representing and serving the entire ready mixed concrete industry through leadership, promotion, education and partnering to ensure ready mixed concrete is the building material of choice.
About Cemstone
For five generations, the Cemstone Companies have been an American, locally owned and operated business by the Becken Family. Since 1927, the company’s mission has been to be a trusted partner with passionate people creating building materials for a better tomorrow. The company is Nationally recognized for innovation, excellence in quality, safety and environmental stewardship. Cemstone, best known for its blue ready-mixed concrete trucks, operates ready-mixed concrete plants and aggregate mining operations located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Complimenting the concrete and aggregates divisions, the company offers concrete pumping services and a complete line of construction materials including concrete related products, concrete masonry units and hardscape products. Cemstone is known for its dedication and long practiced commitment to its core values: demand safety, expect integrity, drive excellence, empower innovation and embrace collaboration.
