Cemstone, the upper Midwest’s leader in high performance concrete, has been chosen as a recipient of the 2018 National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s “Producer Excellence in Quality Award. This is the eighth year in a row that Cemstone has received this award. The NRMCA’s Producer Excellence in Quality Award 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.
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s Producer Excellence in Quality Award recognizes the commitment to quality initiatives of ready mixed concrete producer members. This award provides a basis to recognize those that strive for continuous improvement through their quality initiatives. It provides reasonable goals for those concrete producers interested in elevating their own quality management systems. The criteria for this award are based on the guidelines to develop a Quality Plan in Quality Management Systems for Ready Mixed Concrete Companies.
A significant barrier to performance specifications versus prescription specifications for concrete, 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 such as strength and other mechanical properties along with requirements for durability and serviceability. The results are verifiable through measurement or testing to assure 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.
"Cemstone continually strives to refine our quality management practices and procedures. This includes research & development, mix design evolution, raw material selection and operational procedures. It is an honor that our efforts are recognized by our national organization.“ said Lars Anderson, Cemstone’s Engineering Services Manager.
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association was established in 1930 and operates through a partnership agreement with state associations. Its mission is to responsibly represent and serve the entire ready mixed concrete industry through leadership, promotion and education. With a goal of recognizing companies that demonstrate continuous improvement through their quality initiatives, and simultaneously setting attainable goals for concrete producer’s intent on elevating their quality management systems. The NRMCA’s Research Engineering and Standards Committee established competition criteria based on the NRMCA’s guideline for developing a Quality Plan in Quality Management Systems for Ready Mixed Concrete companies. As an award-winning producer, Cemstone’s exceptional quality management practices are acknowledged.
Founded in 1927, Cemstone operates ready-mix concrete plants in Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and northern Iowa. The company operates a fleet of Cemstone ready-mix trucks, offers a complete line of concrete pumping capabilities, aggregates, engineering services, concrete block and masonry products used in the construction of concrete structures.
To learn more about Cemstone products and services, phone 1-800-CEMSTONE or visit www.cemstone.com.
