NEWS
RCS SCIENCE CAMP QUARRY FIELD TRIP
On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, a dozen RavenaCoeymans-Selkirk Central School District’s (RCS) students attending the district’s Summer Discovery Camp got a unique, hands-on experience of where cement comes from during a visit to Holcim Ravena’s limestone quarry.
Students had the rare opportunity to ride in large-scale loaders and haulers that are used to extract the resources critical to the cement making process. They also had a safety briefing prior to heading out to the quarry and heard from Quarry Manager Brian Soeffing about the many applications of cement. RCS’s Summer Discovery Camp runs for four weeks and is free to eligible students. Now in its third and final year, the camp provides a fun experience for young people while also preventing summer vacation learning loss. Supported by federal pandemic relief funds, the camp uses Process Based Learning methods to help all students excel and succeed. We were excited to welcome to the Discovery Camp participants to our quarry and look forward to working with the district in the future to providing local students with enriching STEM opportunities.
RAVENA PLANT HOSTS 2ND FIRST RESPONDER TOUR
The Ravena plant recently hosted its second local first responder tour. This event is designed to keep emergency services personnel up to date on our facility’s unique features and footprint should they be called on to assist our on-site response teams.
Sixteen participants representing a range of agencies – including the Selkirk Fire District, Coeymans Fire Company, Town of Coeymans Police Department, and the Albany County Sheriff’s Department – attended the tour on Monday, July 8, 2024.
After light refreshments and welcoming remarks from plant manager Dave MacLauchlin and Assemblymember Christopher Tague, whose district includes the roughly 3,500 acres on which the plant sits, tour participants received an overview of the facility’s safety protocols. Key areas such as the preheat tower, underground quarry tunnel and other sites that could present challenges to first responders were reviewed.
Participants then were given a bus tour of the quarry, wharf, preheat tower, and alternate routes into and out of the plant, to ensure they are familiar with its operations and layout.
The plant is in the final stages of a multimillion-dollar demolition and beautification process that is removing outdated and unutilized buildings and machinery from its property.
Plant leadership recognizes the important services provided by local first responders and is committed to keeping open lines of communication, so all emergency services personnel have the information they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.
CELEBRATING WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
March 3-9, 2024, was the 26th annual Women in Construction Week, celebrating the role of women in the construction industry. Women make up an important – and growing! – segment of our workforce and the majority of the plant’s environmental team members are women.
We were pleased to be able to recognize the following four outstanding women who are Ravena plant employees on our I-90 billboard, and also in a full-page ad in the Ravena News Herald.
Katherine Gallarno
Environmental Engineer
Helps the plant meet sustainability goals and maintain compliance.
Kayla Weidner
Production Analyst
Responsible for maintaining production data and raw materials inventories.
Leah Cross
Health and Safety Coordinator
Responsible for conducting audits and inspections at the facility and supporting her colleagues in implementing new safety policies and programs.
Darci Prebble
Maintenance Planner, II
Responsible for the daily planning of maintenance for the mechanical department.
HOLCIM, SENIOR PROJECTS OF RAVENA THANK MEALS ON WHEELS DONORS, UNVEIL NEW VAN LOGO
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Local businesses, program participants raised $44,000 for two new SUVs
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Meals on Wheels vehicle delivers 80 meals to homebound seniors
RAVENA-COEYMANS, N.Y. – November 9, 2023 – In advance of the Thanksgiving holiday, members of the Holcim Ravena cement plant leadership team joined the Senior Projects of Ravena, local business owners, and area residents to thank donors who made possible the purchase of two new SUVs for the nonprofit’s delivery of meals to homebound seniors in Southern Albany County.
At the event, Senior Projects of Ravena unveiled donor logos for the new SUVs that deliver hot, nutritious meals to some 80 individuals. This supplements the 200 meals Senior Projects of Ravena serves on-site every week and ensures those who are unable to travel are nourished and sustained.
“This donation is so important because it stays in the community where we operate and work and directly impacts people in need,” said Dave MacLauchlin, plant manager at Holcim Ravena. “This is what it means to truly give back. I am incredibly grateful that we had the opportunity to do it. “
The purchase of the SUVs was funded by a $20,000 contribution from Holcim, which was matched by $24,000 from individual and business donors. These vehicles enable Senior Projects of Ravena to provide a variety of services, including transportation to medical appointments, assistance with shopping and small chores, and in-person wellness checks.
Lakken Kovacik, Senior Projects of Ravena assistant director, said she was initially “a little hestitant” when approached by Holcim’s consultant for special projects, Greg McDade, about the matching program.
“Could we raise that much money? How long would that take?” Kovacik recalled. “Well, I can tell you exactly how long it took: Around two weeks. To say I was shocked would be an understatement…It truly does ‘take a village,’ and we couldn’t continue to do without our community and your support.”
Kovacik said Holcim has become “one of our biggest supporters and cheerleaders and we couldn’t be more excited, “noting that the plant earlier this year donated 60 cases of bottled water to her organization.
Several local businesses who contributed to match Holcim’s donation were also present on Thursday, including Carver Companies, Gross Electric, and The McHugh Group, along with the RCS Soccer Club, which dipped into its reserves to assist a fellow nonprofit in need.
“They help so many people in our community and it felt important to keep them running,” said RCS Soccer Club President Candace McHugh, who also represented her husband’s company, The McHugh Group. “The club is all volunteer. It was nice to have a little extra to help another organziation.”
”It’s always a blessing when you’re able to give back to the community that you’re serving daily and get to know folks on a more personal basis,” said Morgan Huffman, of Gross Electric, who also made a personal contribution to the vehicle fund drive. “They do such a good job here; their work is amazing, and it was a pleasure for us to be able to get involved.”
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About Holcim US
Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. Driven by its purpose to build progress for people and the planet, its 60,000 employees are on a mission to decarbonize building, while improving living standards for all. The company empowers its customers across all regions to build better with less, with its broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact to ECOPlanet. With its innovative systems, from Elevate’s roofing to PRB’s insulation, Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green retrofitting. With sustainability at the core of its strategy, Holcim is becoming a net-zero company with 1.5°C targets validated by SBTi.
In the United States, Holcim US includes nearly 350 sites in 43 states and employs 7,000 people. Our customers rely on us to help them design and build better communities with innovative solutions that deliver structural integrity and eco-efficiency.
Ravena Cement Plant Contact
Liz Benjamin
Liz@MarathonStrategies.com, 518-424-0356
HOLCIM RAVENA HOSTS U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WORKSHOP AS PART OF ITS BETTER CLIMATE CHALLENGE
November 6, 2023 – The Holcim Ravena plant was honored to host a three-day workshop on fan system energy efficiency improvement in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of its Better Climate Challenge, which aims to drive real-world action that reduces carbon emissions.
The workshop was held Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 2023 and was attended by 16 members of Holcim's process, reliability and environmental teams from New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, who were provided with a wide range of practical fan-related information – from baseline creations to methods of maximizing efficiency – by Ron Wroblewski, a DOE fan specialist.
Mr. Wroblewski, president of Productive Energy Solutions, LLC, in Madison, Wisconsin, helps industrial plants and commercial facilities make more effective use of their fan and blower systems. His focus for this workshop was on optimized reliability, capacity, and efficiency.
Workshop participants received a mix of classroom and in-the-field hands-on instruction, with opportunities to apply the skills they learned in real-time by taking measurements at the Ravena plant and then analyzing them as a group using DOE’s MEASUR tool.
This past April, Holcim was the first cement producer in the U.S. to commit to the Better Climate Challenge, which unites organizations across the economy in a pledge to set and achieve notable greenhouse gas reductions across a 10-year period.
For the challenge, Holcim committed to power its U.S. operations at 13 plants across the nation with 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 and to reduce net CO2 emissions in the US by at least 25 percent by 2033.
RAVENA CEMENT PLANT REBRANDS TO JOIN HOLCIM US FAMILY
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Company extends Holcim US identity to New York
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New milestone in Holcim’s transformation to be the US leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions
RAVENA, N.Y. – July 10, 2023 – State and local elected officials, members of the Southern Albany County business community, and area residents today joined the Ravena cement plant’s leaders and workers to celebrate the official transition of the facility’s identity from Lafarge to Holcim US, the world’s number one building solutions provider and a global leader in the construction materials industry.
“We are pleased to announce, starting today, the Ravena cement plant will be known as Holcim Ravena,” said Plant Manager Dave MacLauchlin. “While the rebrand changes our name, it in no way changes our commitment to being a good neighbor and serving our customers, while being strongly focused on sustainability. We are the last plant manufacturing cement in New York. The state needs this product to construct whatever the future may hold for us, and at Holcim, we are committed to playing a key role in that journey.”
Representatives from the state Senate and Assembly were on hand to honor the plant, noting its significant role as the largest employer and largest property taxpayer in Southern Albany County and its completion in 2017 of a multimillion-dollar modernization project that made it a state-of-the-art facility.
“We’ve recognized the key component that this plant has been to Albany County and the Capital Region as a whole,” said Michael Perrin, a special assistant to state Senator Neil Breslin, D-Delmar. "We’re really pleased to see the renovations at this plant, which tell me that you’re going to be here a long, long time, you’re going to enjoy a great deal of success and now under the Holcim branding, we’re going to continue to work with you, the Holcim employees and the company that are involved with this great bedrock of the Albany County economy.”
“I’m no stranger to this plant or to the industry; this is where I came from,” said state Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-Schoharie. “I used to be the general manager at Cobleskill Stone Products. I’m no stranger to what you do. I know how hard you work. I know the commitment that you make to this company and the community. This company has been a great partner for the people of Ravena and this community and the people of Albany County. It is a great honor to stand here today and offer this citation to the Ravena cement plant.”
“None of this happens without the workers,” said Ravena Mayor Bill Misuraca. “I’m very pleased that you are here and part of our community. A lot of my family’s worked here, a lot of my friends. Congratulations and I hope you have another 60!"
The Ravena plant has supported projects both locally and across the Northeast since 1962. It has contributed to such iconic landmarks such as One World Trade Center Memorial, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, and the Giants Stadium.
Holcim US prioritizes innovation and is committed to making the world it builds greener, healthier, and more sustainable for all. In support of that vision, the Ravena plant’s modernization project reduced major regulated emissions and enabled it to meet the most stringent environmental limits in the construction materials industry.
The Ravena plant employs 170 individuals, about 110 of whom are members of the United Steelworkers, District 4. It has the capacity to produce up to 2 million tons of cement annually and sits on roughly 3,500 acres in Southern Albany County.
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About Holcim
Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. Driven by its purpose to build progress for people and the planet, its 60,000 employees are on a mission to decarbonize building, while improving living standards for all. The company empowers its customers across all regions to build better with less, with its broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact to ECOPlanet. With its innovative systems, from Elevate’s roofing to PRB’s insulation, Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green retrofitting. With sustainability at the core of its strategy, Holcim is becoming a net-zero company with 1.5°C targets validated by SBTi.
In the United States, Holcim US, includes close to 350 sites in 43 states and employs 7,000 people. Our customers rely on us to help them design and build better communities with innovative solutions that deliver structural integrity and eco-efficiency. To learn more, visit holcim.us
RAVENA CEMENT PLANT EXPANDS ENVIRONMENTAL, PUBLIC AFFAIRS TEAM
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New hires underscore plant’s commitment to strengthening local ties, investing in a diverse workforce and striving to meet long-term sustainability goals
RAVENA, NY — February 1, 2023 — The Ravena cement plant, part of the Holcim family of companies in the U.S., today announced two strategic hires that will help further its mission of sustainability and environmental compliance, while also facilitating its ability to have a greater and more far-reaching impact on the local community.
Alicia Prioleau will serve as the plant’s new Area Environmental and Public Affairs Manager, and Katherine Gallarno will fill the position of Environmental Engineer.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Alicia and Katherine to our team as we continue to focus on improving our operations and minimizing our impact on both the environment and our neighbors,” said Dave MacLauchlin, plant manager at Ravena. “I am confident their experience and talents will help us achieve both our short and long-term goals as we strive to not only meet but exceed environmental standards, and also continue to diversify our workforce.”
“It’s a testament to the strength of our overall vision and commitment to sustainability that we have been able to attract top talent like Alicia and Katherine to Ravena,” said Robert McGehee, director of Environment and Land, Holcim. “I look forward to working with them to advance environmental excellence and sustainability at the plant to the future benefit of the local community and all New Yorkers.”
Prior to joining the Ravena team, Ms. Gallarno worked at the cement plant in Alpena, Michigan, where she trained a team of technicians on conducting proper environmental inspections and compliance. She graduated from Michigan Technological University with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering.
Ms. Prioleau comes to the Ravena plant from the Arkansas Health Department, where she worked in the Engineering Section, Water Operator Licensing Department, and was responsible for training prospective and existing employees on EPA compliance. She is a NREP Registered Environmental Manager and has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, having held positions in the food and beverage, medical, and manufacturing industries. Ms. Prioleau holds a bachelor’s in Biology from Grambling State University, and a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Webster University.
Since joining the community in 1962, the Ravena cement plant has played a vital role in developing the foundation of our everyday lives. As the largest property taxpayer and employer in Southern Albany County, the plant proudly employs more than 150 full-time employees and recognizes the importance of creating a safe environment for both our workforce and the local community. The plant is committed to supporting a wide range of local organizations, institutions, and programs that help Southern Albany County thrive.
Contact: Liz Benjamin, Liz@MarathonStrategies.com, 518-424-0356
Alicia Prioleau
Area Environmental and Public Relations
Katherine Gallarno
Environmental Engineer