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October 16, 2014 – Meeting Roundup – ESSROC

At some point in your life you may have asked that burning question, “Is it cement or is it concrete?” The answer to that is that concrete is a composite material composed mainly of water, aggregate, and cement. Cement is a part of making concrete. Essroc in Martinsburg makes cement.

Portland cement is the most common type of cement in general use around the world, used as a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar, stucco, and most non-specialty grout. It developed from other types of hydraulic lime in England in the mid 19th century and usually originates from limestone. It is a fine powder produced by heating materials in a kiln to form what is called clinker, grinding the clinker, and adding small amounts of other materials. Several types of Portland cement are available with the most common being called ordinary Portland cement (OPC) which is grey in color, but a white Portland cement is also available.

Portland cement was developed from natural cements made in Britain beginning in the middle of the eighteenth century, and its name is derived from its similarity to Portland stone, a type of building stone that was quarried on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England.

The development of modern Portland cement (sometimes called ordinary or normal Portland cement) began in 1756 when John Smeaton experimented with combinations of different limestones and additives including trass and pozzolanas relating to the planned construction of a lighthouse now known as Smeaton’s Tower. In the late 18th century Roman cement was developed and patented in 1796 by James Parker; Roman cement quickly became popular but was largely replaced by Portland cement in the 1850s.

ESSROC is a leading North American cement producer with over 6.5 million metric tons of annual capacity. With headquarters in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, ESSROC operates production facilities strategically located throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. They are linked through an integrated supply network connecting all ESSROC plants, terminals and markets.

They are a member of the Italcementi Group of companies. Italcementi Group is a world leader in cement production with annual sales topping 4.7 billion euros and operations located on 4 continents.

Additionally, ESSROC is a key supplier of ready-mixed concrete and aggregates. With concrete plant locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ontario and Quebec, ESSROC provides an unprecedented level of technical service to the construction market.

This week, in keeping with our Vocational Month programs, Munzer Grosh, Director of the Martinsburg Cement Plant,  Italcementi Group, will tell us more about ESSROC and cement.

Capon Springs

A large number of us knew about the resort at Capon Springs, but I was not one of them. It began with the “curative” powers of its water and has evolved into a resort that can house 250 guests. They offer home-cooked meals in a large dining room, golf, tennis swimming and a world-class shuffleboard area where tournaments are periodically held. There is also badminton, hiking, fishing, reading, “porching”, enjoying a relaxing treatment at their spa or napping in one of their hammocks. They are open from May to November during the year. Oh, and they have Capon Springs water.

Cogwheels

Answer to last week’s question:

We moved to the Sheraton, which is now the Holiday Inn, in 1984. Chuck Thornton was president and Rotarian Bruce Van Wyk built and owned the Sheraton.

This week’s question:

We sponsor the Bob Elmer Sports Breakfast. Who was Bob Elmer?