"Our profitability is based on production and we couldn’t afford a shut down to add the necessary components for the new product. We were fortunate to have gotten involved with Westec. They demonstrated that they understood our operation, were willing to listen, and essentially did the whole project without an interruption in our production."

"That Westec was able to do it so effortlessly is a direct result of a push the company made years back to establish itself as experts in that area by adding personnel with specific installation expertise," says Roger Hill, Westec Vice President.

"We’ve had people in the field on a year-round basis doing plant installations for about five years now," he says. "We’ve learned that the installation process can be extremely complex and demanding on a producer, both from a time standpoint and from demands upon their workforce."

"We had done work for Cadman in the past, are well-recognized in this area as a company that can provide a turnkey installation capability, and we have the Seattle area dealership for Kolberg washing equipment. Kolberg has really proven itself in this region as high-quality, high TPH, and reliable. It all played a role in getting this job."

In addition to the no-interruption demand, Hill says that Cadman’s initial needs were for a system to make the best use of the available material at the Redmond and Sky

River sites. Sky River is situated on 210 acres, of which 60% is designated wetlands, Sky River is a dredging-based operation generating ASTMC-33 concrete sand and a utility or waste sand in volumes of about 150 to 200 tph. Cadman wanted both to improve the efficiencies of the concrete sand process and to capitalize on the material that was being wasted. A market for USGA spec 60-mesh golf course sand prompted the move toward adding a sand classifier.

"Cadman did not have a sand tank and all the product classification was done through a screw. So an obvious concern was how we could best integrate any new equipment with what was in operation at the time. Because the installation was taking place on an existing site, the designs had to be specific, taking into consideration existing conveyors, towers, and structures that we would have to work around. In essence, we had to prove to them not only that they were getting the right equipment, but also that we were the right team to make it work," said Hill.

One of the more intriguing facets of the expansion involved skid-mounting the new equipment, including a Kolberg Series 7000 sand classifier from Kolberg-Pioneer (an Astec Company), a pair of Kolberg Series 5000 Fine Material Washing Screws (36" and 44" diam.), conveyors and other ancillary equipment. This ensures better adaptability for future expansion and allows for future movement to other areas. At Sky River, there are already plans to move the new plant by this fall. The area on which the plant now sits is mineable material, so Cadman has plans to shift the plant to an area

of the site that has already been mined and work the area currently taken up by the plant. Because the newly installed equipment – the classifier, screws, conveyor, etc., - are skid-mounted and above grade, the whole structure can be disassembled and moved fairly easily for relocation. Had they been permanently mounted in concrete, much of the structure would have been rendered unusable after dismantling.

Hill says that most producers are not even aware of skid mounting as an option when the installation in the planning stage. However, nearly 80% of Westec’s past installations have gone this route, testimony to the value producers place in the company’s recommendations. Paul Smith, Northwest Regional Manager for Kolberg-Pioneer, says his Seattle area customers have come to respect the level of service Westec offers - Westec is knowledgeable at what they do and they listen when their customer talks.

"Westec’s commitment to the aggregate market is total. In addition, when they begin a relationship with a new customer, they perform what I call a ‘Customer Needs Analysis,’ that is, a thorough review of what particular needs are specific to that customer and the best way to make those needs become reality. They are not just in this business to peddle iron; they truly care about the relationships they develop with their customers and it shows."

Cadman is currently maintaining rates in the 220-250 tph range at the Sky River site and has seen dramatic changes in the operation, since the work was completed. "Our volumes have remained constant but that was not an area we were looking to change," says Cadman’s Surdyk. "The costs associated with lost material, however, have dropped dramatically due to the control the Kolberg classifier offers. We are now able to offer three separate products rather than just the ASTM C-33 concrete sand. With our most recent change, we are using the Kolberg classifier to create 50-80 tph of that same ASTM C-33, but are also generating 165 tph of a tightened spec ASTM C-33 that we call our specialty blend and doing about 10 tph of the USGA sand. What that means for us, as a producer, is that we are taking a pile that once represented a flat price and making several, more valuable products.  That’s where we see the real value of the Kolberg classifier to this operation."

Surdyk adds that Westec has been excellent in helping ensure the Sky River operation runs smoothly even long after the changeover. When the high silica content of the sand proved to be too much for the standard liners used in the operation, Westec was quick to suggest and install urethane liners in the flumes and wear areas as the standard liners wore out.

"We like to think of the customer and Westec as a team, with all of us trying to do what will ultimately result in the best possible plant," says Hill. "Sometimes we have the ideas; other times they do. We are not afraid to admit when a customer’s idea is better. They know their operation better than anyone and in the end we’re all striving for the same goal. That’s how we’ve felt since we started this business and it’s what’s gotten us to where we are today."

ENCLOSED BATCH PLANT

This spring marks nearly a year’s production for one of the largest enclosed cement batch plants in the Northwest and another satisfied customer for Westec Industries. Last spring Westec completed construction and installation of a 12 yard wet batch plant and aggregate feed system for Lone Star Northwest at their Dupont, Washington facility.

Rated at 250 - 300 yards per hour of ready-mix concrete, the plant features a Johnson-Ross 150 Low Profile Stationary Batch Plant with 12 yard mixer and is supported by a Westec custom designed aggregate feed system. Rated at 800 TPH, the feed system consists of five 50 ton surge bins, two 36" gathering conveyors, and two 36" x 170’ bin charging conveyors. According to Westec Vice President, Roger Hill, although Westec has been involved with a large number of cement batch plant projects, this one was unique because it was to be enclosed within a metal building.

"I think Lone Star chose this design for permitting purposes and in an effort to be a good neighbor. Enclosing the plant reduced the noise and dust and made it pleasing to the eye," said Hill. "This facility is allowing them to increase their market share in the South Sound. It has been performing to their expectations and they are very pleased with it."

Westec Industries Proudly Represents

Deister Machine Company, Inc.

Deister Machine Company, Inc., conceived the policy of quality and performance in 1912 when the head of the Deister family began building mining machinery and separating and sizing equipment.

Deister's reputation for quality products with rugged construction for long life is known throughout the world-wherever aggregate, coal and mineral rock products are mined and asphalt materials are refined to benefit  the growth of the civilized world.

Employee News

Westec at CON-AGG

Westec was proud to send our largest contingent of employees to date to attend ConExpo/Con-Agg this spring. All of our major equipment lines had exhibits and nine Westec employees manned booths for the equipment manufacturers we represent.

Held March 23-27 in Las Vegas, ConExpo/Con-Agg was bigger and better than ever with 124,270 visitors. More than 1,800 exhibitors used in excess of 1.6 million square feet to showcase their equipment. We hope to see you there next time.

Iosif Benenson A Great Addition To Westec

The impressive new Miles/Concrete Norwest facility will be featured in the next issue of WestecNEWS.

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