Lehigh Southwest Cement

Since the beginning of this decade, there have been important changes that are less visible, but equally as significant as previous modifications. Permanente has capitalized on advancements in communication, process control software, and instrumentation technologies. The goal has been to incorporate these new tools into cement manufacturing to improve the overall quality, productivity, and efficiency of the operations.

Software has been put in place that optimizes the process of cement production. Over time, this software has been programmed to detect and react to process variations, while upholding all preset quality and operational conditions. The result has been a more consistent, higher quality product produced at ever-increasing efficiencies with lower environmental impact.

A major upgrade was initiated to the plant’s quality control system. The laboratory has been equipped with state-of-the-art analyzers, which can generate quick and accurate analysis of all material samples. In addition, cross belt analyzers were installed to analyze and control online the raw materials entering the process by conveyor. This improves the quality and the stability of the product.

In late 2007, the plant began to upgrade its main control system from the Honeywell platform, first installed in 1981, to the latest Siemens control platform. This upgrade has improved equipment controls to facilitate consistent operations.

The Permanente plant has always strived to incorporate the latest tools available to monitor and control its emissions. Numerous new fugitive dust capturing devices have been placed throughout the process, to further minimize its environmental impact. And to
further enhance and streamline reporting to all environmental agencies, the Continuous Emissions Monitoring system has been incorporated into the new plant control system and database.

During this decade, Permanente received two important awards. The first was the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce Star Award for Large Business. This is an award given to businesses to recognize their efforts to give back to their communities. Permanente and its employees have been key supporters of charitable causes and civic
events in Cupertino.

Equally noteworthy, Permanente also received the Environmental Eagle Award from the National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association. The award is given to construction material producers that meet and exceed environmental regulatory requirements. Permanente was recognized for going above and beyond what was required. Some of the programs that contributed to this recognition were: the off-site controls on truck speeds, wash systems for trucks, cleaning residential streets on the truck route, noise abatement by fan silencers, use of strobe lights in place of back-up alarms at night, reduction and recycling of oil products, preservation of the creek, and refinements in baghouse air emissions.