City of Baytown Takes Control with Volumetric Concrete Mixers
Baytown’s Smart Investment in Concrete Pays Off
The City of Baytown, Texas, faced major challenges when it came to getting concrete for essential repairs. With an expanding construction industry in nearby Houston, ready-mix plants were busy with orders for big projects. Baytown, needing smaller batches of concrete, known as short loads, often had to wait three to four weeks for deliveries. These delays didn’t just slow down progress—they also cost the city extra in short-load fees.
Kevin Harvill, Assistant Director of Public Works for Baytown, knew something had to change. “We were losing time and money,” Kevin explained. “We couldn’t afford to keep waiting weeks just for concrete.”
Instead of waiting for the market to improve, Baytown took control of the situation by investing in Cemen Tech concrete mixers. This decision paid off quickly, giving the city a way to produce fresh concrete on demand, save money, and be more productive.
Concrete Delays Slow City Repairs
Baytown’s infrastructure—streets, sidewalks, and curbs—needed regular repairs. But securing concrete from ready-mix suppliers was a constant struggle. Local ready-mix plants prioritized large orders, often leaving Baytown waiting three to four weeks for short-load deliveries. The delays slowed the city’s progress and led to higher costs due to short-load fees. With aging infrastructure and growing repair demands, Harvill knew the city needed a solution.
Upgrading to the C60: Taking Control with Volumetric Mixing
Kevin had seen volumetric mixers in action during his time working with the City of Dallas. These mobile concrete mixers produce fresh concrete right on-site, allowing crews to mix exactly what they need, when they need it. Harvill convinced Baytown’s leadership to invest in Cemen Tech mixers.
The city initially started with an MCD10-100 manual unit and has now upgraded to the advanced, computerized C60 model. Unlike traditional ready-mix trucks that carry pre-mixed concrete, volumetric mixers produce fresh concrete on-site, in real time. This allows municipalities to produce exactly what they need, when they need it.
Scott Fisher, the City of Baytown’s concrete truck operator, appreciates the efficiency of the new C60. “It’s really operator-friendly,” Fisher says. “It’s all push-button. All the adjustments are done on a screen instead of being adjusted by hand.”
The C60’s onboard computer allows Fisher to switch mix designs with the push of a button. “I have more mix designs available to me,” he explains. “I can easily change mixes from job to job. I can pour curb and gutter, then sidewalk, all with the same load.” This adaptability means the city can handle multiple types of repairs quickly and efficiently.
Faster, Safer, and More Productive
The Cemen Tech C60 mixer didn’t just solve the supply problem—it also improved safety and productivity for Baytown’s crews.
“We can pour concrete as early as 7:30 a.m., clean up, and move to another site the same morning,” Kevin said. “We’re not waiting around anymore.”
This efficiency means fewer open holes on streets and sidewalks, reducing hazards for residents and workers. Faster repairs also mean fewer traffic disruptions and less frustration for taxpayers.
“Meeting taxpayers’ expectations to have streets open with minimal delays is a big win,” Kevin said.
The C60’s design also enhances safety for operators. “The truck has a platform on top, which makes it safer,” Scott said. “The larger auger pours faster, so we spend less time on-site.”
Training new operators is quick and straightforward, too. “I can train someone in a day,” Scott said. “The C60 is just that user-friendly.”
A Rapid Return on Investment
Baytown’s investment in the Cemen Tech mixer paid off quickly. Within just 18 months, the city recovered the costs of the truck and silo—an impressive turnaround that didn’t account for the savings from reduced downtime.
“We are sold on volumetric mixing of concrete, and the numbers prove it.” Harvill says. ” We paid for the vehicle and silo in 18 months,”
By eliminating short-load fees and avoiding delays, Baytown saved significant money. These savings can now be reinvested into other important projects, like hiring more staff or upgrading equipment.
A Model for Other Municipalities
Baytown’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed. Kevin has shared his story with other municipalities, including the City of La Porte, Texas, which has since invested in its own Cemen Tech mixer.
“I’m constantly sharing our success story,” Harvill says. “It’s an easy sell.”
A Smarter Way to Repair Infrastructure
For cities struggling with concrete delays, volumetric mixers offer a proven solution. With the ability to produce fresh, high-quality concrete on-site, municipalities can work faster, safer, and more efficiently.
By taking control of their concrete production, Baytown improved productivity, reduced costs, and delivered better results for residents. It’s a smart investment that paid off—and one that other cities can learn from.
The Best Return in Construction
Cemen Tech’s mixers are available through Sourcewell’s cooperative purchasing program, offering a 4% discount for member cities. This makes it even easier for municipalities to adopt volumetric mixing and start saving time and money.
Baytown’s experience demonstrates that investing in volumetric concrete mixers delivers significant returns—financially, operationally, and for the community. By taking control of concrete production, cities can enhance productivity, reduce liability, and ensure safer, better-maintained infrastructure.
For city managers facing similar challenges, volumetric mixing isn’t just a smart choice—it’s the best return in construction.
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City of Baytown’s Concrete Solution
Learn how the City of Baytown solved its concrete supply delays and saved money by using a Cemen Tech volumetric mixer.
Why Municipalities Buy & Use Volumetric Mixers
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