City of Baytown takes control
Baytown’s smart investment in concrete pays off
Submitted by Cemen Tech
By taking concrete production into its own hands, the city of Baytown, Texas, found an innovative way to improve infrastructure, increase productivity and achieve a full return on investment in under two years. By implementing Cemen Tech’s volumetric concrete mixers, Baytown’s public works department reduced repair delays, saved budget dollars and increased safety and efficiency — delivering tangible benefits for both city workers and residents.
Concrete delays slow city repairs
Kevin Harvill, assistant director of public works for Baytown, faced a critical challenge familiar to many city managers: securing timely concrete deliveries for essential repairs. Located just outside Houston, Baytown’s construction needs were competing with the region’s rapid expansion. The city’s projects — including street repairs, sidewalk maintenance and curb replacements — required smaller batches of concrete, known as short loads.
Unfortunately, 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
Instead of waiting for the market to change, 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. Unlike traditional ready-mix trucks that carry premixed 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 said. “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 explained. “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 C60 doesn’t just simplify the mixing process — it also improves safety and productivity. The truck’s platform on top adds an extra layer of safety for the operator. The larger auger pours concrete faster, reducing the time needed on each job site.
“The biggest improvement is going from analog to digital,” Fisher noted. “Maintenance is less than with the old MCD10-100. We have a lot fewer repairs.” He added that training new operators is also easier. “I can train someone in basic concrete pouring and mix changes in less than a day.”
The improved output means Baytown can complete jobs quicker and reduce turnaround times. “The C60 saves us time and money,” Fisher said. “We can unload the truck a lot faster than the old MCD10-100, so we can deliver more concrete to our large projects.”
Taking control of concrete production also streamlined Baytown’s work schedule. Crews can now pour concrete as early as 7:30 a.m., complete a repair and be on another job site later the same morning. This flexibility means fewer open holes on streets and sidewalks, increasing safety and minimizing disruptions for residents.
“We are now in control of our concrete,” Harvill said. “We can pour, clean up and move to another site in the same day. It’s a huge improvement for productivity.”
Quick repairs keep streets open and safe
Faster repairs mean safer streets and sidewalks. Raised or cracked sidewalks are a leading cause of trip-and-fall injuries, which can result in lawsuits against cities. By accelerating concrete repairs, Baytown reduces liability risks and enhances public safety.
“Meeting taxpayers’ expectations to have streets available for travel with minimal delays is a major benefit,” Harvill said.
For city workers, operating the Cemen Tech mixer is straightforward. Cemen Tech provides comprehensive on-site training, ensuring that crews are comfortable and confident using the equipment. According to Harvill, having a dedicated operator who takes ownership of the truck helps ensure it remains well-maintained and ready for daily use.
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 even account for the savings from reduced downtime.
“We are sold on volumetric mixing of concrete, and the numbers prove it,” Harvill said. “We paid for the vehicle and silo in 18 months.”
The cost savings extend beyond the initial investment. By eliminating short-load fees and delays, Baytown reduced overall project costs significantly. These savings can now be reinvested into other critical areas — whether that means purchasing additional equipment, hiring more staff, or tackling new infrastructure projects.
A model for other municipalities
Baytown’s success with volumetric mixing hasn’t gone unnoticed. Harvill has shared his story with peers in neighboring cities, including La Porte, Texas, which has since invested in its own Cemen Tech mixer.
“I’m constantly sharing our success story,” Harvill said. “It’s an easy sell.”
A smarter way to repair infrastructure
For city managers looking to improve infrastructure, volumetric concrete mixers offer a proven solution. The ability to produce fresh, high-strength concrete on-site provides more control, dependable results, and faster work. By reducing costs, minimizing delays, and improving safety, cities can stretch their budgets further and reinvest savings into other critical needs.
Cemen Tech mixers are also available through the Sourcewell cooperative, offering a 4% discount for member cities. This purchasing advantage makes it even easier for municipalities to adopt volumetric mixing technology.
Conclusion
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.
Cemen Tech Inc., 1700 N. 14th St., Indianola, IA 50125,
1-800-247-2464 | 1-515-961-7407, cementech.com
After mixing the exact quantity and quality of concrete they need on the job site, the Baytown team gets to work pouring. (Photo provided by Cemen Tech) Baytown’s public works crew prepares for a cement slab pour, relying on their Cemen Tech volumetric concrete mixer to deliver the perfect mix every time (Photo provided by Cemen Tech) Baytown’s public works team rolls up with their trusted Cemen Tech volumetric concrete mixer, ready to get the job done. (Photo provided by Cemen Tech)
