Mitchell, Ind. (August 05, 2022)- Lehigh Hanson, lnc. celebrated a significant step towards the completion of the company’s massive construction project at their Mitchell, Indiana site. A “topping out” ceremony took place Friday, July 22, as the last steel section for the new state-of-the-art facility was being placed high atop the new facility.
Lehigh employees, representatives from the construction team, contractors, and local dignitaries signed the steel before it was lifted to its final placement. Once the stack section was set in place, an American flag was unfolded on the structure, keeping with the “topping out” tradition.
Since breaking ground in October 2019 on the project to expand and replace the existing facility, new construction on the Lehigh plant has been ongoing despite the 2020 pandemic and continues with plans to be commissioned in early 2023.
Lehigh has invested $600 million at the site so that their new plant will operate with greater efficiency and safety, while also offering improved environmental performance. An estimated 1,000 construction jobs have been created during the plant upgrades, and an established 50 new full-time employee positions will be added upon completion, while also accelerating enhanced training and growth opportunities for employees.
The new plant will allow for increased production by incorporating the latest cement production technology and a specialization in cement and aggregates, two essential concrete ingredients. The facility also produces ready-mix concrete and other construction materials.
The operation of the new facility will allow for a substantial increase in production and at the same time reduced energy usage, faster production, and less CO2 emissions.