CalPortland Company
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cement manufacturing, Construction materials |
| Predecessor | California Portland Cement Company |
| Founded | September 18, 1891 |
| Fate | Acquired by Onoda Cement in 1990; became subsidiary of Taiheiyo Cement |
| Headquarters | Summerlin , United States |
Area served | Western United States |
| Products | Cement, Construction materials |
| Owner | Taiheiyo Cement (via Taiheiyo Cement USA) |
| Parent | Taiheiyo Cement USA |
CalPortland Company, commonly referred to as CalPortland, stands as a prominent American enterprise focused on cement manufacturing and construction materials. Established in 1891, it holds the distinction of being the foremost cement producer across the Western United States. While initially headquartered in California, its main offices have since relocated to Summerlin, Nevada. Since 1990, CalPortland operates as a subsidiary of the Japanese corporation Taiheiyo Cement, which has expanded its international reach.
In 2023, CalPortland's Washington-based division, Glacier Northwest, was central to the Supreme Court case Glacier Northwest, Inc. v. Teamsters, which set important legal precedents regarding labor strikes and union-related litigation.
Origins and Expansion
The company was incorporated on September 18, 1891, under the name California Portland Cement Company with an initial capital investment of $500,000. Its first cement manufacturing facility was established at Mount Slover in Colton, California. By 1896, production levels had reached 400 barrels daily, supported by infrastructure such as a sizable warehouse and a growing payroll that reflected steady operational expansion.
Further growth included opening additional plants in Rillito, Arizona (1949) and Mojave, California (1956). By 1960, the company reported net earnings of $7.3 million. To mitigate profit volatility during the late 1960s, it diversified by creating subsidiaries like Spancrete (specializing in hollow-core concrete slabs), Colton Industrial Park Company (focused on real estate development), and Calport Financial Corporation (providing housing finance). It also acquired a controlling interest in State Exploration petroleum company in 1969 and established Soldier Creek Coal Company in 1971 to secure coal supplies for its operations.
This diversification strategy extended CalPortland’s business scope beyond cement production into sectors including construction materials, property development, financial services, and energy resources—thereby enhancing its market resilience and financial stability.
Formation of CalMat
In 1984, California Portland Cement combined forces with Consolidated Rock Company (Conrock), a Los Angeles-based producer of sand, gravel, and crushed rock, resulting in the creation of CalMat Company. Shareholders of California Portland Cement owned 57% of the new entity, while Conrock shareholders held the remaining 43%.
In 1985, CalMat sold off two subsidiaries: State Exploration (renamed Statex Petroleum) for $19.3 million and Soldier Creek Coal for $22 million. The following year, it expanded by acquiring Coast Asphalt, Inc.
In 1988, CalMat confronted a hostile takeover bid valued at almost $1 billion from New Zealand investor Ron Brierley, who had amassed a 19% stake. Brierley proposed an offer of $40 per share; however, the CalMat board declined this proposal. Ultimately, Brierley divested his shares to Japanese firm Onoda Cement at $41.75 per share ($242 million). This transaction gave Onoda the option to purchase California Portland Cement along with 13 ready-mix concrete plants for roughly $310 million. Some shareholders expressed concerns that management undervalued assets to discourage Brierley’s bid.
Acquisition by Japanese Firms
Onoda Cement exercised its purchase option in 1990 by acquiring California Portland Cement from CalMat for $316 million. Subsequently, Onoda merged with Chichibu Cement in 1994 and Nihon Cement in 1998 to establish the current parent company of CalPortland, Taiheiyo Cement. Taiheiyo Cement maintains ownership of CalPortland through its subsidiary Taiheiyo Cement USA. The remaining assets of CalMat were bought by Vulcan Materials Company in 1998.
On June 20, 2008, California Portland Cement adopted the name CalPortland Company. Its original manufacturing facility in Colton ceased operations on November 20, 2009, as part of restructuring efforts prompted by decreased demand during the Great Recession.
Subsidiaries
CalPortland conducts its operations both directly and through various subsidiary companies.
Glacier Northwest
Glacier Northwest, Inc. functions as a subsidiary of CalPortland, incorporated in the state of Washington, and also operates under the CalPortland name. Its roots trace back to construction efforts in the Puget Sound region during the 1890s.
History
During the 1890s, the U.S. Government constructed forts to defend Puget Sound, necessitating substantial amounts of premium gravel. The Pacific Bridge Company identified a gravel source near Steilacoom, Washington, and commenced extraction there. Following the conclusion of fort construction, ownership of the mine transferred to Martin Sand & Gravel Company around 1899 or 1905.
By 1907, two additional mining operations were active nearby, and to resolve a railroad right-of-way conflict, these three firms merged by 1910 to form Pioneer Sand & Gravel Company. Concurrently, Glacier Sand & Gravel initiated mining activities close to Steilacoom in 1910.
By 1927, Pioneer Sand & Gravel had established six storage facilities across several Washington cities including Seattle, Bremerton, Olympia, Tacoma, Everett, Bellingham, Raymond, and Longview. The company supplied materials for significant infrastructure projects such as the Seattle Civic Auditorium, Lake Washington Floating Bridge, Aurora Bridge, Husky Stadium, and dry docks at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
In 1959, Pioneer Sand & Gravel reported net earnings of $201,342 on sales totaling $5.9 million. Its Steilacoom mine had grown into one of the largest globally. That same year, Lone Star Cement—the leading cement producer in the United States—acquired Pioneer for $3.92 million.
Glacier Northwest, Inc. v. Teamsters
On August 11, 2017, during labor negotiations with Teamsters Local 174 representing approximately 80 to 90 truck drivers, a strike resulted in some drivers returning trucks with concrete still inside the mixing drums. Since concrete solidifies within 20 to 30 minutes after mixing ceases, this posed a serious risk of damage to the vehicles. The company conducted urgent cleanup efforts but incurred losses from undelivered concrete. Although a new contract was approved on August 18, only 11 out of an anticipated 40 to 50 drivers reported for a critical concrete pour in Seattle’s South Lake Union area, leading to cancellation and penalties amounting to $100,000. The company accused the union of providing false information about driver availability.
Glacier Northwest initiated legal action against Local 174 in King County Superior Court for property damage and misrepresentation; however, these claims were dismissed. The Washington Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal of misrepresentation claims but permitted property damage claims to move forward. Both sides petitioned the Washington Supreme Court for review; on December 16, 2021, that court dismissed all damage claims. Glacier Northwest then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court which on June 1, 2023 reversed and remanded the prior ruling in an 8–1 decision, determining that the National Labor Relations Act does not bar claims involving intentional destruction of property.
Legal issues
Apart from this case, CalPortland has encountered other legal disputes.
In 1912, California Portland Cement was investigated alongside Riverside Portland Cement Company over allegations of price fixing after San Bernardino customers were charged $2.45 per barrel despite geographic advantages; both companies denied any misconduct and highlighted previous price reductions from $4–$5 per barrel driven by competition.
During a lawsuit filed in 1980 involving roughly 50 defendants, CalPortland faced accusations of price-fixing covering the period from 1968 through 1976. While denying illegal conduct, the company agreed to pay a $6.5 million settlement.
In December 2011, CalPortland resolved Clean Air Act violations at its Mojave facility by reaching an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice that included $1.425 million in penalties and a commitment of $1.3 million toward lowering nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide emissions.