Phoenix Cement Company
| File:Salt River Materials Group logo.png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Construction materials |
| Founded | Clarkdale, Arizona, United States (1959) |
| Headquarters | Scottsdale, Arizona |
Key people | Roger R. Smith, Chief Executive Officer and President |
| Products | Portland cement, gypsum, fly ash |
| Website | http://www.srmaterials.com/about/history.html Salt River Materials Group |
The Phoenix Cement Company, based in Phoenix, Arizona, operates a cement manufacturing facility located in Clarkdale, Arizona. Founded in 1959 by the American Cement Company, the plant was initially created to provide cement for the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. It produces Portland cement along with fly ash and gypsum for distribution throughout the surrounding region.
Clarkdale’s inaugural cement shipment occurred in October 1959, marking the beginning of nearly five years of continuous deliveries to support the dam’s construction. During this period, trucks departed approximately every fifteen minutes until the project concluded in July 1964.
Although originally intended to shut down after the dam project ended, the facility underwent a one-third capacity expansion in 1961 and has since emerged as the leading cement supplier serving northern Arizona and the Phoenix area. Significant improvements include installation of a modern kiln system and a 418-foot pre-heater tower completed in 2002. The site’s raw material deposits are projected to sustain production for an estimated 150 more years.
Ownership has evolved over several decades: from Amcord between 1971 and 1979, then Gifford-Hill from 1979 until 1987, and subsequently under the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community. In 2003, sales functions were consolidated with Salt River Sand and Rock to form Salt River Materials Group (SRMG).