Recently Cemen Tech loaned out an MCD2-50T to California State University Chico to help the students in their concrete management program. The concrete management program is one of only a handful available throughout the U.S. that offers a degree in management for those students interested in pursuing a career in the concrete industry. During various courses in the universities concrete curriculum, they cover the topic of volumetric mixers, their possible uses, and numerous other details about them. However, lacking from their immediate resources was the equipment (i.e. a volumetric mixer) necessary to gain hands-on operating experience. That’s where the Cemen Tech MCD2-50T comes in as Brandon Agles, a senior in the Concrete Industry Management program worked with us as part of his capstone project and was responsible for coordinating the arrival of Cemen Tech’s MCD2-50T to their program. While Brandon had several comments we thought it was better to let him describe the experience.

“Like any thing new the machine was a bit daunting at first but the controls of the machine soon became very familiar to us and it wasn’t long before we could adjust the concrete mix instantaneously. During my personal use of the unit, I had the opportunity to utilize working with some of my peers on their various capstone projects. These included matching a 130 year-old decorative moat at a local museum, pouring a pervious flow-through on a decorative slab on campus, pouring a pervious section for a certification class in another part of my capstone, and demonstrating the use and functionality of the machine for one of our CIMT lab sections. Throughout my use of the unit on these and various other projects, I really gained an appreciation of how quick, easy, and truly convenient it is to have the capability of any mix design at your fingertips. I was able to use various admixtures, both liquid AND powdered color, and numerous cement and aggregate types on these projects, and I had no difficulties whatsoever with any of them.”

“Finally, I would like to recognize the great support and collaboration I received from the Cemen Tech team, including Kevin Smith, Doug Opie, Brad Ross, Chris Pisano, and numerous others behind the scenes. Through their efforts, this idea became a very fruitful reality. This was truly an awesome opportunity for our CIM program, and it will continue to be for all of the CIM programs nationwide. It is with such amazing industry support that we truly have a program that is second to none.”

 Thank you Brandon as we appreciate the kind words. Our industry is unique in that there has never really been a degreed educational program designated to the concrete industry, but it is slowly taking roots. The public is beginning to realize that there is more to concrete then the material that it consists of, or just ad water and you are done. To the contrary, the concrete industry and the ability to produce quality product and manage such operations is complex and requires qualified educated professionals.