by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor

Carmeuse Lime & Stone shipping numbers rebounded from 2012 and got back above the 6 million ton mark.

According to site operations manager Ben Zavala, a little over the 6-million mark was exported by vessels and trucks from the Calcite plant. In 2012, it was just above 5 million and ranked among one of the lowest seasons ever.

 

“The 2013 was a really good year for us,” said Zavala. “The flue gas desulphurization market really picked up.”

With less demand from the steel industry, it could be very difficult to roll back the clock and reach the 10 million mark again, but company officials are upbeat with last year’s number and are hopeful for more of the same in 2014.

“We are looking forward to a 6 million ton year, if not more,” he said. “Right now we’re talking with all of our customers. They are picking up the phone and calling our sales staff. So far, we are at the same number. It is hoped, we will stay that way and nothing will drop and we can maintain the market.”

Zavala, who has been the Calcite site operations manager for 18 months, would like to get back to the days of 7 and 8 million ton years.

While Ray LeClair has been the public face for the company in Rogers City for the last few years, Zavala has emerged from the shadows to locally represent the Belgium based company.

LeClair has been serving as the regional area manager, in charge of five plants, one of which is Calcite. He also led the local plant through the 100^th celebration year of 2012.

Zavala has a background in the steel industry, as his father owns a foundry in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. He attended the University of Akron and obtained a degree in industrial engineering and also has worked in the steel industry in the U.S. He met his wife Jessica in Akron and they now make their home along Larke Street in Rogers City with their three children. Their oldest daughter is attending Montessori School.

Zavala said there is a full list of improvements in store for the Calcite plant that are part of a five-year capital improvement plan.

The next stage will involve a few million dollars in improvements and modernizations, including the realignment of roll crusher No. 2 on the 10^th floor, as well as the replacement of screens on the fourth floor of the mill.

It improves safety for the staff and cuts d

own on noise.

“There is a big emphasis on noise abatement for this year,” said Zavala.

Last year, the company realigned roll crusher No. 1, “and that worked perfect. Some of the bearings were getting hot. After so many years, and all the vibrations, the main shaft of the crusher, got misaligned.” The roll crushers have been in service since the 1920s.

“It is the original equipment, it has not been touched,” said Zavala. Additional improvements include the purchase of a loader 980H and the replacement of side frames on three dozers and complete rebuild of a haul truck and  loader.

It is going to be a very busy three months.