CEMEX's Katy and Houston Ready-Mix Facilities Recognized for Environmental Excellence

Business Wire, April 1, 2005

HOUSTON -- The National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) recently recognized CEMEX's Ready-Mix facilities in Houston and Katy, Texas, with its annual Commitment to Excellence Award. The facilities not only met, but also surpassed governmental compliance measures and demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through plant and employee investment.

To be considered for the association's Commitment to Excellence Award, companies must demonstrate outstanding performance in 10 graded areas that include a perfect environmental compliance history as well as the plant appearance and image in the community.

"CEMEX has shown that the protection of the environment and cultivating good community relations is the responsibility of every employee -- top to bottom," said NRMCA President Robert Garbini. "CEMEX's commitment to the environment was evident to our panel of judges and exemplifies the best there is in ready-mixed concrete production nationwide."

"We are committed to being proactive with environmental management practices and to working in collaboration with our communities," said CEMEX U.S. President Gilberto Perez. "Improving our environmental performance not only strengthens our company and our industry, but it is simply the right thing to do and the right way to run our business."

Over the past two years, a CEMEX "environmental action team" has assessed the Company's compliance record and public image at its Katy Ready-Mix facility and Cutten Road Ready-Mix facility in Houston. The team conducted comprehensive assessments at each plant to determine what improvements should be made. The team then implemented industry best practices that were practical, realistic and economically viable. Initiatives included the installation of new water management systems as well as improvements to site aesthetics and best management practices such as good housekeeping, preventive maintenance, spill prevention, and employee training programs.

The Cutten Road Ready-Mix facility also received the "Most Improved Plant" in 2004 from the Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association for its capital investment projects that upgraded the facility to a state-of-the-art ready-mix plant.

With its U.S. headquarters in Houston, Texas, CEMEX is the largest producer, manufacturer and distributor of cement in the U.S. with 12 cement plants and 56 land and marine terminals. CEMEX also operates 314 ready-mix plants and 52 aggregate facilities in the United States. For more information, visit www.cemexusa.com.

NRMCA, based in Silver Spring, MD, represents the producers of ready mixed concrete and the companies that provide materials, equipment and support to the industry. Founded in 1930, NRMCA actively promotes the use of concrete. The association provides its members with education, training, promotion, research, engineering, safety, environmental, technological, lobbying and regulatory programs to enhance the success of the ready mixed concrete industry. For more information, visit www.nrmca.org.