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CEMEX USA:

Step 5 - Implement Action Plan

Partner Profile

Incorporated in 1906, CEMEX is one of the largest building materials suppliers in the world. It produces, distributes, and markets cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and other building materials to customers in more than 50 countries. CEMEX USA provides these products through 12 cement plants, 50 distribution terminals, 115 aggregate quarries, and more than 370 ready-mix concrete plants. CEMEX has made energy management a core activity in its business plan and commitment to sustainability. CEMEX USA has an Energy Management Program in place, employs a Corporate Energy Management Team and Site Energy Teams at each plant, has received numerous local and national energy and environmental awards, and is a strong advocate for energy conservation and sustainable manufacturing practices.

Industrial Partner Since 1997

Awards & Recognition

  • Partner of the Year - Energy Management(2009,2010)

« See all CEMEX USA In Practice Stories

Contact Information:
 CEMEX USA
920 Memorial City Way
Houston, TX 77024
713-650-6200

In Practice

5: Implement Action Plan

See this Guideline Step

5.1: Create a Communication Plan

Strategic External and Internal Communications

CEMEX has excellent communication and web-based tools which contribute to its success as a world leader in cement, reay-mix, and aggregate production.  CEMEX has been successful in implementing a strategic communications plan for the promotion of the ENERGY STAR brand and ENERGY STAR values at all levels - both internally and externally.  The communication strategy is based on the follwoing aspects:

  • Reaching key audiences,
  • Promotion of the ENERGY STAR brand and goals, and
  • Raising awareness and empahsizing the importance of energy efficiency

Internal Communications

CEMEX conducts various meetings at corporate and plant levels throughout the year.  The meeting topics and projects are circulated to employees for their awareness.  The CEMEX Executive VP of Operations conducts weekly and monthly reviews through teleconference calls and plant visits promoting an exchange of ideas and best practices.  The Corporate Energy Manager is the communication link between Plant Energy Teams and the Corporate Energy Team.  Site Energy Leaders at each plant communicate best practices and awareness to plant employees.

Some of the examples of CEMEX internal communications include the publication of success stories in its company magazine, Our Voice, and in the weekly newsletter, CEMEX This Week.  Further internal communication includes providing information on fuel markets, international developments, and compnay achievements in energy awareness, Collaborative Data Management (CDM) databases to share communications, achievements, and developments in the area of energy management, installation of television monitors in the plant Control room and Break room areas to display the plants' achievements and perfomrance metrics for the month.

External Communications

Some of the examples of external communications include the distribution and publication of articles and advertisements in widely circulated magazines and media.  This includes promotion of the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award logo, providing Partner of the Year Award hard hat stickers to all employees for awareness, the incorporation of the award flash banner on the hoempage of CEMEX USA's website, giving ENREGY STAR exposure to international audiences, issuance of letters along with Key Energy Performance metrics to key equipment suppliers, sharing of best practices with partner companies, promotion of energy efficiency with local communities, customers, and vendors by inviting them to open houses, award luncheons, and plants tours, and publishing achievements in CEMEX's annual global Sustainable Development Report.

5.4: Motivate

Incentivizing Energy Efficiency

CEMEX uses the "Five Star Organization Program" to evaluate plant performance.  All cement plants are evaluated on common metrics in five categories:  safety, communications, operational excellence including energy efficiency, innovation and knowledge management, and customer service.  Plants are recognized with annual awards for their superiority in the different areas.

In additon to the "Five Star Organization Program" for recognizing achievements of good performing plants, CEMEX also uses a Gainsharing Program to recognize achievements and motivate employees.  This performance-based bonus program evaluates the progress of the plants and rewards the plants performing well.  Hourly employees are paid for operational and financial improvements per team commitments.  The program also incorporates penalties for high energy consumption, lost-time accidents, and environmental citations.

Under the annual Performance and Potential Assessment (P&PA) system, each salaried employee has his or her annual performance reviewed against the established goals and results achieved for energy and production metrics.

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