Cement Products got its breakthrough in 1982 when the fire brick we manufacture were certified to be used in woodstoves. At this point we hit the road and were able to get several wood stove manufacturers as accounts in the western United States. For the next several years firebrick was the only product manufactured at Cement Products. New accounts arouse throughout the United States and Canada. Pumice type firebrick manufactured by Cement Products made their mark in the wood stove industry.
In 1989 Cement Products made a bold move and decided to start manufacturing concrete block. Once again we were very small, just a pebble in the market. We purchased molds so we could make different products and a manual splitter so we could provide split face concrete block. As the years went by our customers and sales increased every year along with adding new products that we didn’t manufacture. In 1992 we started reselling concrete pavers that are manufactured by Western Interlock. Also in 1992 we built a new office and store. This allowed us the space to bring in concrete and masonry tools for resale as well.
In 1993 the first member that was part of the family was hired. Dick and Joe worked side by side growing the company while Pat did the books. Also in 1993 Cement Products became the dealer for Eldorado Stone and started selling real rock as well. In the fall of 1997 Dick and Pat’s son Donald came to work full time, although he had been working in the summers for several years. In the spring of 1998 Jamie Weaver came to work, not a relative but is considered part of the Yancey family. Brick lines were added and business was booming.
During the summer of 1998 on a walkway in Las Vegas, Nevada Dick & Pat decided it was time to make the biggest financial move of their life. They decided to put in a brand new state of the art block plant. Financing was obtained and in the summer of 1999 ground was broken and the new facility was started. The brand new building was built by Pat’s brother Charlie Moore. In January of 2000 our new Columbia Block Machine made its first block. We were proud and weren’t so small anymore.
In the summer of 2000 Doug Yancey came to work. Doug is Dick & Pat’s youngest son. Doug followed in the footsteps of his great, great grandfather who was a freighter. The only difference is what Doug drives has a diesel engine. His great, great grandfather had only horse power.
Sales were brisk, new dealers had been established and Pat needed help so in January of 2002 Dick & Pat’s future daughter in law Ashley Barlow was hired. Ashley did such a good job that Pat stepped down and now Ashley Yancey is the head bookkeeper.
Cement Products is a family owned business that is family run and provided family service that will not be beat!