The cement supply chain is a complex system that involves numerous steps to provide you with high-quality cement. From raw material extraction to the delivery of the final product to customers, the supply chain is constantly at work.
Efficient and integrated supply chain management is crucial in the cement industry to ensure timely delivery, cost-effectiveness, and high-quality products.
Overseeing each step in the chain ensures that top-notch cement is produced while also creating a more streamlined ecosystem. That’s why SESCO Cement employs a vertically integrated approach to help us excel at delivering the cement you need – when you need it.
The General Cement Supply Chain
The path of raw materials to the job site is complex. So, keeping an eye on the operations along the way ensures better quality products, prices, and sustainable processes. Here’s how the typical supply chain operates.
1. Raw Material Extraction: The first step in the global cement supply chain involves extracting raw materials such as limestone, clay, and sand. These materials are typically mined from quarries in various parts of the world, including the Middle East.
2. Raw Material Processing: Once extracted, the raw materials are crushed, ground, and blended in specific proportions to produce raw meal.
3. Clinker Production: The raw meal is then heated in a kiln at high temperatures to produce clinker, which is the primary component of cement.
4. Grinding and Mixing: The clinker is cooled and then ground with gypsum and other additives to produce cement. The specific mix depends on the desired properties of the final product.
5. Packaging and Distribution: The finished cement is packed in bags or shipped in bulk to various distribution points. Once we receive cement, we store the products in domes at our terminal.
6. Order Management: When customers order cement, we unload cement using our interconnected silo system. The efficient system feeds cement directly from domes to bagging stations for bagged orders and truck loading lanes for bulk orders, reducing lead times reaching the end user.
7. Delivery to End Users: The final stage involves delivering the cement to end users, which could be construction companies, mixing facilities, or construction supply stores.
Our Vertically Integrated Supply Chain: From Quarry to Customer
SESCO stands out in the industry because of our vertically integrated cement supply chain. Our setup creates numerous advantages for our customers. Here’s how SESCO creates value at every stage of the supply chain.
1. Sourcing
SESCO owns manufacturing facilities, such as the Royal and Cleopatra white cement plants in El Minya, Egypt, and partners with leading suppliers in Turkey. Our company’s set-up ensures a consistent and high-quality supply of raw materials, which is crucial for maintaining product quality and reliability.
2. Logistics
Our logistics capabilities are bolstered by our global business team and ownership of a fleet of vessels and trucks. This extensive logistics network allows SESCO to manage the transportation of raw materials and finished products efficiently, minimizing delays and ensuring timely delivery.
3. Terminals
Our network of strategically-located terminals around the world can handle, store, and package various materials with industry-leading efficiency. Terminals like the one in Houston are integrated with ship unloaders, conveying systems, warehousing, and dome storage silos, streamlining the entire process.
Additionally, having consistent access to rail transport at our terminals ensures that SESCO can store and deliver cement anywhere in the world effectively.
4. Sustainability and Resilience
We integrate sustainable practices into everything we do, ensuring the resilience of our cement supply chain. This approach ensures the long-term availability of materials and supports our company’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Benefits of Vertical Integration in the Cement Supply Chain
Many cement manufacturers have some form of a supply chain. However, ours stands out due to our vertically integrated approach. Our world-class operation offers several benefits for the construction industry:
- Control Over Quality: By owning and managing various stages of the supply chain, we can maintain high-quality standards throughout the production and distribution processes.
- Cost Efficiency: Integrated operations reduce the reliance on external suppliers and service providers. Our tightly integrated network helps keep costs down so that we can pass along savings to customers.
- Enhanced Coordination: Close coordination between different stages of the supply chain reduces delays, ensuring a smooth flow of cement to its final destination.
- Greater Flexibility: SESCO can quickly adapt to market changes and customer needs so that you have access to the cement you need according to your timeline.
SESCO Sets the Standard in the Cement Supply Shain
Cement is a vital element in the construction of buildings, structures, and roadways. But getting critical components out of the ground and into the hands of customers takes more than machines and timetables; it takes a team invested in delivering the best quality cement products for construction projects.
We are driven to create a cement supply chain that offers superior value to our customers. That’s why we constantly optimize our cement production and distribution capabilities to better serve you.
By managing every aspect of the supply chain, we are helping companies access the building materials they need to support construction projects. Learn how you can take advantage of our supply chain capabilities for your cement ordering needs.
