Newsroom

Over 5,000 Days Accident Free at Pioneering Industrial Sand Plant

September 15, 2011 marked 5,000 consecutive accident-free days (no lost time incidents) for Graniterock’s Quail Hollow Sand Plant. This Santa Cruz County branch is located near Felton, California and is run by a small but dedicated staff. The facility produces high-quality, industrial glass sand, landscaping, utility and construction sands. Glass Sand customers require just-in-time delivery for many products that are key ingredients in production of glass containers and glass fibers.

Graniterock puts “Safety—Before All Else” in both its corporate objectives and in practice, as exemplified by the Quail Hollow location. This milestone represents a team operating safely for over 100,000 payroll hours producing thousands of tons of high-quality sand products. This quarry has also invested in safety improvements to the production plant and loading facilities so that Team Members, truck drivers, and visitors can operate in a safe mining environment.

“We work safely all year long, rain or shine,” says Don Roland, Business Manager who has worked closely with this facility for fifteen years. “The customers’ demands and needs are such that sometimes we are on a 24-hour basis, but we are here to help each other. We give and take constructive criticism to always focus on safety. You can call it a family atmosphere,” Don says with a smile, “and sometimes they even tell the manager how to improve…and he listens!”

Don has been in the industry since 1996. Joining him as long-time team members at Quail Hollow are Richard Keldsen, Enrique Diaz, Lanny Stover, Marvin Brandt, and Cynthia Escobar.

Graniterock was founded on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1900. Graniterock has operations in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Seaside, Salinas, Hollister, Aromas, Felton, San Jose, Redwood City, Oakland and South San Francisco. The Company’s Pavex Construction Division is a significant regional heavy engineering contractor building roadways, airports and private commercial and residential projects. The Company is opening its new Cupertino Design Center in October. Graniterock received the 1992 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the 1994 Governor’s Golden State Quality Award.