driver

laborer

maintenance technician

terminal operator

truck driver

Holcim

Terminal operator: The entire point of the Galena Park facility is to unload rail cars and barges of dry powder cement and load that cement onto trucks. The material leaves either in tanker trucks or on pallets of paper bags. All positions here are focused on some aspect of loading or unloading cement. Being a southern Texas industrial facility, the job is obviously hot, noisy, dusty, and involves potentially dangerous machinery. If you’re looking for an air conditioned, cushy desk job: this place isn’t for you.

I’ve been at a lot of different industrial sites and the safety at Holcim is the best I have ever seen. Cement is a carbonate material so any incidental dust you breath is fairly harmless. Aggregates are not handled here so you have no risk of silicosis. Any asbestos in the facility was completely removed years ago so that’s of no concern. The only Class 1 Div 1 hazardous area is the fuel shed; otherwise the entire place is inert and cannot explode. Respirators are provided in whatever style you want, from small disposable dust masks, up to a $2000 PAPR rig.

Once you have been here for a while you will be issued a tool chest and any tools you need. If you demonstrate the ability to keep your tools secure, replacement & additional tools will be provided without question. Example, I have a big collection of Milwaukee 18v cordless stuff and I’m the only one with a key. Others can borrow them, but they always come back to my tool chest and get secured by my key… Gotta say it’s fantastic to get assigned a project and then have the exact tools I need to complete it. 

Anything you ask for will probably be provided… Want a specific type of work glove? Sure. // Want a certain brand of steel toe work boots? Done. // Have a favorite brand of ear plugs? They will keep 2 cases on hand. // Want a flame resistant heavyweight uniform? You got it. // Want a specialty jackhammer because it will fit exactly into XYZ? Absolutely. // If you don’t have what you need here, it’s 100% your fault for not communicating.

Continuing education is encouraged and totally paid for [obviously there are contractual strings attached].  At this facility alone, I know of one person that got an electrician certificate, another working on an undergrad degree, and another getting an MBA. 

One downside that I've encountered is that sometimes it’s hard to get proprietary replacement parts: Certain hoses, sensors, valves, bearings, actuators, etc may take months to arrive. Another downside is that management is sometimes a-little-too-hands-off. I appreciate not being micromanaged, but it occasionally crosses the line into disengagement.

Overall 4.75 out of 5 stars.

Before Lafarge came in and took over in February 2019, this company was great.  Now they have a guy running the company who has no clue how concrete works so he shouldnt be running the company.  First of all he lied to us and told us he drove a mixer truck years ago.  That was false, hes always been in management.  Second he pushes this ppe gear issue way too far.  If you get out of your truck for any reason you have to be wearing gloves, hard hat, vest and mask.  He literally sits in the window and watches drivers so he can write them up.  He also drives to jobsites looking for drivers he can catch not wearing ppe.  He jumps down dispatchers throat to print drivers for another load before theyre even inside the gate.  

To be clear, when they first took over we were given 20 minutes to get loaded and get out of the yard.  Then they lowered it to 10 minutes.  Then to 7 minutes.  And finally to 0 minutes.  Yes 0.  He doesnt care that loads need to be adjusted or tested at the lab or water tanks need to be refilled or extra concrete needs to be emptied before you can get loaded again.  Or even if you have to clean your chutes off because the last job didnt have a wash out.  

In the whole time he has been running the company, he has never once thanked any driver.  He doesnt even know the drivers names, he just calls them by their truck number.  This first quarter of 2020 we did 1 million dollars over budget and we were thanked with a lunch of hotdogs and hamburgers that was burnt so black we had to throw it away because it was inedible.  We were also the only only company in Lafarge Holciem that not only met our budget but exceeded it.  Again he didnt say thank you but pushed us harder so he could look better.  

Another issue is getting trucks fixed.  They have spent probably 10 million on brand new trucks since they took over, and will not fix them when theres a problem.  They tell the mechanics not to fix them because theyre not in the budget.  

This guy is all about appearance.  We have had news crews at the main plant several times for the  soapbox derbies the company sponsers.  And hes always the first one out there getting his picture taken.  He does 0 work but takes credit  for it all.  Apparently finger pointing is work to him.  

There is no time for lunch at this company or breaks.  For some reason they believe they are exempt from giving drivers time to eat. That only applies to otr and regional drivers though, and we are neither.

I want to point out that there were alot of good people working here that have quit or were fired.  One employee was let go because had cancer.  This company doesnt care about people.  Dont work for them if you value yourself.    

Holcim Western NY the guys on the ground are part of the operating engineers union in Erie county. The only main benefit that comes with being in the union, is the pension and job security. Thats about it. If your a good worker who is willing to learn and does what your expected, you wont need the job security. You dont get union health, eye or dental. The health insurance isnt that great and there is no other retirement plan other than the Unions pension. Seniority is vital when bidding on any open jobs. If you dont have 10+ years vested, your pretty much guaranteed that second shift differential pay for several years to come. Even if your more qualified for the open position. There are several good people in lower/mid management, but it feels like the biggest issues are out of their control. There is definitely some favoritism, as with any company, but that doesnt bother me too much. I mind my own business and do my job. 
There is no room for advancing your career. If you get hired as a trucker, your going to retire a trucker. If you get hired in the union, youll retire in the union. To move up within the company, you need to be non-union. 
Great people to work with, but be prepared for petty co-workers who like to start drama. 90% of the time, I dont hear about the drama because I usually keep to my small crew of 3 guys. 
I've been here for almost 15 years, and Im grateful for all the skills I've acquired while working here. 
The hardest part of working here as a new person would be trying to fit in with the other workers and learning how to work a shovel. 

I've been with Holcim Building Envelope for a few years now and this is one of the best jobs I've ever had. Relatively easy work; laid back environment; pretty much everybody gets along. There are definitely opportunities to grow and move up within the company - you just have to stand out and show them that you're driven.

Pros:
- Above average starting pay
- Paid Weekly
- Full benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k, life, bereavement) on day one
- 104 hours of PTO a year, plus a few floating holidays and all major holidays off
- Funny, hard-working employees
- Management is very fair and always has an open-door policy
- First Shift hours are Monday thru Friday, 5:30 AM to 2:00 PM; Second Shift is 1:45 PM to 10:15 PM, as of January 1st, 2024
- Guaranteed 40-hour work week, with the opportunity of OT (both voluntary and mandatory) during the busy months
- Company provides free bottled water and Gatorade during the summer months
- Company buys lunch monthly for all employees

Cons:
- In the summer, it's incredibly hot in the warehouse (100°+)
- Making foam insulation boards, there's fiberglass everywhere and it will get into everything
- Corporate can sometimes make last-minute changes to the schedule, which can throw off the flow of production
- Their attendance policy / points system is quite strict

All in all, I personally believe that this is a great company to work for. My biggest piece of advice would be to show up on time, every day, have the motivation and willingness to learn, give your best effort, and treat others with respect.

Overall, the company is not badly structured, and is organized well enough for advancement. Culture toxicity ultimately plague the organizations locations across the US. 

Professionals, and former members of management elsewhere will find themselves faced with providing upward feedback regularly to members of middle management, and while such practices are encouraged in their policies; actions taken to provide that feedback will be ostracized socially, severely limited professionally, and ultimately will choose to walk away as the company is hemorrhaging talent on a daily basis where professionals, and members of skilled labor alike can be found looking elsewhere for career mobility, and fulfillment. Fortunately, the talent pool that choose to leave become highly valued members of their teams elsewhere.

As one would think though, having zero support when a manager curses you out for doing what they asked you to, and following it up with several other immature, childish comments aimed at ensuring you know who’s boss… because some do not possess the strength of character to lead without having to remind everyone working for them just how powerful, and important they are. 

The turn over is very high, so it's constant change in and out from all levels of the business. 

Cement controls the cash flow of the business so the RMX, Aggregates get what's left. The company refuses to upgrade equipment in a timely fashion and consistently band aid fixes problems. 

Safety is pushed hard from day 1, until production needs supercede your personal safety. Then you will be pressured to overlook safety issues to meet production goals. If an injury occurs during this process you will most definitely receive discipline and people start the finger pointing and managers always win. 

Most of the hourly employees consistently walk on egg shells. If your a driver, a drive camera device watches you 24/7 and you will receive discipline based on driving habits including up to termination. 

For Example to work in a confined space you need 8 hours training, before entry you need field risk assessment completed (2 pages), Confined space permit (1 Page), and Project level risk assessment (1 page). There is no such thing as an easy task here they have inundated everyone employee with so many documents to fill out for every task. If you miss one thing your most likely terminated if there is an incident.  

The whole aspect of every job here is like drinking from a fire hose...you will get more and more to do, but never more pay.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The worst company would never recommend to anyone I lost my little sister to cancer the lost my mother on December 14 and my mom December 15 then on  Thursday December 29 was my wifes birthday worked a twelve hour day on December 30 after a eleven and half of work told the company I wanted to go home I was tired and wanted to spend some time with my wife following week went to work and was told I was supposed for four days without pay because I didn’t work a 14 hour day on Friday December 30 not a family type of company don’t care about there employees thank you 





What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
They don’t care about there employees 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
All bout the company don’t care what employees think no problem suspending you 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Long hour all ways on the go no down time to relax there down time is considered sitting in your truck waiting to get loaded

Typical day at work is making purchase orders, assisting with processing invoices, negotiating individual purchases and handling regional contracts. 

Management is extremely supportive, not a “you’re just a number” type of place which I think goes to the decentralization of their procurement functions. Instead of everyone being at one corporate office, they’re scattered at plants or regional offices so you’ve got small teams of 2-3 instead of teams of 12. 

Overall the camaraderie is really good, the company looks for outgoing people and is pretty professional across the board. Bachelors degrees are pretty much required and it’s noticeable.

Hardest part of the job is standard procurement things; working to get bills paid, dealing with problem suppliers and dealing with operational pushback. 

Most enjoyable part is a great work/life balance, awesome career mobility and great team support. I’ve seen some procurement divisions be fairly hardlined with their employees, this place is very encouraging

What is the best part of working at the company?
the days you don't work are best. otherwise the equipment breaks all the time. directions are basically absent. 
employees are not supported by managers against abusive contractors/job site employees .
hard to understand and use insurance benefits.
dispatch doesn't have a clue or fails  to support resumes drivers. 
overall toxic from top down.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
having to be there. completely toxic company. see from the 60% satisfaction survey, if they'd show you

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
very toxic, unsupportive, not at all family friendly if you know what i mean (profanity laced, inappropriate innuendo laced)

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
clock in
guess what you are expected to do
get yelled at for not doing the right thing clock out go home and to therapy

At first it seemed decent, but you’ll slowly learn that there are too many chiefs and not enough workers. Horrible on having parts in or priorities. Supervisor may come up with a plan that’s is reasonable but the maintenance manager will over rule for the dumbest things. Some of the management I don’t know how they are in those positions as nobody seems to know what’s going on. It would be decent if management changed and pay was better but unfortunately I saw how managers walk around like they’re better than everyone even if they don’t have a clue. Look hard enough there’s better opportunities. Maybe use this place to learn and as a stepping stone to find better opportunities. Also don’t expect a raise besides maybe the yearly. I was there for a year and at same income I started with. Only as I was leaving did they offer to talk but new offer was too good to pass. Have to at least try but unless I’m desperate I probably wouldn’t go back

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Driver 7 salaries reported	$23.50 per hour
Laborer 1 salary reported	$21.50 per hour
Maintenance technician 16 salaries reported	$30.70 per hour
Terminal operator 12 salaries reported	$23.39 per hour
Truck driver 2 salaries reported	$26.50 per hour

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