THE MONARCH PRIDE
A FAMILY OF LIONS
Newsletter Date: March 15, 2015
Volume 25, Issue 7
THE MONARCH CEMENT COMPANY
RICK RUSH RETIRES
On August 29, 2014 after 26
years of service to the Monarch
Cement Company, Rick Rush
retired from the Company.
Rick started his career with
Monarch as an accountant in
1988, was promoted to Corporate Auditor and Data Systems
Manager in 1989, and named
Vice President in 2001. During
his tenure, his breadth of
knowledge, business skills, exceptional insight and sound business judgment helped to guide
the Company through good times
and bad; his analytical skills were
instrumental in optimizing day to
day operations and long-term
planning; and his natural way of
both giving and commanding
loyalty made him a respected
leader.
It has been our privilege and
pleasure to have been associated with him and we are grateful
for the wise counsel, faithful service and many fine contributions
he provided the company. Rick’s
guiding influence and relentless
dedication to Monarch throughout the years will long be remembered.
Rick’s plans for retirement are
spending time with his family,
traveling, and at the lake.
Rick Rush
Celebrating 40 Years of Service
Jeff Clements (pictured right) and Steve Weide
(pictured at left) celebrated 40 years of service at Monarch Cement Company. Employees passing the 40 year
anniversary are given a Gary Hawk printing of the Monarch Plant.
John Bilby is pictured presenting Steve with his at left.
Thanks Jeff and Steve for your years of service.
Inside this issue:
Special points of interest:
Safety Flag June 21, 1928
2

March 20, 2015: Spring Begins
Anniversaries, In Memory
3

April 3, 2015: Good Friday
New Hires
4,5

April 5, 2015: Easter Sunday
Monarch Retirees, Births
6

May 10, 2015: Mothers Day
Kenworth Article
7

May 25, 2015: Memorial Day
Plant Happenings
8,9,10

June 21, 2015: Fathers Day
Cold Weather Concreting, Safety
11,12

June 21, 2015: Summer officially begins
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SAFETY FLAG HOISTED AT CEMENT PLANT
Will Float as Long as There Is No Serious Accident to Employees
One hundred fifty-one cement
plants located in North and South America are putting on a safety campaign
which began at midnight, June 1, 1928.
The safety flag of the Monarch Cement
Company now floats from the laboratory
building.
“Everything is set,” said Superintendent C.P. Mitchell, to the Scout,
Tuesday, “for a successful safety drive.
Up to the present time this year,” continued Mr. Mitchell, “we have been favored
by fortune. Look at that constellation of
stars on that board. Not a break. A perfect record since the first of January. If
that condition continues until January,
1929, we will be entitled to the trophy. I
will admit, he continued, “this is a big
undertaking, but it can be done, and I
believe the Monarch will be able to accomplish it this year. ”The safety committee composed of O.A. Swanson,
W.C. Shaffer and M.E. Stephenson, is
very active in having all Monarch employees exercise every precaution
against accident. The committee wishes
the men to think “safety,” eat, drink and
sleep “safety.” It has been stated that
educational safety work has been responsible for 75 percent of the progress
made in accident prevention. Therefore
the committee is exercising every effort
to inspire and interest the men in the
importance of constantly thinking in
terms of safety first.
Tuesday, by permission of Superintendent Mitchell we made the
rounds of the Monarch in order to satisfy
ourselves of the safety conditions of the
plant. We went about everywhere from
the rock quarry to the sacking department. Billy Hall, head burner, detained
us in front of the seven blazing kilns,
where the temperature is 3,000 or more
degrees. Then he took us to the “hole,”
where the red hot clinkers pass along on
endless conveyors and where we stood
over 1,500 degrees of heat, but not for
long, while all the time Billy was telling
us that if the place of punishment for the
wicked after death was any hotter than
here we would not be able to survive.
We crawled under boilers, pipes, beams;
climbed stairs; walked beside red hot
clinkers; crawled under belting through
blinding dust; edged past big powerful
and gigantic fly wheels; mixed up with
the grinders; walked up and down inclines; up to the top of the ponderous
rock crusher and mixed up with rock
cars, rock, and cables. All this we did
and came out without a scratch. We
emerged covered with dust, it is true,
and our right hand held about a pint of
oily matter caused by putting it where we
had no business. All this we mention,
because it does not seem possible for
an accident to happen if the men will
think and act safely. The Monarch is as
safe from injury as it seems possible to
make it and that is the reason we went
through to see for ourselves. There is
another thing we wish to mention and
that is the gentlemanly courtesy tended
by every employee of the Monarch Cement Company. They give a visitor every
consideration and are ready and willing
at all times to show and explain all the
many parts and guide a stranger through
the intricate workings of cement making.
to myself or to others, thereby helping to
keep our safety flag flying.”
We are for you.
Taken from the Humboldt Union, June
21, 1928
During June the campaign flag
will fly from the laboratory building. If an
accident should occur during the month
of June, then the plant will suffer the
ignominy of losing its flag and will be
compelled to report full particulars of the
mishap which caused the loss of the
flag, to the Portland Cement Association,
Chicago. Should the Monarch come
through the month of June without a loss
-time accident, the flag then becomes its
property. If Mitchell and his men go
through the year 1928 without a loss
time accident, they will win the 1928
trophy.
Let’s go boys:
“I hereby promise and most
sincerely pledge myself to be at all times
cautious, careful, and to exercise due
diligence, due care, and to give my full
support in every intelligent way to the
June no-accident campaign, and will do
everything in my power to prevent injury
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If you have any stories you would like
in the newsletter call Helen Harrington
@ Ext. 151.
In Memory:
We would like to extend our sympathies to the families of Tom Kaufman on the death of his sister-in-law Lou Ann Thomas;
Larry Rourk on the death of his father-in-law, Roy Morey; Delbert Sheerer on the death of his father-in-law, Jack Wilson;
Larry Rourk on the death of his father, Lawrence Rourk; Sheryl Meier on the death of her father-in-law, Ewald Meier; Randy
Ellis on the death of his wife’s grandmother, Eva Matlock; Dennis “Todd” Lhuillier on the death of his sister Barbie J. Jones;
and Jerry Marple on the death of his sister-in-law Edna Marple.
Retiree Joseph V. Heenan passed away November 25, 2014. Joe began working at Monarch Cement on May 21, 1952 and
retired May 31, 1989. At the time of retirement Joe was the Personnel Director and Manager of Employee Benefits.
Retiree David R. Shannon passed away November 26, 2014. David began working at Monarch on March 17, 1972 and retired March 17, 2000. At the time of retirement David was a Quarry Equipment Operator IV.
Retiree Robert D. Lind passed away November 27, 2014. Bob began working at Monarch on September 29, 1980 and retired
March 30, 1996. At the time of retirement Bob was a Quarry Utilityman.
Retiree James A. Grady passed away January 16, 2015. Jim began working at Monarch on December 2, 1974 and retired
June 30, 2005. At the time of Jim’s retirement he was the Project Engineer.
Retiree Wilfred Wayne Gillham passed away February 14, 2015. Wayne began working at Monarch March 31, 1947 and
retired January 30, 1988. At time of retirement Wayne was a Quarry Truck Driver.
Years of Service
January
Vickie Britt
Lloyd Lynch
Larry James
James Costin
Ronald Carlburg
Tammi Frazell
Calvin Morrow
Robert DeLaTorre
Steven Tucker
Stephen Hansen
Joshua Smith
Vikki Hegwald
Sherilyn Clarke
William Coomes
Kent Webber
Amy Slater
Morgan James
Matt Boeken
29
23
23
23
20
14
10
10
9
9
9
9
7
6
2
2
1
1
February
Carol Bauer
Bernard Hess
Kenneth Lumley
Otis Crawford
Samuel Johnson
Jerry Marple
Darrell Walters
William Sanderson
Randy Ellis
Pat Griffith
Mark Newland
Andrea Gough
Jean Ross
Doug Sommers
Helen Harrington
Kenton King
3
42
42
42
42
32
32
32
32
17
13
12
8
4
1
1
1
March
Everett Goble
William Cavins
Jeff Clements
Stephen Weide
Anna Chapman
Bruce Butcher
Ricky Trim
Russell Clements
Thomas Kaufman
Jay Taff
Dennis Osborn
Anthony Hug
Delbert Sheerer
Bradley Davis
Thomas Tiegreen
Sheryl Meier
Karen Jarred
Tony Kasten
Michael Sinclair
Cassidy McCoy
Josh Meigs
43
43
41
41
38
36
36
36
36
27
22
20
20
20
17
16
16
13
1
1
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VOLUME 25, ISSUE 7
Welcome
HIRES:
SHAWN K. CLOUNCH:
Shawn began his employment with Monarch November 13, 2014 as a Laborer. Shawn was
previously employed by Chanute Manufacturing as a Welder for 3 years. Shawn graduated
from Humboldt High School and attended Cowley County Community College and Pittsburgh State University with an emphasis on business. Shawn and his wife Michelle have (3)
children, daughters, Macie (10), Jaydin (7) and son Matthew (2). Shawn is involved in coaching his daughters in their sports activities and enjoys watching sports in his spare time.
CHESTER T. HUSE:
Chester (Chet) began his Monarch employment November 13, 2014 as a Laborer. Chester
was previously employed by Gates Rubber Company as a Warehouse Laborer for 25
years. Chester graduated from Yates Center and attended Amtech Vo-Tech school in
Wichita with a degree in Auto Mechanics. Chester and his wife, Carmen, have (5) children,
Audrey, Kayla, Jenell, Jackilyn and Ryan. Chester likes to spend time with his family and
spend time in the spring and fall mowing yards.
CONNOR T. STIREWALT:
Connor began his employment with Monarch on November 13, 2014 as a Laborer. He was
previously employed by Whitaker Companies for the past 2 years. Connor graduated from
Humboldt High School and Allen Community College with an Associates degree in Farm and
Ranch Management. Connor is single and enjoys hanging out with friends, playing cards and
riding four wheelers.
CLINTON T. VANATTA:
Clinton began employment with Monarch on November 13, 2014 as a Laborer. Clint was employed with Whitaker Companies for the past 4 months and Double E Construction for 4
years. Clint graduated from Iola High School and Neosho County Community College with an
Associates Degree in Welding. Clint is single and enjoys playing poker, singing karaoke and
working on cars.
THAD A. WELLS:
Thad began his Monarch employment November 13, 2014 as a Laborer. Thad was previously employed by Briggs Welding for 11 months and B&W Truck Beds for 2 years. Thad
graduated from Humboldt High School and Neosho Welding Tech. Thad is single and enjoys
hunting and the outdoors along with dirt track racing. Thad is the son of David Wells, Monarch Shipping Supervisor.
4
CHRISTOPHER W.R. BRECHEISEN :
Christopher W.R. Brecheisen began his employment on January 14, 2015 as a Welder
II. Chris was previously employed by Chanute Manufacturing for one year and as a
contract welder for 4 years. Chris is a Chanute High School graduate and a Neosho
County Community College graduate . Chris has (3) children, Bailey (6), Jocelyn (3)
and Silas (1). Chris enjoys hunting,
STACI N. RATHER:
Staci N. Rather began her employment on January 28, 2015 as Stores Clerk. Staci was
previously employed with DuPont Pioneer in Garden City, Kansas as a Field Research
Associate prior to moving back to the Chanute area. Staci is a graduate of Chanute Christian Academy and Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri with a BS Degree in
Agronomy and Minor in Chemistry and a MS Degree in Plant Science. Staci and her husband, Jonathan, live in Chanute. Staci enjoys fishing, kayaking and quilting. Staci is the
daughter of David Bass, Monarch Safety Supervisor.
LAUREN REED:
Lauren Reed began her employment on February 17, 2015 as an Entry Level Technician in
the IT Department. Lauren is a Humboldt High School graduate. Lauren was previously
employed by USD 413 in the IT Department. Lauren enjoys photography, fishing, and cooking. Lauren is the daughter of Monarch employee Vester Reed, Quarry Utilityman.
SAM BUDREAU:
Sam Budreau began his employment on March 2, 2015 as the Corporate Director of
Human Resources. Sam recently retired as the City Manager for the City of Chanute
having served for the past 21 years in multiple senior staff level positons including Director of Human Resources. Sam is a certified professional Human Resource Manager and
HR Specialist, IPMA-CP. Sam lives in Chanute with his wife Donna. They have (3) grown
children and (7) grandchildren. Sam enjoys playing golf and traveling to see all of the
family.
COLD WEATHER CONCRETING
Monarch’s Joe Hug, P.E., Quality Concrete Technician, did a presentation on “Placing Concrete in
Cold Weather” to the Garden City KS Home Builders Association in November. Approximately 40
contractors, home builders, and architects attended this informative program.
Shown at left are Monarch District Sales Manager,
Curt Kitson, Hays, George Tyler, subsidiary
manager of Concrete Industries, Garden City and
Dodge City Concrete, and Joe Hug.
5
Monarch Retirees 2014
Harvey Buckley:
Harvey Buckley retired March 31, 2014 after 43 years of service. Harvey began with Marquette
Cement in Des Moines, Iowa in 1971. Monarch Cement purchased Marquette in 1979. Harvey
transferred to Humboldt in 1987, where he would hold various managerial positions prior to being
promoted to Vice President of Cement Manufacturing in 2006. Harvey’s plans include fishing, attending Kansas City Royals games and spending time with his family (More detailed coverage of
Harvey’s retirement can be found on the front page of the April 2014 issue of the Pride).
Connie S. Phillips:
Connie S. Phillips retired on December 31, 2014 after a little over 13 years of service. Connie began her employment on August 27, 2001 in the Purchasing Department as Stores Clerk, where she
would remain during her Monarch tenure. Connie plans on spending time with her husband, Steve,
and her family.
William F. Hess:
William (Bill) F. Hess retired on July 7, 2014 after 23 years of service. Bill began his employment
on May 2, 1991 as a Laborer in the Utility Department where he worked for almost 3 years. In February 1994, Bill moved within the Utility Department from Laborer to Plumber where he would work
for almost 8 years. Then in January 2002 through September 2008, Bill transferred to the Shipping
Department as Switchman. In September 2008, Bill would transfer to the Maintenance Department
as Maintenance Mechanic until his retirement. Bill plans on spending time on the farm and devoting more time to the Knights of Columbus organization.
Stratton M. Moore:
Stratton Matthew Moore was born 1 February
2015.. His parents are Nick and Jenny Moore
of Wichita, Ks. Grandparents are Randy and
Gale Worrell, Monarch District Sales Manager
- Wichita. Stratton was welcomed home by
his parents and 17 month old sister, Diem.
6
KENWORTH
Kenworth W900S Keeps Monarch
Cement in the Mix
Kent Webber Manager of Subsidiary Operations for Monarch MHC and Kenworth is impressive” said Webber.
Cement was recently interviewed by Kenworth Truck CompaMonarch was one of the first fleets in the country to standny below are a few excerpts from that article:
ardize on the PACCAR MX power plant. “MHC came to us
Producing over 600,000 cubic yards of concrete in 2014 when the PACCAR MX was first introduced and explained
through 21 ready-mix plants, 3 plants making concrete ma- how the engine was different—lighter and pound-for-pound
sonry units, and their transportation company in northwest more powerful than any other engines on the market” said
Arkansas, Humboldt, Kan.– based Monarch Cement sells Webber.
cement to its 11 subsidiaries in Kansas, Missouri, and ArkanWhile Monarch was an early adopter of the engine technolosas.
gy, it’s also moving into new truck technology. According to
Combined , the subsidiaries run 245 mixer trucks, 40 tractors Webber, Kenworth’s new platform trucks-the T680 and T880
for flatbed hauling as well as hauling bulk cement, plus 17 will be making their debut with three of Monarch’s subsidiardumps trucks. They deliver concrete to residential as well as ies. Beaver Lake with two T680s, while Salina and Kansas
commercial accounts in Kansas and Missouri.
Building Products will each run a Kenworth T880. Both models are powered by the PACCAR MX-13 engine.
Monarch has a centralized approach to its fleet and has
standardized on the Kenworth W900S for its mixer fleet. It
also is putting into service ultra-lightweight Kenworth T680s
and T880s for its tractor fleet.
According to Webber, new trucks coming in are purchased
through MHC Kenworth, which matches well with Monarch’s
subsidiary footprint. The Kenworth W900S models are
equipped with 10-yard mixer bodies from McNeilus. Once the
trucks or tractors are ready for service, they are sent to
Monarch’s subsidiaries.
“The quality of the trucks, and the support we receive from
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in a pretty well-preserved body, but rather to skid in
broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly
proclaiming: “Wow, what a ride!”
Anon
It is not the strongest of the species that survives....not the
most intelligent....but the one most responsive to change.
~Charles Darwin
7
8
Cooler Baghouse Modification (includes ductwork and drop-out boxes)
Due to more stringent PM limits, Monarch completed research and re-evaluated the engineering design plans for the Clinker Cooler Dust Collectors and Dropout Chambers. A determination was made
to modify and upgrade Collectors and install new Dropout Chambers.
#4 Cooler Dust Collector
New Cooler Dropout Chamber
In-line Coal Mill – Kiln Gas Temperature Increase Project
A continuation of the research and design engineering led to the planning of a project to relocate the
“take-off point” for Kiln gas removal from the Pre-calciner Tower to a location just above the
Downcomer Spray System, rather than after the Kiln I.D. Fan. This allows for Kiln gases to be utilized at the Losche Coal Mill at higher temperatures.
Hot Air Takeoff to Loesche Coal Mill
New Coal Mill Booster Fan
9
Coal Reclaim Modification and Upgrade
The Craneway Coal Reclaim System was upgraded during the maintenance outage. The original coal
reclaim system from the craneway was installed in 1949. The system parts were obsolete and required special fabrication. The upgrade will provide transport of the coal and coke in an enclosed
scraper conveyor. The installation includes a vibrating feeder and new reclaim hopper in the
craneway. The system is illustrated in photos below.
Coal Reclaim Scraper Conveyor
Coal Reclaim Hopper & Vibrating Feeder
New Coal Reclaim
Thanks to Kenny Miller for the article on Monarch’s projects for 2015.
10
Clinker Cooler 1st Compartment Upgrade
The last major modification and upgrade was to our #4 and #5 Clinker Coolers. Monarch was
one of the first companies to install the 1st generation Crossbar Coolers. FL Smidth has since
improved upon their original design. The latest improvement is a modification to the 1 st compartment inlet static grate design. The ABC inlet section guarantees no snowman buildup, which is
formation of hard clinker buildup on the grate line which requires downtime for removal when
formations develop. Other benefits include reduced energy consumption with better secondary
air heat recovery, resulting in reduced clinker discharge temperatures. Illustrated below are the
original inlet cooler 1st compartment profile and the new ABC inlet modification profile after installation.
Original 1st Compartment Inlet Section
New ABC 1st Compartment Inlet Section
“Eat Concrete Day “ at the Capitol
On Tuesday, February 24, over 550 “concretes” ice
creams were served by industry people to 100 legislators, plus their staff, in an effort to stress to legislators
the necessity to support transportation by keeping
KDOT funds intact for road building, as they were intended, instead of being used to balance the State
budget.
Included in the picture at left representing Monarch are
Steve Sloan, Monarch Director; Curt Kitson, District
Sales Manager; and Joan Perez, Vice President of
Sales.
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The Monarch Pride a Family of Lions
THE MONARCH CEMENT COMPANY
PSRT STD
P.O. Box 1000
449 1200 Street
Humboldt, KS 66748-0900
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
THE MONARCH CEMENT COMPANY
620-473-2222
PERMIT NO.11
Spring is on the Way
By Doug Sommers, Corporate Safety
Director
The days are getting longer and the temperatures start to warm. Spring is a wonderful time of
year, full of the promises of what is to come.
Soon everyone will be busy as we hustle to deliver the products and services our customers
expect. The quickening pace can result in nearmisses and injuries if we don’t pay attention to
the details. This is where the “3 Steps to Safety”
are vitally important. Whenever a task has to be
completed, the first thing to do is to identify the
job steps that must be performed to complete the
task. Next, identify the hazards that each job
step can entail. Finally, identify what controls
must be used to protect yourself from the hazards of the step. Steps, Hazards, Controls. Although simple, “3 Steps to Safety” is a highly
effective tool in near-miss and injury prevention.
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