July 31 1996
Free Press Files
The distinctive red concrete mixing trucks of Garrett Ready Mix have been a fixture on the roads in the Elk Valley for the past 11 years.
Co-owners Dale and Judy Garrett and their staff are always ready to deliver a load of concrete no matter how big or how small the job.
Pouring an average of about 75 cubic meters of concrete each day allows Garrett Ready Mix to lay claim to the title of the largest concrete company in the Elk Valley.
The company delivers its product from Elko to the Alberta border.
While the majority of the concrete is made to meet the needs of the mines, the Garretts are quick to point out they will supply all types of contractors as well as the do-it-yourself home owner.
“We’ll do any job from a one cubic meter pour to the 481 cubic meters of concrete we poured in one day for the new breaker plant at the Coal Mountain mine site,” said Dale Garrett.
“Every customer is important. No matter how big or how small, every one of our customers is valued equally.”
To fill the contracts they have with the five area mines and three Elk Valley communities, Garrett Ready Mix employs a staff of about 17 who drive the 13 mixer trucks, two dump trucks and a concrete pumper truck which is capable of delivering concrete to the hard to reach places on a job site. There’s also the crushing of material and washing to be done.
In order to keep track of the trucks and employees amid all the day’s activity the company uses a radio-controlled dispatch system.
As well, Dale Garrett points out that the company has added a new computerized batch plant for mixing the concrete to exacting specifications.
“In order to service the mines and provide specified concrete strengths, our mix designs are made up by testing labs and our materials are washed,” said Judy Garrett while explaining how certain products need to be customized.
Garrett Ready Mix also offers a line of pre-cast products such as curbs and sidewalk pads.
They also will do custom pre--casting and deliver sand and gravel as needed.
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