Tyrone quarry kings CEMCOR purchased 7 new CAT machines including 2 of Ireland’s first Caterpillar 988 XE Wheel Loaders…
CEMCOR has partnered with Finning to acquire seven new Caterpillar machines for its Cookstown quarry in Northern Ireland.
The quarry supplies limestone for CEMCOR’s adjacent cement plant, which produces around 500,000 tonnes of cement annually. Among the new equipment are two Caterpillar 988 XE wheel loaders, marking their debut in Ireland.
The Cat 988 XE wheel loaders are 55-tonne, electric-drive machines with a 14.5-tonne payload capacity. Designed for heavy-duty operations, these loaders promise increased productivity and operational efficiency.
CEMCOR’s Plant Manager, Paul Millar, emphasized the importance of sustainability and energy efficiency in their decision to invest in the fleet, considering their energy needs for the next 10–15 years.
In addition to the wheel loaders, the fleet includes three Cat 775 off-highway trucks, a Cat 352 ME excavator, and a Cat D4 dozer. These machines combine premium performance with maximum efficiency, aligning with CEMCOR’s sustainability goals.
The equipment features cutting-edge technology such as automated payload weighing, which optimizes fuel use by reducing unnecessary trips. Safety is also prioritized with features like proximity warnings, overload alerts, tyre pressure monitoring, and automated braking systems.
CEMCOR has furthered its sustainability strategy by partnering with GO Fuels to power the fleet with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biofuel, cutting net carbon emissions by up to 90%. The electric drive technology of the Cat 988 XE wheel loaders also significantly reduces fuel consumption. Millar highlighted the proven fuel savings of this technology from other users, noting its strong overall value for CEMCOR’s operations.
To maximize the fleet’s performance, CEMCOR has entered a six-year Customer Value Agreement with Finning, which includes a comprehensive warranty and servicing.
Caterpillar-certified engineers based in Lisburn will handle maintenance, ensuring the machines remain operational and efficient. Padraig Flynn, Finning’s machine sales account manager, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating that the investment sets a new industry benchmark for production efficiency and carbon reduction. He commended CEMCOR’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence, emphasizing the value of Finning’s involvement in the project.
CEMCOR’s investment underscores its commitment to sustainable and efficient cement production, leveraging advanced technology and environmentally friendly practices to enhance productivity while reducing carbon emissions.
I chatted to Paul Millar (Cemcor Plant Manager) about Cemcor, it’s history, what they produce and how big the fleet is….
1. Who are Cemcor?
“Cemcor is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality bulk, bagged and specialist cements across the UK and Ireland. Cemcor’s product range provides quality solutions for a variety of applications from DIY and home improvement projects to major civil engineering and commercial development works. We are committed to providing the highest quality products along with the highest quality service to ensure the needs of our customers are always met and exceeded. Through the knowledge and experience of our people combined with the application of new technologies and innovations, we aim to be the supplier of choice for high quality construction products.”
2. How long have they been in business?
“Cemcor has been operating from the Cookstown plant since the purchase of the facility in January 2022. Prior to this, Cookstown plant has been a part of the local community and supply chain since 1968 under various ownership during this time.”
3. What do they do?
“Cemcor produces high quality bulk and bagged cement at Cookstown plant, supported by our adjacent limestone quarry. These products are dispatched across the UK and Ireland through our extensive logistics network which is also supported by a storage facility in Belfast Harbour in addition to the dispatch facility at Cookstown. Cemcor also trades in specialist cements and DIY products, further enhancing our high quality product offering to our customer base. Cemcor also conducts extensive R&D and innovation activities aimed at continuous improvement of our existing product range while developing industry leading innovative low carbon products and solutions.”
4. What products do they make?
“At present we produce CEM I 52,5N and CEM II 42,5R bulk cements, typically servicing ready-mix, precast and specialist concrete markets. We also produce two bagged products for construction, DIY and home improvement markets through our state-of-the-art packing facility at Cookstown. The products are a CEM II 32,5R General Purpose cement packed in paper packaging and a CEM II 42,5N Premium cement available in plastic packaging with a minimum 50% recycled plastic content. We also import and distribute white cement (CEM I 52,5R) for use in specialist and architectural applications.”
5. Are their products for a local market?
“All of our products are available locally and further afield across the UK and Ireland.”
6. How large is their Plant & Quarry Equipment fleet?
“Here in CEMCOR quarry we run 2 Caterpillar 988XE wheel loaders First of their kind in the island of ireland wheel loaders, 3 Caterpillar 775 Rigid dump trucks, 1 Caterpillar 352 ME Excavator 1 Volvo 480 Excavator and a Caterpillar D4 dozer as our main quarry fleet. We often have a number of sub contractors working on site carrying out mobile crushing duties for us also, depending on the work load at the time . For the logistic side of the company we currently are running Scania S560’s, Renault T520’s and Mercedes Actros 2453 units pulling curtain side trailers flats and bulk cement tankers. We have a number of customers and contractors who collect their own orders from us also.
7. Who is the Plant manager and quarry manager?
Paul Millar (CEMCOR Plant Manager) and Brian McDonald (Quarry Manager)
8. Did you replace/trade in old machines with new ones from Finning?
“The new machines are an addition to the existing fleet.”
9. How do you find the service from Finning?
“The service and support from Finning Caterpillar in Lisburn is exceptional, they have invested in additional training of their engineers locally in order to support the new technology on the 988XE Loaders as well as the 775’s. Finning Caterpillar is known for there reliable service, support and expertise for heavy duty quarry equipment. their eexpertise in maintaining and servicing our fleet of front line machine’s ensures that operations run smoothly, minimising downtime and maximizing productivity.”
10. Who did you deal with at Finning?
“Padriag Flynn Machine sales account manager for Finnings UK and Ireland”.
