Russian Asphalt Industry Delegation Tours Century Asphalt’s Houston Plant

Days before heading to the World of Asphalt Conference in Houston Texas, TXAPA’s Executive Vice President Harold Mullen was contacted by the U.S. Department of Commerce with a request that was both exciting and surprising. A delegation from the former Soviet Union wanted to see an asphalt plant in the United States. Specifically, they wanted to visit a plant in Texas. The Department of Commerce wanted to know if the Texas Asphalt Pavement Association could accommodate this request the following week during the conference. The answer, of course, was a resounding YES!

Mullen wasted no time reaching out to TXAPA member Derek Angel to see whether a tour of Century Asphalt’s plant on Navigation in Houston a would be viable place for a little asphalt-centric cultural exchange. Angel agreed without hesitation and began lining up people on his end including Philip King, VP and General Manager, Houston Division and Wade Cook, Quality Control Manager, and Plant Superintendent-Houston Division, Otis Mathews to help showcase the plant and provide Texas-sized hospitality. On the TXAPA side, Larry Welch, Chuck Fuller, and Corey Schwarz would join Mullen for an early 8 AM start to a tour that proved to be eye opening for everyone involved. With hard-hats on and interpretation earbuds in place, the Russians were ready to see how we do Asphalt Texas style!

A full account of the tour will be featured in the Summer '18 issue of Texas Asphalt. For now, check out the photos!