For over a century, St Marys Cement has stood as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and community in the Great Lakes region. From its earliest days among the limestone quarries of southwestern Ontario to its role as a modern leader in the building materials industry, St Marys Cement represents a legacy forged in stone, strengthened by community, and carried forward by generations.
Long before the arrival of St Marys Cement in 1912, the story of the town of St Marys was already shaped by limestone. This sedimentary rock has been quarried for generations in the region, forming both the literal and the economic bedrock of the community. Workers laboured tirelessly and diligently along the banks of the Thames River to extract limestone blocks using methods that had changed little over the previous centuries. Despite the dangers of manual labour and the harsh conditions the workers operated in, these quarries were more than just job sites; they were part of the identity of this town itself.
The abundance of natural resources made the town of St Marys a perfect location for a new industrial enterprise. The establishment of St Marys Cement marked a new beginning for the community, transforming the region from a traditional quarrying hub into a centre for industrial innovation and modern cement production. With limestone readily available and rail transportation connecting St Marys to broader markets, the conditions were ideal for growth. What began as an ambitious venture soon became one of the most significant industries in the region.
The construction of the St Marys Cement plant in the early 20th century was a transformative moment for the town. Local workers and their families watched as the facility rose from the ground up, marking the beginning of a new era of growth and opportunity. The plant signified more than technological progress; it was a symbol of hope and prosperity for the community. The plant was to bring jobs, support families, and attract new residents to the town. The cement produced in St Marys would go on to play a role in building the Ontario we know today, the largest and most populated area in Canada.
In its early years, the company focused on establishing both its reputation and its market presence. Promoting cement as a reliable and durable building material took education and outreach, and St Marys worked actively to demonstrate the benefits of modern construction materials. As infrastructure projects expanded and became more complex across Canada, demand for cement increased, positioning St Marys Cement as an essential supplier in the nation’s development.
While it grew nationally, St Marys Cement stayed deeply connected to the town where it all started. The plant was not simply an employer, but a central part of community life. Generations of families found work at the facility, and this multigenerational legacy is still alive to this day. The success of the company supported local businesses, schools, and civic institutions. Workers prided themselves on being a part of St Marys, knowing that their efforts were not only helping grow the company, but also impacting the well-being of communities nationwide.
The relationship between the plant and the community only deepened over time. Company events, local initiatives, and shared milestones reinforced the growth of a shared identity. The cement plant became woven into the fabric of the town, its presence both visible on the skyline and deeply felt in everyday life.
Following the Second World War, Canada entered a period of extraordinary growth. Cities expanded, highways rose to connect communities spread out in the vast Canadian landscape, and larger-than-life landmark projects reshaped the national landscape and identity. Cement rose to prominence and became an essential material of this era. St Marys Cement played a vital role in supporting this transformation and identity-building. St Marys materials helped build the foundations of modern Ontario: schools, hospitals, bridges, and homes that would serve generations.
As the cement industry evolved, St Marys Cement continued to invest in innovation. New technology, changing markets, and environmental considerations shaped the direction of the company in the later decades of the 20th century. Investments in modernization allowed the facility to increase production capacity while improving operational efficiency. These upgrades ensured that the company remained at the forefront of the industry, capable of meeting the demands of large-scale infrastructure projects across North America.
At the same time, the company undertook significant internal work to improve work culture, looking beyond production. Health and safety became central priorities, reflecting a commitment to protecting the workers who have sustained the operation of the plant for generations. Environmental stewardship grew in significance, guiding business decisions. St Marys Cement was a leader in recognizing the need to manage natural resources thoughtfully and sustainably.
While the story of St Marys includes technological advancements and industrial milestones, it would not be possible without the people who built it and sustained it. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, neighbours and friends have shared in the work of producing the materials that literally built Ontario and beyond. These people are the heart of the company. Their stories of hard work, perseverance, and collaboration form the foundation of the company’s success. The culture of the company has been shaped by these people and their families, promoting a sense of belonging and community beyond the walls of the plant. St Marys team reflects the tradition of expertise and skill that has been passed down through generations.
More than one hundred years after its founding, St Marys Cement continues to stand as a cornerstone of the town and a vital contributor to the broader construction industry. The cement produced in St Marys helped build structures, towns, and cities across Canada and the United States. These contributions form the physical and economic backbone of the region. But the company’s impact is felt in more than infrastructure; its presence has shaped the character of the town, providing employment, supporting local organizations and initiatives, and fostering a strong sense of community pride.
A century of legacy is an extraordinary achievement, but the story of St Marys Cement continues to evolve. The legacy built serves as the foundation, but also an inspiration for the future. As the building materials industry continues to move towards new technologies and sustainable practices, the company remains committed to innovation and progress. The same spirit of entrepreneurship and modernization that drove the founding of the plant in 1912 guides the company today.
The bond between the plant and the town ensures that the legacy remains vibrant. The people of St Marys believe that the plant is more than an industrial facility; it is a symbol of tremendous effort, resilience, and pride. From the limestone quarries that first defined the landscape of the town to the modern plant that stands today, the company has helped shape the lives of the people who built and sustained the region. St Marys Cement is a testament to what can be achieved when natural resources, ingenuity, and community spirit work together.
At St Marys Cement, giving back is part of who we are because the plants and terminals are not just places where we work – they are part of the communities we call home.
Guided by the Our VC Way value of Sustainable Legacy, our teams invest in the communities surrounding our plants in ways that are personal and lasting. We build homes with Habitat for Humanity, bringing more than skills to the job site. We coach and sponsor youth hockey, cheering on the next generation of local talent at the Josh Bailey Classic Tournament alongside the families who make those communities what they are. We stock shelves at the Stratford House of Blessing Food Bank, join the United Way Day of Caring, and have climbed all 1,776 steps of the CN Tower in support of the World Wildlife Fund. Across the Votorantim Cimentos North America (VCNA) network, our businesses have contributed approximately $1.6 million USD over five years to causes centred on health and wellness, veterans and emergency services, and education.
On the environmental side, our teams have planted more than 1,000 trees in a single Earth Day and contributed to the rehabilitation of former extraction sites, restoring the land to productive use and naturalized features as operations conclude in each area. Safety and Health, one of the nine principles of Our VC Way, means that ethic of care extends from our employees and their families to our customers and neighbours every single day.
The communities around our plants are not the backdrop to this company’s story. They are part of it, built into every bag of cement, every job created, every volunteer hour, and every generation that has chosen to carry this work forward.
United Materials
Superior Materials
Prairie Materials
Canada Building Materials
VC Global