Sika, a Swiss-based global manufacturer of building materials including concrete, sealants, roofing, flooring and more, celebrated the opening of an expanded, state-of-the-art mortar and admixture plant on Sarasota Pkwy in Conyers with a ribbon cutting July 9. The ceremony was attended by Sika customers, company executives and local officials. The plant, which produces 5,000 metric tons of product a year and growing, is a template for other plants, said company executives. The decision was made last year to build the plant to service customers in the region, said N. America Sika President Christoph Gantz. In less than eight months, with a lot of hard work and help from local officials, the plant was built. Sika VP of Operations Admixtures and Mortars Phillip Wilson said it was the first plant in the US to produce two products. “Sika has three other motar plants, nothing like the sophistication here. It really is cutting edge technology,” said Wilson.

(Left to right) Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Scott Hartsell, Sika Executive VP of Operations Herbert Zwartkruis, Sika Dir. of Product Management Tom Gillespie, CREDC Executive Dir. Marty Jones, Sika North America President Christoph Gantz, Plant Manager Dale Heinze, Commissioner JaNice Van Ness, Chamber Ambassador Diane Adoma, Sika VP of Operations Admixtures and Mortars Phillip Wilson, Sheriff Eric Levett, SE CSR Sales respresentative Cindy Helton, Chamber member Brandon DeCosse, Sika Regional Project Manager Scott Joehlin.  Submitted photo/The News