Siwertell ship unloader - USA

High-capacity cement imports secured with Siwertell technology 

In Houston, Texas, a Siwertell 490-M ship unloader, belt-lifter, and complete horizontal and vertical screw conveyor system secures efficient, enclosed cement handling for Quikrete. The installation expands import capacity while ensuring clean, environment-friendly operations and smooth cement delivery to storage silos or bulk truck loading.

Customer need

In 2023, to meet rising cement import volumes and strengthen its logistics chain, the operator Argos USA, subsequently acquired by Quikrete as part of its Summit Materials purchase in 2025, needed to expand capacity at its Houston, Texas, terminal.

The existing pneumatic unloader and pump system no longer matched operational demands for higher capacities and more efficient cement handling. Therefore, a new installation was designed to increase port throughput and imports, feeding a newly built storage dome with the capability to load bulk trucks directly.

The operator required a fully enclosed system to eliminate dust emissions and material losses, while achieving energy efficiency and operational flexibility. The terminal expansion was also planned with future growth in mind, including preparation for an additional storage silo. 

The operator needed a solution that not only offered proven performance and environmental protection, but it also had to be able to seamlessly integrate within this new, purpose-built import line.

Our solution

In 2024, Bruks Siwertell delivered a rail-mounted Siwertell 490 M-type ship unloader, equipped with a belt-lifter, and a complete set of horizontal and vertical Siwertell screw conveyors to the operator.

This turnkey approach offered a seamless, single-source solution that delivers a highly efficient operation with minimal environmental impact, and links the ship unloader directly to the cement storage dome and bulk truck loading points.

Designed to discharge vessels up to 60,000 dwt, the Siwertell ship unloading solution ensures market-leading through-ship efficiency and a continuous rated cement unloading capacity of 800t/h. It also secures totally enclosed material handling, minimizing dust and spillage from the ship’s hold to shore.

Combining high capacities, low energy consumption, and a compact footprint, the combination of Siwertell technology at the terminal offers a step-change in its operational efficiency and environmental impact.

Since commissioning, the unloader has consistently achieved its rated capacity, helping Quikrete strengthen its position in the US cement import market. Quikrete is also supported by a planned service agreement with Bruks Siwertell, ensuring the dry bulk handling equipment’s long-term reliability and optimized performance.