Welcome to the unique city of Austin, Texas, the seventh stop on our Around the World with CarbonCure series. The city is home to Lauren Concrete, the leading provider of ready mix concrete in Central Texas. Where are we headed to next? Read to the end of this blog post to find out!
Lauren Concrete was founded in 1986 by brothers Ronnie and Ray Klatt with just one plant and three trucks. The brothers were determined to succeed, and because of their “failure is not an option” attitude the company has since grown to 24 plants and 250 trucks serving Central, East and West Texas.
The family-owned and operated company prides itself on its people and culture, and prioritizes safety, customer service and innovation. Its early adoption of new technology has helped to meet those priorities and fulfill its mission “to deliver a World Class experience to our customers, employees, and the communities we serve.”
Recognizing the increased demand for sustainable building in its markets, Lauren Concrete sought to provide their customers with low-carbon concrete. Partnering with CarbonCure was the logical next step for this forward-thinking company.
“We looked at where the city was heading in terms of sustainability and felt that low-carbon concrete should be a focus for Lauren Concrete. It is very important for us to stay ahead of new technologies so when folks ask about them, we're already past our learning curve and ready to hit the ground running,” said Renee Drosche, Key Account Manager and CarbonCure specialist at Lauren Concrete.
Implementing CarbonCure into the company was seamless, with the technology passing Lauren Concrete’s rigorous testing process. As of October 2021, the company is using CarbonCure in approximately 350 mix designs. Armed with tools and support provided by CarbonCure’s Market Development team, Lauren Concrete has won numerous projects with its new sustainable mix designs.
Recognizing the business and sustainability benefits of CarbonCure’s concrete solution, Lauren Concrete hopes to roll out the technology to all of its 24 plants. “The combination of supply, operations, and cost efficiencies makes CarbonCure a no-brainer for us. We’ve had great feedback, and we have the data from our quality testing, so it makes sense to put it everywhere,” said Renee.
Now to enjoy Austin and the surrounding area, and some of many things the capital city of the Lone Star State has to offer!
Watch Austin’s Bats Take Flight at Dusk
From March to October, Austin’s night sky is decorated by North America’s largest urban bat population taking flight in search of food, a sight that’s become one of the city’s most popular albeit unusual attractions. There’s even an annual Bat Fest with live music, food and drink and, of course, a bat costume contest.
The 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats live under the Congress Avenue Bridge, which became a suitable bat cave when it was renovated in 1980. The colony enjoys the hospitality of Austin from about the middle of March until the cold weather arrives in October, when they head back to the warmer climes of central Mexico.
Enjoy our nocturnal friends by grabbing a spot on the Congress Avenue Bridge – just make sure to look east to see the bats fly out from under the bridge. Or relax on a picnic blanket or folding chair at the Statesman Bat Observation Center, a grassy hill next to the bridge. If you’re feeling more active, the Butler Hike & Bike Trail along Lady Bird Lake offers good views, or join a bat tour and enjoy the view from the water on a boat, kayak or paddle board.
Take Photos Featuring Austin's Street Art
There’s always something to see in Austin with the hundreds of vibrant murals and pieces of street art brightening the sides of buildings throughout the city. Some have been created independently, others are officially commissioned, some are new, some are old, and many have become iconic, such as the Greetings from Austin or the You’re My Butter Half murals. Grab your camera, hit the streets and enjoy the ever-changing outdoor gallery compliments of Austin’s artists.
Swim, Hike or Kayak in the City
The Barton Creek Greenbelt is only minutes from downtown Austin and is a favorite destination for adventure-seeking locals and tourists. Its 800 acres and 12 miles of trails are full of limestone cliffs, waterfalls and beautiful forests. Popular for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking, it also has a number of swimming holes to help you beat the Texas heat.
Back in downtown Austin, you can also take to the water at Ladybird Lake – an artificial lake on the Colorado River – and enjoy canoeing, kayaking or paddle boarding with the city’s skyline on show. Equipment rental is available, and with no motorized traffic allowed on the lake, this is a peaceful haven in the heart of the city.
Hit the Hill Country Wine Trails
The rolling hills of central Texas are home to over 50 wineries, making the Hill Country wine trails a hub for the Texas wine scene. Each winery boasts its own unique style and welcomes guests to visit either as part of an official wine tour or independently.
With your trail map in hand, you can go from winery to winery, tasting their offerings, enjoying a tour of the vineyard, and meeting the winemakers along the way.
Or if you prefer, book your trip with a wine tour company instead to relax and enjoy the scenery – and a designated driver – with a luxury experience.
Our Next Stop
Join us next month as we travel to the southern hemisphere to visit Stevenson Concrete in Auckland, New Zealand! If you haven’t signed up for our blog yet, you can do so here to make sure you don’t miss it!
How SBTi’s New Standards Could Unlock Corporate Climate Potential
An Introduction to Low Carbon Concrete