Dominican cement company to develop Tampa terminal

Dominican cement company to develop Tampa terminal Dominican Republic-based construction materials company Andino Cements USA LLC has signed a 40-year lease agreement with the Port of Tampa to develop a new terminal in the Port Redwing area.

The Tampa Port Authority and Andino Cements USA Wednesday signed a 40-year lease agreement for 28 acres in the Port Redwing area of the port authority's property. Seated, from left: Richard Wainio, port director; and Hector Bellow, Andino Cements USA chairman Hector Bellow. Standing, from left, are Andino Attorney Martin Schwartz; Zelko Kirincich, port chief operating officer; Jim Pyburn, port director of trade development; Agustin Restrepo, Andino director of business development; Bruce Laurion, port engineer; Andino President Vladimiro Camacho; and Jim Renner, port director of real estate.

   The agreement calls for Andino to develop 28 acres within the 130-acre Port Redwing area, which is east of the Hooker's Point area where most port operations take place. Andino will use the space primarily to import, store and distribute aggregate materials, cement and related products.
   Tampa is already a leading Florida gateway for building materials such as steel and lumber, and there are also a number of major cement companies with operations there. The development of a new cement and aggregate terminal in a previously undeveloped area will not only boost port volumes and revenues, but will likely draw other related businesses to the Port Redwing area, port officials said.
   'This long-term lease is a major building block toward the port's future and the start of what we are sure will be a productive and synergistic relationship between the port authority and Andino,' Port Director Richard Wainio said. 'Our thriving port is well-suited for additional growth, and we are committed to working with companies toward building the port into its highest potential.
   Andino Cements has operations in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America, and employs 5,000 at its various locations.