PBCo IncPBCo has its roots in a business founded in 1930 by Paul Blum in Hannover Germany, trading raw materials to the paper making industry. In its early years, PBCo specialized in the trading of industrial chemicals and raw materials, successfully capitalizing on Buffalo’s industrial base of steel, chemicals and abrasives.
In 1969, PBCo began building a successful business selling iron oxide to the cement industry. PBCo also began supplying gypsum to cement producers along the US Eastern seaboard. By the late 1980s, PBCo’s business was now entirely built on supplying gypsum, iron oxide, cement and clinker to cement manufacturers throughout North America.
PBCo offered significant technical expertise and unique quality assurance programs to its customers, complementing its purchase and delivery of bulk materials.
The company became known for its commitment to maintaining the best prices possible for high-quality products.
By 1999 the company was shipping 5 million tons of products per year, making it the largest independent importer of cement and related products in the U.S.
With the arrival of the new century came a new PBCo ownership. In early 2001 Ross Eckert, a successful Western New York business leader with strong ties to the concrete and cement industries, joined PBCo as President and CEO. In April 2002 Ross acquired the Company from its then owner, Bernie Blum, son of PBCo’s founder.
To date ProMin, a PBCo affiliate company has chartered and received 1,430 shiploads of bulk products and is currently delivering more than 46,000 tons per month by truck domestically to the North American cement industry.
PBCo continues to evolve both in its products and services. While our business remains global, our team has developed unique capabilities in the domestic sourcing of raw materials, including pre-calcined materials that reduce the CO2 footprint of cement production.
PBCo has also become a trusted partner in the development and management of beneficial reuse programs and environmental site remediation for the power generation industry.
With the arrival of the new century came new PBCo ownership. In early 2001 Ross Eckert, a
successful Western New York business leader with strong ties to the concrete and cement industries, joined PBCo as President and CEO. In April 2002 Ross acquired the Company from its then owner, Bernie Blum, son of PBCo’s founder.
After 20 years of navigating PBCo’s success, Ross sold the company at the beginning of 2023 to his son, Kevin, passing the torch to the next generation of leadership. Ross remains active in the business, serving as Chairman Emeritus while Kevin has assumed the role of PBCo’s Chairman with Dan Baker as CEO and Peter Romano as COO.
To date ProMin, a PBCo affiliate company has chartered and received 1,430 ship loads of bulk products and is currently delivering more than 46,000 tons per month by truck domestically to the North American cement industry. PBCo continues to evolve its products and services. While our business remains global, our team has developed unique capabilities in the domestic sourcing of raw materials including pre-calcined materials that reduce the CO2 footprint of cement production. PBCo has also become a trusted partner in the development and management of beneficial reuse programs and environmental site remediation for the power generation industry.
Announcing that I have resigned my position at Katzenstein & Blank as of January 1, 1930 to found an Industrial Raw Material Company specializing in recycling waste paper and waste paper products. I look forward to developing a mutually beneficial relationship with my customers.
