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History
Industry leadership, innovation, and integrity
have been operational hallmarks of Texas Architectural Aggregate,
Inc. (TAA) since its incorporation on August 3, 1960. Founded in
Fort Worth, Texas by Joe R. Williams, A. E. Eismann, and John B.
Potter, its initial goal was to create a better source of architectural
aggregate for the terrazzo and cast stone trades. Marbles, quartzes,
calcites, and granites originating in the varied mineral formations
in the Llano Uplift area of the Texas Hill Country were custom run
to exacting specification in establishing standards. Naturally occurring
colors and qualities were chosen from old quarries as well as newly
discovered sites to enhance the architect's or designer's palette
choices - some emulating Old World classics, while others lent themselves
to modern construction techniques and trends
With its inaugural crushing and milling facilities
established in San Saba, Texas, Joe Williams began a search for
the addition of a pure white to his product line, and in 1963 TAA
negotiated the purchase of an extensive white marble deposit in
far West Texas south of Guadalupe Peak. This acquisition greatly
improved TAA's market share on the national architectural scene.
A second mill was constructed in Van Horn, Texas, and later moved
to the Marble Canyon site itself. Williams discovered that the deposit
also contains a significant amount of brucite (mineralized magnesium
hydroxide), and in 1969 began formal research on separation of the
magnesium for use as an industrial chemical. Expansion into these
markets continues today.
In 1979 TAA purchased the milling plant and
quarries of its former competitor, Bilbrough Marble Company (originally
The Dezendorf Marble Company) south of Burnet, Texas from The Georgia
Marble Company. To TAA's original tradenames of Sierra White, San
Saba Red, Persian Cream, Ivory Botticino, Sunburst Yellow, and Dark
Cedar, were added Bilbrough's Longhorn Cream, Old Yellow, Yellow
Verona, DeMarco Rose, DeMarco Blue, American Pink, and Imperial
Brown. TAA currently enjoys a solid national reputation for its
colorful array of 48 shades of stone in a wide range of gradations
for use in the terrazzo, pre-cast concrete, stucco, and other construction
markets - both nationally and internationally.
Joe R. Williams, Jr., manager of the Bilbrough
Division from 1979-2004, now heads the corporation as its President.
Carrying forward a family tradition of "drive and ability to
understand the physical and chemical requirements of (our) markets
with the mechanical knowledge to engineer the products and services
which meet their need, within terms of economic reality" remains
our corporate mission.
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