The Atlas Cement Memorial Museum has become a sought out destination for international visitors.

Just recently a Chinese delegation toured the Northampton museum. More recently, three visitors came from Spain. This Spanish group will play a key role in the operation of Keystone Cement Company in East Allen Township, located outside of Bath.

Ed Pany, curator of the Atlas museum on Laubach Avenue, welcomed the new visitors.

Rafael Oyaguez became the new plant manager at Keystone on Nov. 1. Also from Spain are David Mateu, lab supervisor, and Joan Carles Izquierdo, maintenance manager at the plant.

Other major Keystone personnel joined the tour of the Atlas museum – the only one of its kind in the United States. Accompanying Oyaguez, Mateu and Izquierdo were Manuel Sanchez, production coordinator; Jeff Smith, manager, environmental compliance; Dave Reppert, safety manager; and Jonathan Graham, quality and production manager.

Keystone Cement is owned by Giant Holding Inc., a subsidiary of Cementos Portland Valderrivas, based in Spain which has ties to Lehigh County. It operated a cement plant in the Egypt area from 1912 to 1975. When that plant closed, it purchased Keystone.

In the museum's lobby, the new Keystone leadership was impressed with cement bags bearing the names of cement companies operating in the region, past and present.

A bright metal Keystone Cement sign caught their attention along with the names of Keystone personnel cited by the Atlas Museum as "Cement Worker of the Month."

The visitors were surprised to learn from Pany that Spanish-born Jose de Navarro was a pioneer and major figure in the 19th century for his role in cement manufacturing. During de Navarro's 70-year career, he started or ran eight major companies. He also was responsible for bringing into Coplay the first rotary kiln. In 1905 he moved the company, called Atlas, to Northampton.

Displaying a wooden crate piece from the former Atlas Railroad Station, which is stamped "Navarro, Pa.," Pany said most locals possess little knowledge of De Navarro and what he did for the cement industry.

"We are impressed," Mateu said. His words were echoed by Oyaguez and Izquierdo.

Mentioning he has always been welcomed when visiting the Keystone plant and offices, Oyaguez commented, "Nothing changed. We look forward to having a good relationship with you and the museum."

Before the visitors left, Pany presented them with a cement bag from Giant Cement, which includes the words, "Portland Cement Co., Egypt, Pa."