Over the years, the Atlas Cement Memorial Museum has hosted visitors from cement companies throughout the world.

Last year we welcomed a delegation from the People's Republic of China. They knew the Northampton museum is the only one devoted to the cement industry in the United States.

Recently, Mr. V.L. Dutt, chairman of KCP of India, and technical director V. Gandhi visited the museum. With them were a number of engineers from Canada. They were in Northampton to meet with Bridge Gap Engineering, which has an office on Main Street.

KCP is a diversified company which has conducted business for 73 years. They have interests in cement, heavy engineering, sugar, power, biotech and IT.

The company has nine manufacturing facilities in India and Vietnam.

KCP has set up 12 cement plants in India and 40 sugar plants in India and overseas.

They focus on contributing to the nation's infrastructure.

One of their cement plants is providing cement for a giant dam. The dam continues to provide irrigation and power to the state of Andhra Pradesh.

They have worked closely with our local Fuller Company, now F.L. Smith, of Catasauqua.

Their technology has been utilized in mineral processing, chemical, steel space research and nuclear/hydro installations.

The company has been a pioneer in developing the sugar industry in Vietnam since the 1990s.

On invitation from the government of Vietnam, they aided in developing sugar cane in the rural areas of the country.

The group enjoyed their visit to the museum which traces the early development of cement in our area and honors our five local cement companies.

It was an honor for the museum and Northampton to have such distinguished visitors view the museum.