S&P Celebrates Major Construction Milestone at GCP Paper’s Flagship U.S. Manufacturing Facility
Satterfield & Pontikes Construction (S&P), trade partners, project stakeholders and community leaders gathered to celebrate a major milestone in the construction of GCP Paper’s flagship U.S. manufacturing facility in New Caney, Texas.
The event marked completion of the facility’s extensive underground MILL structure, a critical component of the future paper manufacturing operation. With the structure complete, crews have begun the process of backfilling the basement, allowing construction to transition to the next phase of vertical development. The celebration also recognized the project team’s achievement of more than 200,000 man-hours without a recordable incident.
Representatives from S&P, GCP Paper and East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) joined more than 200 trade partner personnel for the milestone event, which included project remarks, a commemorative group photo, trade partner appreciation lunch and raffle giveaways donated by project vendors and partners.
“Only one word really comes to my mind, and that’s collaboration,” said John Marshall, S&P CRO. “Everybody here worked together to reach this amazing milestone, and that’s what we’re celebrating today.”
The facility represents GCP’s first fully integrated manufacturing operation in the United States and a significant investment in East Montgomery County. Once complete, the facility will expand the company’s North American manufacturing capabilities while creating new jobs and economic opportunities for the region.
“Our community is thrilled with the job opportunities and everything you’re doing for our community,” said Frank McCrady, EMCID CEO. “Thank you for selecting New Caney as your new home in the United States.”
The project has progressed through complex sitework, structural and underground construction efforts, requiring close coordination among the owner, design team, construction team and dozens of trade partners.
“We’ve come a long way,” said George A. Pontikes Jr., S&P Chairman and CEO. “It’s been an effort by the entire team, all the subcontractors and the design team. We appreciate the commitment and partnership that has helped move this project forward.”
Safety remained a central focus of the event as project leaders recognized the workforce’s achievement of more than 200,000 accident-free man-hours.
“The idea is to celebrate over 200,000 construction man-hours along with more than 350,000 safe work hours at our current production facility as being injury free work.” said Luis Fernández Oviedo, GCP Paper Director. “GCP has a very strong safety culture and commitment to taking care of our people. I want to thank each and every one of you for the professionalism you’ve shown in taking care of yourselves and your teammates.”
Marshall echoed those sentiments. “Two hundred thousand man-hours without a recordable incident is a big, big deal,” Marshall said. “We’re on the home stretch. Let’s keep it that way.”
Following the program, attendees enjoyed a trade partner appreciation barbecue lunch catered by La Cruda Brand BBQ of Crosby, Texas. Throughout the luncheon, project team members distributed raffle prizes generously donated by our friends at HP Elevations, United, Haulbrooke, Herc, Southern Carlsen, White Cap, ESI, Jaguar, ATCO, Oakmont, and GCP in recognition of the workforce whose efforts continue to drive the project forward.
“Again, we’re here today for the workers,” Marshall said. “We thank you for the hard work, dedication and commitment that made this milestone possible.”
Construction on the facility continues as crews advance toward the next phase of work, bringing GCP’s vision for its flagship U.S. manufacturing operation one step closer to reality.
July 3, 2026
