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Private company

Edison Portland Cement Company

American company, 1899–1920s

The Edison Portland Cement Company was a venture by Thomas Edison that helped to improve the Portland cement industry. Edison was developing an iron ore milling process and discovered a market in the sale of waste sand to cement manufacturers. He decided to set up his own cement company, founding it in New Village, New Jersey in 1899, and went on to supply the concrete for the construction of Yankee Stadium in 1922.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1899Founded1

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Edison Portland Cement Company 1899
Photo: Unbekannte Autoren und Grafiker; Scan von HWPH Historisches Wertpapierhaus AG, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons4

The Edison Portland Cement Company was a venture by Thomas Edison that helped to improve the Portland cement industry. Edison was developing an iron ore milling process and discovered a market in the sale of waste sand to cement manufacturers. He decided to set up his own cement company, founding it in New Village, New Jersey in 1899, and went on to supply the concrete for the construction of Yankee Stadium in 1922.2

The story

Founded by Thomas Edison in 1899.1

In 1881 Edison formed the Edison Ore-Milling Company and tried for many years to make that business a success. The demand was not existent, and although Edison brought new technological innovations to the industry, the company could not compete with the rich ore in the Iron Range. Despite continual investment, with Edison selling shares in General Electric, the company suffered huge losses. Eventually, the ore-crushing technology was sold to other mine owners.

The manufacturing process used by the Edison Ore-Milling Company produced a large quantity of waste sand which he would sell to cement manufacturers. The properties of the fine sand were particularly suitable for concrete, leading to a harder, more durable product. In 1899, Edison decided to join the cement business, reusing some of the technology he had developed for ore-milling.

From Wikipedia’s article on Edison Portland Cement Company, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Leadership

Who has led Edison Portland Cement Company, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Products and brands

  • portland cement

Listed on Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. 1920Dissolved Dissolved1
  2. 1899Founded Founded1

Sources

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