The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
Oceanside Chamber

BLOG

Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
  • Oceanside
    • About Oceanside >
      • History of Oceanside
      • Demographics
      • Arts and Culture
      • Education
      • Employment
      • Health Care
      • Religious Organizations
      • Local Government and Services
      • Retiring in Oceanside
      • Oceanside Maps
    • Visitor Information >
      • Beaches
      • Accommodations
      • Groups and Meeting
    • Things to Do >
      • Oceanside Events >
        • Downtown History Walks
        • Farmers Market
        • Sunset Market
      • Shopping >
        • Coupons
      • Dining
      • Surfing
      • Regional Attractions
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Business Directory
    • All Categories
    • Coupons
    • New Members
  • Media
    • Advancing Oceanside Podcast
    • Blog
    • Member News
    • E-Newsletter
    • Publications >
      • Advertising Your Business
      • Best of Oceanside Magazine
      • Annual Community Guide
      • Military Publications
  • Chamber
    • Membership >
      • Member Portal
      • Membership Packages
      • Application
      • Testimonials
    • Advocacy >
      • Chamber Political Action Committee
      • Public Policy Guidelines
      • The Advancing Oceanside Report
    • Our Work >
      • 2021 Annual Report
      • 2023 Strategic Priorities
      • Committees - Task Forces - Forums
      • Oceanside Young Professionals
    • Workforce Development >
      • SOCAL Workforce
    • Kindness
    • Frontline Friendly
    • Oceanside Leadership Academy >
      • Spring Academy 2023
      • Fall Academy 2023
    • Our Team >
      • Board of Directors
      • Chamber Staff
    • Privacy Policy
  • Events
    • Signature Chamber Events >
      • Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation
      • Heroes of Oceanside and Camp Pendleton
      • Meet the City of Oceanside
      • North County Health Fair
      • Oceanside Senior Expo
      • Rising Star Student Program
    • Monthly Chamber Events
    • Oceanside Community Events
  • Resources
    • Community Resources
    • Local Business Resources
    • Military Resources

Orco Block and Hardscape-Generations of Concrete Masonry

2/23/2015

 
By Kierstin Hill
What began as an initial investment in only half of a startup company in 1946 has prospered into one of the largest concrete masonry products manufacturer in all of Southern California.  ORCO Block & Hardscape has improvised with the times and grown tremendously over the last 68 years, but what has not changed is the Muth family’s constant dedication to their product, employees and customers.   

ORCO Block & Hardscape started as a simple, hand operation of producing concrete blocks in Santa Ana in 1946.  At that time, there were 256 concrete block manufacturers in California; only nine of those original companies remain today. 

Picture
Picture
Rick Muth, President and CEO, credits the success of ORCO to constantly looking into the future of the business and therefore, always being on the forefront of the industry.  Because of the knowledge and expertise in the field, ORCO has always met market demand while still giving a boutique style customization to their product.    Muth’s father, uncle and grandfather were original investors in ORCO in 1946; Muth began working for the family business as a young boy earning money to purchase his first bike, then worked part-time during high school and college. After working for an outside firm Muth began full time at ORCO in 1975.

When the time came to upgrade to automated equipment, ORCO took a leap of faith and purchased the expensive machinery - it’s safe to say that panned out well for them.  They now employ 175 people across six different manufacturing plants all over Southern California.  The plant in Oceanside alone has 21 employees, the majority of whom live in Oceanside.  Five members of that staff have been with the company since the Oceanside plant opened in 1988, including Plant Manager Bobby Romero.  Eight employees in Oceanside have been with the company for over ten years.  The San Diego Regional Sales Manager who works from that plant has 43 years of ORCO under his belt!

The company is rooted in staying on the forefront of the industry – ORCO has hired individuals with all types of diverse industry backgrounds to have a feel for all aspects of the concrete industry.  Always embracing the current times, ORCO currently stays ahead of the curve by complying with all green building requirements that are present in California today.  Not only do they recycle their own product, but they also recycle other post industrial waste, such as sidewalks or buildings that have been torn down.  The recycled material is then added into the batch design to create new products. 

Understanding the industry inside and out has been a main reason why this company has been able to grow and expand as much as they have.  Over the years they have adapted to whatever the customer base desired.  They have the internal knowledge to always stay one step ahead.  They are constantly working with engineers and designers to learn what the next step is in the industry and how that next step fits into their business model. 

In the early days they only manufactured gray block, now they manufacture an extensive product line including custom colors of blocks (even pinks and purples), a variety of textures, recycled content block, and a complete hardscape line including pavingstones, permeable pavingstones, mortarless wall systems, fireplace units, pre-blended masonry mortar, and they only continue to grow.  Muth sees the future of the company as continuing to meet customer needs by having even more diversification and use of the product. 

Even though they serve all of Southern California, ORCO makes a huge impact in Oceanside and the North County San Diego region.  Countless buildings on Camp Pendleton have been constructed using ORCO concrete block and permeable pavingstones, as well as the new Sage Creek High School in Carlsbad and the Encinitas Community Park, just to name a few recent projects.  Philanthropy is also very important to the Muth family.  ORCO has been known to sponsor local elementary school gardens, sports fields, religious institutions, the list goes on.

The Oceanside plant is just one of many examples of ORCO’s success over the last sixty-plus years.  In only a few short years after purchasing that location, that plant doubled in size.  It now provides jobs to more than twenty North County residents and provides construction material to all types of job sites in the local region. 

Yet with all this growth, ORCO Block & Hardscape still manages to be family owned and operated. Muth’s two daughters, Veronica and Stephanie, are the third generation of the Muth family to work in the business.  They have both been on the advisory board since they were in high school and currently work full time at ORCO Block & Hardscape.  It is very apparent ORCO has solid family values deeply rooted within the company.  That can be seen from their growth and product, but most importantly from their employee retention and loyalty.  Muth credits much of the success to simply “liking what you do.”


Picture
James Jason link
5/14/2022 11:31:33 am

very important tips you share with us keep sharing more about technology blog tips please rugged

Learn More link
5/14/2022 11:31:56 am

To function as designed however, concrete masonry buildings must be constructed properly.


Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    Advocacy
    Arts And Culture
    Business
    Camp Pendleton
    Community
    Education
    Emerging Issues
    Entertainment
    Events
    Finance
    Health And Wellness
    History Of Oceanside
    Home
    Military
    Photo Blogs
    Political Action
    Resources
    Restaurants
    Ribbon Cuttings
    Senior Living
    Technology
    Visit Oceanside
    Women
    Workforce Development

    Archives

    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014

    RSS Feed

Copyright © 2023 Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
928 N. Coast Highway | Oceanside, CA 92054
Tel 760-722-1534 
info@oceansidechamber.com
Privacy Policy
Map/Directions
Picture
  • Oceanside
    • About Oceanside >
      • History of Oceanside
      • Demographics
      • Arts and Culture
      • Education
      • Employment
      • Health Care
      • Religious Organizations
      • Local Government and Services
      • Retiring in Oceanside
      • Oceanside Maps
    • Visitor Information >
      • Beaches
      • Accommodations
      • Groups and Meeting
    • Things to Do >
      • Oceanside Events >
        • Downtown History Walks
        • Farmers Market
        • Sunset Market
      • Shopping >
        • Coupons
      • Dining
      • Surfing
      • Regional Attractions
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Business Directory
    • All Categories
    • Coupons
    • New Members
  • Media
    • Advancing Oceanside Podcast
    • Blog
    • Member News
    • E-Newsletter
    • Publications >
      • Advertising Your Business
      • Best of Oceanside Magazine
      • Annual Community Guide
      • Military Publications
  • Chamber
    • Membership >
      • Member Portal
      • Membership Packages
      • Application
      • Testimonials
    • Advocacy >
      • Chamber Political Action Committee
      • Public Policy Guidelines
      • The Advancing Oceanside Report
    • Our Work >
      • 2021 Annual Report
      • 2023 Strategic Priorities
      • Committees - Task Forces - Forums
      • Oceanside Young Professionals
    • Workforce Development >
      • SOCAL Workforce
    • Kindness
    • Frontline Friendly
    • Oceanside Leadership Academy >
      • Spring Academy 2023
      • Fall Academy 2023
    • Our Team >
      • Board of Directors
      • Chamber Staff
    • Privacy Policy
  • Events
    • Signature Chamber Events >
      • Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation
      • Heroes of Oceanside and Camp Pendleton
      • Meet the City of Oceanside
      • North County Health Fair
      • Oceanside Senior Expo
      • Rising Star Student Program
    • Monthly Chamber Events
    • Oceanside Community Events
  • Resources
    • Community Resources
    • Local Business Resources
    • Military Resources