Covia’s Elco and Tamms Plants: Leadership, Teamwork, and Excellence in Mineral Solutions
Covia’s success is built on the dedication of its people. Plant Manager Bleve Willoughby, who oversees the company’s Elco and Tamms facilities in Illinois, is quick to highlight that it’s not machinery or production numbers that make the difference—it’s the team behind them.
A Career Driven by Curiosity and Opportunity
Bleve’s professional journey wasn’t a straight path into the minerals industry. After college, he gained diverse experience working at a nuclear power facility, a vegetable oil plant, and a graphite electrode manufacturer. In 2014, he stepped into the minerals sector as superintendent of Covia’s Elco plant.
His leadership skills quickly became evident. Just two years later, he was promoted to plant manager at the Troy Grove site, where he deepened his expertise in areas such as safety, operations, and finance. By 2017, Bleve returned to southern Illinois to manage both Elco and nearby Tamms, taking on the responsibility of guiding operations, production, and budgets for two facilities just a few miles apart.
Managing Dual Operations
While close in distance, the plants serve different markets. Elco processes a unique microcrystalline silica deposit into IMSIL fillers, while Tamms converts nepheline syenite into MINEX functional filler and MINBLOC HC High-Clarity Antiblock additive. Balancing the needs of these distinct sites means Bleve must navigate unique customer demands, safety requirements, and operational processes—something he approaches with consistency and focus.
Backed by a Strong Culture of Support
Although the job is demanding, Bleve points to Covia’s strong culture of support and professional development as key to his success. Leadership programs and direct customer interaction have shaped his management style, while collaboration across the company ensures he’s never handling challenges alone.
Support also comes from closer to home—Bleve’s father, who spent three decades with Covia before retiring. While they never shared the same plant, his father’s experience often provided valuable insights when Bleve sought advice in his early years at Elco.
People at the Core
For Bleve, the achievements of Elco and Tamms are rooted in the 55 employees who keep the plants running. From maintaining safety standards to optimizing processes and serving customers, the team takes ownership of their roles. Their track record speaks volumes: more than 10 years without a lost-time incident, efficiency improvements that raised output by 20%, and a reputation for product excellence. Beyond the plants, many employees also strengthen their local communities as volunteers, mentors, and leaders.
“The equipment is important,” Bleve often says, “but it doesn’t run itself. It’s our people who make us successful.”
Balancing Work and Home
Away from work, Bleve’s focus shifts to his family. With three children involved in sports and outdoor activities, he enjoys time at the lake, golfing, and hunting during the winter months. Family life provides perspective and reinforces why the work at Covia is meaningful.
Together, Bleve and his teams at Elco and Tamms represent Covia’s values in action: accountability, dedication to quality, and a belief that their work matters—not just within the plants but in the communities they call home.
A Career Driven by Curiosity and Opportunity
Bleve’s professional journey wasn’t a straight path into the minerals industry. After college, he gained diverse experience working at a nuclear power facility, a vegetable oil plant, and a graphite electrode manufacturer. In 2014, he stepped into the minerals sector as superintendent of Covia’s Elco plant.
His leadership skills quickly became evident. Just two years later, he was promoted to plant manager at the Troy Grove site, where he deepened his expertise in areas such as safety, operations, and finance. By 2017, Bleve returned to southern Illinois to manage both Elco and nearby Tamms, taking on the responsibility of guiding operations, production, and budgets for two facilities just a few miles apart.
Managing Dual Operations
While close in distance, the plants serve different markets. Elco processes a unique microcrystalline silica deposit into IMSIL fillers, while Tamms converts nepheline syenite into MINEX functional filler and MINBLOC HC High-Clarity Antiblock additive. Balancing the needs of these distinct sites means Bleve must navigate unique customer demands, safety requirements, and operational processes—something he approaches with consistency and focus.
Backed by a Strong Culture of Support
Although the job is demanding, Bleve points to Covia’s strong culture of support and professional development as key to his success. Leadership programs and direct customer interaction have shaped his management style, while collaboration across the company ensures he’s never handling challenges alone.
Support also comes from closer to home—Bleve’s father, who spent three decades with Covia before retiring. While they never shared the same plant, his father’s experience often provided valuable insights when Bleve sought advice in his early years at Elco.
People at the Core
For Bleve, the achievements of Elco and Tamms are rooted in the 55 employees who keep the plants running. From maintaining safety standards to optimizing processes and serving customers, the team takes ownership of their roles. Their track record speaks volumes: more than 10 years without a lost-time incident, efficiency improvements that raised output by 20%, and a reputation for product excellence. Beyond the plants, many employees also strengthen their local communities as volunteers, mentors, and leaders.
“The equipment is important,” Bleve often says, “but it doesn’t run itself. It’s our people who make us successful.”
Balancing Work and Home
Away from work, Bleve’s focus shifts to his family. With three children involved in sports and outdoor activities, he enjoys time at the lake, golfing, and hunting during the winter months. Family life provides perspective and reinforces why the work at Covia is meaningful.
Together, Bleve and his teams at Elco and Tamms represent Covia’s values in action: accountability, dedication to quality, and a belief that their work matters—not just within the plants but in the communities they call home.
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