ORCO Block & Hardscape (ORCO) is a leading southern California manufacturer of low embodied carbon concrete products. Family owned for over 75 years, ORCO takes pride in excellent customer service – committed to make dealing with ORCO the easiest part of the customers’ day. Dedicated to providing consistently high-quality products, ORCO manufactures concrete masonry units, pavers, slabs, mortarless wall units and a complete line of specialty mortars. For hardscape applications, ORCO also sells high quality natural stone, porcelain, and outdoor fireplace kits. As an environmentally responsible manufacturer, ORCO’s EPDs are available upon request.
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1946
Pete Muth, his father, brother-in-law, and an outside business partner establish ORCO Block Co. At the time, it was very much a hand operation and only 4 inch high units were produced. Although in its infancy, ORCO was about to undergo a remarkable evolution.
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1952
ORCO grew quickly and in 1952 a second plant was built. Today, ORCO operates in 7 locations throughout Southern California including a mortar bagging plant, and state-of-the-art Pavingstones facility dedicated to only paver production, servicing western United States entirely.
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1963
Colored block had made its big debut, then Slump Block in the ‘60s was big, so much so in fact OC’s newest thriving community specifies ORCO’s Slump in “Mission”, the color created for the release of its newest neighborhood, Mission Viejo. Today, ORCO produces more than 500 stock items various in colors, textures, sizes, weights, and aesthetics.
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1975
Pete’s son, Rick joins the company as assistant office manager. Today, he is President, overseeing the day-to-day operations. His two daughters, Veronica and Stephanie, are the 3rd generation to be a part of the family business.
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1980’s
Split Block kicked CMU specification into the architectural realm in the ‘70s, opening the doors for product innovation in the ‘80s. In addition to new Burnished and Shot Blast machines, ORCO produces its first Pavingstone.
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1990’s
Product diversification continues as ORCO produces its first Segmental Retaining Wall unit (SRW), adding to its hardscape line. Today, ORCO hardscapes include pavingstones, permeable pavingstones, fireplace kits, pizza ovens, and mortarless wall systems.
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2010’s
ORCO focuses on insulating capabilities that lead to the creation of the first Hi R H block, which can provide an insulation R-value as high as 15. Environmental leadership is a cornerstone for ORCO, which helped develop the industry’s first PCR (Product Category Rules) that is now used nationally in completing EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations). EPDs are critical to the future of Southern California, documenting the environmental impact and carbon footprint of manufacturing.
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2010’s
In the 2010’s, ORCO installs state-of-the-art block machines that have unprecedented multi-color capabilities. ORCO’s Variegated block set a new holistic and vibrant color standard, where block can be installed without traditional sorting.
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2021
Thanks to our customers, our family business is now 75 years old! From humble beginnings our reputation for quality quickly spread. Today, our quest to discover unparalleled products continues. We’re honored your business is with us as we enter our 75th year. Thank you!
With knowledgeable experts in development, design, and construction on-staff, we lead through decades of experience to guide your residential and commercial projects to success. Our impact can be seen in virtually every community, with numerous universities, entertainment centers, commercial projects, civic buildings, military bases, and residential developments proudly constructed with ORCO materials and expertise. We are dedicated to serving your building needs and earning your business for decades to come.