Tag: CONFAST Blue Screw

Concrete Supply Plus June 2025

Posted on by Nanette


Alcrete LLC enters prestressed with Florida Concrete Products deal

Alcrete LLC has extended its Southeast market stake in non-architectural precast, acquiring Florida Concrete Products LLC. The transaction includes Florida City production facilities, equipment and skilled workforce, ushering Alcrete into the Sunshine State prestressed concrete bridge segment. Florida Concrete Products began operations in the 1960s and has grown into a key Florida Department of Transportation project supplier.

https://concreteproducts.com/index.php/2025/06/11/alcrete-llc-enters-prestressed-with-florida-concrete-products-deal

CONFAST Announces Availability of American-Made MKT Line of Wedge Anchors
Engineered from durable carbon steel with a zinc-plated finish, this new anchor prevents rust in dry environments, offering dependable performance and minimal maintenance. Available as Carbon Steel in Zinc Plated or Galvanized finishes, 303/304 Stainless, and 316 Stainless Steel. MKT anchors are code approved for uncracked concrete.

Buy Online: https://www.confast.com/mfg-mkt/

Microcement floor is durable and long-lasting, making it an ideal solution for high-traffic areas.

Rock Machinery President, Bryant Fazer, and Arnie Miller of Elkhart County Gravel walk us through their success with Durex Armor® and long slot tiple shoot wire screens. Project Highlights: Company: Elkhart County Gravel Location: New Paris, Indiana Application: Aggregate: Sand & Gravel Products: Armor® Screen, Long Slot Triple Shoot Wire Screens Learn more: https://durexproducts.com

New industry report predicts U.S. will need 1million tons of cement for AI infrastructure by 2028

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 19, 2025) A report released today by the American Cement Association’s (ACA) market intelligence team predicts the U.S. will need approximately 1-million metric tons of cement to construct data centers that will house Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology over the next few years. Data centers are typically built with high volumes of concrete due to their unique design considerations.

Analysts also found that over the past decade, inflation-adjusted spending on data centers has grown by nearly 850%, with a 55% jump last year alone. By 2027, forecasters expect the number of data centers in the U.S. to reach 6,000. Currently, there are 5,426. Annual spending on data centers is now around $27.4 billion dollars.

“President Trump has said he’s determined to make the U.S. the global leader in AI, and America’s cement manufacturers want to provide the materials to build the infrastructure necessary to make that possible,” said Mike Ireland, ACA’s President and CEO. https://www.cement.org/2025/06/19/new-industry-report-predicts-u-s-will-need-1million-tons-of-cement-for-ai-infrastructure-by-2028/

Joke for the month: What’s the hardest thing about skateboarding….The concrete.

Villa Saitan—a housing complex in Kyoto, Japan, completed in 2006 by local firm Eastern Design Office—is encased in a concrete shell with undulating cutouts that mimic the roots, trunk, and leaves of a tree.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/concrete-buildings-slideshow

Concrete Supply Plus March 2025

Posted on by Nanette

Moss Construction scores $182M soccer arena renovation

The three-year rehab of FC Dallas’ home pitch, Toyota Stadium, will seek to improve the fan experience and increase seating capacity. https://www.constructiondive.com/news/moss-construction-fc-dallas-stadium/743938/

American-Made Strength You Can Trust!  Discover the Zinc Plated American-Made Drop-In Anchor at CONFAST®—engineered for unmatched reliability, precision, and superior holding strength in concrete applications!

 Why Choose This Anchor?

STAMPED WITH “USA” – Meets most Made in America requirements

SMOOTH ANCHOR BODY – Ensures consistent holding values in concrete

INTERNAL NATIONAL COARSE THREADS – Fast & easy bolt or threaded rod installation

PRECISION CUT EXPANSION END – Uniform expansion for a secure hold every time

NO LIPPED DESIGN – Install deeper than the anchor body length for greater strength

Get yours today and experience the difference in American-made quality!

🔗 Shop Now: www.confast.com

#CONFAST #DropInAnchor #MadeInUSA #ZincPlated #ConcreteAnchors #HeavyDutyAnchors #PrecisionEngineering #FasteningSolutions #ConstructionTools #AnchorBolts #BuiltToLast

Short video on quick concrete pads….

Even though your concrete mixing truck drivers should clean the equipment after a pour. Not everyone does. This is why it make sense to add Durex Products urethane liners to protect your truck from corrosion. https://durexproducts.com/products/liners/

Getting Buried In Concrete To Explain Concrete = cement + sand + gravel. Cement is the most important man-made material on Earth.

A little concrete humor….It is still hard to find good workers.

Durex linings contribute to 3D concrete ink/mortar printing reliability

Concrete 3D printing brings faster, more cost-effective and sustainable methods to a range of construction applications, proponents of the technology contend. Printing involves extruding a specially formulated concrete or mortar mix layer by layer to create complex structures without the need for traditional molds or formwork.

https://concreteproducts.com/index.php/2025/01/23/durex-linings-contribute-to-3d-concrete-ink-mortar-printing-reliability

Concrete Supply Plus February 2025

Posted on by Nanette

What to Consider in Concrete Grinders

How do you know what type of machine you should be operating? What kind of tools are best for your machine? What kind of power should I look at? Consider these factors when you select your new machine.

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/concrete/equipment-products/surface-prep/article/22928242/ascc-american-society-of-concrete-contractors-which-concrete-grinder-should-i-use?

CONFAST Wedge Anchors are used for attaching fence post to concrete. To purchase online 24/7: https://www.confast.com/products-confast/

Barton Malow-AECOM Hunt chosen for $400M Orlando stadium reno

The joint venture will add 2,000 seats and provide upgrades to Camping World Stadium. https://www.constructiondive.com/news/barton-malow-aecom-hunt-orlando-stadium-reno/741295/

🔹 Goodbye to Blinding, Plugging & Pegging with Durex® Self-Cleaning Screens! 🔹

Struggling with screen blinding and pegging that slows down production? Durex Products offers self-cleaning screen media solutions designed to enhance efficiency and minimize downtime. Here is a couple of innovative screen options—including Livewire® & Accuslot®—keep material flowing for maximum performance.

✨ Livewire® – A hybrid screen featuring molded rubber strips that secure high-strength wires, offering better screening action than woven wire and greater open area than urethane. Livewire® improves production by reducing costly blinding and pegging while delivering superior wear life.

✨ Accuslot® – Combines the accuracy of square openings with the efficiency of long slot wire cloth, minimizing plugging and blinding while reducing the passing of slivers and chips. Available in 6-inch clusters or matched to bucker bars, with multiple opening sizes to fit your application.

Upgrade your screening process today with Durex self-cleaning screens! Contact our team to find the right solution for your operation: https://durexproducts.com/contact/

#ScreenMedia #WireScreens #AggregateProcessing

#HighPerformanceScreening #Efficiency #Durability

Certified American-Made Wedge Anchors from CONFAST 🇺🇸🔩

Need certification for your wedge anchor application? CONFAST has you covered! We provide American-made certification upon request at the time of order. Whether you need it sent with your shipment or after your order is placed, we ensure you have the documentation required.

✅ Certification for American-made wedge anchors

✅ Certification for U.S. melted steel used in our wedge anchors

Order online 24/7: https://www.confast.com/products-wedge-american-wedge/

#CONFAST #MadeInUSA #WedgeAnchors #ConstructionFasteners #AmericanMade

A little humor for the month….

How CEMENT is Made!

Concrete Supply Plus January 2025

Posted on by Nanette

This month we focus on our trip to World of Concrete 2025

Concrete Supply Plus at World of Concrete 2025: The Future of the Concrete is Here

This month, we’re covering our attendance at World of Concrete 2025, where the latest innovations in concrete construction were on full display.

If there’s one takeaway from this year’s show, it’s that automation is moving in fast—from robots that tie rebar to remote-controlled dumpers and precision measurement tools.

Labor-saving solutions is stronger than ever, and for good reason. As contractors, we know that anything that can speed up the job, reduce fatigue, and improve accuracy is worth investing in long-term.

One of the most eye-catching advancements was a robot prototype that ties rebar together, a game-changer for anyone who’s ever spent hours bent over, twisting wire by hand.

Drones are also making an impact, offering quick and accurate site surveys that help keep projects on track.

We also saw more compact concrete mixers designed for specialized products, giving contractors more flexibility for smaller batch jobs compared to two years ago.

The competition scene was as strong as ever, from bricklaying battles to trowel races, showcasing the skill and craftsmanship that make this industry what it is.

Innovations in tool design also caught our attention—everyone seems to coming up ways to reduce vibration fatigue, support rigs for heavy tools like jackhammers, and a growing interest in decorative concrete solutions.

Whether it’s stamped, stained, or polished concrete, customers are asking for more customization, and the industry is responding with better products and techniques. Also Fluorescent pellets for sidewalks, driveways and roadways designed to improve safety during the night.

Of course we did stop at a suppliers for CONFAST and Simpson Strong-Tie booths as well. You can order wedge anchors and Simpson Strong-Tie 24/7 on the CONFAST website.

If you run a concrete plant and want to protect your equipment with wear liners check out the options offered by Durex Products

Here is a group of photos from the show. We also had fun seeing art made from a collection of equipment spare parts, miniature models of equipment, concrete plants and material conveyors that look almost real. Can you find the miniature model of concrete equipment in the photos?

Concrete Supply Plus December

Posted on by Nanette

Best Contractors to Work for in 2024 https://issuu.com/forconstructionpros.com/docs/conc1124/41

2025 Isn’t Set in Concrete

I don’t think anyone can provide concrete evidence of what the upcoming year will look like. But here is Don Weavers thoughts: “Since we’re on the infrastructure and the funding coming through, for concrete paving, “the next five years looks promising,” says Don Weaver, president of Weaver-Bailey Contractors Inc. and incoming chair of the American Concrete Pavement Association Board of Directors. Yet, he holds a realistic level of confidence as compared to what he thought a couple of years ago. “I don’t know that the confidence I would have had in the middle of 2023 on the perspectives for the second half of the 20’s remains – I have seen a lot of fluctuation in confidence. Companies are plenty busy but margins are down and backlogs not as great. There is ample work out there but greater strain on the entire project schedule from permitting through notice to proceed that comes from additional restrictions in workforce for building departments, inspections and more.” https://www.forconstructionpros.com/concrete/article/22921278/concrete-industry-outlook-2025

CONFAST® Screws

Order now and receive free freight! Every CONFAST® concrete screw is in stock for immediate shipping.

Products Features 

BIT ​INCLUDED ​IN ​EACH​ ​BOX:  Using the correct ​bit ​will give you ​better-​holding ​values 

COMPLETE ​LINE:  Ensures ​correct ​product ​can ​be ​located ​and ​purchased ​for ​any ​job 

ALL ​LENGTHS ​ARE ​AVAILABLE:  Using ​the ​correct ​length ​screw ​ensures ​quality, ​secure ​fastening 

SPECIAL ​THREADS: Decreases ​installation ​torque ​allowing ​screw ​to ​be ​installed ​faster and ​easier 

TWO​ ​DIAMETERS:  ​3/16″ ​and ​1/4″ Choice ​allows ​for ​wider ​variety ​of ​fastening ​applications depending ​on ​the ​hole ​in ​the ​fixture ​being ​attached 

https://www.confast.com/confast-concrete-screws

Some construction humor for the start of 2025. Living the Dream One Nightmare at a Time

How To Use Concrete Screws. Order online here: https://www.confast.com/confast-concrete-screws


Concrete wears, Durex protects. Your concrete plant and trucks take a lot of abuse. Our liners and wear parts are built to take that abuse and protect your investment for the long term. https://durexproducts.com/products/concrete-products/

There’s only one place you’ll find the heavy hitters of concrete and masonry this January: Vegas, baby — at World
of Concrete 2025, the largest and only annual international event dedicated to your business. Get your hands on the latest technologies revolutionizing safety, performance and speed and learn what it takes to not only claim a piece of our industry’s massive projected growth but dominate the field. Join the power players of concrete and masonry.

2025 Show Dates & Hours:
Exhibits: January 21-23, 2025 • 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Education: January 20-23, 2025 • 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Email us to meet us at the show:

gregory.nanette@gmail.com.

https://www.worldofconcrete.com/en/home.html

Concrete Supply Plus July 2024

Posted on by Nanette

With Concrete Paving Equipment, the Word is StringlessA look at how the changing technologies of concrete pavement equipment have adapted to the industry. “The buzzword is stringless,” says Stephen Bullock, president of Power Curbers Companies. “It’s been batted around for 15 years, 10 years ago we started seeing some real interest. And then over the last 5 years, it’s moving toward becoming the norm.”

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/concrete/equipment-products/concrete-pavers/article/22893434/trends-in-concrete-paver-slipform-equipment.

#concrete #constructions #roads #fasteners #wedgeanchors #CONFAST

Simpson Strong -Tie Exterior Wood Screws Available on CONFAST.com

Concrete Fastening Systems (CONFAST.com) now carries Simpson Strong-Tie exterior wood screws in various lengths and gauge sizes. The Strong-Drive® SDW wood screws will accommodate different wood thicknesses and densities and are typically intended for joining two pieces of wood. These exterior wood screws have a large sharp point for easy penetration into wood and a tapered shank. For complete technical specifications and / or to purchase: https://www.confast.com/exterior-structural-wood-screws

#CONFAST #concrete #construction #fasteners #Simpsonstrongtie #woodscrews

Some summer humor….What did the air conditioning say to the man? – I’m your biggest fan

Flatiron, Dragados merge to form US-based infrastructure giant

The integrated company, to be chaired by Turner Construction CEO Peter Davoren, will boast a backlog of $17.2 billion and operations in 24 states and eight Canadian provinces. https://www.constructiondive.com/news/flatiron-dragados-merge-us-infrastructure-giant/722744/

Precast Equipment Liners​

Durex Products design and build numerous high-performance wear parts and liners for the precast industry, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Pan and planetary paddles, arm guards, and scrapers for various brands.
  • Liners for chutes, hoppers, and material transition areas, which are excellent for wear and reduces concrete sticking in areas. Available for bolting in, plug welding, and magnetizing.
  • Liners for vibrating tables, which greatly reduces noise.
  • Bumper back boards for pipe lifting devices.
  • Urethane high performance conveyor skirting.
  • https://durexproducts.com/products/concrete-products/precast-equipment-liners/

Hurricane Season is Here! Don’t wait until it’s too late to secure your home and business with CONFAST’s top-rated Hurricane Anchors. Our anchors are designed to withstand the toughest storms, ensuring your property stays safe and intact. Each box comes with 25 sets of anchors. Save on orders over $35 with free shipping and save even more by signing up for our newsletter today!

Superior Strength: Engineered to hold fast in the most extreme conditions.

Easy Installation: Quick and hassle-free setup.

Durability: Built to last through multiple hurricane seasons.

Protect what matters most. Order your Hurricane Anchors today and be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws your way.

Shop Now: https://www.confast.com/confast-1-4-20-x-2-1-4-male-hurricane-anchor-kit-25-sets-1-driving-tool/

#Confast #HurricaneAnchors #StormProtection #SafetyFirst #HomeSafety #HurricaneSeason #WeatherReady

Trying to put a gasket on 48″ concrete storm pipe.

Concrete Supply Plus March

Posted on by Nanette

Durex Products offer a number of wear-resistant urethane, urethane-ceramic, and rubber-ceramic liner solutions that provide long-term protection in concrete plants and concrete trucks. Learn more: https://durexproducts.com/products/concrete-products/ready-mix-equipment-liners/


BMC Enterprises’ McKean elected NRMCA chairman The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has elected Nathan McKean as 2024 chairman, succeeding Adam Manatt of Iowa-based Manatt’s Inc. McKean is a strategic advisor to BMC Enterprises Inc., a St. Louis-based ready mixed, precast and aggregate producer where he served as chief executive officer for two decades, leading into the March 2024 sale of the business to the United Kingdom’s Breedon Group. Among chairman’s term priorities he noted during the NRMCA annual members’ meeting in Tampa, Fla.: Building up ConcretePAC, the NRMCA-aligned political action committee for which he is past chair; and, continuing dues task force work to ensure the association remains one “run like a business.” Joining McKean on the NRMCA officer slate is 2023 Vice Chairman Francis “Hall” Chaney, III of Maryland-based Chaney Enterprises. https://concreteproducts.com/index.php/2024/04/02/bmc-enterprises-mckean-elected-nrmca-chairman/

Wedge anchors are sometimes used for attaching a stairway to Concrete. Order Wedge Anchors at https://www.confast.com/

CMC Ready Mix, a branch of the Construction Materials Company, started its third batch plant in Heber Valley just south of Utah’s prestigious Park City resort in July 2023 to provide concrete year-round for a fast growing, underserved market. Tecwill’s Arcamix 4.5 relocatable concrete batching plant is specifically engineered for cold weather batching and minimizes carbon emissions from production. https://concreteproducts.com/index.php/2024/01/31/cmc-ready-mix-deploys-first-tecwill-batch-plant-in-the-u-s/

It’s Not Cement…It’s Concrete

How many times have you told people this over the years?

Concrete Supply Plus July week #2

Posted on by Nanette

Hudson River Rail Tunnel Project Set for Record $6.9B Federal Grant

https://www.enr.com/articles/56739-hudson-river-rail-tunnel-project-set-for-record-69b-federal-grant

9 Rules for Staying Profitable as a Contracting Company

Keeping revenue growing while maintaining low overhead is key, according to Heritage Construction owner Jake Brydon.

https://constructionext.com/business-management/9-rules-staying-profitable-contracting-company

CONFAST® #8-10 Plastic Conical Blue Bantam Drywall Wall Anchor Kit PAK810, Includes (100) Anchors, (100) Screws and (1) Drill bit (201 Pieces)

https://www.confast.com/confast-8-10-plastic-conical-blue-bantam-drywall-wall-anchor-kit-pak810-includes-100-anchors-100-screws-and-1-drill-bit-201-pieces/

Corps, Utility Reach $1B Deal for Permanent Puerto Rico Dam Fix

Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division Commander, and Eng. Josué Colón, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, sign a Memorandum of Agreement to implement the permanent repairs of the Guajataca Dam in Isabela. This MOA sets the path for the final phase of the permanent repairs of this dam. This project will reduce the risk to approximately 1,000 people that live directly downstream of the dam and will reduce the risk of cutting off the water supply to over 250,000 people. Governor Pedro Pierluisi, government officials, PREPA representatives and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel participated in the signing ceremony. https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/3452417/usace-signs-moa-agreement-for-guajataca-dam-repairs/

Concrete Supply Plus July Week #1

Posted on by Nanette

In February, Central Concrete, a subsidiary of Vulcan Materials Company, and carbon-removal firms Heirloom Carbon and CarbonCure, achieved an industry first: permanently trapping carbon dioxide from direct air capture in concrete using reclaimed-water technology.

How they did it: The firms took carbon dioxide captured from the air by Heirloom’s technology to a Central Concrete plant, and in a process developed by the Nova Scotia–headquartered CarbonCure, injected it into water that had been used to wash out concrete trucks. That water was then used to make new concrete.

  • “Carbon dioxide reacts with calcium ions in the cement mix and turns into limestone—calcium carbonate,” said Alana Guzzetta, manager of Vulcan Materials Company’s National Research Laboratory in San Jose, California. “Once it’s there, it is very stable and stays as that limestone throughout the life of the concrete, even after demolition.”

Why it’s important: “Concrete is the most-used manmade material in the world,” Guzzetta said. “One reason is its versatility. We can take the same core ingredients and get a variety of capabilities and any shape. That’s where the topic of reducing embodied carbon [the greenhouse gases emitted during manufacturing and construction] becomes a big one.”

https://www.nam.org/vulcan-materials-uses-new-tech-for-direct-air-capture-of-co2-27549/?stream=business-operations

Help your customers be ready for Hurricane Season CONFAST 1/4″-20 x 2-1/4″ Male Hurricane anchors install quicker and more efficiently than other storm protection anchoring products. By online @ https://www.confast.com/confast-1-4-20-x-2-1-4-male-hurricane-anchor-kit-25-sets-1-driving-tool/

This concrete construction video is little old but still funny…

#concrete #concreteconstruction #fasteners #CONFAST

Weather Affects Set Time of Stamped Concrete Overlays

Concrete Supply Plus June Week #3

Posted on by Nanette

NEW DETAILS: First steel beam installed at Honda/LG Jeffersonville battery plant

It’s a construction milestone — the first steel beam was installed at what will be the new joint venture electric vehicle battery production plant for Honda and LG Energy Solution.

Honda said Tuesday the first beam was installed at the construction site in Fayette County’s Jefferson Twp., near Jeffersonville.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/new-details-first-steel-beam-installed-at-hondalg-jeffersonville-battery-plant/2KNUBMV3NVHZHLPCQG6WSLXXQI

Construction expert predicts flat material prices for second half of year

Labor shortages, a manufacturing boom and infrastructure work are keeping the industry from returning to pre-pandemic price levels.

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/construction-consultant-material-prices-linesight/652870/

Choosing The Best Cement Screws

The many considerations for choosing the proper cement screw to use for any particular application are described in the following:

Diameter

Standard cement screws come in two diameters of 3/16” and 1/4”.  The measurement refers to the outside diameter of the screw, which allows the screw to be inserted through a hole in the fixture equal to the diameter of the cement screw being installed.

Length

Each diameter of cement screw comes in different lengths from 1-1/4” long to 6”.  The minimum length of cement screw used for any particular application is determined by adding the thickness of the material being fastened to the minimum embedment of 1”.  The maximum length of cement screw to use is equal to the maximum embedment of 1-3/4” plus the thickness of the material being fastened.

Hole Depth

The depth of the hole is critical because it must be deep enough to allow the cement screw to be embedded at least to the minimum embedment depth of 1”.  Space must be left at the bottom of the hole to allow all the dust that is created during the tapping process to fall into and out of the way.  It is suggested that the hole is drilled a minimum of 1/4”deeper than the cement screw will penetrate the base material.

Diameter of Hole

The hole drilled in the base material is critical to allow the cement screw to obtain its minimum holding strength.   The hole must be drilled using a carbide tipped bit that meets ANSI standards because ANSI standards will ensure proper hole to anchor tolerance.  The 3/16” cement screw requires a 5/32” bit and the 1/4” diameter needs a 3/16” bit.

Materials

Cement screws are manufactured from two types of steel: low carbon plated and 410 stainless steel.  The standard low carbon cement screw should be used in indoor dry applications.  The 410 stainless steel can be used in applications where moisture may be present.

Head Configuration for Cement Screws

Two head styles are available: hex washer and flat countersunk.   The hex washer head utilizes a nut driver for installation and the flat countersunk requires the use of a Phillips drive.  The length of the hex head cement screws are measured from underneath the head and the flat countersunk are measured as an overall length.  The hex headed cement screws are used in applications where the head of the screw sits on top of the item being fastened.   The flat countersunk cement screw is used in applications where the head of the screw is countersunk into the item being attached.

Base Materials

The cement screw can be used in solid concrete, hollow precast concrete, brick, CMU, block and mortar joints.  The holding strength of the cement screw is dependent on the strength of the base material as well as on the quality of the installation.

Use

Cement screws can be removed, but should not be reused in the same hole because holding values may be diminished or nonexistent.  Using the cement screw in another hole can be done as long as the cutting edge of the screw is able to tap threads.

Brand Name

The most popular brand name for cement screws is Tapcon®. Tapcon screws are sold by Concrete Fastening Systems™, Inc., located in Cleveland, Ohio.  The Tapcon brand cement screws are made in America and can be shipped anywhere in the United States with an arrival in two days. We also make and sell our own brand of masonry screws for cement applications – CONFAST® masonry screws. Our brand is comparable to Tapcon but sold at a lower price due to lack of a middleman distributor.

Concrete Supply Plus Construction Humor for the week.