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?
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
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
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.”
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
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
How a Contractor Effectively Managed Cement Shortages for a Project for Tech Giant Meta
The ongoing cement shortage continues to be a major pain point for many firms in the concrete construction industry, but having hard conversations early on can set your project up for success, according to one contractor.
Keila Lombardozzi, a superintendent with Arizona-based DCR Construction, said the cement shortage and the challenges it poses can be a touchy subject in the industry.
Change orders are common in construction projects, but many contractors don’t charge clients for all changes or their related costs. Timothy Faller, a Maryland remodeler turned consultant, said during an educational session at the International Builders’ Show recently there are seven big mistakes construction companies make regarding change orders and provided solutions for how to get paid for all of them. https://constructionext.com/commercial-residential/how-get-paid-every-change-order?
CONFAST concrete wedge anchors’ design allows them to anchor fixtures into concrete. Concrete wedge anchors work by inserting them into a hole drilled into concrete. The concrete wedge anchor is then expanded, wedging itself securely in the concrete. USES • CONFAST® wedge anchors are designed to be used in solid concrete. • They should never be used in CMU block or brick base material. • Available in a wide range of diameters ranging from 1/4″ to 1-1/4″. The anchor lengths, which depend on the diameter, are from 1-3/4″ to 12″. • CONFAST® wedge anchors are packaged with the proper size and quantities of nuts and washers. • Hole size to be drilled in the concrete is equal to the diameter of CONFAST® wedge anchor being installed. • Available in zinc plated carbon steel for indoor dry applications, hot-dipped galvanized for moist outdoor applications, 304 stainless steel for wet outdoor applications and 316 stainless steel for use in caustic environment. • All sizes are in stock, and will ship from our Cleveland, Ohio warehouse the same day that the order is received.To order today: https://www.confast.com/products-wedge/
Pepsi begins construction on largest US manufacturing center
PURCHASE, NY. — PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA) has officially broken ground on its new 1.2 million-square-foot facility. The project initially was announced in July 2022 and is expected to open sometime in 2023.
The new production center in Denver will have three times the manufacturing capacity of its current site and is expected to create roughly 250 new jobs.
5. Intergranular Corrosion – stainless steels contain a small amount of carbon. At extremely high temperature, as in welding, the carbon uses chrome to form chromium carbide around it, and creates areas of chrome deficiency that lessen corrosion protection.
6. Stress Corrosion – may be referred to as stress corrosion cracking or chloride stress corrosion. Chlorides can be the greatest antagonists against stainless steel, and are a common chemical found in many environments. Luckily, the effects on stainless can be small in most applications. However, in some environments, such as indoor swimming pools, the effects can be severe and possibly hazardous. If a stainless part is under tensile stress, then pitting may increase deepen and cracking could occur.
Stainless steel is a steel alloy with a minimum of 11% chromium content by mass, and is commonly used to prevent corrosion. However, stainless steel is stainless, not stain proof, which means that stainless steel wedge anchors may corrode in some specific types of applications. Nevertheless, stainless steel remains as an economical choice with which to fight against the threat of corrosive elements. Check Back For Part 4
In the meantime, you can purchase concrete fasteners you can use on corrosive projects: https://www.confast.com/
Farm Plastic Supply – Concrete Vapor Barrier – 15 mil – (14′ x 70′) – Heavy Duty Blue Plastic Tarp, Polyolefin Vapor Barrier Plastic Sheeting, Concrete Vapor Barrier, Roll of Heavy Duty Plastic
Buy Now: https://amzn.to/3fjZHRe
A little construction humor for your week…
https://www.youtube.com/embed/lZwo0eHG_Hw?feature=oembedVideo explains detailed information about the 1/4″ Single Expansion Anchor, buy on line at https://www.confast.com/products-single-expansion/
Hurricane Ian ravages Sanibel Causeway, other Florida infrastructure
Parts of Sanibel Causeway are washed away along with sections of the bridge after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Sanibel, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage.
Easily Relocatable. Niche 35 year old stamped concrete manufacturing company for sale. Company holds 60 US Patents & Trademarks. Includes formulas, equipment, training and a customer list of 20K. Their decorative system used on Disney World and Euro Disney. SBA Prequalified with 10% down!
Rare opportunity to own a turn-key operation in high demand products. Company has an extremely solid builder base, decorative concrete contractors, landscaping companies, and pool contractors. Located in 16000 sqft, free standing building, currently has 200 clients.
Real estate is available at an additional price of $1,250,000.
RELMON Concrete Vibrator Motor Single Phase AC 110V 30W 90W for Concrete Vibrators & Mixers & Vibrating Table (90W)
AC 110V 90W vibrating vibrator motor.
Aluminum alloy case, light weight and low noise.
Strong power, smooth operation, high efficiency.
Adjustable excitation force by adjusting the angle of the eccentric block.
The motor adopts special oil-resistant and anti-oxidation power supply line, anti-vibration outlet protective cover to prevent long-term vibration damage of cable.
There are 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.
