Tech Trends / Tech Talk Articles

Technology: The trust differentiator

March 8, 2017

Topics: concrete producers, Ozinga

Concrete producers become indispensable partners by ‘coming clean’ with customers. By Craig Yeack Ozinga recently invested in streamlining its entire quote-to-cash process. Concrete producers continually struggle to gain a competitive…

Would millennials want to work for you?

Topics: concrete industry, Irving Materials Inc.

How can an industry with a low-tech reputation attract and keep the best and brightest minds?By Craig Yeack “Millennials won’t come...

Producers level the playing field with technology

Topics: concrete producers, Smith Ready Mix

Tech is an equal-opportunity differentiator for producers of all sizes. By Craig Yeack Remote dispatching at Smith Ready Mix. Innovative concrete producers,...

Tapping into Wireless Technology

Topics: concrete producers, wireless technology

Producers will be able to measure and manage almost every aspect of the ready-mix business with mobile devices.By Craig Yeack Wireless technology...

Wireless technology makes life easier for concrete producers

Topics: aggregates, Miles Sand & Gravel

Producers just “scratching the surface” with what wireless technology can do. By Craig Yeack Last month we focused on Miles Sand & Gravel’s efforts...

Can intelligent equipment make you smarter?

Topics: aggregates, asphalt, Graniterock, Internet of Things

The Internet of Things is changing the construction and building materials industries. Here is what producers need to know. By Craig Yeack...

Predicting the next economic downturn

September 13, 2017

Topics: concrete producers, Titan America

How to mine your data for early warning signs of the next recession. By Craig Yeack What if your ready-mix sales fell...

Five things producers should know about BIM

October 19, 2017

Technology trends are driving adoption of modeling software in the concrete industry. By Craig Yeack Building information modeling, or BIM, has come...

Hi-Tech Solutions to the Ready-Mix driver shortage

November 21, 2017

Technology can ease the pain of meeting customer demand while understaffed. By Craig Yeack As I am in and out of concrete...

Concrete producers should work smarter, not harder

December 21, 2017

Topics: concrete producers

Technology helps producers run more efficiently, instead of running into the ground. By Craig Yeack When I ask concrete producers what keeps them...

Driving down cost for concrete producers

February 8, 2018

Topics: aggregates, EBITDA

Case study: Subtracting a few minutes of driver time equals six-digit savings. By Craig Yeack PRODUCER PROFILE Name: WW Ready Mix2016 revenue: $475 millionLocations: 85 plantsEBITDA: 10.4%Key...

How Valuable is your Time?

Topics: CRM, EBITDA

Case study: Getting drivers in and out of job sites quickly is a win-win for concrete producers and contractors. By Craig Yeack PRODUCER...

How Valuable is Your Money?

August 26, 2022

Topics: concrete producers, EBITDA, economic impact

Case study: Minimize the cost of being your customers’ “bank.” By Craig Yeack PRODUCER PROFILE Name: WW Ready Mix*2016 revenue: $475 millionLocations: 85...

Sharing the Wealth of Information

Topics: dispatch system, economic impact, logistics

Case study: Reduce cancelled loads, and everyone wins. By Craig Yeack PRODUCER PROFILE Name: WW Ready Mix*2016 revenue: $475 millionLocations: 85 plantsEBITDA: 10.4%Key...

ROI of the Cloud

October 16, 2018

Topics: software

Case study: Cloud computing reduces costs By Craig Yeack PRODUCER PROFILE Name: WW Ready Mix*2016 revenue: $475 millionLocations: 85 plantsEBITDA: 10.4%Key challenge: Cut...

Graphene in Clinker Greens Portland Cement

Topics: carbon footprint, portland cement

Graphene is light, super strong and can lessen the carbon footprint of cement. In this installment of Tech Trends, BCMI’s Craig Yeack...

What’s in a Name?

Topics: ready-mixed concrete

William Shakespeare might be tempted to say a truck by any other name is still a truck, but in the ready mixed...

NRMCA’s Digital Transformation

Topics: concrete industry, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Ozinga

While pricing power will always be king, the concrete industry is making room for a significant new impact: technology. The ability to leverage...

Shining the Light on Precast

Topics: infrastructure, National Precast Concrete Association

Modern precast is critical infrastructure, immense and, by definition, hidden. A hidden asset presents a huge problem. Being out of sight and...

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