For construction contractors, project managers, and business owners looking to reduce costs, improve scheduling, and increase profitability through on-site concrete production.
Take Control of Costs Before They Control Your Project
Cost control is the foundation of profitable contracting. Most successful contractors know that the fastest way to lose control of the budget is to pour money down the black hole of inefficiency. One major budget breaker is allocating labor time that it is both inefficient and not effective.
Your crew can be well seasoned and efficient in accomplishing the preparations for one phase of the work, but a material supplier can suck out efficiency just by running late on a delivery for the next phase. For example, a concrete finishing crew is ready for a pour into the forms but must wait 45 minutes for the ready-mixed concrete truck to arrive. Those eight men leaning on their shovels will quickly dump thousands of dollars down a black hole, and that lost profit that will never find its way back into your bank.
Vendor delivery is tricky business and is mostly out of your control, especially with some critical supplies like ready-mixed concrete. Even with your best planning and thoughtful oversight, any supplier slip-ups can quickly turn your daily schedule inside out and break your budget.
Why Contractors Are Bringing Concrete Production In-House
The most profitable contractors have learned that controlling their production assets and their labor is the most efficient operational tactic. Large construction projects have used on-site assets for ready-mix concrete production for decades. Millions of dollars in concrete batching systems are set up near road rehabs, bridge construction, or the high-rise building sites. These big contractors’ own their equipment with the capacity to produce large amounts of concrete, making them suitable for projects that need constant batching close to the project location. They have found that by brining concrete production in-house they are more competitive in getting projects and growing profits.
As construction managers plan these major projects, the economic equation for owning the concrete production equipment becomes even more compelling. Construction sites that are beyond the standard 90-minute transit range for ready-mix trucks are the most problematic. In those cases, the contractor often faces exorbitant pricing for delivery, or the quality of the ready-mixed concrete has degradation from mixing too long.
Using on-site concrete batching has revolutionized the construction industry by providing an efficient solution for job site concrete production. The advancements in smaller concrete batching systems have expanded the opportunities to build higher profits on more projects. Traditionally, these systems have offered flexibility, portability, and cost-effectiveness only for those with multi-million-dollar pockets. The expansion of on-site production alternatives allows the profitable cost controlling value down to much smaller projects.
More contractors can reap the rewards that comes with becoming an in-house concrete supplier. Established manufacturers like Cart-Away and U-cart are integrating the features of huge on-site batch plants down to affordable smaller solutions.
The Advantage of On-Site Concrete Production
In standard ready-mix concrete production, there will be multiple trips between the community batch plant and the construction site. Inefficiencies expand with every mile of travel and delivery delays expanded the hit to the contractor’s profit. The local ready-mix plant passes on the substantial extra fuel costs, and vehicle wear as they bid supplier contracts. Owning an in-house concrete production system saves material costs and benefits from labor efficiency.
Concrete is a very perishable commodity that requires careful recipe selection and proper timing to be effective. Construction managers are aware of the principle of proximity in material management. The closer to the job site the better for ready-mix. Managing costs and quality are the main advantage of contractor owned concrete production equipment.
The proximity principle applies perfectly in concrete production—materials move shorter distances and are delivered fresher and with more individualized control. Portable concrete plants obliterate this inefficiency by establishing ready-mix production directly at the point of use.
Three Solutions for On-Site Concrete Production
1. Stationary Concrete Mixing Plants
These are closely related to the standard ready-mix batching systems that are found in communities across the nation. Large in scale and investment, these stationary batch plants are used in large projects where a continuous supply of concrete is required. They use large mixing trucks that can carry 8 to 12 cubic yards of concrete with each delivery.
These systems cost millions to purchase and install. A stationary concrete mixing plant requires huge volumes of concrete to justify the investment. Companies like Vince Hagan specialize in stationary plants for these large projects. Cart-Away has developed a lower cost, smaller scale and very versatile alternative to these plants.
2. Mobile Concrete Plants
Mobile concrete plants are a more versatile solution for medium sized projects. The ability to move equipment provides flexibility for projects that require concrete at multiple locations. These mobile concrete plants are easy to transport, set up, and dismantle, which makes them ideal for temporary construction sites.
Cart-Away and U-cart mobile concrete plants are designed to meet the contractors’ fluctuating demands for concrete as they move from one project to another. Portability and a smaller footprint are better suited for projects that are more remote or are in environmentally sensitive areas.
The production rates can vary depending on the size of the machinery. The investment in mobile systems is usually significantly less than the cost of a stationary solution. These solutions cost under a million dollars, with many in the $200,000 to $500,000 range.
Many mobile concrete plants still rely on standard sized ready-mix trucks to make deliveries, but recent advancements in 3 yard to 5 yard concrete mixing trucks have expanded the opportunity to use mobility for greater flexibility.
3. Mini Concrete Plants
The compact and efficient mini concrete plant has been the specialty of Cart-Away Concrete Systems for decades. Mini concrete plants are compact, highly portable, and designed for smaller-scale construction projects. The mini plant opens opportunities for contractors to control costs and raise profits.
These plants are especially useful in residential construction, small commercial buildings, and local infrastructure projects. The mini concrete plant earned its “cops” through successfully completing the most remote construction projects. Their low production capacity compared to larger plants means they are ideal for projects where concrete demand is lower, but precision and quality are still essential.
The Cart-Away C.U.B.E. and skid mount mini batch plants are seen on mountain tops, islands, and are the go-to system for the Navy and NATO.
The Bottom Line
Owning a concrete production system is a perfect way to increase profits, reduce costs and manage labor. A quality batching system can maintain consistent mix quality regardless of location. The elimination of transit time also preserves concrete workability, labor schedules and project logistics.
Construction schedules frequently bottleneck at concrete delivery coordination. Owning a portable plant eliminates these constraints by enabling just-in-time batching synchronized with placement crews. There’s no more waiting for truck arrivals or worrying about batch plant operating hours. Contractors gain precise control over production schedules, allowing pour sequences to proceed at optimal pace without premature setting or unnecessary overtime. Profitability is the goal for every project, and owning a ready-mix concrete system will provide many opportunities to put more into the bank account.
If you’re looking for a smarter way to reduce costs, improve scheduling, and increase profitability, Cart-Away has a concrete production solution built for your operation. From compact mini batch plants to fully mobile concrete production systems, our team can help you find the right equipment for your next project.
Contact Cart-Away today to discuss your project and discover how owning your own concrete production system can help you take control of your concrete—and your bottom line.
