Concrete and Masonry Contractors
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Industry Overview
Concrete and masonry contractors in the US have combined annual revenue of about $40 billion, a figure that fluctuates with the amount of annual construction activity. This highly fragmented, local industry has no large publicly traded companies. Most of the approximately 40,000 contractors specialize in either concrete or masonry, although many also do asphalt work. While a few hundred companies have more than 50 employees and revenues up to $20 million, the average contractor has between five and 20 workers and annual revenues less than $1 million.
Competitive Landscape
Except in specialized applications such as high-rise work, large bridges, or marine work, concrete work is considered virtually a commodity business, with contracts awarded largely based on low price. In most markets, competition is intense. Large companies do not necessarily have an advantage over smaller ones. The ability to perform work on schedule is important, as most work is done for general contractors as one part of a larger project.
Products, Operations & Technology
Concrete contractors primarily mix and pour concrete into prepared forms and molds, which often contain reinforcing steel bars ("rebar"). About two-thirds of business is real estate construction (about one-quarter in single family construction where the contractor pours the foundation and basement walls) and one-third is non-real estate: driveways and parking areas, highways, streets, sidewalks, bridges, tunnels, sewers, and specialty architectural applications. About 60 percent of the interstate highway system is concrete, especially in urban areas with heavy traffic.
Masonry contractors use primarily concrete blocks and other pre-formed elements to build walls. Virtually all this business relates to real estate; about one-third to single family construction. Most masonry projects specify a particular type of concrete block, which the contractor usually buys from wholesalers. Masonry walls may contain reinforcing elements. The mortar that binds the blocks is mixed at the construction site.
Concrete is a highly versatile material. Its characteristics depend on the types and proportions of the various materials mixed to create it. Concrete contains portland cement (the binding material made from limestone); sand; gravel (or other kinds of crushed rock, all called “aggregate”); and water. Some concretes also contain coloring agents, sealants, and other additives to provide special physical properties. On construction projects, the type of concrete needed is usually specified very precisely and may be tested periodically to ensure good quality. Contractors usually mix ingredients at a central yard just before delivery to a construction site, where the concrete must be poured within a few hours before it begins to harden.
Most concrete contractors erect their own forms or molds and place patterns of reinforcing rods - which can be quite complicated - before pouring (both form and "rebar" work is sometimes subcontracted as a specialty trade). Various devices used during the pouring process ensure that air pockets do not form and that the concrete is well compacted. In addition to the familiar rotating cement trucks, contractors may use lift buckets and concrete pumps.