Although these producers are different sizes in very different markets, the Harpers and the Garretts both wonder if small, family-owned ready-mix producers are becoming a thing of the past.

The Garrett family sees larger companies buying up smaller operations in British Columbia and Alberta, especially in metropolitan areas like Calgary. But the Garrett family's small-town niche may keep them under the radar. “I don't see the big companies being interested in coming here,” says Marty Garrett.

In Utah, Debbie Harper has watched large general contractors acquire family construction businesses.

“It's becoming very difficult for individual or family contractors to meet the strict standards and meet insurance and bonding limits required to do the type of heavy highway work we do,” she says. “The dynamics of family businesses are changing before our eyes.”

For more on what to consider when selling the family concrete business, please turn to this month's Concrete Returns column.