Quick Poll Results

2013

May
What kind of new equipment do you plan to buy in 2013?
Ready-mix trucks: 35%
Software: 19%
Plant equipment: 9%
Forms: 7%
Mobile devices: 7%
General construction vehicles: 2%
Other trucks: 2%
Other: 19% (Batch Controls, Trailer Pump, New Batch Plant Precast, Home & Garden Equipment, None)

April
What’s been the most important development in concrete admixtures over the past decade?
Polycarboxylate water reducers: 33%
Hardening accelerators: 17%
Self-consolidating concrete: 13%
Viscosity modifiers: 10%
Other water reducers: 7%
Colloidal silica: 3%
Macro synthetic fibers:3%
Retarders: 3%
Self-leveling concrete: 3%
Super absorbent polymer: 3%

March
How much concrete is being used in your region's infrastructure?
Less than five years ago: 50%
More than five years ago: 31%
About the same: 19%

Where are you located?
Midwest: 38%
Northeast: 25%
Southeast: 13%
Northwest: 13%
Mid-Atlantic: 6%
Southwest: 6%
West Coast: 0%

What structural products are concrete's biggest competitors in your infrastructure market?
Answers: Asphalt Paving, Asphalt, Metal Railing, Block, Steel.

February
Has your infrastructure work increased since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009?
Yes, we've had at least one stimulus-funded project: 21.43%
No, we didn't pick up any extra work: 53.57%
Maybe, it's hard to tell: 25%

January
Do you plan to hire in 2013?
Yes: 62.11%
No: 23.37%
It's too early to tell: 10.53%

2012

December
With the year winding down, how would you describe 2012?
Our business continued to improve: 34.21%
It wasn’t the greatest, but we’ve seen worse: 31.58%
Glad it's over; bring on 2013: 28.07%
We turned the corner: 6.14%

November
How will the Nov. 6 election results affect your business?
Hurt it: 81.68%
Make no difference: 10.47%
Help it: 6.28%
Other: 1.57%

October
How often do you hold safety meetings at your company?
Monthly: 39.51%
Weekly: 33.33%
As the need arises: 12.35%
Other: 8.64%
Never: 6.17%

September
Have you discussed the Affordable Care Act (new Health Care law) with your employees or informed them how it will affect them?
No: 51%
Yes: 26%
We plan to do so: 23%

August
Is your company spending more, less, or the same on capital equipment in 2012, compared to 2011?
Less: 47%
More: 36%
Same: 17%

July
With 2012 half over, have you manufactured as much concrete as you had expected?
More: 43%
Less: 36%
As much as we expected: 21%

June
Summer is here. Do you have any special events planned for your workforce?
Have a cookout/picnic at the plant.: 26.92%
Nothing special planned.: 26.92%
Other: 19.23%
Have a fun day at a local park.: 15.38%
Go to a local event/sporting event.: 11.54%

May
Participating on industry committees is one way to discuss concrete-related issues and to develop solutions to problems. Do you attend any industry meetings?
I am a member of at least one industry committee.: 68%
I sometimes attend committee meetings but am not a member.: 0%
Not currently, although I have in the past.: 12%
No and I never have.: 20%

April
Are you confident that a new U.S. infrastructure spending bill will increase your business?
Yes: 26%
No: 58%
I'm not sure 16%

February/March
Do you restrict your drivers' cellphone and/or texting while on the job?
Cellphone use 1%
Texting 3%
Both 89%
Neither 7%

January
What is the future of roller-compacted concrete?
It's an innovative way to capture business from asphalt: 66%
It looks interesting, but I need to be convinced there is a future for it: 17%
It's a bit too out-of-the box. Let asphalt keep the market: 17%

2011

December
We are about to ring out 2011 and welcome 2012. How will you remember this year?
It was a difficult year, but we got through it: 58%
I'm glad it's over: 32%
We turned the corner: 10%

November
What role will technology play in advancing the concrete industry in the next few years?
Important. The industry depends on it: 53%
Vital. Without it, we are doomed to fail: 25%
Somewhat. Technology helps, but the material sells itself: 19%
None. Concrete is a basic material that has been used before electricity and telephones were invented: 3%

October
Do you plan to increase your efforts to produce more concrete pavement in the coming year?
No: 55%
Yes: 45%

September
Which segment of your business is doing best this year?
Infrastructure/Public Works: 57%
Commercial: 30%
Residential: 13%

August
Have you adopted Performance-based Specifications (P2P) in your strategic marketing plan?
Greatly: 18%
Little: 32%
Not at all: 50%

July
With the year half over, have you manufactured as much concrete in 2011 as expected?
No: 69%
Yes: 16%
We're close to our target: 15%

June
In light of increasing fuel prices, are you adding fuel escalation charge clauses to your bid documents?
No: 51%
Yes: 49%

May
How do you view the current state of the Sustainability movement in the construction/concrete industry?
Losing momentum: 57%
Gaining momentum: 24%
Has hit a plateau: 19%

April
Which is the most promising market for ready-mix concrete?
Roads and streets: 45%
Parking lots: 37%
Above grade residential housing: 13%
Other: 5%

March
Does your company use GPS to assist in its deliveries?
Yes: 71%
No: 29%

February
What are your capital spending plans for 2011 compared to the previous year?
We will spend more than in 2010: 56%
We will spend the same amount as in 2010: 33%
We will spend less than in 2010: 11%

January
Do you expect to hire in 2011?
Yes: 50%
No: 50%

2010

December
As 2010 comes to a close, how will you remember the year?
52.5% It was a difficult year, but we made it through
42.5% Glad it's over
5% We turned the corner

November
How will the results of the Nov. 2 mid-term election affect your business in 2011?
48% Positively
33% No Change
19% Negatively

October
Has your company manufactured pervious concrete?
Yes: 75%
No: 25%

September
How has the sustainability movement affected your business and operations in the last year?
Tremendously: 22%
Somewhat: 11%
Not at all: 67%

August
How has the sustainability movement affected you as a producer?
It has affected our product offerings: 0%
It has affected our own operations, such as recycling: 50%
No or little effect: 50%

When do you expect to rehire?
2010: 24%
2011: 32%
2012: 12%
After 2012: 32%

July
Does your company produce pervious concrete?
Yes: 69%
No: 23%
We plan to make pervious in the future: 8%

June
Which segment of your business is doing best this year?
Commercial: 40%
Residential: 40%
Public Works: 20%