South Korea: The construction and ready-mix concrete industries have concluded four months of negotiations with an agreement that ready-mix concrete prices will come down by 2.5% to US$62.8/m3. Chosun Biz News has reported that Youngwoo Association represented local ready-mix concrete producers throughout negotiations.
US: Private equity firm Big 7 Ventures has acquired Nevada-based Modern Concrete. Big 7 Ventures says that the company will continue to operate under its existing management team under founding President Scott Reutner.
Romania: Holcim Romania has invested €700,000 to upgrade its Stancesti aggregates plant in Prahova County. The investment included €450,000 towards a water recirculation and purification plant. Following the completion of works, the Stancesti plant now draws 80% less water.
US: Illinois-based Point Ready Mix will launch new branding for its concrete mixer trucks featuring the 988 Lifeline phone number and the suicide prevention slogan You Matter Big Time!! from April 2025. The message jointly targets workers at building sites and the general public, especially those using main roads.
Local press has reported that Point Ready Mix President David LaPointe said "Our trucks are travelling locally all the time. In a way, we’re interacting with everybody driving through traffic. There could be a person sitting at a stoplight who needs to see it." He continued “The construction industry has been hit especially hard by this dilemma. They’re finding it’s a combination of long, unpredictable hours and time away from home. There are many struggles in construction. Most families know somebody [affected by suicide]."
