So, You Bought Your First Mobile Volumetric Mixer. Now What?

You’ve bought your first volumetric concrete mixer — congratulations! As a business owner who focuses on concrete delivery, it’s not uncommon to have many questions before, during, and after this purchase. Here are five key questions to ask yourself. Chances are the answers will help you clarify, and kick start a new era of concrete delivery.

1. Who Orders Concrete From You?

Knowing who orders from your business — at the low level rather than a high-level overview — can help you zero in on profitable customers. It also helps with inventory control, such as if customers handle utility applications, they likely need lean concrete or flowable fill to meet their needs.

2. Why Will They Change From Using Ready Mix?

Although volumetric produced concrete has been available for decades, there’s still a significant disconnect between perception and understanding. Numerous studies and tests verify that concrete mixed on site far surpasses a ready-mix blend, but people are still skeptical.

3. How Can I Use The Flexibility & Versatility Of A Volumetric Concrete Mixer To Expand On My Current Capabilities?

Business owners are always looking for ways to expand operations and grow their customer base. A mobile batch plant opens the door to many opportunities but not without a little consideration and planning. One area that can jump start expansion is a well-designed yard. The layout should encompass ease of access for both employees moving mixers and other equipment during the workday, along with suppliers bringing in more material. Though this may seem trivial, many people are astounded at the amount of time lost to jockeying equipment around in a stated time frame.

4. How Can I Differentiate My Company In The Marketplace?

Although it’s a common belief faster isn’t always better, using a volumetric mixer adds a caveat. Because each pour is custom designed, the specific needs of each project are considered before the concrete begins to flow. Then, the ability to mix everything on site ensures the freshest concrete possible which provides any customer the peace of mind their investment — a concrete surface — will provide a strong return. The last thing they want is cracking, spalling, or another type of defect caused by an inferior mixture.

5. If Competition Seems Cheaper, How Can I Present Other Cost Savings?

Though you supply the fresh, high-quality concrete, oft times another business or contractor provides the forming and finishing. They too, perhaps even more so, are affected by the adage time is of the essence. A mobile mixer benefits them by reducing the amount of downtime, effectively allowing for increased productivity on the job site. This is frequently cited as a significant cost saving by producers.