Over Half a Century of Innovation: What’s Next for the Concrete Industry?

From our beginnings as a small company marketing mobile concrete mixers, Cemen Tech has grown into the world’s largest manufacturer of volumetric concrete solutions, celebrating our 55th Anniversary this year.

In the 1960s, Cemen Tech started as a marketing company, focusing on selling the world’s first mobile concrete mixer, the Concrete Mobile by Irl Daffin Company. We then grew into a volumetric concrete mixer manufacturer, giving contractors a new way to work. Instead of relying on batch plants or barrel trucks, you could bring raw materials to the site, mix exactly what you needed, and pour fresh concrete right on demand.

Today, volumetric technology has evolved to deliver even more flexibility and control for contractors. From quick repairs to large-scale infrastructure projects, our solutions make it easier to tackle any job efficiently and cost-effectively.

As volumetric technology continues to advance, so do the opportunities it provides our customers and the wide variety of projects they work on.

The fully automated Cemen Tech CD2 is the latest addition to the C Series lineup. The mobile concrete mixer features a unique split bin with individual compartments to transport and blend various SCMs, including fly ash.

Sustainability Requirements

Each year, barrel trucks waste an estimated 22 million yards of concrete in the United States. Volumetric mixers offer a more sustainable alternative, helping contractors reduce their environmental impact. These mixers produce zero concrete waste, use less fuel, and operate with lower carbon emissions, supporting green building practices.

Sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s becoming a requirement. From DOT and government projects to an increasing number of commercial and industrial jobs, contractors are expected to meet stricter environmental standards. Volumetric technology provides an efficient, eco-friendly solution to stay ahead of these demands while minimizing costs and waste.

Volumetric concrete mixers store sand, stone, cement powder, water, and additives in separate compartments until mixed at the job site. This process produces consistently high-quality concrete in the exact amount needed, reducing material waste caused by overages. Making concrete on-site and on-demand improves quality and allows for mix design changes to be made immediately, if needed.

Fuel savings are another key benefit of volumetric mixers over batch trucks. Having materials on board eliminates fuel used when driving back and forth to the yard when a job requires more than one mix design. And when it’s time to wash out, volumetric concrete mixers use 8 to 10 gallons of water for cleaning — significantly less than the hundreds of gallons needed for barrel mixers.

Reducing energy, conserving natural resources and improving air and water quality are all part of building sustainably. To do that, we must find ways to eliminate waste in all stages of construction. Volumetric technology is a powerful tool to help with this.

Future Innovation

Since June, Mix Master International has been operating the first electric volumetric mixer, delivering zero-emission concrete production throughout The Netherlands. This innovation between Volvo and Cemen Tech supports customers facing strict sustainability mandates on job sites, including city and municipal projects requiring electric vehicles.

The addition of electric volumetric mixers not only allows us to be more sustainable but also helps more customers meet sustainability regulations. More city and municipal governments are mandating electric trucks on projects, especially in urban centers where zero-emissions are critical and many construction sites are adopting stricter policies.

Rising Material Costs

Lack of availability and the climbing material costs are common pain points for contractors. They can create delays and challenges when forecasting project costs and impact profits. Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re still feeling its effects. According to the Associated Builders and Contractors, construction costs are up 38.7% compared to 2020.

Managing your materials is one way to keep costs in line. Volumetric mixers make fresh concrete at the job site in precise amounts, from one yard to 400 yards or more daily. Concrete can be mixed continuously or intermittently for maximum versatility.

Unlike a barrel truck, a volumetric concrete truck allows mix designs to be adjusted on the spot — a plus when working on projects requiring different types of concrete, including gunite, shotcrete, fast-setting mixes and rapid-setting flow fill. With a volumetric mixer there is no more waiting on deliveries, shortage and short load fees, and budget-busting material waste.

Addressing Labor Shortages in Construction

Finding and keeping employees continues to be a big challenge for business owners. Experts estimate that construction firms need to attract more than half a million additional workers — that’s on top of the normal hiring pace in 2024.

Volumetric concrete mixers are helping contractors do more with less. By enabling on-site concrete production, these mixers reduce delays often caused by scheduling conflicts or unexpected trips back to the plant. A single operator can manage the mixer, significantly reducing the crew size required for concrete work, freeing up additional team members to handle other jobs. This approach not only helps to offset workforce challenges but also drives up revenue per month through greater job efficiency and better resource allocation.

There’s an alternative: be more productive, spend less on labor and materials, and build a more sustainable operation.

Our customers tell us volumetric concrete mixers have helped manage workforce issues from the job site. Making their own concrete helps eliminate the challenges of delays due to scheduling issues and unexpected trips to and from the plant. Volumetric concrete trucks reduce downtime for workers and the lowered productivity and profit that often come with it. They also increase efficiency within the team, only requiring a single operator.

Cemen Tech has always focused on making contractors’ jobs easier, and that commitment is stronger than ever. Volumetric technology is helping solve the everyday challenges you face—whether it’s rising costs, tight deadlines, or labor shortages. With on-demand concrete, you can take control of your materials, reduce waste, and tackle any job with confidence. Let’s keep building smarter, greener, and more efficient solutions for the future of construction.