Stock Up on Cement!

Cement shortages are a very real concern for concrete manufacturers. Only two short years ago, in 2022, cement was being rationed and restricted in various parts of the United States due to a lack of supply. After a slowdown in production and demand during COVID, cement production couldn’t keep pace with the post-COVID building boom. Lingering supply chain issues from the pandemic, a lack of licensed truck drivers, and other issues all contributed to the shortage. The cement orders that usually took a week (or less) to fill took up to five weeks in parts of the country.

While cement supply increased in 2023 and into ‘24, trusting consistent access and delivery is risky for concrete manufacturers. Global politics (the United States imports approximately 25% of its cement), a potential interest rate reduction (which would spur more building), and the ongoing bridge and building projects outlined in the government’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law could make cement hard to come by in the near future, especially if you’re a small or mid-sized concrete manufacturer. Any kind of shortage will fuel longer lead times for ordering and delivery, which can disrupt scheduling and logistics for upcoming jobs.

If you’re a concrete manufacturer, especially one that may not be large enough to get preferential treatment from your cement supplier, your first and most logical step is to order as much cement as you can as early as possible. Of course, that might require an investment in additional storage to create and maintain a stockpile. Another choice is to explore alternative materials to reduce your reliance on cement. Increasing the amount of fly ash to create ashcrete or using blast furnace slag to make slag cement are two alternative options gaining popularity.

Planning ahead and preparing for whatever a volatile supply chain delivers is essential for concrete manufacturing success in today’s market. Whether you need an entirely new plant, an additional silo, or a new part, our team at MPPlants and at our sister company, MPParts, is here to help get you ready for any and every scenario.