Concrete Suppliers – Stocking Up on Supplies

In effect, the concrete suppliers are usually the concrete mixers and delivery supply companies that deliver the mixed concrete to worksites and homes where they are needed. For the most part, these companies must have all the necessary ingredients in the making of ready mixed concrete

Sometimes, these concrete plants have their own networks of supply companies that provide the materials they need in making premixes, which can be on-demand. As soon as orders are negotiated and concluded with clients who want their premixed concrete order filled up, these plants and delivery company mobilized their supply networks for the materials they need.

Those with enough storage places will order the needed premix materials beforehand and store them in anticipation of orders later on.  

Cement types

Since this is the most important material ingredient of producing concrete, many mixing plants store most of the cement types that are needed by various clients for all their types of projects that calls for specific types.

There are five main types of common cement in use on the market, classified as Type 1 to type 5. For residential work, Type 1 is most ideal. Type 2 is used in moderate sulfate soil conditions, and Type 3 is used when freezing is a risk or working to speed up curing and setting.

Type 4 is for big and massive industrial placements while Type 5 is used in extreme sulfate conditions.

Plants are all ready in having these cement types on-demand as part of their permanent supply. .

All other ingredients

These mixing plants also are quite ready in storing all the other needed ingredients in the production of premix concrete.

These would include enough supply of binding materials like the cement and lime.  Next would be the fine aggregate materials like sand and other materials.

They usually also keep a large inventory of coarse aggregates like gravel, crushed stone and such other materials needed.  The admixtures are classified as optional ingredients, unless otherwise specifically demanded by the client.

Although “Portland Cement” is the most common materials used as a binder in the mixture, other binders like Lime used in common type of construction can work as a binder, too. It is strong and enough and is economical.

Common types

Around 90% of the cement sold in the U.S. is either Type 1 or Type 2. The standard Type 1 is good for almost all residential purposes except where soils and ground water contain sulfates that can attack concrete.

Type 2 is used on areas (mostly in the West) because it is sulfate resistant. In extreme cases, Type 5, the cement with the highest sulfate resistance is sometimes necessary where extreme sulfate conditions exist. Plants also keep this type in stock, especially inn areas where sulfate presence in the soil is noted.

Most ready mix plants don’t stock Type 4 cement and residential builders would probably not need it. This “low heat of hydration” cement is used for massive industrial placements like big dams, for instance, where the heat buildup in a large volume of concrete might create problems. Ready-mix plants are usually our concrete suppliers.