The World of Concrete trade show, which took place in Las Vegas from Jan. 23-25, celebrated 50 years of serving the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries.
Show organizers announced nearly 60,000 registered professionals attended the 2024 edition — a 23% increase compared to the 2023 edition — as well as a record number of educational sessions (185 total).
Nearly 1,400 exhibitors revealed new solutions to help contractors improve their operations and be more profitable in 2024.
Below are the top 20 new products that Contractors Hot Line saw at the show.
New heavy equipment
Heavy equipment is necessary for all but small-batch concrete jobs, and heavy equipment manufacturers displayed exciting developments.
RubbleCrusher debuted their new trailer-mounted screen — the RubbleCrusher CS48 RT (https://www.rubblemaster.com/us/compact-screens). Drop off this 8,000-pound, two-deck machine and then use your half-ton truck for other purposes.
CIFA (https://www.cifa.com/en/) showed two models from the company’s Series 6 trailer-mounted portable concrete pumps, which are well-suited for both small jobsites, such as shotcrete pumping, or for large civil works projects.
Ready Mixer (https://readymixer.com) introduced a solution to help concrete contractors eliminate short-load fees, minimize concrete delivery wait times and improve profitability with their new 1.0- and 1.75-cubic-yard trailer-mounted mixers.
CAS (Conveyor Application Systems) (https://slingers.com/dragn/) debuted their money-saving, trailer-mounted stone slinger called the Drag’n. It’s cheaper than a truck-mounted stone slinger and can be towed with a three-quarter ton truck.
Dusty Robotics (https://www.dustyrobotics.com) unveiled a robot that automates construction layout. Due to its unrivalled accuracy and labor-saving capabilities, this small robot will surely make a big impact.
Putzmeister (https://www.putzmeister.com) showed one of their new iONTRON hybrid truck-mounted concrete pumps. With these units, CO2 emissions are reduced to zero. Noise and machine weight are also reduced.
Holcombe Mixers (https://holcombemixers.com) debuted the company’s new Dual-Bin G2 — 10DB. Because it has a dual bin, you can switch mixes on the spot, and it provides an additional 75 cubic feet of cement storage.
Somero (https://www.somero.com) unveiled their new S-940 E electric laser screed. It’s the electric counterpart to the company’s S-940 diesel machine and it’s the company’s first electric laser screed.
Handy tools
Concrete is a great building material, but working with concrete can be challenging, so having great tools can make it easier and help you be more productive.
Hilti (https://www.hilti.ca) unveiled their new DGH 130-22 variable-speed, brushless (five-inch) concrete finishing grinder, which the company says will be on the market soon.
Husqvarna (https://www.husqvarna.com/ca-en/) introduced their 540I power cutter. It provides 50% more power compared to the previous generation by using a 36-volt lithium battery. The cutter provides a four-inch cut depth and its rotating blade guard improves safety and convenience.
Makinex (https://www.makinex.com) claims their new Portable Power Box is a revolutionary, noise-free, fuel-free and emissions-free portable solution for a world of rising diesel prices.
Netradyne (https://www.netradyne.com) has made it easy to switch from dynamic mobile scanning to stationary scanning through the push of a button. Mobile scanners are 10 times the speed of a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS).
Cutting-edge technology
Technology is the embodiment of new ideas. And a lot of these new ideas at the show include AI.
Concrete AI (https://www.concrete.ai) showed how batch plant owners can use their technology to improve mix quality and can modify mix designs to achieve certain qualities (greater strength, faster cure times, etc.). And all ingredients are priced, so you know how much a batch of a mix design will cost.
MaintainX (https://www.getmaintainx.com) unveiled to the concrete industry for the first time a “zero-downtime future” using artificial intelligence and large sets of real-time data to preemptively identify and prevent potential breakdowns and operational hiccups.
Command Alkon (http://www.commandalkon.com/) launched TrackIt Advantage — a lighter version of our industry leading TrackIt product. With TrackIt Advantage, dispatchers know the precise location of vehicles in as little as five seconds.
Acumatica (https://www.acumatica.com) unveiled Acumatica Construction Edition (2023 R2 update) — a comprehensive solution empowering business leaders to manage operations effectively.
Admixtures and mixes
One of the great qualities of concrete is its ability to yield different properties depending on the mix. Admixtures expand concrete’s capabilities further.
Sika (https://can.sika.com) introduced their new Sikacrete-752 3D modified cement-based micro-concrete (3.0-to-75-millimetre nozzle), which is designed for ease of pumping with reduced equipment wear.
Devine Chemicals (https://www.devinechemicals.co.uk) introduced their next-generation alternative to compaction aid — the AptiCem Blokmix Plus. These admixtures (water inducers), allow for greater water quantities in the concrete without affecting the semi-dry workability.
Geoploymers International (https://geopolymerinternational.com) showed their wood fiber geoploymer, which, when injected into wood, makes it fireproof. These porous products can also be used as an insulating material.
Master Builders (https://www.master-builders-solutions.com/en-us) showed their X-Seeds admixture product, which increases a concrete’s strength, while reducing cement requirements, so you can decrease the carbon footprint of your concrete.
With the products that were debuted at the 2024 World of Concrete, contractors should be able to improve operational performance, product quality and profitability in 2024.
The 2025 World of Concrete trade show returns to Las Vegas on Jan 21-23 of next year.
https://www.worldofconcrete.com/en/home.html
