Houston-based U.S. Concrete, Inc., a top 10 player in ready mixed production, has announced implementation of new programs designed to drive internal growth through entry into new market segments using advanced concrete technologies. The company has recently formed strategic alliances with Master Builders, Inc. of Cleveland, Los Angeles-based L.M. Scofield Company and Chattanooga, Tenn.-based SI Concrete Systems, plus Carlsbad, Calif.-based Ram International, a developer of structural software.

Over the last two years, U.S. Concrete has completed a comprehensive corporate alignment program and implemented operational best practices, including the installation of plant management software at substantially all of its operations. With internal structuring and upgrading nearly complete, the company plans to use substantial technology advances intended to increase demand for concrete and concrete products. It intends to work with these new technology partners to develop and market value-added products designed to benefit contractors, developers and owners.

One example of this partnering will be in the architectural concrete market. U.S. Concrete plans to advance colored concrete technology, along with Master Builders and L.M. Scofield, to take advantage of new opportunities in the residential and commercial sectors. In addition, the company is collaborating with synthetic and steel fiber maker SI Concrete to promote new solutions using fiber-reinforced concrete. The companies plan to offer advanced fiber technologies to the transportation and public works markets where significant public dollars are targeted for construction.

U.S. Concrete has likewise teamed with Ram International to launch a software program used to design buildings constructed of reinforced concrete for all types of construction, including office, commercial and mixed space use. The companies believe that, until now, more buildings have not been constructed with reinforced concrete due to a lack of a user-friendly, computer-aided design system. New software is programmed to provide comparisons of the true cost of concrete compared to steel-frame construction.