Power tool giant Hilti USA has acquired the assets of Cambridge, Mass.-based Concrete Sensors, a developer of devices and companion software expediting curing status measurement. The deal extends Hilti’s Internet of Things (IoT) portfolio into new applications and strengthens its leadership as a construction productivity solutions source.
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| Concrete Sensors’ 1.5- x 3-in. CS200 transmitter relays temperature and relative humidity data to mobile devices from up to 6 inches of concrete depth, and is linked to a 0.5- x 1.5-in. sensor by 3- or 8-ft. cable. |
Concrete Sensors’ slab- or structure-embedded wireless devices and mobile app equip producers, contractors and engineers to accurately measure and predict concrete temperature, relative humidity and compressive strength—saving time and labor over legacy maturity monitoring methods. The technology gauges temperature and relative humidity to ± 0.4°C and ± 3 percent accuracy. Early Concrete Sensors backers included Cemex Ventures, a business unit Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. launched in 2017 with an eye to investing in startups exhibiting potential to revolutionize construction processes.
“This acquisition directly aligns with our strategic priorities to put a greater focus on IoT,” says Hilti North America CEO Martina McIsaac. “Beyond the strategic rationale and product offering, this is an ideal cultural fit. Hilti and the Concrete Sensors team share a customer-first approach, which is essential.”
“Hilti gives us limitless potential for growth,” adds Brendan Dowdall, who founded Concrete Sensors with Ryan Twomey Dowdall in 2015. “This integration offers significant value to our ever-growing customer base.”
Hilti officials view Concrete Sensors as an excellent addition to their growing technology suite. In recent years, the company has made major investments to digitize the construction industry and simplify engineer and contractor workflows with innovations including asset tracking (ONTrack); improved baseplate design methods (PROFIS Engineering); plus, solutions for taking BIM designs to the field (PLT 300) and providing traceable fastenings (TraceFast).
Central Concrete Supply Co. of California, Maschmeyer Concrete Company of Florida and Stoneway Concrete of Seattle have provided mix data with which an artificial intelligence program, Roxi, can detect possible errors in batch proportions and slab or structure maturity calibrations. “We can assure contractors their data is verified because our team can easily and confidently calibrate concrete mixes for maturity,” affirms Central Concrete Director of Quality Assurance Patrick Frawley.