Lehigh Hanson Inc. parent HeidelbergCement AG has taken a strategic minority stake in Ottawa-based Giatec, whose proprietary sensors equip producers and their customers to monitor concrete maturity in real time. Combined with artificial intelligence algorithms configured to integrate with a wide range of concrete industry software solutions, the sensor data augments cement optimization, quality control, and formwork operations.
“Our investment is inspired by the shared vision of moving the concrete industry forward by using cutting-edge sensing technologies, expanding digitalization, and reducing concrete carbon footprint,” says HeidelbergCement Chief Digital Officer Dennis Lentz. “Giatec’s combination of proprietary sensor technology and artificial intelligence-based software enables significant efficiency and sustainability improvements from the plant to the job site.”
“This partnership will propel our expansion to international markets with the HeidelbergCement global reach and on-the-ground operations in over 50 countries,” adds Giatec CEO Pouria Ghods, who is confident that his company and its newest investor can “develop best-in-class software solutions for concrete producers worldwide.”
The Giatec investment follows HeidelbergCement’s larger play in fall 2021 for a 45 percent stake in Command Alkon. The deal positioned the cement, ready mixed and aggregate giant for a key role in the digital transformation of the heavy building materials supply chain.