Sources: Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association, Herndon, Va.; CP staff
The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association 2024 Hardscape Production Report, reflecting hard figures or estimates of U.S. and Canadian plant output, finds 2023 segmental concrete pavement and retaining wall unit shipments respectively eclipsing 1 billion square feet and 280 million square feet for a third consecutive year. The report shows a 9.3 percent decrease in segmental pavement volume from 2022 to 2023, the former a record year with 1.143 billion square feet of units shipped. That same window saw SRW unit volume drop 6.1 percent from a record 300 million square foot.
Hardscape Production Report figures are based on confidential surveys performed in mid-2024. Respondents provided production data for all segmental concrete pavement units, including pavers, paving slabs, permeable or grid pavers and stepping stones produced with dry cast, wet cast or hydraulic press methods. SRW shipment totals reflect conventional or garden wall profile and other concrete wall units from dry cast production equipment. Survey respondents reported growth in permeable interlocking concrete paver deliveries for 2023, with average plant volume for the category up nearly 6 percent. Across both segmental concrete pavement and SRW products, 2023 median production declines were sharper than average, suggesting that smaller and mid-sized operators faced greater challenges than larger peers.
Among survey respondents, 47 percent expected to close 2024 with production up year over year, their optimism rising for 2025, where 51.1 percent expect growth. They see future production to be influenced by demand for smooth textures and linear products, labor shortages, economic pressures, and a growing focus on sustainability through products like permeable pavers and engineered SRWs.
“Overall, despite year-over-year declines from record high sales, the data indicates growing confidence in hardscape products as the industry looks beyond 2024, with expectations for increased output and market stability,” says CMHA CEO Bob Thomas. “This is great news for the industry.”