Vulcan Materials Co. has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Superior Ready Mix Concrete L.P. of Escondido, Calif. The transaction spans 13 ready mixed and two asphalt plants, plus six aggregates operations adding more than 50 years of quality reserves to Vulcan’s California franchise.
“Since its beginnings in 1958, Superior has had an unwavering commitment to excellence and a long and successful track record of providing high quality products and services,” says Vulcan Chairman Tom Hill. “Our continuous improvement culture is about making the best even better, and we look forward to working with the Superior team to do just that.”
“This acquisition is consistent with our aggregates-led growth strategy of continuing to expand our reach to better serve attractive regions in the United States,” he adds. “Our Vulcan Way of Selling and Vulcan Way of Operating disciplines remain fundamental to consistently compounding profitability and successfully integrating new operations.”
The parent company of Holcim US and Lafarge Canada Inc. cites progress on a full capital market separation plan, or spin-off, that will net a Holcim North America listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Subject to shareholder approval at the Holcim Ltd. Annual General Meeting in May, the spin-off is planned as a domestic issuer under U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission rules, reporting in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and seeking inclusion in relevant U.S. equity indices.
Holcim North America will encompass the Holcim US and Lafarge Canada cement, aggregate and ready mixed concrete operations, plus Holcim Building Envelope businesses, the latter bearing Firestone and other roofing brand acquisitions since 2021. Holcim Chairman Jan Jenisch announced the proposed spin-off in January 2024, noting, “The success of our North American business makes it the leading pure-play building solutions company in the region. With a U.S. listing, we will unleash its full potential to be the partner of choice for our customers in one of the world’s most attractive construction markets.”
Bayou Concrete, a leading supplier of concrete solutions from the Mississippi Gulf Coast to Mobile Bay and the Florida Panhandle, is set to rebrand this month to harmonize with sister company MMC Materials Inc., both part of Jackson, Miss.-based Dunn Investment Co. The move will spawn MMC Materials Gulf Coast, LLC.
“These two companies already work closely together, sharing resources and technologies, and we believe that this name change will help both be even better resources for our customers across the region,” says Judd Beech, president of both businesses. “As a premier concrete producer, MMC Materials is committed to core values of honesty, excellence, and continuous improvement. Our employees at both companies will continue to go above and beyond for our customers under the MMC brand.”
Established in 1927, Jackson-based MMC Materials has become a highly regarded provider of comprehensive concrete solutions to commercial and residential customers throughout Mississippi, west Tennessee, and eastern Louisiana. With Bayou taking on the MMC name, the company brand will now expand to coastal Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
Tennessee-based SRM Concrete has acquired Fairmount Redi-Mix, a single-plant operator in Fairmount, Ill. “We look forward to batching concrete with our new team members, building on the strong foundation they have established and serving the Fairmount community with excellence,” says SRM Concrete CEO Jeff Hollingshead. Fairmount Redi-Mix is the producer’s first site in Illinois, he adds, joining sister operations in 21 other states, extending a payroll of 8,500-plus, and further solidifying SRM Concrete’s role as the top U.S. ready mixed operator.
Separately, SRM Concrete has broadened its northeast Ohio footprint, acquiring Rockport Ready Mix in Cleveland. The producer entered the market last year with the acquisition of HGE Concrete Supply, also Cleveland, leading to subsequent deals for the ready mixed production and aggregate distribution assets of R.W. Sidley Inc., Painesville, plus Liberty Redi Mix, Akron. SRM Concrete now operates 30-plus ready mixed plants in the Buckeye State. “This location fills a service gap for us, allowing SRM to serve new customers and better supply our existing customers,” notes CEO Jeff Hollingshead.
Cemex S.A.B. de C.V., Monterrey, Mexico, received the Net-Zero Industries Award by Mission Innovation at a ceremony during the late-2024 COP29 gathering in Azerbaijan, judges recognizing the producer for its revolutionary clinker decarbonization process using concentrated solar power. The Net-Zero Industries Award recognizes and celebrates outstanding innovations in industrial decarbonization, spotlighting the people and projects revolutionizing energy-intensive industries and driving substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Cemex’s solar clinker project is a collaboration with Synhelion of Switzerland, high temperature solar heat technology developer.
“We are pioneering solar-powered clinker production, a breakthrough process that can contribute to decarbonizing cement manufacturing,” said Cemex Vice President of Global Research & Development David Zampini. “This award recognizes our vision of achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions, as well as our passion for innovation.”
“We congratulate Cemex on winning the Net-Zero Industries Award, which is a testament to our shared vision to decarbonize cement manufacturing and pave the way for a more sustainable industry,” added Synhelion Co-CEO Gianluca Ambrosetti. “The solar clinker project is an example of the transformative power of clean energy innovation in industrial processes.”
Cemex partnered with Synhelion in 2019 to reduce CO₂ emissions in cement production. The collaboration led to a significant milestone in 2022 with the first successful production of solar clinker in a small-scale pilot. Building on this success, the technology was scaled further in 2023 by enabling clinker production in a continuous manner over an extended period—a pivotal step for implementing the technology at an industrial scale.
Heidelberg Materials North America has extended its Southeast and New England market prospects, entering a definitive agreement to acquire Giant Cement Holding Inc. (GCHI) plus subsidiaries Giant Cement Co., Dragon Products Co. and Giant Resource Recovery from the Fortaleza, Uniland and Trituradora groups. The $600 million asset transaction includes Giant Cement’s integrated Harleyville, S.C. plant, a joint venture import terminal ramping up at the Port of Savannah, plus four Georgia and South Carolina terminals; and, Dragon Products’ Newington, N.H. portland cement and slag distribution and Boston cement import terminals.
“The acquisition of the GCHI assets will further strengthen our cementitious footprint in the growing Southeastern U.S. and New England markets,” says Heidelberg Materials North America CEO Chris Ward. “We are excited to expand our supply network on the East Coast to better serve our broad customer base. We welcome the GCHI employees and customers to Heidelberg Materials and look forward to the opportunities and growth potential ahead.”
Nashville-based Rogers Group Inc., the largest privately held U.S. aggregate producer, has elevated James (Jimmy) Patton from chief financial officer to president and chief executive officer. He succeeds Darin Matson, who had served in various Rogers Group leadership roles over the past 25 years, the last seven at the helm, and announced in mid-2024 his intention to retire at year-end.
Patton has served as CFO for 14 years as part of a Rogers Group tenure nearing three decades. His career has evolved through a series of financial roles within the company. As president and CEO, he will spearhead strategic initiatives aimed at driving national growth through organizational enhancement and expansion. Patton holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Belmont University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University.
“Jimmy Patton has an in-depth knowledge of Rogers Group and a legacy of success in the aggregates and highway construction industry,” says Chairman Ben Rechter. “His background is driving financial success through safety and operational excellence.”
Dallas-based cement, aggregate and ready mixed producer Eagle Materials Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bullskin Stone & Lime LLC, a pure-play aggregates business located in western Pennsylvania and serving customers in the Pittsburgh market. Eagle Materials anticipates closing on the $152.5 million transaction by the end of this month.
“The acquisition of Bullskin Stone & Lime further advances our long-term growth strategy by adding a business that complements and extends our network of aggregates quarries and cement plants and terminals in the region,” says Eagle Materials CEO Michael Haack. “We look forward to welcoming Bullskin employees to the organization and are excited about the opportunities this business presents.” The producer announced the deal in late 2024, capping another year of strong financial performance.

ALCRETE ROUNDS OUT SOUTHEAST FOOTPRINT WITH BENTON PRECAST DEAL
Alcrete LLC has acquired Benton Precast LLC of Conway, S.C., the third such transaction the Oakbrook, Ill.-based producer has announced during the past 12 months.
“The addition of production capabilities in South Carolina is a natural expansion of our footprint,” affirms Alcrete CEO Justin Norman. “The Benton family has as long history of success with their concrete operations, and we are excited to purchase the precast subsidiary and combine with Alcrete.” The transaction includes Benton Precast’s 17-acre site, plant facilities and equipment, along with a skilled workforce enabling Alcrete to increase production capabilities and competitiveness in nonarchitectural precast, he adds.