About the Exciting Career Opportunities for Shotcrete Professionals

Shotcrete professionals are highly valued members of the team at The Conco Companies. Shotcrete is the term used to define the entire act of spraying concrete or mortar instead of pouring by hand.

What is a Shotcrete Nozzleman?

A nozzleman is a person who understands the process of making and placing wet-mix shotcrete via a nozzle. Different kinds of shotcrete methods require different kinds of skills. For example, a nozzleman working with wet-mix shotcrete will be spraying a pre-mixed solution onto the surface. Gunite, on the other hand, is a dry-mix process in which the dry mix and the water are mixed on-demand from the nozzle. This process requires a highly skilled shotcrete professional with experience with this process.

The Conco Companies Are Always Hiring Shotcrete Professionals

Conco is one of leading commercial concrete contractors in the Western US. As Conco expands in the region, we need qualified, hardworking professionals to join our growing team. We are seeking qualified shotcrete professionals at all of our locations in Northern California, Southern California, Washington, and Colorado. A qualified candidate must have requisite shotcrete experience. In addition to shotcrete work, Conco has job openings for qualified cement masons, ironworkers, laborers, engineers, and more.  With the exception of Colorado, these are all union positions offering competitive wages, medical, and retirement benefits. Please visit our website for further details on open positions and appropriate contact information.

Conco is one of the foremost suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

Can Concrete Be More Environmentally Friendly?

Concrete is one of the most used substances in the world. As the world becomes more and more conscious about how our daily actions impact the environment around us, questions about concrete’s environmental sustainability undoubtedly come up. While concrete may not have the lightest carbon footprint, it does have several other characteristics which still make it a fantastic building material choice.  

Concrete is green (is degradable in its early natural state), durable (lasts over 50 years), energy efficient (has a high thermal mass), and is recyclable (old concrete can be broken down and reused for other projects). Those characteristics are part of why green LEED certified buildings use concrete as their material of choice. The only downside to concrete is that its production facilitates the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Portland cement, an ingredient in concrete and the most widely used cement in the world, is created by heating limestone and other materials until they reach temperatures of 1450 degrees Celsius. This is process requires an immense amount of energy. 

For those looking to reduce their carbon footprint, there are a few novel forms of concrete which claim to be more environmentally friendly. Environmentally friendly cement is either created by using alternative ingredients or by designing an innovative production methodology that uses significantly less energy than traditional cement. These are a few of the most notable: 

• Fly-ash concrete: a by-product of coal-burning power plants.
• Ashcrete: used from recycled fly-ash.
• Blast furnace slag: another product of fly-ash production that can be used in concrete.
• Carbon concrete: a plastic material that is shaped by heat.  

The Conco Companies are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  While we tackle projects both big and small, our experience includes providing the entire cast-in-place concrete for the Wilshire Grand, the tallest building west of the Mississippi, along with other notable projects.  We serve California, Oregon, Washington State, Colorado and Nevada.

Training and Career Opportunities for Cement Masons

Did you know that ancient cement masons built concrete structures in Egypt 3,600 years ago that are still standing today?  Needless to say, cement masons are some of the oldest tradesmen who continue to this day to pass their skills on to the next generation via the apprenticeship model.  

What does a Cement Mason do?

Cement masons work on construction jobs and are responsible for pouring, smoothing, and perfecting concrete. Concrete construction work is physically challenging and cement masons are encouraged to stay in great physical shape. 

Becoming a Cement Mason

Although there are some formal cement mason training programs, most learn their skills via a formal apprenticeship. Those who are interested in becoming a cement mason are encouraged to seek a mentor and become an apprentice. In most cases, finding an apprenticeship requires contacting a local cement mason union or association and inquiring about their programs. 

Cement Mason Opportunities at The Conco Companies

At The Conco Companies, we are seeking qualified cement masons at all of our locations in Northern California, Southern California, Washington, and Colorado. With the exception of Colorado, these are all union positions with competitive wages, medical, and retirement benefits.  Conco is one the nation’s largest cement contractor and our employees work on incredibly exciting projects every day. As a Conco cement mason, you will be working on a wide variety of projects including buildings, highway construction, bridges, tunnels, airports, drainage systems, and sanitation projects.  See the Conco website for more details and contact information regarding our posting for cement masons.  

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Source: bigfuture.collegeboard.org/careers/construction-cement-masons-concrete-finishers

 

The Conco Companies Seek Skilled Assistant Project Manager

The Conco Companies, one of the top commercial concrete contractors in the Western US, is seeking a highly skilled individual to join our exceptional team as an Assistant Project Manager based in Kent, Washington. Conco continues to expand their reach in the Western United States and our project pipeline is rapidly growing. We are always seeking qualified, hardworking individuals to join our team.

The Assistant Project Manager plays a crucial role in the team’s ability to meet all contractual provisions, compliance regulations, and keep projects moving along smoothly. As a highly regarded member of the team, the day to day work of an assistant project manager includes independent tasks such as tackling bids from subcontractors and managing the bidding process, drafts RFI’s and monitor the RFI process, create and manage construction schedules, and other projects as needed or desired. Additionally, as a manager, the role will interface with some of our most key departments in order to ensure the cohesion and effectiveness of the team as a whole.

To truly succeed in this role, the ideal assistant project manager will have years of experience managing large-scale construction projects, pricing proposals and estimating costs, and have a college degree in Construction Management. In addition to experiential requirements, the ideal candidate will also have tremendous organizational skills, be self-motivated, have no problem working independently, and have a true attention to detail.

What better way to grow your career than to have the opportunity to contribute to some of the nation’s most significant concrete projects. For more information about this and other roles available at Conco, visit our website for job applications, company history, and much more.

At The Conco Companies, we are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  Our experience includes providing services for commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Safety –The Number One Priority of The Conco Companies

Safety has always been important in the successful operation of a concrete construction company.  At The Conco Companies, we understand that construction work presents many hazards. In addition to ensuring that all construction operations are performed in accordance with federal OSHA, WISHA, and local standards, we also go many steps above and beyond to protect our employees, partners and the general public.  

Safety Professionals

Conco employs a staff of safety and risk professionals. The job of these professionals is to work with the team to eliminate all construction and “over the road” risks.  This team can be found at our project locations carrying out frequent inspections, ensuring employee safety, and monitoring regulatory compliance.  

A Culture of Safety & Prevention

To create the safest environment, Conco believes that each and every team member must be trained in hazard prevention and safety standards. Hazard prevention is the core of our safety program. With an entire team who can identify unsafe working conditions and potential work related accidents these hazards can be eliminated early or prevented entirely through individual responsibility and awareness. Conco believes that when safety is the first consideration, everyone wins.  

Beyond Conco

We ensure that our partnerships with contractors are based on a mutual understanding that we will employ the highest standard of safety on all project sites. All projects are provided with a Site Specific Safety Plan and Pre-Task Planning, Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP)/ Accident Prevention Program (APP), and training is provided to all on Fall Protection, First-Aid/ CPR, Forklift Operation, OSHA 30, Material Rigging, Traffic Control, and all other related areas. 

Drug and Alcohol Free

We have a strict drug and alcohol ban on all project sites. Additionally, we offer drug and alcohol prevention programs to eliminate the use and possession or drugs and alcohol in the workplace. 

Conco is one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  While we tackle projects both big and small, our experience includes providing the entire cast-in-place concrete for the Wilshire Grand, the tallest building west of the Mississippi, along with other notable projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Contemporary Concrete Structures and Designs

Many people think of concrete as an industrial or heavily commercial material. When many people think about concrete structures, images of parking lots, malls, and government buildings come to mind. Contrary to this belief, concrete is being used on some of the most modern, innovative structures on the planet. In fact, contemporary designers are even designing residential homes with bare concrete siding. Here is just a sample of contemporary innovations and uses for concrete.

Inflatable Buildings

Engineers have developed a way to create an inflatable concrete structure. As bizarre as it sounds, the structure is crafted from a concrete “fabric” material. The material starts in a dry form, is then inflated with air, and then moistened with water to precipitate the hardening of the structure. The chemical reaction between this fabric material and the water, like traditional concrete, hardens the shell.  While this technology is very much in its infancy, the potential applications are truly worth watching.

Underground Homes

The trend of survival prepping and “bunker” homes has indeed had an impact on the concrete market. In fact, outside of heartier materials such as steel and titanium, concrete is the material of choice for many underground homes. Not all underground homes are bunkers. Many contemporary designers create partially and fully underground concrete homes for their energy efficiency and ultra-modern aesthetic.

Contemporary Concrete Residences

Because of the strong minimalist aesthetic of many contemporary home designers, bare concrete homes are making a comeback. The sleek, complete silhouette of a solid concrete home is perfectly suited for the modern look. In addition to fully concrete residences, more and more homes are using concrete floors for their energy efficiency and excellent heat retention/distribution.

The Conco Companies are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  While we tackle projects both big and small, our experience includes providing the entire cast-in-place concrete for the Wilshire Grand, the tallest building west of the Mississippi, along with other notable projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Source:  asce.org/magazine/20151013-innovative-concrete-building-inflates/

Historical Timeline of Concrete

The history of concrete is actually quite interesting. For example, did you know that the art and science of concrete was almost entirely lost after the fall of the Roman Empire? Concrete is, in fact, an ancient material dating back thousands of years. From the earliest use of cement some twelve million years ago to the rediscovery of cement in the early 1700s, let’s review the little-known history of cement. 

12 Million Years ago: Earliest known occurrence of cement. Deposits of cement were formed due to oil shale burning next to a bed of limestone. Although these deposits dated back millions of years, they were not discovered and researched until the 1970s. 

6500 BC: The earliest concrete structures were built by the Nabataea or Bedouins traders who, literally, built an empire in Syria and northern Jordan. 

5600 BC: Homes were being built along the Danube River (in what was formerly Yugoslavia) which used concrete floors. 

700 BC:  Kilns were being used to create mortar for the construction of homes, concrete floors, and water cisterns.  

200 BC: The Romans built an empire out of concrete. Although their concrete was very rudimentary (almost plastic-like), they were also creative and created cement from volcanic sand.  

125 AD: The Pantheon is erected. The structure has one the largest un-reinforced concrete domes ever created in history.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the art of Concrete was lost to mankind.

1756: The building blocks of concrete begin to re-emerge and John Smeaton rediscovers hydraulic cement. 

1824: Joseph Aspdin invents Portland cement! The material was aptly named “Portland” cement because it resembled the building materials found in Portland, England. 

1825: The commercial demand for concrete begins to soar. In the United States, the Erie Canal was commissioned to be built out of cement. 

The Conco Companies one of the foremost suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

Construction Worker Safety and The Conco Companies

In the United States alone, there can be over 250,000 construction sites at any given time which employ over 6.5 million workers. Out of the over 150,000 worker injuries that occur each year, the most common accident on a construction site is a fall. In addition to falls, other common causes of injury include shocks, scaffold collapses, misuse of equipment, and misuse of safety regulations.  

At The Conco Companies, we recognize that construction work ranks among the highest hazard industries in the world. These skilled men and women take on heights, machinery and equipment, dust and contaminants, as well as heavy lifting. At Conco, safety has always been our number one priority. We strive each and every day to continue to provide a safe working environment for all of our employees, partners and the general public. 

Conco is proud to have developed some of the most rigorous pumping safety standards and procedures within the entire concrete industry.  For over 50 years, Conco has pumped millions of yards of concrete and, in 2013, our pumping division completed the year without a single accident. Each year, we strive to add to that record.  

In addition to our pumping division, each and every crew member and manager is expertly trained on Fall Protection, OSHA 30, First-Aid, Forklift Operation, CPR, Traffic Control, and other required safety instruction.  In the Conco fashion, we like to take things one step further; we’ve placed safety oversight professionals at all business locations for an additional layer of vigilance. 

The Conco Companies’ mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Source: buildingsguide.com/blog/construction-site-safety-guide

Career Opportunity for Skilled Reinforcing Steel Detailers

Are you an experienced Reinforcing Steel Detailer in Seattle who wants to work in the fast paced world of a large commercial contractor? Then look no further than this exciting career opportunity offered from The Conco Companies. Conco is one of the nation’s top commercial concrete contractors since 1959. As Conco continues to expand its operations in the region, we need a host of qualified, hardworking individuals to join our growing team.

As an in-house Reinforcing Steel Detailer (or rebar detailer), you will have the exciting opportunity to leverage your detailing software (such as aSa and MicroStation) skills to create shop/placing drawings which meet industry CRSI detailing standards. This includes detailed drawings of quantity, description, placement, and needs for the rebar. Working closely with our family of Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers to identify the specific needs and specifications of every project, the reinforcing steel detailer position is a key member of the team with endless opportunities for growth. Those with an engineering degree and experience with post-tensioned slabs are encouraged to apply.

If you have excellent computer skills (including a strong proficiency with requisite detailing software as well as standard Microsoft Office proficiency), a great attitude, and a strong work ethic, then we encourage you to apply to Conco and contribute to some of the nation’s most significant concrete projects. For applications and information on this and other roles open at Conco Seattle or other locations (Conco has operations in California, Washington, Colorado, Nevada, and Oregon), please visit our website.

The Conco Companies’ mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

What Makes Concrete An Ideal Building Material?

Concrete is one of the most popular building materials in the world and has maintained that popularity for centuries. What makes concrete so great and why has it been the staple building material since the ancient times? The answer includes a number of concrete’s distinct characteristics: long lasting durability, energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, proven safety, and sustainability. Let’s take a deeper look at each one of these characteristics of concrete.

Durability

Concrete is a material that is made to last. It’s resistant to most environmental exposures (weathering, chemicals, and abrasion) while still maintaining its engineering properties.

Energy Efficiency

When combined with other energy efficient remedies (such as radiant heating and cooling), concrete can reduce the energy requirements of a building by as much as 30%.

Affordability

Taking lifespan, energy efficiency, and overall cost of the material into consideration, concrete offers one of the most cost-effective means of constructing an energy-efficient building.

Safety

Concrete is an extremely safe building material for humans and pets. The materials used to create concrete are inert, non-flammable, will not rot, will not mold, does not release gas, and helps fight the entry of pollutants into the structure.

Sustainability

Concrete creates a steady temperature environment because heat passes slowly through the material. As a result, less heating or air-conditioning is needed to maintain a comfortable temperature. Over the lifetime of the building, this amounts to less energy use and cheaper energy bills.  Additionally, although concrete is not biodegradable, it can be recycled and easily repaired; thus, limiting the amount of concrete waste on the planet.

Conco is one of the foremost suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

Source: concretenetwork.com/concrete-homes/benefits.html

What Are The Top Uses of Shotcrete?

Shotcrete is not a material, but a technique of applying concrete at high velocities through a hose. This application method shaves time and money and is gaining popularity in the building community each day. Though shotcrete can be used on almost any concrete project, there are a number of projects where the use of shotcrete is often the best choice.

Here are five projects that are ideal for shotcrete usage:

Repair and Restoration Projects

Shotcrete is a fantastic method for repair and restoration projects because of its versatility and ease of application. The key is to ensure that the new concrete material is well blended with the existing material to ensure that the repair will stand up to the test of time.

Pools and Water Features

Water-resistant concrete is ideal for structures like pools, dams, reservoirs, and marine-based structures. Because shotcrete can be placed directly against soil, it is the ideal material for home pools. Shotcrete doesn’t rely on forms and molds, so it can be used to create very attractive shapes at an economical price.

Skate Parks

Like pools, shotcrete can be used to create the smooth, tall curves needed for skateboard ramps and parks.

Landscaping

Shotcrete can be used to create interesting architectural shapes and landscape structures like sculptures, walkways, and any project that requires flexible and durable materials.

New Construction

Shotcrete greatly reduces the cost of construction projects and offers designers the ability to create curved, irregular shapes that are also structurally sound. Shotcrete can save both time and money while making innovative architectural decisions feasible.

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S. and we got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as one of the top concrete contractors in the region. Our offices serve California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.

 

Update on Union Station Luxury Project and 2017 Events

In 2014, the Union Station neighborhood added a luxurious 21-story apartment building to its already bustling array of buildings. The Conco Companies skillfully executed concrete work for the new building, which featured 288 apartment units, a 260 car garage, and 7,000 sqft of retail space. Residents will now enjoy an impressive list of amenities including a gym, dog run, and concierge services.

Union Station was one of the most highly anticipated redevelopment projects in Denver (with a combined cost of over $7 billion dollars). Today, Union Station hosts a wide array of family friendly events for the community—many of them within the station’s historical 100 year old Great Hall.

Here is just a taste of some of the interesting upcoming events at Union Station in 2017:

New Year’s Eve Countdown Party

Welcome in 2017 in style by attending the grand New Year’s Eve party in the glamorous halls and chic ballrooms of Union Station.

Stars & Stripes Express Fest

A great free, family-friend public event featuring live music, entertainment, local beer.

Yoga on the Plaza

Every Saturday during the summer of 2017, The Oxford Club, Spa & Salon will be sponsoring free yoga on the plaza. This event is open to the public and mimosa specials will be offered after the session.

Oktoberfest

After expanding Union Station’s Terminal Bar in summer 2017, the venue will be hosting a grand Oktoberfest celebration sponsored by New Belgium Brewing.

Halloween Parade and Party

Finally, rounding off 2017 is the Union Station Halloween bash. Enjoy a family friendly event featuring trick-or-treating, costume parades, shops for the kids, and, of course, a costume contest.

The Conco Companies are one of the foremost suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

Source: unionstationindenver.com/news-events/events/

Impressive Concrete Structures in the United States

Concrete has been used as a building material for centuries. From early ancient structures, such as the Pantheon and Coliseum, to modern day masterpieces concrete is the material of choice for durable, affordable, and versatile construction. While the world is filled with impressive concrete structures, some of the world’s most stunning structures can be found right here in the United States. Here are five that we think are pinnacles of modern concrete construction.

Grand Coulee Dam, Washington State 

Boasting over 47 billion pounds of concrete, the Grand Coulee Dam is one of the largest concrete structures in the world. With that much concrete, you could build a highway from Seattle to Miami!

The Pentagon, Washington DC  

Much of the concrete filler for the Pentagon project was dredged from the grounds of the project and the Potomac River. In the end, the project used over one billion pounds of concrete.

The Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas

In 1999, the Venetian Hotel project captured the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous concrete pour at 21,000 cubic yards.

Wilshire Grand, Los Angeles

In February 2014, The Conco Companies conquered the Venetian Hotel’s continuous concrete pour world record of 21,000 cubic yards by 200 cubic yards on the Wilshire Grand project in Los Angeles. The 82 million pounds of concrete and was poured in just 18½ hours.

Trump Tower International Hotel and Tower, Chicago

The Trump Tower in Chicago, IL, completed in 2009, is the world’s tallest concrete-reinforced building. Weighing in at an impressive 720 million pounds of concrete, case studies have been dedicated to this incredible architectural feat.

At The Conco Companies, we are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  Our experience includes providing services for commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Sources:constructionchat.co.uk/articles/heaviest-concrete-structures-in-the-world/, chicagotribune.com/2008-08-18/news/0808170445_1_trump-tower-concrete-trump-international-hotel

5 Concrete Sustainability Facts

Builders looking to work with environmentally conscious materials should look no further than concrete. Concrete is abundant, locally available, and conveniently highly energy efficient and sustainable. Don’t just take our word for it, check out these five facts about concrete’s sustainability and see why concrete outshines the rest.

Thermal Mass

Thermal mass measures a materials capacity to absorb and release heat. Concrete has a high thermal mass, allowing it to absorb lots of heat and then release that heat slowly over time. This creates a consistent temperature (eliminates wild temperate fluctuations) and reduces the energy needs of the building.

Emission Free

Concrete is completely chemically inert once fully cured; thus, it does not contain any toxic chemicals nor will it release any harmful gases or toxic materials if it comes in contact with outside chemical agents.

Recyclable

Concrete can be broken down into an aggregate dust or large chunks and reused as material for roads, walls, and other applications. This, combined with a culture of recycling in the construction community, creates a situation where very little concrete ends up in landfills. This is great because concrete is not biodegradable.

Cost Effective

Given how durable, versatile, energy efficient, and low maintenance concrete is, it is one of the most cost-effective building materials to use in the long-term.

Low Carbon Footprint

Innovations in concrete, such as low carbon cement, combined with its unparalleled sustainability features listed above make concrete one of the lowest carbon footprint building materials. In fact, concrete is the building material of choice for LEED certified buildings: possibly contributing 20 points towards the minimum 26 points necessary to quality for LEED certification.

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development.

What's the Difference Between Cement and Concrete?

Concrete is one of the most utilized man-made materials on the planet. Used for buildings, sidewalks, and infrastructure worldwide, concrete is a hearty material comprised of a mixture of aggregates (any coarse particles used in construction) and paste. Common concrete aggregates include sand and gravel and common pastes are composed of water and cement. That’s right, contrary to popular belief; cement is actually an ingredient in concrete itself.

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, concrete and cement couldn’t be more different. Concrete is the material that we know and love, whereas cement is simply a binding agent used in approximately 15% of concrete to create its signature hardness. Cement is typically composed of finely ground limestone, silica, alumina, and iron oxide.

Types of Cement

There are two common forms of cement: hydraulic and non-hydraulic cement. Hydraulic cement hardens when it comes into contact with water and ultimately forms a water resistant barrier. This is the kind of cement most people are familiar with. Non-hydraulic cement does not harden when in the presence of water. The most common form of cement used in concrete, Portland cement, is a form of hydraulic cement. While most forms of Portland cement are very similar, there are varieties of cement which can be used for specific construction needs:

• Sulphate-resistant cement
• Rapid hardening cement
• Air Entraining cement
• Colored cement
• Low-heat cement
• Hydrographic cement
• Blast furnace slag cement
• White cement (created by using materials with no grey raw materials, such as iron or manganese)
• Quick setting cement

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

What is a Concrete Pump?

A concrete pump is a machine which transfers mixed concrete (i.e. in liquid form) through pipes via a pumping action. Previously, when concrete was needed on a jobsite the materials were mixed onsite and transported via wheelbarrow or bucket. As you can imagine, this method became very tiresome and expensive for large-scale projects such as high-rises. Thankfully, in 1927 Max Giese and Fritz Hull designed a solution which pumps concrete through pipes from a single concrete source (this design was improved upon in 1957 with dual hydraulic cylinders and remains the standard design today).

Types of Concrete Pumps

There are two main types of concrete pumps: boom pumps and transport pumps.  A boom pump is a concrete pump with a remote-controlled “boom” arm attached and a line pump is a concrete pump that is attached to a vehicle. The principle difference between these two types of concrete pumps comes down to the additional appendage equipment attached to the pump and volume. Boom pumps can pump at higher volumes than transport pumps and are typically used for larger projects. Other concrete pump variations include:

• Mobile concrete pump (truck mounted mobile)
• Stationary pump
• Truck mounted static pump
• Truck mixer concrete pump

Outside of the increased convenience of having concrete pumped to the worksite, concrete pumps offer a number of additional benefits over manual methods. First and foremost, concrete pumps allow for a steady and precise flow of material creating a smooth finish. These tools also help to save time, reduce worker fatigue, and improve the quality of the concrete.

The Conco Companies are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  While we tackle projects both big and small, our experience includes providing the complete concrete package for the Levi’s Stadium along with other notable projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.