Concrete's Plentiful Components

Concrete is nothing short of a wonder material. If we did not have a construction material that can take on nearly any shape or form, our modern life would look very different. Not only is concrete able to be molded, it has an immense compressive strength which allows it to support even the tallest buildings. The other remaining element that makes it truly a wonder material is that its components are extremely plentiful - cement, water, and aggregate. This combination of a flowable material that hardens to have an extreme compressive force, all with materials that are widely available, has completely changed the world we live in today.  It’s this amazing combination that allows concrete contractors, like The Conco Companies, to offer services to create impressive buildings throughout the western U.S.

Aggregate Choices for concrete

Aggregate is the particulate material that provides structure to concrete, such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone. Choosing the appropriate aggregate for the concrete mixtures is extremely important to the performance of the concrete. Aggregate can occupy up to 75% volume of the concrete. There are also more recent types of concrete, such as Confoam by Conco, that use only fine aggregate to create lightweight concrete. That means that the choice of aggregate greatly affects the strength, weight, cost, and other properties of the concrete.

What Makes a Great Concrete Contractor?

Concrete is one of the most important technologies of the modern world, and it is the result of an ever innovating industry. Two hundred years ago, concrete use was limited. Innovations in strength, placement, additives, and operations have transformed concrete the world over. As concrete has become more specialized in its capabilities, it is more important than ever to work with a great concrete contractor to ensure that your project is done right. Knowledge, experience, and organizational capacity are three key characteristics to look for in a great concrete contractor.

A Runner-up for the “2017 Subcontractor of the Year” Award

The Conco Companies are proud to report that Conco Pumping was recently honored as a runner-up for the 2017 Subcontractor of the Year Award from the American Subcontractors Association of Southern California.  The awards are designed to recognize the various achievements and contributions the recipients have made in the construction industry.  The ASA is a highly respected organization that embodies ethical & equitable business practices, quality construction, a safe and healthy work environment, and integrity & membership diversity.  This year’s winners were honored at the November ASA’s Awards Banquet.   

Concrete Mixes that Meet the Specs of Each Project

At The Conco Companies, our portfolio includes a wide variety of projects that have required the use of various concrete mixes to meet their unique specifications.  For projects that require extremely durable and/or high-strength concrete, High-performance Concrete (HPC) is used.  

The U.S. Concrete Industry

The concrete industry produces approximately 10 billion tons of concrete worldwide.  In the U.S. the industry has an annual production of 500 million tons with an estimated value of $35 billion and employs more than 2 million employees.  It is suggested that with the amount of the U.S.’s yearly production that it equals to about two tons for every man, woman and child.   To produce these types of volumes, it requires vast amounts of natural resources to supply the aggregate needed as well as to make the cement.  Concrete is used to build highways, streets and bridges, commercial, industrial, medical and educational structures, residential housing and other construction markets.   

Telebelt® TB 105 Telescopic Belt Conveyor

The Conco Companies have an impressive fleet of modern, state-of-the-art concrete pumps in addition to Telebelts.  We use this equipment to help us complete projects faster and more efficiently for our customers.    

Ready for a Challenging Internship?

The Conco Companies, one of the West Coast’s largest commercial concrete contractors, is looking for interns and/or graduates to fill our Concrete Estimator positions.  As our team is comprised of some of the top experts in the concrete industry, this is an excellent opportunity to learn from the best.  In business since 1959, we have worked closely with contractors, developers, owners and engineers on various concrete methodologies in an effort to develop the best standards and practices in the industry today. 

Z-Fold Pumps Offer Versatility and Maneuverability

At The Conco Companies, we have a long history of adopting the latest concrete technologies as well as purchasing the latest state-of-the-art equipment to provide our customers with the best range of options for their project.  One of the types of pumps that we find are very beneficial in projects with challenging placement specifications is our articulating boom pumps. 

The Topping Out of the East County Detention Center

Recently The Conco Companies announced the topping out of the East County Detention Center, a 500,000 SF expansion and replacement to the existing Riverside County Jail.  The project’s General Contractor is Clark Construction and the architect is HOK.  The $330 million project will add another 1,626 beds to the facility once it is complete.   

Heavyweight Concrete has Many Uses Including as a Sound Barrier

While there are many applications in which lightweight concrete is the most appropriate choice so are there as many that require heavyweight concrete.  Lightweight structural concrete is made using lightweight coarse aggregate and/or lightweight fine aggregate.  It typically has a density of approximately 105 pounds per cubic foot as compared to that of normal concrete mixes that have a density of 150 pounds per cubic foot.  A common use for lightweight concrete is to reduce the overall load or weight of an entire concrete structure such as on bridge decks, beams, slabs and walls of concrete structures.    

Order a Concrete Pump from the Experts

If you need the services of a concrete boom pump, did you know you can order it from one of the area’s leading commercial concrete contractors?  On The Conco Companies’ website, we provide comprehensive instructions on what you need to know and what we need to know to ensure you get the best pump for your job.  Some of the facts we need include the scope of the job and the particulars of the jobsite where the pump will be used.  In turn, we let you know what to expect from us including the fact that all of our pump operators are ACPA certified as well as the terms of their work conditions.    

New Salesforce Videos

One of the big projects The Conco Companies recently provided a full range of concrete services for was the Salesforce Tower in downtown San Francisco.  Now that the silvery curtain-wall panels have completely covered the outside of the 1,070-foot tall building, it can be seen for miles in and around San Francisco.  This is probably not surprising as the peak of the building stands 200 feet taller than the city’s previously tallest building, the Transamerica Pyramid.  The 61-story building consists of 900 feet of occupied space with spacious office floors that boast ceiling heights of almost 14 feet.  The remaining 170 feet above the top floor of the building is mainly empty space but does house some mechanical equipment.    

Concrete Solutions from a Full Service Provider

The Conco Companies initially started out as a concrete contractor but as our business expanded over the years, we have evolved into a full service provider to the construction industry.  We now provide a range of “concrete solutions” to our customers as opposed to “concrete services,” and we have the resources and expertise to oversee the entire process.   

Tips for Finding the Best Commercial Subcontractor

During our close to 60 years in the industry, The Conco Companies have learned a thing or two about the construction business.  Right from the start, our goal has been to provide customers with first-class services that are executed in a highly professional manner and to deliver what was promised.  

Career Opportunities for Construction Project Engineers in Portland, Oregon

Due to a growing demand for services, The Conco Companies recently expanded our operations and opened a new office in Portland, OR.  As such we are looking for full-time Project Engineers to support the Superintendent and Project Manager on assigned projects.

Qualities desired for the position include being able to work well in a team and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.  Applicants must also have the ability to manage their time efficiently and be adept at organizing and prioritizing tasks.

Our Most Important Asset – Our Employees

At The Conco Companies, we firmly believe that our most important asset is our team of hard-working, dedicated employees.  We place the safety and health of our workforce above all else and are committed to providing them, along with our trade partners and customers, the safest workplace possible.  

Dealing with Concrete’s Shrinkage and Cracking Problem

Most material, including concrete, shrinks as it dries.  The Portland Cement Association (PCA) points out that the most common amount of shrinkage is about 1/16 of an inch in a 10-foot length of concrete.  To alleviate the problem, joints are placed in concrete pavement and floors “to allow the concrete to crack in a neat, straight line at the joint, where concrete cracks due to shrinkage are expected to occur.”   Likewise expansion joints are placed in bridges, concrete walls and other structures to allow for shrinkage and to control cracking.   

Today’s Concrete is More Resilient

Over the last several decades, technological advancements in the concrete industry have led to improvements in both the strength of concrete as well as the longevity.  In fact, experts predict that concrete mixes of today can produce concrete that will last for hundreds of years rather than just decades of concrete structures from the 20^th century.  Along with the superior performance, concrete has also become “greener” to produce.   

Our Extensive Fleet of Pumps Offers Your Project Many Benefits

The Conco Companies have a long history of providing exceptional concrete services for a wide range of projects using our extensive fleet of concrete pumps and ancillary equipment.  Since 1975, we have owned and operated one of the largest concrete pumping and belting companies in the U.S., and have the capability and resources to handle the most challenging project specifications.