Tarmac becomes concrete market leader

Tarmac has become the largest concrete company in the country ahead of Cemex, according to new research.

RMC, which became Cemex in 2005, is thought to have been the market leader since truck-mixed concrete was supplied from batching plants in the 1930s.

But BDS Marketing Research said that it had identified Tarmac as the number-one concrete supplier in its annual survey of the industry, although Cemex continues to operate the most plants in the country.

The consultancy puts the estimated market share of Tarmac at just over 20%, with Cemex just under this threshold. Hanson is close behind in third place.

BDS has identified a total of around 250 companies that continue to supply concrete truck mixed concrete. In addition, there are another 150 companies which supply concrete in volumetric lorries.

It said that the market started to decline in April 2008 and will continue to do so throughout 2009. However some slow growth from a low base is expected in 2010.