© 2011 CementTrust

The sad truth

In developing nations they build with concrete and other cement-based building materials. They do this because raw materials are produced locally and concrete is easy to work with. But the sad truth is that this concrete kills and maims them when the earth shakes, the flood waters rise or the hurricanes blow. Concrete kills when placed in the wrong hands.

Unfortunately in many cases the concrete is mixed by hand using a shovel on the ground. This produces a product that cannot be trusted.

Shovels kill?

Blaming only the shovels is not fair; but the shovels do represent a broken supply chain which regularly results in tragedy. The shovels partner with poverty to produce the problem. The solution is not to blame concrete, but to fix a poor supply chain, represented by the shovels.

Trustworthy concrete

With a functioning supply chain, concrete is the strongest and most trustworthy building material on earth. Developing nations will benefit from good concrete as they build strong supply system.

The first step in the process is to recognize that we can build a better supply chain and improve the strength of their economy at the same time. Building this solid foundation will allow developing nations to trust their infrastructure and give their people hope for sustainable lifestyles in the future. Concrete can be trusted within a strong system.

Concrete Supply Chain

The concrete supply system is a group of diverse industries who link to each other for successful construction results. But if the raw materials are not produced correctly at the start of the chain, then concrete does not reach its strength. If concrete is always produced weak, then engineers cannot design the appropriate structure to make a building safe. All links of the chain must function properly.

• Aggregate mining • Materials grading/testing

• Structural engineering • Cement manufacturing • Material distribution • Ready-mixed production • Architectural design

• Construction contracting • Block manufacturing • Steel distribution • Building inspection • Construction training

• Equipment sales/rental • Concrete QC testing • Building supply locations • Concrete pumping • Excavation work • Masonry contracting

• Steel fabrication • Form fab./rental • Pallet manufacturing • Concrete finishing • Additive/sealant supply

• Equipment maintenance • Construction management • Employment services • Curing systems • Plaster contracting

• Compressed earth mfg. • Importing/exporting

A concrete supply chain for developing countries can mirror the proven systems of industrialized nations, only at a different scale. Every improvement creates good jobs and will add strength to their construction projects. If we are serious about providing sustainable building solutions for the poor, then creating a trustworthy supply system should be a priority.

© 2011 CementTrust

Building a concrete supply chain

Like any good building project, the supply system must be built upon a solid foundation. CementTrust suggests that the improvements to the supply chain begin at the middle and then work out in both directions.

The midway point of the chain is the ready-mixed concrete production process. This is where the construction foundation is created and upon which everything is built. Improving this process will force the other players in the chain to upgrade as well. Improved ready-mixed concrete production will also remove the shovels from the mixing process.

Step #1 Stop the Shovels

Improving and upgrading the mixing system symbolizes a change in direction for all of the supply chain. It demonstrates that the construction industry is committed to building a trusted supply system.

Business creation

Each link in the concrete supply chain represents a business opportunity and thousands of jobs. Combining economic development with construction development is the added bonus of this effort. Because concrete construction is such a massive industry, it will have a huge impact on a developing country even at a smaller scale. Step #2 Grow Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Development leadership

For the past 15-years the leaders of CementTrust have assisted hundreds of entrepreneurs to join the concrete supply chain in North America. They have designed and produced ready-mixed concrete systems at a scale that fits the needs of industrialized construction supply systems. This team has produced the training, directed the marketing and promoted the skills of concrete construction professionals at every level. The CementTrust team is uniquely qualified to direct the rebuilding of a concrete supply chain within a developing nation. There must be a central leadership organization to attack this worldwide need. Step #3 Establish a Leadership Organization

Ready-Mixed Production

Between Mining &

Exterior Painting