The concrete market is by its nature local. Proximity to customers and construction sites is both a crucial competitive advantage and good news for the environment through ensuring shorter transport
distances.
The acquired plants complement and strengthen the extensive network of facilities that Thomas Concrete Group (Thomas) already has in the large Atlanta region. Since its establishment in the United States in 1985, Thomas has gradually built up a strong position, and now operates a total of 70 plants in the states of Georgia,South Carolina and North Carolina.
The southeast region’s population continues to grow at higher rates compared to the U.S. average, which fuels higher levels of construction activity. Overall business climate and jobs are also expandingwith significant investments in manufacturing, distribution, logistics and recreation. All this means increased demand for building materials in the future.
"Atlanta is a large, growing and important market,” says Hans Karlander, CEO and president of Thomas Concrete Group. “It is also where we have our headquarters for the Group's US operations. The acquisition is part of the strategy we laid out in 2013 for a stronger and more coherent groupenjoying a very significant local presence. The new plants in Georgia also increase efficiency and synergies in production, distribution and sales. We are now evaluating which of the acquired thirteen idle plants will be restarted.”
Thomas Concrete Group, founded in Sweden, 1955, has acquired and built new ready-mixed concrete facilities in Sweden, Germany, Poland and the United States through strategic long-term growth. With a total of 150 plants, the Group is the largest independent supplier of ready-mixed concrete in its operating markets. In Sweden, the company also has three facilities for producing pre-casted concrete elements, a trading and distribution company to secure and develop the group's long-term supply of binding materials and a quarry in Norway.
"Our goal is to be the best in the industry and we welcome our new American employees to Team Thomas,” adds Karlander. “The Group's strategy is to grow and provide the best possible service to our customers. Therefore, we continuously evaluate the opportunities for structural improvements and potential acquisitions."
