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Post by cementman on Jul 4, 2008 19:28:12 GMT -5
I've owned a ready mix company in a very competitive area of NY for a few years now. i've had up and down years, but cant seem to grow to the next level. previous owners may have beat up on the company/customers a bit, so i know if have to fix image and customer relations. i was curious to hear from people who have many years of experience.
anyone can lower prices to be the cheapest guy in town, over-book, be late to every delivery, then end up in bankruptcy due to pricing that was too low to begin with. i have been adding, and losing here and there, new customers all the time. just looking to go from 3-5 trucks (50-100 yds a day) to 10-15 trucks with 200 yds per day.
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Post by Crazy Mudder Trucker on Jul 4, 2008 19:43:47 GMT -5
I've owned a ready mix company in a very competitive area of NY for a few years now. i've had up and down years, but cant seem to grow to the next level. previous owners may have beat up on the company/customers a bit, so i know if have to fix image and customer relations. i was curious to hear from people who have many years of experience. anyone can lower prices to be the cheapest guy in town, over-book, be late to every delivery, then end up in bankruptcy due to pricing that was too low to begin with. i have been adding, and losing here and there, new customers all the time. just looking to go from 3-5 trucks (50-100 yds a day) to 10-15 trucks with 200 yds per day. Yes it is very slow, what I would suggest temporary unless you plant to add to your fleet in the near future. If you are trying to increase your output for the day why don't you use independents to haul for you. If you have 5 trucks contract out however many you want to match the output your looking for. Lowering prices is only hurting your pocketbook b/c you can only sell very low for so long. Just my 2 cents. good luck |
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Post by concretejoe on Jul 5, 2008 0:14:25 GMT -5
The best way to grow a concrete business, hmmmm. You need to realize that the ready mix industry is not a manufacturing business. Yes, you do have to be worried about quality control, but what seperates everyone is their service. You can have the best concrete at the best price delivered by the best drivers, but if it is never on time or you can't be truthful about when you can be there then you can forget about it. What would I do in your situation?
1). Start small. Find some residential contractors that work steady and do a great job servicing them. Help them find work. These will be your "go to" yards. The ones that keep you afloat. As they grow so will you, as long as you don't give them a reason to leave you in the dust.
2). Redefine your company as the one who goes out of it's way to ensure that the customer is serviced well. Great service can come at a premium, and contractors will pay for it.
3). Don't expect profit for at least 5 years. Reinvest in your company.
4). Hire quality drivers and treat them well. Remember, in order for me to do a good job for you I have to WANT to do a good job for you.
I'm sure I have more but I'm a bit tired right now.
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Post by cfconcrete on Jul 6, 2008 20:55:18 GMT -5
Where abouts in NY are you?
Please tell me your from Albany area..........
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