"Biggest Crisis Since IMF"... Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry Unites to Seek Survival Strategies

'2025 Ready-Mixed Concrete Management Innovation Forum' Held
Sharing the Current Status of the Industry and Management Paradigms

Small and medium-sized ready-mixed concrete companies gathered in one place to seek survival strategies amid the sharp downturn in the construction market.

The Korea Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry Cooperative Federation is taking a commemorative photo after holding the '2025 Ready-Mixed Concrete Management Innovation Forum' at Maison Glad Hotel Jeju. Korea Federation of SMEs

The Korea Ready-Mixed Concrete Industrial Cooperative Federation announced on the 10th that it will hold the '2025 Ready-Mixed Concrete Management Innovation Forum' under the theme 'Shared Change, Trust for Tomorrow' at Maison Glad Hotel Jeju for three days until the 12th. Around 300 representatives from the government, academia, and the industry will gather to discuss ways to overcome the crisis and ensure the survival of small and medium-sized ready-mixed concrete companies.

On the first day, at the 'Ready-Mixed Concrete Future Growth General Forum,' Lee Kiyeol, CEO of Sejong Ready-Mixed Concrete, gave a presentation on 'The Current Status of the Small and Medium-Sized Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry and Strategies for Sustainable Management.' In the subsequent panel discussion, Hong Gunho, President of the Korea Concrete Institute, served as moderator, and Kim Hyundong, Director of the Market Policy Division at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Kwon Daehyun, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Choi Wonil, Head of Support Planning at the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency; and Yang Chanhoe, Head of Innovation Growth at the Korea Federation of SMEs, engaged in in-depth discussions focusing on industrial policy, safety, and directions for technological innovation.

On the second day, Lee Hanbaek, President of the Korea Concrete Testing Institute, gave a lecture on 'Shifting Management Paradigms to Overcome the Crisis in the Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry.' Various events, including networking activities and cultural experiences, were also held to promote exchange and cooperation within the industry.

In his opening remarks, Chairman Bae Jowung stated, "Last year, the industry's operating rate fell to 18%, and in the third quarter of this year, it dropped further to 14%, marking the biggest crisis for the industry since the IMF era." He emphasized, "There are ongoing changes in the market environment and public procurement systems, such as the easing of on-site batching plant installation standards and the promotion of autonomous procurement by local governments. In times like these, it is crucial to cooperate with each other and for the industry to restore trust on its own." He added, "The transition to artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a choice but a matter of survival," urging, "Small and medium-sized ready-mixed concrete companies must recognize the need for AI transformation and prepare for it without delay."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.