World of Concrete 2025: 3 Top Takeaways

World of Concrete 2025: 3 Top Takeaways (and Why Estimators Can Finally Breathe a Sigh of Relief)

If there’s one thing we learned at this year’s World of Concrete (WOC) event, it’s that you really can’t build anything without concrete—literally. The show was buzzing with industry pros sharing everything from jaw-dropping equipment to brand-new mixes. 

But let’s be honest: flashy innovations on the show floor sometimes overshadow the more pressing challenges happening behind the scenes—especially in the estimating department.

Our team at Beam AI spent 3 days exhibiting at WOC, chatting with contractors, concrete specialists, and everyone in between. We heard all about their everyday pain points, and it quickly became clear that some long-standing issues are now feeling a bit too long-standing. Below are the three major takeaways we noticed (and why we’re so excited to help solve them).

1. Good Luck Building Anything Without Concrete

We heard it time and again: “We can’t move forward on a job if the concrete isn’t ready!” It’s a simple truth, but it sets the tone for everything else at WOC. Concrete is literally the foundational element of most projects, so if it’s delayed or incorrectly estimated, tasks like scheduling crews and installing rebar can quickly fall behind.

In many cases, that initial delay starts way before any mix truck arrives. Getting a correct takeoff and estimate often involves countless hours of sifting through PDFs, measuring line items by hand, and double (or triple!) checking the numbers. If even a small detail is off, the entire supply chain is impacted. No wonder many attendees admitted they’re feeling stressed and time-starved.

Key takeaway 1:

Accurate takeoffs at the start keep everything on track. When your quantities are right from the outset, your scheduling, material orders, and planning stay on track. That way, you’re fully prepared for the pour, long before the first truck even hits the site. 

2. Decades of Investment in Job Site Efficiency... But Not Enough Tech?

The WOC floor was loaded with eye-catching equipment: advanced mixers, laser screeds, and fleets of next-gen trucks. Contractors have clearly spent decades refining on-site efficiency. But it was equally obvious that back-office and estimating operations haven’t kept pace.

So many folks who stopped by our booth told us the same story: They’ve invested heavily in job site tools yet still rely on manual processes for takeoffs. You might get going eventually, but it’s definitely not ideal.

Key takeaway 2:

The truth is, AI-based tools like Beam AI can reduce hours of labor, cut down on human error, and free up staff to do what they do best—like building relationships with customers, negotiating better pricing, and, ultimately, winning more bids.

3. Estimators Are Drowning in Busywork (and it’s Hurting Sales)

We had an endless stream of conversations that went something like this:

“I can’t bid on more jobs because my estimators are buried in spreadsheets.”
“We want to expand, but hiring and training new estimators feels like an impossible hurdle.”

Add the wave of experienced estimators retiring, and the pressure only intensifies. Producing a single estimate the old-school way already consumes endless hours. Factor in a labor shortage, and entire teams are left scrambling just to keep up.

Key takeaway 3:

Ultimately, the truth is, estimators simply don’t have the capacity. Their days are packed with doing manual takeoffs, wading through countless revision requests, and juggling multiple projects at once. The irony is that when they’re too busy estimating to be strategic, they can’t optimize bids or build strong customer relationships that lead to more lucrative deals.

When attendees saw how Beam AI could save 90% of time on takeoffs, we could almost see the tension leave their shoulders. It’s amazing what the right tool can do for morale—imagine giving your team the chance to focus on what really matters: refining estimates and building stronger customer relationships.

Where Do We Go from Here?

We walked away from WOC feeling more confident than ever that solving this time and resource crunch in estimating is essential. And judging by the reactions of the folks who spent time at our booth, this is a conversation that’s long overdue.

Here are a few ways we can collectively keep pushing this dialogue forward:

1. Embrace new tools: The construction industry’s reliance on tried-and-true methods is understandable, but tech has come a long way. AI-based takeoff solutions are here to save you time and help you bid more jobs.
2. Invest in your people: Freeing up estimators from mundane tasks means giving them opportunities for professional growth. Let them focus on strategic initiatives and customer relationships—areas where their expertise truly shines.
3. Bid more & more: Streamlined takeoffs let you bid on more jobs while refining each estimate, boosting your chances of winning the projects you really want. That’s a win-win for everyone, especially your bottom line.

Ready to lighten the load? 

We’re here to help. Whether you’re drowning in manual takeoffs or just want to make your estimating process more efficient, Beam AI is on a mission to bring relief to estimators everywhere. After all, you’ve got bigger things to worry about, like finalizing that next big project and making sure the concrete gets poured exactly when (and where) it’s supposed to.

If you missed us at World of Concrete this time around, don’t worry. Reach out, and we’ll happily show you how Beam AI is transforming the takeoff game and keeping your estimators happy. Trust us, it’s a conversation that might just save your team from drowning in spreadsheets. And, who knows, maybe it’ll help you say goodbye to bidding guesswork—and hello to a more efficient, profitable future. Are you ready to let your estimators breathe again? Book a personalized demo and see how Beam AI can transform your takeoff process, giving your team the freedom to focus on what truly matters.