We all know that we are in an extremely competitive market place and we have all been undercut by our competitors.  We should be interested in how this is impacting our industry.  To be able to provide that analysis, please forward me any specific examples you may have of instances where you have encountered competitive pricing that appears to be unrealistic given our common costs.

Thank you,

Matt Kaminsky                                                        

ACI Concrete Placement

Phone 913-281-3700

Fax 913-281-4817

email mkaminsky@aciconcreteplacement.com

Predatory pricing will actually depend on who is the predator.  Just because someone has huge union liability labor costs does not mean that other companies must raise their rates to save the butt of those whose have union contracts.   All things being equal the only people who should respond to this request are Union Pumping Contractors competeing against other Union Pumping Contractors.   

Just wondering about a remark in an other toppic. There was talking about a payrate of 95 dollars an hour in NY. And that that was because there was a strong union. Was that the sallary to the operator or the price the customer had to pay for a pump?

If that's is the salary for the operator than I can't feel sorry for the compagnie that they can't come with competitive prices.

Even I as an operator think that's insane much money for 'just' a pump operator. 

But if that's the price for the pump and that's suposed to be a good price than I can't understand how they even mannage to run any pump for that little money.

Matt is one of those guys you can trust. Please send him your thoughts on this issue.

OK Matt with our naming a company how can a very large company charge 85 per hour and 2.00 per yard pumped and me being a two pump company charge 110.00 per hour and 2.75 per yard pumped.

NYC Rate operator $95 p/h min hours than add the cost of the pump a 32M $1100

i dont bid jobs but last week a company wanted a bid so i thought what the hell, full price and a small break on travel charges for a 32m i knew it would not work  but oh well. then the big boy said any pump lower price than a 32m,bs thats why some companies are in bankrupcy court and i am not!! thats all i got

Todd,  I respectfully disagree with your comment, I have the facts to back up my contention.

Mike

Very keen observation,so,who's crying wolf?  "grin"

Many,

Sometimes it is just too easy ! LOL

their are a lot of people with line pumps that are undrcutting everyone down here in southern ca

The operator rate 95.00 is a double time rate for local 14

I'm amazed that  35yrs ago the price of a 2001 todays 32m was 95.00 to 115.00 and 1.25 yrd Not much of a change. From todays priceing. Wish fuel and food was so stable.

How bout BBCP pouring wind tower foundations (2 pumps onsite) for barely over $3/cy. Or Brundage Bone & Blanchett running $85/hr and $1.50/cy on 32 meter with no minimum! Or a $250 flat rate for footing. Just pissing in the wind...my opinion. There are several companies in our area doing flat rate jobs for less than $500/mob. Unfortunately for them,and our industry, if you do it once, you always have to do it. My observation is that these companies are still starving for work, so why not price higher and turn the same revenue with less Op. Expense??

Whine Whine Whine.  Stop worrying about what other people charge and convince the customer you are worth more money.   I can state for a fact that if any company raised their rates to what they should be then the competition would be right there a penny cheaper and touting that.  Then the cycle begins again.  Customer wants the best service at the best price.  Prima Donas wants everyone else to raise their prices so they can get the job at what they want. 

Their are concrete pump co that stick to there guns.They don't need saftey chains on the back elbos.They don't buy cheep pipe and hose.They under cut for money flow.Nothing is paid for.And they loose it Dale

You're right Mike. I think salespersons have 2 options: price or personality. If you don't have good personality, you'd better have good price! I like to think that we (among some other really good pump companies) have a great rapport with most of our customers and its service first before price!!

Good for you then don't worry about what brand x charges.

Mike, I would beg to differ. Many pump companies are both union & non-union.  The predatory pricing discussion here, has to be exclusive to non-union, as any union pumper has to set prices to cover their additional union costs. The non-union pumpers that want to make a fair profit cannot compete with a company allowed to operate in bankruptcy, only needs to cover their payroll, and spot fuel purchases. When parts are needed, they rob their other parked trucks, and don't pay any of their other bills. Their objective is obvious; wait out the small pumpers, grab the market share and then emerge from bankruptcy and raise prices then.