Lommel-based precast concrete company anticipates further growth

3T Concrete was founded in 2011 by Serge Meulemans and Pat Spooren. Originally 3T stood for Tiles, Stairs and Terraces, but soon expanded its production to include precast custom-made smooth exposed concrete, landings, cornices, capstones and sills. With these offerings, 3T Concrete targets mainly contractors and steel construction companies and, to a lesser extent, private customers. Growth was in full swing from the start, which has recently led to new and substantial investments.

A beautiful growth story

3T Beton started modestly with an improvised overhead crane and a ditto concrete plant in a rented warehouse on the industrial estate in Lommel. The choice of Lommel was partly inspired by the fact that industrial land was still affordable there. A short time later, the company purchased the rented site. With the construction of a second production hall and its own fully-fledged concrete plant in 2014, production could be significantly increased to meet the rising demand. Cost: around 800,000 euros.

Meanwhile, the company has over 40 employees. In 2020, sales of 7 MIO euros were realized. Production capacity is currently some 30 cubic meters per day. Nor has the drive of the dynamic duo gone unnoticed. In the last 3 years, they have been nominated twice for a Trends Gazellen Award.

Ready for the future

In 2017, the two partners went one step further and bought 2 acres of land across the street. Here they built a warehouse for storing gravel and other raw materials. An attached production hall, currently under construction, will also be linked to a second concrete plant.

Serge Meulemans, co-owner of 3T Beton: "Pat and I are quite level-headed in business terms which means we never make reckless decisions. Nevertheless, in 2021 we felt that the time had come for a new step in our evolution. All in all, this is a second heavy investment in a short period of time. This recent expansion comes at a cost of 4 MIO euros. The new infrastructure will allow us to very quickly double our capacity from 30 to 60 cubic meters per day, making us fully prepared for the future."

The new facilities cover some 5,400 m2. Together with the existing company buildings, this brings the total built-up area to well over 8,000 m2. A steel structure was chosen, with 3T Beton itself of course being responsible for the construction of the stairs.

3T Concrete says it suffered little from the COVID-19 pandemic, and if everything else goes according to plan, the new buildings should be ready for operation by the summer of this year.