As the construction industry continues to prioritize safety, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) leads the way with its prestigious Excellence in Safety Awards. For 2025, the NRMCA Think First Safety Contest has once again showcased the exceptional commitment to safety practiced by ready-mix concrete plants across the nation.

The Excellence in Safety Awards Program is a robust three-tier system that recognizes the dedication of plants that have maintained stellar safety records. This year, the program evaluated facilities based on the latest incident rates from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ensuring only the safest plants are honored. With the ready mix concrete industry’s incident rate reported at 4.10 as of October 2024, achieving excellence in safety is truly commendable.

The award tiers are defined as follows:

• Gold: Incident rate equal to zero
• Silver: Incident rate greater than zero but equal to or less than 2.05 (half the industry average)
• Bronze: Incident rate greater than 2.05 and less than 4.10

To determine these rates, NRMCA examines a plant’s OSHA 300A Log and calculates the incident rate based on injuries and illnesses per hour worked. The rigorous evaluation makes achieving these awards a true mark of excellence in safety practices.

NRMCA encourages all member companies to participate, urging them to submit safety performance data for all plants—not just the high performers. By sharing safety records, even for plants that may not win, the entire industry benefits from valuable benchmarking information, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Among the winners, The Gerken Companies stands out with multiple Gold awards. The honored plants have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to maintaining incident rates lower than the national average.

M&R Ready Mix, Inc.
McClure
Pettisville
Stoney Ridge

Williams Concrete, Inc.
Maumee

Kuhlman Corporation
Monroe

These plants exemplify the highest safety standards in our industry, and their achievements inspire others.

The safety achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of countless individuals who prioritize the well-being of their colleagues. The contributions of every plant that entered the contest are vital, as they collectively enhance the focus on safety within the industry.

As we celebrate these winners, let us keep pushing for improvements and adaptations that lead to safer workplaces. Reducing incident rates will ultimately strengthen our industry and ensure that safety remains a top priority at Gerken. Here’s to a safer future for everyone.

Check out the complete list of 2025 NRMCA Think First Safety Contest winners here.