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"Cement is the one thing you've got to have to make concrete," said Ron Hartman, vice president of sales of Ernst Concrete. "There's only so much of it being made right now, and the current demand is pushing supply to its limits." 

In the construction industry, few materials are as essential as Portland cement. This versatile binding agent forms the foundation of countless structures, from towering skyscrapers to humble sidewalks. However, recent developments have stirred up a storm in the construction industry, particularly here in Ontario. A significant shortage of Portland cement is causing a ripple effect that's being felt not only in construction sites across Ontario but also across the border in New York State. 

Ontario's construction boom has long been powered by an abundant supply of Portland cement. But the situation is changing. The province has traditionally sold a substantial amount of Portland cement in bulk to its neighboring state, New York.  

While this cross-border trade has helped reduce the overall carbon footprint of both regions by minimizing the need for long-haul transportation, it has come at a cost—a supply shortage in Ontario. 

As a result of this supply chain shift, Ontario's construction projects are now grappling with dwindling reserves of this critical building material. Cement, a key ingredient in making concrete, has become scarce, and the shortage — caused by a confluence of increased demand, labour shortages, inflation and issues at major plants — is creating serious problems for the construction industry across the country. 

This scarcity is not only disrupting construction timelines but also driving up prices, leaving builders and developers in a tight spot.  

A Versatile, Yet Essential Building Material 

Portland cement is a fundamental building material used in a wide range of construction projects.

Here is a list of various types of construction projects where Portland cement is commonly used: 

Residential Construction

• Single-family homes 

• Multi-family apartment complexes 

• Condominiums and townhouses 

Commercial Construction

• Office buildings 

• Retail stores and shopping malls 

• Restaurants and hospitality establishments 

Infrastructure Projects

• Roads and highways 

• Bridges and overpasses 

• Tunnels and underground infrastructure 

Industrial Facilities

• Factories and manufacturing plants 

• Warehouses and distribution centers 

• Power plants and refineries 

Public Buildings

• Schools and universities 

• Hospitals and healthcare facilities 

• Government offices and administrative buildings 

Transportation Projects

• Airports and runways 

• Ports and docks 

• Railways and train stations 

Sports and Recreation Facilities

• Stadiums and arenas 

• Tennis courts and sports complexes 

• Recreational parks and playgrounds 

Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

• Water treatment plants 

• Sewage treatment facilities 

• Dams and reservoirs 

Specialty Construction

• High-rise buildings and skyscrapers 

• Historical restoration and preservation projects 

• Residential and commercial renovations 

Agricultural Projects

• Silos and grain storage facilities 

• Agricultural processing plants 

• Livestock housing structures 

Energy Projects

• Wind turbine foundations 

• Solar farm foundations 

• Hydroelectric dams and facilities 

Mining and Quarrying

• Extraction and processing facilities 

• Conveyor belt systems 

• Infrastructure for resource transportation 

As you can see, nearly every industry is affected by the supply chain shortage of this essential building material.  

The Rising Costs of Materials 

Canada imported about $895 million in cement and concrete-related goods in 2021, according to Industry Canada, mostly from the U.S. and China. 

Inflation is also a factor. Prices for many raw construction materials have risen over the last 12 months. Costs for categories like gravel and clay have also risen, up eight per cent since last summer, according to Statistics Canada's raw materials price index. In April 2022, the National Association of Home Builders in the U.S. released numbers showing that ready-mix concrete is nine per cent more expensive than it was at the start of 2021. The association also found building material prices for items like lumber, paint and concrete, have risen more than 30 per cent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Lack of Manpower 

The supply shortages of concrete during this period were further compounded by several other factors.  

The breakdowns at Readimix plants contributed to interruptions in the production and delivery of concrete. There was also a shortage of concrete truck drivers, stemming from manpower issues within the industry. To address this challenge, Readimix plants took the proactive step of hiring drivers from other companies, which helped alleviate the driver shortage and improve the reliability of concrete deliveries.  

These additional reasons for supply shortages only go to prove the complex and interrelated nature of the challenges faced by the construction industry during that period. There was a constant need for collaborative solutions to ensure a consistent and timely supply of essential materials to construction businesses across Ontario. 

How Did This Affect Us? 

The reduced supply of concrete during the period from 2022 into 2023 had several significant impacts on our construction operations.  

First, it resulted in smaller pour sizes, with our daily concrete supply decreasing from the previous 600-800m3 to 400-500m3. This reduction not only disrupted project timelines but also forced us to allocate more labour resources to complete the same amount of work, thereby driving up our labour installation costs.  

The extended delivery times from Ready mix plants added to our construction challenges, as the supply rate dropped from an average of 60m3 per hour pre-COVID to as low as 30-40m3 per hour during the height of shortages. Fortunately, the situation has now improved, with supply levels returning to pre-COVID norms at 70-80m3 per hour.  

These supply constraints have certainly posed significant logistical and financial challenges for our construction projects, but we have remained nimble and solution-oriented through each challenge. 

So, Where Do We Go From Here? 

As we’ve seen over the last few months, the shortage of Portland cement is sending shockwaves through the construction industry, not only here in Ontario but also across the border in New York State.  

This essential building material is the backbone of countless construction projects, spanning from residential and commercial structures to infrastructure, industrial facilities, and more. The impact of this shortage is far-reaching, disrupting construction timelines and driving up costs, creating challenges for builders, developers, and ultimately, everyone involved in the construction process.  

The combination of increased demand, labor shortages, inflation, and issues at major plants has created a supply chain crisis that demands our attention.  

So where do we go from here? It's clear that addressing this issue needs a multifaceted approach, from exploring alternative materials and production methods to fostering collaboration between industry stakeholders and policymakers. Only by working together can we hope to soften the impact of this shortage and ensure a more resilient future for the construction industry.