Building Scale

We interview successful Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) business leaders to learn how they use people, processes, and technology to scale their businesses.

Global Market Dynamics: The "Concrete" Evidence of Brand Value with Rich Szecsy, Big Town Concrete

E164 • Aug 25, 2026 • 74 mins

Rich Szecsy, CEO of Big Town Concrete, discusses his journey in the concrete industry and the impact of Texas's population growth on concrete consumption. He explores the competitive landscape and benefits of private companies, sharing insights from his experience with mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Using a pizza vs. tacos analogy, Rich explains modern M&A strategies, emphasizing technology and AI. He highlights the importance of mindset, preparation, and economic awareness in selling a business. The episode also covers AI's role in the AEC industry, focusing on labor augmentation and shared data, with advice on embracing risks and valuing field experience.

Key Points

Embracing technology and AI can significantly augment labor efficiency, but it requires careful consideration of guidelines, guardrails, and potential risks.
Understanding market trends and preparing for economic cycles are crucial for maximizing the value of a company during mergers and acquisitions.
Taking more risks, seeking uncomfortable challenges, and gaining early operational experience are essential for long-term career growth and success.

Connect with Rich Szecsy, Ph.D., PE - CEO of Big Town Concrete

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-s-szecsy-phd-pe-faci-8724992/ Company LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-town-concrete/home/ Website - https://www.bigtownconcrete.com

Connect with Justin & Will - Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/ Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - Website: https://www.spotmigration.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

Speakers

Rich Szecsy

Guest • 83%

Will Foret

Host • 2%

Justin Neagle

Host • 11%

Will Foret

Host • 4%

Chapters

0:00	Introduction, podcast overview, and sponsor: BuildingScale.net
2:21	Guest introduction: Rich Szecsy, CEO of Big Town Concrete
3:39	Rich Szecsy's background and entry into the concrete industry
6:19	Concrete consumption statistics and the Texas market
8:50	Impact of Texas population growth on the concrete industry
13:04	Competitive landscape of Big Town Concrete
17:37	Advantages of working for a private company
22:17	Rich Szecsy's experience with mergers and acquisitions
29:03	Pizza vs. tacos analogy and implications for M&A
32:32	Technology's role in modern M&A strategies
36:49	Impact of artificial intelligence on M&A
37:05	Preparing a company for exit: Buyer's vs. seller's perspective
41:19	Importance of mindset and preparation in selling a business
45:44	Influence of economic environment on M&A decisions
49:20	Monitoring market trends for optimal M&A timing
50:20	Caution in using historical data for M&A decisions
53:22	Introduction to AI in the AEC industry
53:51	Labor augmentation vs. labor replacement with AI
57:39	Establishing guidelines for AI implementation
1:00:17	Shared data conundrum in AI algorithms
1:03:33	Responsibility and liability in AI-driven decisions
1:07:01	Advice on taking more risks and seeking discomfort
1:11:09	Importance of field and operational experience
1:12:16	Contact information and closing remarks

Transcript

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