Hemma Concrete · Marietta, GA · Asset Management
Beyond the machinery.
How the YARDZ platform helps Hemma Concrete keep tools in their place.
Occasionally, a company purchases a software program for a specific purpose, only to discover that it has far more functionality than they realized — a pleasant surprise that increases both the perceived and real value of the software.
Hemma Concrete — a growing concrete contracting company with three active divisions — found itself in this enviable position after it began implementing YARDZ, a leading asset management platform. Hemma had secured licenses to the platform primarily for tracking heavy equipment.
An expansive mix of owned and rented equipment.
Hemma uses quite a bit of equipment — both rented and owned — to execute impressive projects across multiple divisions. Managing that mix often led to inefficiencies, duplicate purchases, and the risk of loss or theft.
With numerous active projects in motion, Hemma needed a better way to track and maintain its assets, ensure accountability, and reduce unnecessary spending.
- 01Inefficiencies in managing owned and rented equipment
- 02Duplication of purchases across the operation
- 03Risk of loss or theft on numerous active job sites
- 04Accountability and spending that needed tighter control
“When we reached out to YARDZ, it wasn’t about tool management—it was equipment management. But more than that, we specifically needed a platform that could communicate directly with our existing equipment fleet.” Eric Blair — oversees logistics of moving equipment to and from jobs, Hemma Concrete
Hemma had been looking at two different programs. YARDZ was suggested by the company from which Hemma purchases the majority of its equipment — and that suggestion paid off, as Hemma determined YARDZ was the better fit on several fronts.
“What sealed the deal was YARDZ’s compatibility with Hemma’s existing software systems,” Blair explained. YARDZ integrates with both Hemma’s project management tool and its accounting platform, where competing solutions didn’t offer those same seamless connections. And because GPS tracking was embedded into the program, YARDZ could communicate with equipment Hemma already owned — no separate system required.
A whole new world of functionality opened up.
“YARDZ has become a resource management tool for all our assets, not just equipment. Once we realized that YARDZ could handle these items, we expanded our use of the platform.”
Ben Kiker, Executive Vice President, Hemma ConcreteMaintenance scheduling
Preventative maintenance schedules for all equipment, shared directly with third-party vendors who perform the work and update the system in real time, noting completion.
vendor-updatedInspections
Paper inspection forms replaced with digital checklists, integrated with the project management tool so everyone — from field staff to project managers — can see when inspections were last completed.
digital checklistsTool management
Tools valued at $250 or more are tracked, so general superintendents can see who has which tools and allocate personnel by the equipment they carry — expected to reap significant savings, as some tools cost thousands.
$250+ trackedGeofencing & theft recovery
With geofences set up around job sites, any equipment that leaves a designated area immediately triggers an alert.
immediate alertDriver behavior & fuel monitoring
Integration with Hemma’s fleet management software monitors vehicle location, driver behavior, and fuel usage — all within the same ecosystem.
same ecosystemVehicle maintenance, inspections & daily accountability checks
Capabilities Hemma also discovered along the way — “a whole new world of functionality.”
The feature that has already paid off.
With geofences around its job sites, any equipment that leaves a designated area immediately triggers an alert. Hemma recovered a stolen machine within a mere five minutes.
Beyond operational efficiency.
The impact of YARDZ has gone beyond operational efficiency — it has transformed how Hemma prices jobs, allocates resources, and plans future projects.
Accountability has improved, too. Knowing that every tool is tracked and assigned to a specific employee has led to better care and fewer losses.
“Because we know exactly which tools are in circulation, our estimates and budgets are more accurate.”
Ben Kiker, Executive Vice President“Our people know we’re logging everything, and they treat the tools with more respect. Plus, it greatly reduces the chances that someone simply walks off with an item.”
Eric Blair, LogisticsNew levels of accuracy — it’s all about data.
With insight into which teams are most likely to staff a job, Hemma can review the current condition and inventory of its tools and equipment before making new purchases. As Ben Kiker put it: “With the kind of information we now have, we can make smarter decisions across the board, whether it’s related to pricing, resource allocation, or forecasting future needs.”
Hemma is rolling out the full capabilities of YARDZ in phases — a measured approach to ensure a smooth transition while allowing time for feedback and refinement.
Management customization
A small management team began customizing the platform to meet Hemma’s specific internal needs.
Hemma Concrete & Hemma Elevations
YARDZ rolled out to Hemma Concrete and Hemma Elevations, the division focused on masonry and exterior finishes.
General superintendents
“General superintendents first, then their teams,” said Blair — progressing before expanding to the entire field staff.
Fully integrated across all three divisions
Evolving from a simple tracking tool into a central hub for company-wide resource management — with predictive analytics and tighter integration on the horizon.
“It’s definitely a competitive advantage. YARDZ gives us the visibility and control we need to operate smarter and grow more efficiently.”
Ben Kiker · Executive Vice President · Hemma Concrete