Market Opportunity
Florida is the 2nd largest cement consuming state and 4th largest producer in the US. The Tampa Bay region receives 75% of Florida's cement imports (6.8M MT annually), making it the strategic center for cement distribution.
SESCO's new Port Redwing terminal in Gibsonton positions the company to capture significant market share with favorable sourcing from Egypt and Turkey (10% tariff) versus competitors facing 25-46% duties.
Supply Landscape
| Argos USA | Tampa plant (1.9 MT/yr) |
| Martin Marietta | Largest importer (4.1M MT) |
| CEMEX | Brooksville + Mobile |
| Titan America | Miami plant, Greek supply |
Port Redwing Reach
| 1 Hour | 3.4M pop | Tampa Bay |
| 3 Hours | 12.8M pop | Orlando, Ft Myers |
| 5 Hours | 22.5M pop | All Florida |
SESCO Competitive Advantage: Egypt/Turkey sourcing at 10% tariff vs. 25% (Canada/Mexico) or 46% (Vietnam) for competitors. White cement specialty focus with limited competition.
Customer Priorities
| # | Segment | Product | Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stucco/EIFS Manufacturers | White | High volume, high margin |
| 2 | Independent Ready-Mix | Gray | Volume builder |
| 3 | Tile Adhesive Producers | White | Specialty, premium |
| 4 | Precast Producers | Both | Technical relationships |
Export Opportunity
68.8% of US cement exports go to Caribbean/Central America. Tampa is ideally positioned.
Tier 1 Markets:
- Bahamas - 100% import-dependent
- Trinidad & Tobago - Zero duty 2025
- USVI - US territory
Transit Advantage:
- Tampa to Caribbean: 5-8 days
- Asia to Caribbean: 30+ days
- White cement premium market
Strategic Recommendations
1
White Cement Lead
Highest margins, least competition
2
Target Stucco/EIFS
Florida's hurricane codes drive demand
3
Independent Ready-Mix
Volume builder, non-integrated
4
Caribbean Export
Re-export from Port Redwing
Volume Targets
| Product | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gray Cement | 25-50K MT | 75-100K MT | 150K+ MT |
| White Cement | 5-10K MT | 15-25K MT | 40-50K MT |