When you talk to the leadership team at iwi Concrete Equipment Group, it quickly becomes clear that this isn’t just a business; it’s a legacy built on grit, expertise, and genuine relationships. What started as a small family operation with two people has grown into the largest broker of used concrete manufacturing equipment in North America, with a strong foothold in new equipment, consulting, and global sales.
From its base of operations in Georgia, iwi Concrete Equipment Group’s influence stretches across borders, helping clients in all sectors of the concrete industry—block, pipe, precast, ready-mix, and prestress—find the tools and expertise they need to grow. The company’s blend of family values, technical know-how, and forward-thinking innovation has made it a trusted name among concrete professionals worldwide.
The company’s story starts over four decades ago, when the fathers of current owners Richard Isaacson and Dan Faulkner partnered to start a used equipment business in the early 1980s. “The way it started was my father and Dan’s father actually were partners back in 1980,” recalls Isaacson. “Then they split up amicably, and I joined my father in ’89; it was just the two of us. We merged with Clay Warner and Associates in 1998, which brought pipe and precast experience into the company. The company was renamed ‘iwi group’ to reference the three original owners: Isaacson, Warner, and Isaacson.”
That merger laid the foundation for what would grow into a multi-generational enterprise. Faulkner joined the business more than two decades ago and eventually became co-owner alongside Isaacson. Today, the third generation has stepped in, with Dan’s son, Thomas, now the company’s Sales Manager, ensuring that the family tradition of hands-on leadership continues.
“We started with three people and now we’re up to over 16,” Isaacson says. “We’ve continued to grow, and we are now the leading broker of used concrete manufacturing equipment in North America.”
While iwi Concrete Equipment Group first made its name through used equipment sales, the company has steadily evolved to meet changing market demands. It now represents around 25 companies in the new equipment market, offering clients a full range of solutions.
“We’re global when it comes to used equipment,” says Isaacson. “We have independent agents all around the world who we work with. Concerning new equipment, we represent about 25 companies and have boots on the ground in the Southeast and East Coast. We’re looking to expand our footprint to cover the entire U.S. within the next year.”
That expansion is well underway, guided by Executive Director Tony Mills, who joined the company a year ago to strengthen vendor partnerships and build a nationwide sales team. “Over the last year, we have grown considerably and look forward to growing even more over the next year,” Isaacson adds.
This commitment to growth is not just about expanding market share; it’s about maintaining flexibility for clients across the economic spectrum. The company’s philosophy centers around helping every customer find the right fit, whether they’re investing in new, refurbished, or used equipment. As new machinery costs soar and sustainability becomes an increasing priority, the value of high-quality used equipment has never been greater. For many businesses, it’s a practical choice that combines performance with affordability.
“Some of this equipment, when new, is extremely expensive and the life of the equipment can be 20 or 30 years,” explains Faulkner. “If you can find a good, serviceable piece of used equipment, it just makes good economic sense.”
For some clients, used equipment isn’t just about saving money; it’s about staying flexible. To maximize the lifespan and performance of used machines, iwi Concrete Equipment Group offers parts, refurbishing, and technical support, ensuring that even budget-conscious clients can start their operations with near-new reliability. “We want to service all aspects of the economic range,” says Mills. “If they can afford new, they get new. If they’re on a tighter budget, we can bring old equipment up to near-new condition. Either way, our goal is to keep all our customers up and running.”
While the U.S. remains iwi Concrete Equipment Group’s main market, particularly for new equipment due to licensing and distribution agreements, the company’s global reach continues to expand. Roughly 30 percent of its used equipment sales are international. iwi Concrete Equipment Group works with agents across the globe who connect them with international customers. These representatives speak the local language, understand regional markets, and help facilitate smooth transactions from start to finish.
This international footprint is supported by a business model that focuses on brokering rather than direct ownership. “We don’t take title to most of the equipment,” Isaacson explains. “We simply put buyer and seller together, connecting the right equipment with the right people.”
Looking ahead, the company is set to expand not only geographically but also into manufacturing. Faulkner, whose background is in batch plant design, revealed that iwi Concrete Equipment Group will soon introduce its own line of branded batching equipment. “We’re going to be introducing our own line of batching equipment within the next year,” he says. “Our plans are to expand that market on the manufacturing side.” This marks a significant step in iwi Concrete Equipment Group’s evolution, from a brokerage and consulting firm into a manufacturer in its own right. The company is confident that its decades of practical experience give it a unique advantage in creating user-focused, efficient systems designed by people who truly understand the industry’s demands.
Indeed, one of iwi Concrete Equipment Group’s defining traits is its depth of expertise. Every member of the team brings hands-on experience in the concrete industry, allowing them to understand client challenges from the inside out. “The expertise within our team really sets us apart,” says Mills. “Richard and Dan have been in the industry for decades. They’re not absentee owners; they’re 100 percent boots-on-the-ground, working alongside everyone every day.” This collaborative approach extends to weekly team meetings where sales staff, technical specialists, and management come together to share updates and insights.
This emphasis on continuous learning and collaboration has helped iwi Concrete Equipment Group stay ahead in an industry that’s largely evolving through consolidation and modernization. As smaller operators get absorbed by larger corporations, IWI remains committed to serving both, helping smaller firms grow while supporting major enterprises with advanced systems and global logistics.
“The nature of the business has stayed the same,” Faulkner says, “but we’ve seen a lot of smaller companies being bought up by big corporate entities. Some of that expertise disappears when that happens, but it’s cyclical. New generations are coming into the industry, and we’re here to help them grow.”
Although the concrete sector isn’t known for rapid change, evolving environmental regulations have driven new innovations in efficiency, dust control, and water recycling, all areas that iwi Concrete Equipment Group supports through its equipment and consulting services. “We sell equipment that helps meet government mandates like premium-efficiency motors and dust-control filtration systems,” says Mills. “It’s all about clean air and sustainable operations.”
By helping clients upgrade their existing machinery and integrate eco-friendly systems, iwi Concrete Equipment Group extends the usable life of equipment while supporting cleaner, more compliant operations. This approach aligns with the broader shift toward responsible construction practices, proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.
Beyond its business operations, iwi Concrete Equipment Group remains deeply embedded in industry associations and professional organizations. The team believes that participation in these groups isn’t just about networking, but about shaping the future of the concrete industry itself. “We’re members of a number of national and regional associations,” Isaacson notes. “That helps us stay ahead of what’s new and learn how we can be involved in setting the course for the future.”
These affiliations include the National Precast Concrete Association, the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, and the American Concrete Pipe Association, among others. Isaacson’s own contributions have been recognized at the highest level when he received the Robert E. Yoakum Award from the NPCA, the organization’s top honor. “That was a huge honor,” he says. “I’m still in awe of it.”
Isaacson has also recently had the honor of having an award named after him by the National Precast Concrete Association Foundation (NPCAF) in recognition of his dedication and contributions to the organization. “The Richard Isaacson Award,” says the NPCAF, “is designed to celebrate those who, through service, fundraising and leadership, make the Foundation stronger and ensure its success.”
Isaacson served on the NPCAF board from 2012 to 2018, including two years as Chair. “Richard’s passion, commitment, and leadership embody the very best of what it means to serve the Foundation,” said current NPCAF board Chair Greg Stratis. “Truly, we would not be where we are today without the dedication of volunteers like him. It is in his honor and with great gratitude that this award will carry his name.”
As iwi Concrete Equipment Group looks to the future, its focus is clear: expansion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to customer success. Over the last year, the company has grown its team, expanded its warehouse operations, and introduced new products like the Cgard Radar System for silo content management, a product developed internally.
“One of our biggest focuses right now is growth,” says Mills. “We can’t sit back and wait for economies to change; we’re getting aggressive and doing it ourselves. We’re not letting anything hold us back.” This forward momentum reflects the entrepreneurial mindset that has defined iwi Concrete Equipment Group from the very beginning, a blend of resilience, adaptability, and service.
At its core, iwi Concrete Equipment Group’s philosophy remains the same as it was when the founders started out more than 40 years ago: take care of the customer. “Going back to our roots, our fathers instilled in the company that you’ve got to take care of the customer,” says Isaacson. “I know that’s an old cliché and everybody says it, but we absolutely mean it. We take care of our customers, we take care of our employees, and we make it right.”
This people-first approach, combined with technical expertise and a bold vision for the future, ensures that iwi Concrete Equipment Group will remain a trusted partner for concrete professionals across generations and continents.
From a modest two-person operation to a globally recognized industry leader, the story of iwi Concrete Equipment Group is one of persistence, innovation, and integrity. As the company prepares to launch new products, expand nationwide, and embrace the next phase of growth, its success stands as proof that strong foundations, like concrete itself, can withstand the test of time.
