At ConExpo-Con/Agg, Pit & Quarry sat down with Domenico D’Aqui, regional president aggregates and construction materials in the Northeast and Great Lakes at Amrize. D’Aqui spoke about the latest products Amrize debuted at the show, how the company has progressed since completing its Holcim spinoff in June, and what the rest of the year holds for Amrize. The conversation was edited for brevity and clarity.
P&Q: Amrize is exhibiting at ConExpo-Con/Agg for the first time following the spinoff from Holcim. What has this experience been like?
DOMENICO D’AQUI: It feels amazing and we’re super excited. We’re a North America-focused company now, so it’s great to have our entire leadership team focused on this market and here at this event. It’s a perfect match. Great things are ahead for the company, and with the energy and focus we have on the U.S. and Canadian markets and our customers, we’re well-positioned to accelerate growth.
P&Q: Nine months after officially splitting from Holcim, Amrize has had some time to establish itself as its own company. What has it been like building this brand and getting the company to its current position in the industry?
D’AQUI: We are more agile and closer to the market. We’re able to adapt quickly to and meet the markets’ wants and needs. We’re able to fine-tune our approach and deliver solutions faster. The effects of that are already taking place and we will continue to build momentum.
P&Q: Amrize’s latest product offering is the EVERtect concrete range. What feedback and information went into designing these offerings?
D’AQUI: It starts with listening – understanding our customers’ challenges, as well as the opportunities of the North American market. This helps us tailor our products and ensure we can supply what they need. We’ve had a great track record with all these concrete products. However, we’re always evolving with the times, so now we have created a simplified smart system that can be used across every region – we no longer name similar products differently depending on the market. That makes it easier for customers, specifiers, and partners to navigate.
Within those eight core products, flexibility is key. The product categories are fully customizable, so customers can tailor solutions to specific project requirements.
We pay attention to key market demands. For example, our ECOtect solutions support lower-carbon construction, while CONDUtect is designed for high-demand applications like data centers and other mega projects, where managing heat from underground electrical systems is critical. Across segments, our strong R&D and local operations team are focused on bringing those targeted, high-performance solutions.
P&Q: You mentioned the uptick in data centers. Have you seen any signs of a decrease in demand for data centers?
D’AQUI: Not at all. Over the next five years, global data center investment is expected to reach roughly $7 trillion, with over 40 percent of that concentrated in the U.S. and Canada alone. There are no signs of this demand slowing down. It’s been keeping us very busy, and we’re well-positioned to support that growth. We have the capacity to move around. We have a lot of portable plants and a strong and highly efficient distribution network between cement, ready-mix and aggregates. We can go to a project just about anywhere, and we’re not only keeping pace with demand but preparing for continued expansion.
P&Q: You oversee the Northeast and Great Lakes regions. Along with projects such as data centers, what are some drivers and challenges in the region? How is Amrize addressing those factors?
D’AQUI: Throughout the northern U.S. and eastern Canada, a major focus is aging infrastructure, particularly in climates susceptible to freeze/thaw cycles. There’s a clear need for investment in roads, bridges and airports to improve durability and resilience. We actively advocate for infrastructure funding work through industry associations to ensure these priorities remain front and center. Modernizing infrastructure across both the U.S. and Canada is critical, and we’re committed to being a part of the solution.
P&Q: What are your expectations for Amrize for the rest of 2026 and beyond?
D’AQUI: We anticipate accelerated growth. We’re prepared to go from where we’re at – which is already a pretty good spot – and keep driving that growth. Our focus is on deepening partnerships with our customers – getting ahead of their needs, spending time in sites and labs and bringing them solutions to their problems. There’s a strong sense of ambition across the organization, and our customers are feeling that energy as well.
When we started the spinoff, there were a lot of questions: “What are you guys doing?” “Why are you spinning off?” “What’s the point of this?” I don’t get that question anymore. Our stakeholders see where we are going, they’re hitching onto our wagon and we’re hitching onto theirs. We’re moving forward together.
