SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bulk Exchange publicly launched today as the world’s premier bulk materials marketplace for suppliers, dumpsites, contractors, and estimators to enhance and simplify every step of the search-to-fulfillment lifecycle. The company also announced more than $4mm in seed funding, predominantly from industry suppliers and contractors.
In tandem with the launch, Bulk Exchange also announced BX Bid, a new product designed to automate the RFP process for estimators, and a partnership to integrate that technology with construction technology leader HCSS.
While dozens of industries become increasingly digitized, management of bulk materials in construction - which includes materials like aggregates, sand and soil - remains stubbornly analog. Particularly in the field, the construction industry still lacks many of the benefits of technology like central and standardized communication, instant access to data and pricing, and automation. Bulk Exchange - founded by construction pros that bring a combined 55+ years of industry experience - built its bulk materials marketplace and RFP solution to solve these specific issues and help other construction pros operate in a digital world.
“As an excavator and general contractor I’ve experienced a lot of the issues firsthand that we aim to solve now at Bulk Exchange,” said Paul Foley, CEO and co-founder. “The way work gets done now is still pretty manual - if a supplier or contractor needs information or to work with someone they do it by making phone calls, sending texts or even meeting in-person. We are bringing all of that online, by connecting supply and demand on our marketplace, which means instant access to pricing, standardized communication, and an overall faster and better experience between all parties.”
Transformative Products Built On Comprehensive Data
For the first time, the supply and demand sides in bulk materials can connect via a central marketplace, making it easier to buy, sell and move materials. The Bulk Exchange marketplace provides an industry specific search engine with comprehensive solutions for finding and listing materials, accessing list prices, and submitting or responding to RFPs. Bulk Exchange was built in collaboration with suppliers and estimators nationwide, employing innovative technology to create efficient solutions for all sides of the bulk material industry.
On top of Bulk Exchange’s marketplace and data, the company has also released BX Bid, an AI-powered solution that allows estimators to streamline and automate many of the cumbersome and error-prone processes involved in RFPs. BX Bid pulls required information instantly and plugs it directly into RFP documents, saving time and reducing errors for estimators. The company has partnered with HCSS, the trusted leader in software for heavy civil contractors, to integrate this technology and supercharge HCSS’s product, HCSS HeavyBid. HCSS and Bulk Exchange will be showcasing the joint solution at HCSS UGM 2024.
“We at HCSS are very excited about our partnership with Bulk Exchange,” said Rateb Almasri, Senior Product Manager - Partnerships at HCSS. “HCSS has always provided exceptional value and service to our customers and are very selective with any potential partnership. Bulk Exchange shares our values and their RFP tool is a game changer for our estimators. By integrating directly with HeavyBid, Bulk Exchange will improve the speed, accuracy and efficiency of the bidding process and overall experience for our customers. We are excited about this partnership and look forward to debuting it at HCSS’s UGM conference in February."
To accelerate its growth, Bulk Exchange has raised more than $4mm in seed financing, almost entirely from individual industry insiders. Specific investors include Mike Andreacchi, the founder and CEO of Junk King, Jonathon Trappe, co-owner of Canyon Rock Quarry & River Ready Mix, and Tom Hunt, President and CEO of Ranger Pipelines.
“I’m proud to be an investor in and customer of Bulk Exchange,” said Hunt. “The team has built a great product today, and when you look at the products they can launch on top of the marketplace like BX Bid, the potential is massive. Bulk Exchange helps suppliers broadcast their information across facilities, products and pricing. Centralizing this information and making it easy to access will benefit the entire industry.”
For more information about how Bulk Exchange can improve and streamline your business, visit https://www.bulkexchange.com/
For more information about HCSS UGM 2024, visit https://ugm.hcss.com/
About Bulk Exchange
Bulk Exchange is the premier bulk material marketplace for suppliers, dumpsites, contractors, and estimators to enhance and simplify every step of the search-to-fulfillment lifecycle. Our industry specific search engine is the only comprehensive solution for finding/listing materials, accessing list prices, and submitting/responding to RFPs. Bulk Exchange is empowering both sides of the industry to reclaim their time by streamlining information, communication, and RFP’s within a single, user-friendly platform. Built in collaboration with suppliers and estimators nationwide, Bulk Exchange is employing innovative technology to create efficient solutions for the bulk materials industry. Visit www.bulkexchange.com to learn more.
