Metromont’s History

Sharing our Journey Through the Years

Metromont Historical Photo
Captain J. Roy Pennell (far left) with members of Pennell & Harley Construction Engineers, the company that eventually served as the foundation for Metromont.
Metromont History Establishment
1925

Establishment

Captain J. Roy Pennell formed Pennell
& Harley Construction Engineers to
mainly contract for DOT work from
Washington, DC to Miami.

1925
1934

Spartanburg Concrete Co

Spartanburg Concrete Company was
formed with a one-yard ready mix truck
and a hand-operated block machine.

1934
1935

Depression Era

With virtually no DOT work, Captain Pennell took the organization and equipment to Abbeville County to
design and build a dam to produce electric power to the City of Abbeville. About 90% into construction, the
federal government said that no private company should go into the power business and the project was
sold to the City of Abbeville.

1935
Metromont History Greenville Concrete Company
1936

Greenville Concrete Co

Greenville Concrete Company was
purchased from The Sloan
Construction Company for $1,500.

1936
Metromont History Union and Mayberry Street
1941

Union St & Mayberry St

The Spartanburg Concrete
Company moved to Union Street
and incorporated a new block
machine. The Greenville Concrete
Company moved from their site on
a spur track across from Greenville
Senior High School to Mayberry
Street.

1941
1946

A New Face

Dick Pennell joined the company after
serving 3 years in the US Navy. In 1949,
both companies began their first precast
production making reinforced concrete
lentils and step stones.

1946
Metromont History Moving Again
1951 - 1954

Moving Again

Greenville Concrete Company moved to a site on the Old Paris Mountain Road. The block plant moved and another ready-mix plant was put into operation on White Horse Road. Spartanburg Concrete Company added a site on what is now I-85 with ready-mix concrete and concrete blocks.

1951 - 1954
Metromont History Prestress
1959

Prestress

Prestress plant was added to the White
Horse Road operation. The original
structure is still being used today, but the
operation has been greatly expanded and
modernized over the years.

1959
1976

Metromont

Greenville Concrete Company and
Spartanburg Concrete Company were
merged into Metromont Materials.

1976
Metromont History Rick Pennell
1981

Rick Pennell

Rick Pennell joined the company after graduating from the University of Georgia.

1981
Metromont History RMC
1983

RMC

75% of the Metromont stock was purchased by RMC of London leaving only three stockholders – RMC, Dick Pennell & Rick Pennell.

1983
Metromont History Metromont New Locations
1986 - 1997

New Locations

In 1986, property was obtained in
Hiram, GA and prestress plant was
constructed to serve primarily the
Atlanta market. In 1995, a prestress
and precast plant was purchased in
Charlotte, NC. In 1997, a site was
purchased near Nashville, TN and
another prestress plant was started.

1986 - 1997
Metromont History Metromont Prestress
1998

Metromont Prestress

Metromont Prestress was spun off
by RMC from Metromont Materials.

1998
2003 - 2004

Bye RMC

The Pennells purchased the prestress
business from RMC. Rick Pennell was
elected President and Chief Executive
Officer. Company name was
changed to Metromont Corporation.

2003 - 2004
2007

Richmond

Metromont Corporation purchased a small plant in Richmond, VA.

2007
2010

Bartow

Metromont Corporation purchased a greenfield in Bartow, FL and built a
state-of-the-art precast concrete operation.

2010
Metromont History Spartanburg
2015-2016

Spartanburg

Metromont repurchased Spartanburg plant that was once owned by then, Spartanburg Concrete Company. The plant was rebuilt and began operations by 2016.

2015-2016
Metromont History Shockey Precast
2018

Winchester

Metromont purchased The Shockey Precast Group The Shockey Precast Group, a family-owned structural and architectural precast concrete manufacturer in Winchester, VA. A leader in precast data center construction and precast parking structures, the Shockey Precast acquisition helped expand Metromont’s territory to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.

2018
Metromont History Markel Ventures
2021

Markel Group

Metromont is acquired by the Markel Group and becomes part of the Markel family of companies

2021
2025

Acquisition of Heldenfels

2025

Let's Discuss Your Project

When you work with Metromont, you work with a true partner. We’re here to guide you through every phase of the precast process. Contact us to get your project started today.

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