Metromont’s History
Sharing our Journey Through the Years
Establishment
Captain J. Roy Pennell formed Pennell
& Harley Construction Engineers to
mainly contract for DOT work from
Washington, DC to Miami.
Spartanburg Concrete Co
Spartanburg Concrete Company was
formed with a one-yard ready mix truck
and a hand-operated block machine.
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.
Greenville Concrete Co
Greenville Concrete Company was
purchased from The Sloan
Construction Company for $1,500.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Metromont
Greenville Concrete Company and
Spartanburg Concrete Company were
merged into Metromont Materials.
Rick Pennell
Rick Pennell joined the company after graduating from the University of Georgia.
RMC
75% of the Metromont stock was purchased by RMC of London leaving only three stockholders – RMC, Dick Pennell & Rick Pennell.
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.
Metromont Prestress
Metromont Prestress was spun off
by RMC from Metromont Materials.
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.
Richmond
Metromont Corporation purchased a small plant in Richmond, VA.
Bartow
Metromont Corporation purchased a greenfield in Bartow, FL and built a
state-of-the-art precast concrete operation.
Spartanburg
Metromont repurchased Spartanburg plant that was once owned by then, Spartanburg Concrete Company. The plant was rebuilt and began operations by 2016.
Winchester
Metromont purchased Shockey Precast Group in Winchester, VA.
Markel Ventures
Rick Pennell sells controlling interest of
Metromont Corporation to Markel Ventures and Metromont becomes part of the Markel family of companies
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.
