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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
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
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
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
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 Shockey Precast Group in Winchester, VA.
2018
2021

Markel Ventures

Rick Pennell sells controlling interest of Metromont Corporation to Markel Ventures and Metromont becomes part of the Markel family of companies
2021

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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