Introduction
For years, concrete was known as a dirty word in the asphalt business. This is because concrete has the potential to be a material used when paving a road – creating competition between the two materials. Despite this, almost all of the road work in northwest Ohio utilizes asphalt, which allows these two versatile construction materials to continue to exist in harmony. With this natural separation in industry, The Gerken Companies have recently made the venture into the world of concrete.
Asphalt vs. Concrete
When it comes to road construction, asphalt is king. The flexibility and composition of the material make for a smoother and quieter driving surface. On the flip side, concrete is a far more versatile material in its many applications. From foundation to flatwork, concrete finds its way into most modern construction projects.
Most applications where asphalt is used are major roadways that state and local departments fund. Though asphalt driveways are certainly a viable option for homeowners, typically, concrete is used. Because of this versatility, The Gerken Companies have become more involved in residential work – diversifying our business and broadening our capabilities as a contractor.
Similar to asphalt, concrete is composed of various materials mixed into a thick fluid material. Some of the components that make up concrete are water, aggregates such as sand and gravel, cement binder, and air. There are also additives used in modern construction for various applications such as greater flexibility, durability, etc. Though these various materials are mixed in different proportions depending on the job specifications, the result of the mix is typically a relatively rigid structure built for supporting and bearing weight.
Concrete is the chosen material for many different construction applications due to its hard structural integrity and durability. In short, concrete is strong! Another economic advantage of concrete is that it is very widely available. The materials used in concrete production can easily be mined and sustainably produced. The Gerken Companies own several quarries and sand & gravel pits – making the job of supplying our various concrete plants a primarily self-sustainable mission.
M&R Ready Mix
The beginning of 2019 saw The Gerken Companies leap into the concrete industry with the acquisition of M&R ready mix. With four plants in total, M&R Ready-mix services a large chunk of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan’s residential and commercial concrete demands. Not only does M&R make the concrete needed in these many projects, they also employ mixer truck drivers who deliver the time-sensitive cargo to various job sites. Purchasing M&R Ready-mix acquired approximately 40 additional employees – comprised of mixer drivers, plant operators, managerial and office employees, and more.
-M&R Ready Mix Plant, Delta Ohio-
One of the many positives of being in the concrete industry is that it affords us the ability to work in both the residential and commercial sectors. One of our recurring business partners, which just so happens to be in the backyard of our Delta plant, is North Star BlueScope steel. With the success and growth of their business, North Star has expanded its facility by adding multiple new buildings and recycling structures. With this expansion, M&R Ready Mix has been one of the chief suppliers for their concrete needs, including foundational, concrete pad, and wall work. It has been a great partnership thus far, and building relationships like these are one of the many factors that drive the success of our business.
Kuhlman Corporation
Much like M&R Ready-mix, Kuhlman Corporation employs both plant operators and mixer drivers to manufacture and deliver concrete products to various job sites. On top of this, Kuhlman Corporation is a primary vendor for various building supplies, including ready-mixed concrete, decorative and stamped concrete, brick, stone, hardscape supplies, sewer & water materials, concrete forming systems, and more. Along with two retail locations, Kuhlman Corporation has a robust online catalog where customers can purchase a wide array of materials and products to conquer many different types of projects. Some of these projects include hardscape construction, concrete flatwork, pouring foundation walls, among various other concrete-based projects.
Kuhlman Corporation saw its beginnings over 100 years ago, in 1901, when Adam Kuhlman decided to get into the building material supply business. “Since bricklayer Adam Kuhlman went into the building supply business in 1901, his company has been customer-driven. By making its customers successful, Kuhlman has grown into one of Northern Ohio and Southeast Michigan’s:
- Largest producers of ready-mixed concrete.
- Most diversified wholesale distributors of quality construction materials for the concrete/masonry and water/sewer trades.
- Leading suppliers and haulers of quality construction aggregates.”
With the acquisition of The Kuhlman Corporation, The Gerken Companies brought on an additional 135 employees, covering mixer drivers, plant operators, management and operational employees, retail store workers, and more.
We look forward to our future with Kuhlman Corporation and M&R Ready Mix and are excited to see what each division brings to the table in the future.
Enriching our Workforce: Providing Stable Employment for Many
The ability to provide stable, well-paying jobs is one of the many benefits of being in the construction industry. Regardless of the fluctuating state of the economy, building and maintaining the roads, structures, and facilities that we all use is an ever-existing need. Infrastructure enriches the lives of the public and the workers involved in the production of these projects. Working locally to improve the places we live will always be a recipe for community success. As we venture into new fields such as concrete, our ability to offer new opportunities to a more significant number of people increases the same.
The Big Picture with Brent Gerken
“The Gerken Companies has been involved in supplying materials for the infrastructure needs of NW Ohio and SE Michigan for 60 years. When the opportunity presented itself to venture into the ready-mix business, it was a logical fit. We supplied limestone, sand, gravel, and asphalt to the highway and commercial market but not concrete. With the addition of two quality companies, M&R in January 2019 and Kuhlman in March 2021, the missing piece of ready-mix was added. We believe we can now fully service our market area with quality materials for all highway and commercial requirements. With this evolution, we also bring career opportunities for present and prospective employees. We look forward to serving the NW Ohio and SE Michigan markets and providing a great career environment for those on our team.”
– Brent Gerken, President of The Gerken Companies
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
