QUIKRETE celebrates 80th anniversary
On its 80th anniversary, The QUIKRETE Companies celebrates continued service to the infrastructure well-being of our country as a comprehensive building materials resource.
An industry pioneer known for its iconic and unmistakable yellow bag of concrete, The QUIKRETE® Companies turns 80 today. This historic milestone celebrates the journey from fledgling building materials supplier in Columbus, Ohio to the largest manufacturer of pre-blended, packaged concrete and cementitious products in North America. On its 80th anniversary, The QUIKRETE Companies is a comprehensive building solutions powerhouse proudly contributing to the growth and health of our country’s structure and infrastructure every day.
“Following the vision of our founder, Gene Winchester, The QUIKRETE Companies remains true to its roots as the innovator of pre-blended materials that make building, repair and home improvement projects efficient, consistent and profitable,” said Will Magill, CEO of The QUIKRETE Companies. “Building on an unmatched network that allows us to provide products anywhere within 24 hours, we’ve diversified and strengthen our portfolio, manufacturing capabilities, quality control, technical expertise and geographic footprint to best serve the marketplace. This approach and a dedicated team of associates has allowed us to live up to being ‘What America’s Made Of’ for 80 years.”
Under the leadership of Winchester’s sons Jim, Jack and Dennis, who remain active Board members, The QUIKRETE Companies realized a transformational evolution grounded in developing, producing and delivering high-quality, commercial-grade materials that meet the demands of a constantly emerging industry. Started on the heels of a prosperous post-World War II economy that drove building across the country, The QUIKRETE Companies made trademark advancements in every decade, highlighted by:
- 1940s: The precursor to The QUIKRETE Companies, Maintenance Products Inc. was founded.
- 1950s: First pre-blended, branded product called Gemaco QUIKRETE manufactured. QUIKRETE® brand trademarked.
- 1960s: QUIKRETE Hydraulic Water Stop introduced. QUIKRETE Do-It-Yourself with Packaged Concrete and Mortar Guide produced.
- 1970s: QUIKRETE QUIKWALL Surface Bonding Cement introduced. 20th QUIKRETE plant opened.
- 1980s: QUIKRETE Fast-Setting Concrete in the Red Bag introduced. QUIKRETE ad campaign starring Don Knotts launched.
- 1990s: QUIKRETE Commercial Grade FastSet Products introduced. 70th QUIKRETE plant opened.
- 2000s: QUIKRETE Concrete Resurfacer introduced. QUIKRETE logo updated to current version.
- 2010s: 100th QUIKRETE plant opened. QUIKRETE acquires industry-leading companies in adjacent categories.
The QUIKRETE Companies is able to effectively serve its customers as a scalable, single source for commercial, residential and industrial building, repair and rehabilitation projects across North America. The QUIKRETE Companies includes:
- QUIKRETE®: pre-blended, packaged concrete mortars, grouts, stuccos, and other related cementitious and repair products
- Custom® Building Products: flooring preparation products, and tile and stone installation systems
- Contech® Engineered Solutions: infrastructure solutions including stormwater management systems, corrugated metal and plastic pipe, erosion control, and bridge structures
- Rinker Materials®: concrete pipe, concrete box culverts and related products for the collection, storage and controlled release of stormwater
- Pavestone®: retaining walls, pavers, patios stones and other segmental concrete products serving the consumer retail market
- Keystone®: concrete segmental retaining walls, concrete pavers and other hardscape products serving the commercial, residential and industrial markets
- Best Block: architectural block, standard block, retaining walls, and masonry and concrete accessories
- SPEC MIX®: pre-blended, packaged mortars, grouts and stuccos available in standard bags and 3,000-pound bulk bags delivered through silo systems
- Premier® Building Solutions: high-performance sealants, adhesives, foams and flashing products for commercial, residential, industrial and transportation applications
- QPR (Quality Pavement Repair): permanent pavement repair and asphalt repair materials
QUIKRETE® Companies
Founded in 1940, The QUIKRETE® Companies serves the residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure industries as a scalable, single-source solution for building, repair and rehabilitation projects across North America.
Not only the largest manufacturer of packaged concrete and cement mixes in the U.S. and Canada, The QUIKRETE® Companies also delivers high-quality, commercial-grade products through related industry-leading organizations including Custom Building Products®, Contech® Engineered Solutions, Rinker Materials™, Keystone Hardscapes®, Pavestone®, Best Block, Premier Building Solutions™, Spec Mix®, Target Technologies®, Daubois® and QPR®.
The QUIKRETE® Companies operates about 280 facilities including technical centers to provide unmatched product innovation, depth, quality-control and distribution as well as full-service customer support.
