Opened in March 1985, Lloyd Concrete Services Inc., Rustburg, Va., began as a plan to support the family of husband and wife Steve and Kathy Lloyd (also pictured), CEO and owner, respectively. Having worked in the residential concrete industry since 1973, Steve wanted to do bigger and better things. Fueled by Kathy’s encouragement and his love for flatwork, they opened with six employees. Today, the company employs 58 workers and specializes in six divisions: pumping, finishing, forming, decorative, repair, and consulting. “Our main objective is total customer satisfaction with a commitment to excellence,” says Steve. Having been together since they were 16 years old, Kathy has dealt with construction people and the industry for a very long time through Steve. Today, she runs the business aspect of the company while Steve manages the employees and the concrete work.
How has your company stayed successful, Steve?
My grandfather always said, “If you love what you do, then you never have to work.” I love flatwork. Even more, I appreciate my family, my employees, and the people I work for everyday. It’s all about the people, and the people make business. The employees we have are the ones who have done everything. We work as a team, which is very important. We’re like a big old wheel and we make that wheel turn. Our customers know we’re going to give them a good concrete job. We come in and work as a team, we get the job done right, we won’t back charge, we get it done on time, and most of the time, we’ll bring it in early. Customers know they can take us at our word. Our employees have more than 50 years of combined experience. We’ve broken records such as a 9420-yard pour in Jacksonville, Fla., finished in 16 hours and we also accomplished 12 straight days of pumping on a job in Clover, Va.
Where will the company be 5 to 10 years from now?
We can be bigger if we want to be bigger, but I want to still be able to put my arms around my employees and each of my jobs. I never want to be too big. It’s not all about the money; it’s about doing it right. So in 5 to 10 years from now, we’re not going to be bigger, we’re just going to be better. This company started off as a small family and has grown to a larger family. Some of the first employees to start with Lloyd Concrete now have their kids working here. My kids are working here. The key to me is the relationship—it’s the team and it’s my employees.
What do you think about the future of the industry?
I’m looking forward to 2011 and staying positive, motivated, and to keep moving forward. America is No. 1 and the economy will come back around. I believe everything will be okay and we will come back even better than before. The key to succeed is to stay involved. I belong to the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, and the American Concrete Institute (ACI), Farmington Hills, Mich. It is very important to be part of the process of change and to stay informed. Currently, I am a voting member of ACI 302 (Construction of Concrete Floors) and ACI 640 (Craftsman Certification). Also, I am an associate member of ACI 360 (Designs of Slabs on Ground) and ACI 117 (Tolerances). Staying informed and part of the process can only make you a more knowledgeable contractor as well as help shape the future of the industry.
