After nearly 60 years, a long-standing family business will be closing its doors, as the owners will be retiring. BIC Auctions is hosting a two-day, Circle Concrete retirement auction Dec. 4 to 5, 2019. This will be a one-owner, well-maintained concrete equipment sale, many of which have service records and manuals.
Circle Concrete Construction was founded in 1960 by Charles E. Parrish. He left his home state of Mississippi at an early age to join the Army where he served as a paratrooper stationed in Japan. After he was discharged, he moved to Illinois. While working as a ready mix dispatcher, he began doing small concrete jobs in the evenings and on the weekends. His love for this work led him to start his own company in Zion, Ill.
The business began with one truck, a few tools and was founded on the principles of integrity, quality, service and team work. Parrish owned and operated the business while overseeing all aspects of the business until his sons, Mike and Chuck, joined him in the early 70's. Mike began his career working in the field as a union finisher and was later promoted to vice president of operations. Chuck worked in the office as an estimator and project manager and later became president of the company.
Over the years Circle Concrete grew from a residential concrete company into a large-scale, successful commercial and industrial concrete company. Its success was partially due to the continued focus on the original principles on which it was founded.
As the company grew, notable jobs included:
- 1.5 million sq.-ft. Motorola office and production center in Libertyville and Harvard, Ill.
- Key Lime Cove — an indoor waterpark and hotel
- Wieland Metal Fabricators — 300-ft. by 5-ft.-thick machine base and production line
- Zion Nuclear Plant — multiple projects assisting in the decommissioning of the facility
- Ravinia Festival Park — constructed a pedestrian walkway under an active Metra Rail Line
Circle Concrete has always been an early adopter of technology and highlights have been many, including being the first in the area to purchase a 60-ft. long air screen in order to achieve high tolerance floors; training foreman to operate Total Station surveying equipment for precise project layout; owning and operating a curb machine; and starting a concrete pumping business.
Throughout the company's growth and success, an emphasis has been placed on relationships with customers and employee alike. Circle Concrete has always believed that satisfaction of work comes from a satisfied customer, for which there are many, and they have always believed that employees are their most valuable asset, several of which have been with the company for more than 25 years.
The auction will take place at Circle Concrete Construction, 3300 21st St. Zion, Ill., 60099.
For more information, visit bicauctions.com. CEG
Circle Concrete worked on the 1.5 million sq.-ft. Motorola office and production center in Libertyville and Harvard, Ill.
Circle Concrete Construction was founded in 1960 by Charles E. Parrish.
Circle Concrete’s original truck with its logo “Anything in Concrete” on the side.
The business began with one truck, a few tools and was founded on the principles of integrity, quality, service and team work.
Over the years, Circle Concrete grew from a residential concrete company into a large-scale, successful commercial and industrial concrete company.
After nearly 60 years,
a long-standing family business will be closing its doors, as the owners will be retiring.
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