Phillips Concrete Services share story of success and working from the Wellston Business Incubator.
Media Reports — STL Business Journal
Lionel Phillips, President and CEO of Phillips Concrete Services (photo courtesy of Lionel Phillips)
Phillips Concrete Services has set the bar high by striving to be the preferred supplier of ready-mixed concrete in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The company is minority-owned and located in the Wellston Business Incubator, a place where entrepreneurs and start-ups can plug into a dynamic network of physical space and business essential resources.
“I was referred to the Wellston Business Incubator and I am happy to have my business headquartered there,” said Lionel Phillips, CEO and President of Phillips Concrete Services.
Lionel Phillips has a background in corporate and construction management. He is also a retired IBM executive and was previously the owner of a mechanical contracting firm and an HVAC supply company in St. Louis.
“My friend started introducing me to several of his construction industry clients. After meeting a number of contractors and suppliers, the one supplier that I clicked with the most was Nathan McKean with Breckenridge Material Company. Mr. McKean and I met for about 8 months, talking about forming a business relationship prior to my decision to retire from IBM,” said Phillips. “I took about $100K out of my retirement fund, purchased three used concrete mixer trucks and the rest is history.”
Phillips Concrete Services is steadily growing. “We have consistently increased our revenue year to year, only once have we finished a year by less than doubling our prior year’s sales totals,” said Lionel “I am proud of the fact that we currently support 17 families.”
Concrete mixer truck used by Phillips Concrete Services (Photo credit: Phillips Concrete Services)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Phillips concrete continues to be successful. “Phillips Concrete Services has been fortunate during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Phillips. “Our drivers were considered essential workers and we had just start working on a large MSD tunnel project that planned to pour an average of 500 cubic yards of concrete per day for about 120 business days within the next 8 months. They also have to complete a COVID health screening survey every day prior to starting their day. We highly recommend wearing face masks when they are outside their trucks.”
Lionel Phillips is also excited for the future of his business. “We plan to grow our business in 2021,” said Lionel. “We might face challenges being a small minority owned company in the construction industry, but we always strive to run our business with the upmost professionalism.”
Phillips Concrete Services has poured footings, foundations and piers for the following projects below:
- Kiener Plaza renovation
- Barnes Jewish West County Hospital
- Children’s Hospital in Midtown
- The intersection of Forest Park Ave. and Kingshighway Blvd.
- Several streets throughout the Washington University campus
- Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Project Clear
For more information about Phillips Concrete Services visit their website here.
