VRMCA Features Capital Concrete, Inc.

Commitment to customers, community and employee health and safety is what keeps Capital Concrete, Inc. strong and growing in an increasingly competitive market.

The company was founded in 1951 by John Twohy IV and has grown to a fleet of over 45 mixer trucks with service from five concrete plants on four locations: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Windsor.

It has remained a family-owned business and is now run by Twohy’s six daughters, with Elizabeth “Boo” Twohy serving as president and Helen Whittemore serving as vice president and secretary/treasurer.

Remaining a family-owned business has provided Capital Concrete, Inc. a unique opportunity to serve its community, as well as its customers, which, of course, are often one and the same. “Our customers know they can call us,” states Elizabeth Twohy. “It’s all about the people.”

The company contributes to its neighbors by donating to organizations such as St. Jude’s Dream House, United Way, and Chesterfield Academy, a public school for underprivileged kids. Capital Concrete, Inc. supports crime prevention efforts by sporting local crime line numbers on its trucks and makes a point to maintain a strong relationship with the people of its community.

Such philosophy is also reflected in the company’s consideration of its employees. There is an “open door policy” and communication is strongly encouraged—especially when it involves safety.

Each employee undergoes two segments of training—new employment training and annual “refresh” training. Jake Ritson, environmental manager and safety coordinator, has recently worked to develop a new paradigm for its training program, which involves placing employees into small teams and having these teams participate in safety awareness activities.

“Getting the employees involved really helps to improve communication, efficiency and safety in all regards,” explains Ritson. “The sessions include role-playing scenarios, which allows everyone the chance to have fun and absorb the new information simultaneously.”

After each training session, employees have a chance to provide feedback on the trainer and seminar through a written survey. Also, these teams are a “mixed bag” of employees and involve individuals from all departments. This all-inclusive approach helps to create an openness and a sense of camaraderie amongst the company.

Drivers complete additional training programs pertaining to the mandated safety precautions specific to their job. A team captain is assigned to help assure that all drivers take part in accounting for safe and optimal service.

Dedication to sound service is of paramount concern to Capital Concrete, Inc. and no customer is favored over another. “Our customers are our assets,” states Whittemore. “Each customer is treated equally from the guy on the pick-up truck to the guy on the skyscraper.”

Quality and dependability take priority over quantity. “We take the tortoise approach: steady and methodical,” states Twohy. “We don’t have to be the biggest, but want to do what we do and do it right and the best way we can. If our customers succeed, we succeed.”

Capital Concrete, Inc. maintains a solid reputation through courtesy, respect, and the old-fashioned “golden rule”. However, it sends a fierce message to its competitors at the same time. “The goal of our company is to be the best ready-mixed concrete company on the south side of Hampton Roads,” maintains Twohy. “There is ‘personal touch’ quality to our services, yet we are very competitive with a strong market share.”