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The Story Of Kuert Concrete

Kuert Concrete is one of the oldest concrete companies in Indiana.

Company

Our Values

One purpose keeps us focused: Kuert Concrete exists to build better communities and better lives for people.

How we do this every day is our mission: to manufacture and deliver top-quality concrete and concrete-related supplies on time for commercial, industrial, and residential applications.

Founded in 1927, we’re one of the oldest Ready-Mix concrete companies in the nation. Over the years, we’ve built our business with integrity and expanded beyond Ready-Mix concrete alone.

Kuert Supply Center helps professional contractors and DIYers alike with specialized tools for handling concrete and related supplies. Kuert Outdoor Living, like Kuert Supply Center, supplies stone, mulch, stains, sealers, lawn care products and expert advice. Our Outdoor Living showroom offers a wide range of hardscaping materials and high-quality grills, kitchens, fire features and other elements to enhance outdoor living spaces.

“

I’m honored to be the fourth generation of the Fidler family to lead a ready-mix concrete business in northern Indiana. Kuert will continue to operate based on several key principles that started with my great-grandpa Lewis: valuing the customer, investing in our communities, and taking care of our employees.

~ Brad Webb
President

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All three divisions work together smoothly and are dedicated to the same core values:

Passion for excellence. We know concrete and concrete construction. Our products and customized mixes go through rigorous quality control testing. We train and educate our staff on the latest advancements in concrete and landscape technologies and we offer the best professional tools for working with concrete.

Caring and compassion. We care for the communities we serve and for the people who work for us and with us. Project by project, we’re building better communities and better lives.

“We can do it” attitude. We make things happen—using the best products, providing the best service, and delivering it all with the best attitude in the industry. We’re relentless in searching for solutions, whether optimizing the components of an outdoor kitchen design or creating a custom concrete mix for a specific application.

Have fun while working hard. Life is about more than just concrete—it’s also about the fun along the way, the strong relationships built at work and with others, and the sense of community in a family owned and operated company.

Why Choose Us?

When you need Ready-Mix concrete, you have plenty of choices. So why should you choose Kuert Concrete as your partner?

Products. Fresh, top-quality product, delivered on time, every time is our standard way of doing business. Have questions, or need custom mixes manufactured? We do it all. We have proprietary formulas and mixes blended for many special industry needs and specifications as well as more than 100 color choices. And, we have the top tools for working with concrete.

Experience. Kuert Concrete has been in business since 1927. Since 1983, Kuert has been owned and operated by three generations of the same family. As one of the oldest Ready-Mix companies in the country, having completed thousands of projects, we know concrete and how to address your challenges.

Approach. Our clients are number one. From service to product quality to timely delivery, everything we do is directed to helping you. Responsive customer service is a shared value; no job is too big or too small for any member of our team. We’re a hands-on operation, with everyone from the CEO on down actively involved in the business of serving you every day.

People. More than just a family operated company, Kuert Concrete, Kuert Supply Center and Kuert Outdoor Living together are deeply engaged in community activities and truly value the relationships that connect us with our employees, with customers and suppliers, and with those we serve in the community. When people join the Kuert team, they tend to stay for many years because they enjoy working here. Our culture is one of respect for all, where our employees become part of a welcoming extended family.

Professionalism. We invest in our team. Each of our plants is certified by the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association and the Indiana DOT, and we take this focus on exceptional care a step further by ensuring employees routinely complete ongoing education and attend annual trade shows and conferences.

Meet The Team

The Faces Behind The Work

“Our family has a strong affection for this wonderful community we live in. We have an obligation to give our time, our talent, and our money.”

John Fidler

^{Retired Chairman & Owner
1983 – 2000}

Steve Fidler

Past-President & Chairman of the Board

Steve grew up in the concrete industry and brought 7 years’ experience with him when he joined Kuert Concrete in 1991. His forward-focused leadership pushes the Kuert Concrete team to stretch their limits in delivering the best products, the best service and the best attitudes in the industry. Steve stepped down as President of Kuert in 2021 and currently functions as the Chairman of the Board for Kuert Concrete.

Woody Woodiwiss

Kuert Supply Center Manager

Woody is our “Go-To Guy” at the Kuert Supply Center and has been a vital part of the success of the Products division since 1995. Woody usually has an answer for any question posed or knows where to go to get it! He possesses a passion for providing exemplary customer service.

Brad Webb

President

Brad started with Kuert in 2011 and worked in multiple roles within Kuert before eventually taking over as VP Operations upon Greg Towner’s retirement in 2017. Brad replaced Steve Fidler as President of Kuert Concrete in 2021. Brad is the 4th generation of the Fidler family to work in the concrete business and carries on a legacy of integrity, dedication, and excellence that started with his great grandfather, Lewis Fidler, in the 1940s.

Andrew Moser

Kuert Outdoor Living Manager

Andrew worked for Sunrise Sprinklers before Kuert acquired the hardscapes business and building off Wilden Ave. in early 2015. Andrew has since been managing the growing outdoor living business. He brings with him several years’ experience and knowledge of the many grills and hardscape lines that KOL carries. Andrew stays very current with the outdoor living industry and is a tremendous resource for our customers.

Tim Miller

VP Sales

Tim began in the concrete industry in 1986 and started his tenure with Kuert in 1996. He has built his success on understanding that sales are more than just beating a price, it’s about providing a solution and building relationships. Tim prides himself on working for the customer and tirelessly works with the quality control and operation departments to deliver the best products and services for Kuert’s customers.

Jim Sellers

VP Operations

Jim began his career working in quality control within the concrete industry in 1991 and brought his talents to Kuert in 2005. He has been an integral part of the ready-mix concrete operations since his arrival and assumed the role of VP Operations in 2021. Jim is a sports enthusiast with a special interest in basketball and has a gift for coaching and developing employees and putting together winning teams.

Ron Ericson

CFO

Ron Joined Kuert in 2008. A graduate of Manchester College, he brought with him a strong background in public accounting and extensive experience as a controller for major local corporations. Ron wears multiple hats and is a tremendously talented and hard-working member of the executive team. His philosophy is simple, “When you pull together as a team, everyone wins.”

About

Kuert Concrete History

1920's

Central mixed concrete started in South Bend by the George Hoffman Company, and John Kuert from the Kuert Contracting Company was hired as manager. The first deliveries were made in 1926 to the Independent Concrete Pipe Co., using regular dump trucks owned by individual contract haulers. On June 24, 1927 the company was incorporated as Kuert Concrete, Inc.

1930's

George J. Hoffman retired and sold his stock to John Kuert and Frank Morrow. John and Frank took a gamble, buying out Mr. Hoffman when the nation was struggling through the Great Depression. Kuert Concrete struggled through 1931 and 1932. In 1933, Kuert Concrete was awarded a project through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) – the construction of Adams High School. Thanks to this and other projects Kuert continued to grow throughout the 1930s.

1940's

In 1942 John Kuert was succeeded as president by Mr. D. Cole Hay. In 1947 the Board of Directors voted to spend up to $6,000 to build a new Ready-Mix plant. The interest rate for the loan was 4%; today, that $6,000 is equal to the cost of a new air compressor for our existing plant. In 1949 Kuert and Hass Concrete purchased Standard Ready-Mix for $3,850. WWII brought very good business to South Bend, first by additions to factories during the war and then by new housing starts after.

1950's

Fueled by the post-war boom and construction of the Indiana Toll Road, the 1950s was a time for growth for Kuert, including the addition of a second plant in 1953 and a fleet that included 17 units.

1960's

In April of 1960 Kuert sold 20 acres on the west side of Bendix to the Industrial Foundation for $1000 per acre. In 1968 Kuert opted to abandon the railway from the gravel pit to the wash plant and to purchase two Euclid haul trucks. During this period Kuert began to transition to six-wheel-drive Oshkosh rear-discharge concrete trucks.

1970's

The 70s were a time of great change for Kuert, including adding front discharge mixers, acquisitions and dispositions within and outside the concrete industry, and the death of D. Cole Hay, Sr., a pioneer in the industry. Valley Concrete was purchased in 1971, allowing Kuert to add locations in Mishawaka, Elkhart, Niles and Benton Harbor. The merger of South Bend Sand & Gravel and Kuert Concrete was completed in 1975. In 1978 Kuert purchased local steel suppliers; Nelson Engineering Sales and Fawcett Sales and Engineering.

1980's

John Fidler purchased Dave Hay’s stock in Kuert Concrete on June 13, 1983. When the two men first met Mr. Hay had written what he wanted and the terms of the agreement on a piece of paper 2 ½” wide and 5” long. The terms never changed from that except for the procedures required by the government and the bank. Since 1983 nine buildings and the old plant footings have been demolished.

1990's

Kuert purchased the Goshen ready mix operation from Consumers in February 1994, and merged with American Ready-Mix in 1996, adding locations in Leesburg and Rochester.

2000's

On August 21, 2002 Kuert was recognized by South Bend Mayor Stephen J. Luecke for 75 years in business, building a firm foundation for Michiana. Today we are proud to carry on our heritage of excellent local service, unparalleled concrete expertise and pride in every job.

TODAY

In 2015, Kuert purchased a hardscapes business and location off Wilden Ave. in Goshen. Kuert Outdoor Living has grown steadily since the purchase and continues to focus on providing customers with high-quality options for creating inviting backyard living space.