Shelby Materials, a leading ready mix concrete and aggregate supplier in Central Indiana celebrates 70 years this week. Family-owned, the company was founded on Veterans Day 1951 by two WWII veterans, John D. Haehl, Sr. and Thomas J. Wheeler. Now managed by the third generation of Haehls – Matt, Aaron, and Parker – and features 12 convenient locations across Indiana, and employs nearly 250 people; the company continues to remain rooted in the communities it serves.
The next generation of Shelby
“Our fathers, grandfather and employees, are the reason we are here today,” said Matt Haehl, Shelby Materials President. “To be a part of a third-generation family-owned business is no small feat. The things our fathers modeled and said, even when we were very young, set a great example for how to work, run a business, and treat people. We just want to see it continue and make them proud, just like they made their Dad proud.”
As Shelby hits the 70-year mark, the second generation – Philip, Richard, and Robert Haehl – are set to retire and fully hand over the reins to the third generation. John Haehl Jr, also part of the second generation, retired in the early 2000s. “I remember sitting with my Dad in the car in the mid to late 70s and his words were,” ‘If you show up every day you will solve most of the problems and you’ll get by. Businesses that fail, sometimes people quit paying attention to what’s going on,’” said Philip Haehl.
“You think about it – the first generation starts it, the second generation builds it, and the third generation carries on the legacy,” said Richard Haehl. “Our advice is the same as our Dad’s, show up and treat people well. Our employees and their sense of dedication – they are the real reason we are where we are today, and we are grateful for the work everyone does.”
70 years of history in Indiana
Shelby Materials’ first big pour was General Electric’s Industrial Heating Department factory in Shelbyville in the mid-1950s. Some of their latest projects include the Marion County Community Justice Campus, Proscenium Development in Carmel and Cummins Global Distribution Headquarters in downtown Indianapolis.
Over the last decade, Shelby has launched three state-of-the-art plants featuring increased production capacity and an integrated batching system – Westfield, located on a 10-acre site at 18050 Mule Barn Road, Westfield, IN. 46074, Pendleton/Lapel located at 9302 W. 650 South, Pendleton, IN 46064, and Franklin located at 1961 N. Graham Road, Franklin, IN 46131.
The plants include a dual batch operation with a horizontal central mix and dry batch capabilities and a highly controlled unique reclaim process and feature an energy-saving 7.2 million BTU instant water heater for heating aggregates. The instant 180-degree water coupled with heated sand makes Shelby Materials the go-to choice for winter concrete for many contractors.
Hiring great people
“We look forward to the next 70 years and continuing to grow our community involvement and serve the residential and commercial concrete needs of the valued customers,” said Aaron Haehl, Shelby Materials Chief Financial Officer.
“We believe in hiring great people and in putting down roots in the communities we serve,” said Parker Haehl, Shelby Materials Vice President Southern Division. “We take a lot of pride in the development of those communities, supporting our team and in giving back.”
