Premier Concrete, a family-owned and operated concrete contracting company specializing in commercial, industrial, governmental and community-based projects, celebrates 30 years of serving the mid-Atlantic region this year. With an all-American workforce comprised of 60 employees, some of whom are second generation workers, Premier Concrete serves as a case study of a successful family-owned business built on honest, creative solutions and a positive work culture.

How It All Started

Premier Concrete President Jim Workmeister envisioned owning his own concrete business while working as a foreman for another Baltimore-based concrete company in the 1980s. When Workmeister’s former employer met with economic hardship, his entire staff, including Workmeister, was eventually laid off. To make ends meet, Workmeister worked on side jobs in the concrete industry, which became consistent enough to inspire him to start his own concrete business. With the help of his father who co-signed a loan, Workmeister founded Premier Concrete in 1986. Four years later, Workmeister’s brother Steve joined the team, and by 1994, his business infrastructure experience had helped elevate Premier Concrete’s capabilities to that of a commercial-grade company. The two brothers used their complementary skill set to grow Premier Concrete into a business that values its employees, its customers and unique craft which has shaped much infrastructure in the mid-Atlantic region.

Cultivating Longevity

From increased responsibility for the sub-contractor to the accelerated pace of business influenced by technology, much has changed since the company’s early days. Workmeister acknowledges that he has also evolved over the course of his 30 years as president of Premier Concrete, saying, “Early on, our business decisions were often fueled by emotion and the fear of failure. It’s only been by learning to make sound business decisions that the company has been able to grow and prosper.” Workmeister credits much of the longevity of Premier Concrete to how he and his brother were raised by parents who consistently displayed determined attitudes, optimism and strong work ethic despite job loss and other business challenges.

Workmeister also attributes the business’ success to a motivated workforce. “By rewarding employees with attractive benefits and meaningful retirement plans, Premier is able to give each employee the opportunity to improve his or her lifestyle,” says Workmeister. “I am proud of how our employees have contributed so positively to Premier’s reputation while embracing the enjoyable company culture that has developed thanks to their effort and results.”

A Legacy and a Look Ahead

Over the past 30 years, Premier Concrete has worked on notable concrete construction projects including a 240,000 square-foot dual-level prototype which houses a Sam’s Club on the bottom level and a Walmart on the top; the Nelson building on Johns Hopkins’ medical campus; the stone wall on Key Highway that overlooks Baltimore’s Inner Harbor; and a multi-year renovation plan for Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital. Premier Concrete has provided its services to multiple Baltimore-area Royal Farms, McDonalds, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy locations and just completed two projects in Port Covington that are part of a landmark project for the city of Baltimore. Premier Concrete looks forward to serving the mid-Atlantic area for years to come.

About Premier Concrete

For 30 years, Premier Concrete has been the Baltimore concrete contractor of choice for the region’s commercial, industrial, governmental and community-based markets. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, this family-owned concrete company continues to pride itself on quality, integrity, excellence and marketplace leadership. Routinely recognized for its customer-oriented approach, the Premier Concrete team has built its sound reputation on its distinctive ability to provide concrete foundations, concrete walls and slabs, site concrete work, large renovations and complex reconstruction concrete projects.