Terrell Materials Making Its Mark

Numerous contractors, producers, and suppliers are participating in the Illinois Tollway's ongoing reconstruction/widening of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) in Chicago. One of the participants is Terrell Materials Corp., a Chicago-based company, which is producing concrete for Plote Construction Inc.'s work on a section of the Tri-State near O'Hare International Airport.

Terrell Materials is operating a new RexCon Model S portable concrete batch plant near the I-190/O'Hare interchange. Model S features three compartment aggregate bins, with a 12-yard batcher and three 30-inch by 100-foot charge conveyors; a 112-ton cement storage silo — split silo, with a 12-yard batcher; and a 12-yard tilt mixer with 100-horsepower electric motors. Plant production capacity is rated at 350 cubic yards an hour or 550 cubic yards an hour with a horizontal mixer attachment.

"We have a great relationship with RexCon," says Pat Terrell, chief executive officer of Terrell Materials. "This plant is designed specifically for fast-track heavy-highway projects and airport work. A plant is as only good as the people who operate it and the support from the manufacturer; we have the best in both areas."

According to RexCon, Model S has a modular design, and major trailer components fit tightly together and pin in place for faster and easier installation. The aggregate storage bin can be positioned in either direction, which allows the feed conveyors to be placed "in-line" with the batch plant or perpendicular to the batch plant.

Terrell's new plant is equipped with RexCon's S-RM kit and the Pearson water heating and chilling system. RexCon says the S-RM kit enables the operator to discharge from the mouth of the tilt mixer through a mixer dump cone and into a ready mix truck.

Formed a few years ago, Terrell Materials Corp. is a minority-owned and operating firm established by Pat Terrell. Today, the company manufactures, supplies and provides a variety of services: aggregate bases and surface materials, crushing, recycling, demolition, as well as select drainage and sewer work.

In addition to its work on the Tri-State Tollway, Terrell Materials has been very active in other construction projects throughout Chicagoland. The company has been responsible for all concrete recycling and base supply for the Dan Ryan reconstruction project. "We're very enthusiastic about the job we have done out there," says Terrell. "We have recycled close to three-quarters of a million tons of concrete. This parallels the efforts of the city of Chicago and Mayor Daley's green construction efforts."

Pat Terrell is no stranger to football fans. Terrell was a free safety on the University of Notre Dame's 1988 national championship team, and played 10 years in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and Green Bay Packers. And he has an extensive background in the construction field. Apprenticing in both his father's petroleum supply business and family concrete companies, he has had a hand in the industrial supply sector since his youth.

Terrell and his wife have five children. Terrell received a degree in business marketing from Notre Dame, and he also attended Harvard Business School's Executive Entrepreneurial Management Program. His list of accomplishments also includes several years as an international airline pilot.

Terrell Materials Corp. is pleased to have been involved with key projects for the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Tollway, and is also proud of its work on high-rise and utility projects in Chicago. Looking ahead, the company seeks to be a participant in the O'Hare International Airport modernization program.

"We're excited about our opportunities," says Terrell. "We have plans to grow in the Chicago area and other areas, as well. We are a small company doing big projects, and with our equipment and personnel we are very capable of handling the big work. People like doing business with people they know and they like. And they don't know and like you unless you are able to perform and be reliable. Staffed with individuals who have numerous years of industry experience, we feel that we bring competence and reliability into this industry."