At Spring Creek Corp., a subsidiary of Barrett Industries, what started as an 800-cubic-yard estimate in May 2026 for the Wapakoneta Water Tower in Wapakoneta, OH, quickly expanded into a project requiring more than 2,500 cubic yards of concrete, creating significant logistical and operational challenges. Thanks to outstanding teamwork, careful planning, and a shared commitment to customer service, the project was completed successfully by year end 2026.
To support two separate 1,000-yard concrete pours, the team coordinated resources across both the Hardin and New Bremen plants. The job site’s distance required extensive planning to ensure a steady flow of concrete, with enough trucks, drivers, and personnel available to keep production moving without interruption. Strong communication between dispatch, sales, operations, and plant teams was critical to maintaining efficiency from start to finish.
The complexity of the project increased further when the large pours were scheduled to begin at 1:00 a.m. on both a Thursday and Saturday. Each pour lasted approximately eight hours, requiring crews to work through the night while still maintaining service for regular customers during normal business hours. Through flexible scheduling and a willingness to step up wherever needed, the team successfully balanced both priorities.
As Ken Schlarman (Sr. Sales Representative) put it:
“Without everyone doing their part and everyone stepping up to help, it couldn’t be done. The people are how we get the job done.”
That mindset was the driving force behind the project’s success. By working together, adapting to challenges, and remaining focused on both the project and customer needs, the team demonstrated the dedication and collaboration that define the operation every day.
Key Figures
- 2,050 cubic yards for the base
- 350 cubic yards for the stem
Project Team
- James Coleman – Concrete Operations Manager
- John Crim – Mechanic
- William Curl – Mechanic
- Tom Frantz – Sr. Sales Representative
- Kevin Howard – Plant Operator
- Jason Hughes – Plant Superintendent
- Jason King – Dispatcher
- Adam Layman – Plant Operator
- Justin Pratt – Dispatcher
- Ken Schlarman – Sr. Sales Representative
Ready Mix Drivers
- Charles Adkins
- Gerard Ahrns
- Jerome Ahrns
- Aaron Bailey
- Charles Brewster
- Ronald Didier
- Evan Hoffman
- John Huber
- Curtis Joyce
- Shon Kemp
- Jimmy McDonald
- Bradley Mittlesteadt
- Efrain Rodriguez
- Andrew Rose II
- Christian Sekas
- Kirk Smith
- Michael Sparks
- Timothy Williams
- Joshua Wilson
- Richard Zumberger
