Watkins Concrete Block Marks 75 Years
Watkins Concrete Block (watkinsconcreteblock.com), manufacturer of over 1,300 concrete block items in various sizes and colors, is celebrating 75 years of service this year. In 1934, J.B. Watkins, founder of J.B. Watkins Lumber Company in 1889, purchased the Besser Manufacturing Company. His son, Charles Watkins, operated the company at 4215 R St. and the name was changed to Watkins Concrete Block Company in 1941. The Watkins operations were temporarily closed due to World War II and a notable decline in local construction. In 1946, Charles Watkins bought the stock from his father and incorporated the company. Watkins Concrete Block Company, Inc., steadily increased business and achieved great success in the Omaha area.
Watkins’ focus on progress kept the company active in acquiring new technology to remain competitive. In the early 1980s, the company constructed a highly computerized automated block plant capable of producing up to 30,000 blocks per day and moved its headquarters to its current location at 14306 Giles Rd. in southwest Omaha. This allowed Watkins to take advantage of Omaha’s westward expansion, increased demands for its products, and to reduce the distance between the plant and raw material sites. In 1988, Watkins was acquired by NEBCO, a company whose operations span the state of Nebraska and supply the construction industry with the materials needed to construct buildings, streets, and highways.
Watkins Concrete Block has remained successful by striving to provide superior customer service and a wide selection of high quality products to ensure satisfaction and to help make each customer’s dream a reality. They manufacture concrete masonry units and segmental retaining wall units and distribute concrete pavers, clay face brick, manufactured and natural stone, and a variety of related products for both the residential and commercial construction markets. For more information, visit watkinsconcreteblock.com or call (402) 896-0900.