Kan-Doo Concrete & Birkey's
Time-Tested Values Stand Up To Modern Day Demands

For the last five years, Steve Anderson has continued to grow Kan-Doo Concrete Co. Inc. by creating satisfied customers. He does it by following the Golden Rule, treating people the way he'd like to be treated himself.

As a result, Kan-Doo Concrete has grown from a company with about 15 employees in 1985, when Ronnie Tarter founded it with his brother-in-law Noel Hinton and Mr. Anderson, to one with 70 employees during busy periods now. All three were working for a concrete contractor when they decided to open their own company, providing all types of commercial concrete construction. “We had very little overhead and were awarded multiple contracts with a couple of local general contractors. We then began to receive all their work. Dodd's Co. has been very loyal to us over the past 22 years,” Mr. Anderson said.

Mr. Anderson also started a trucking company and a horizontal directional boring firm before Mr. Tarter's death in 2000. “We really miss Ronnie's wisdom, work ethic and friendship. He was in the Cement Finishers local for over 30 years,” reflected Mr. Anderson.

Kan-Doo has been a Birkey's customer since they purchased their first backhoe in 1985. It was a used Case 580, “and we built a relationship with Birkey's quickly through the parts and service departments,” he recalled.

“Birkey's works for us because it's right here in our town, so they get things done and back to us quickly. They are always really helpful and offer us a loaner piece of equipment if one is available. When we're busy and counting on our backhoes and one goes down, that replacement machine is a huge help.”

He also likes the people at Birkey's. “Jim Lyons, the store manager in Urbana, and I have a good relationship,” he said, “Mike 'Guitar' Hedge and I have become friends through
church. I know the guys at Birkey's are honest and will treat you fairly,” he added.

Mr. Anderson is equally loyal to the Case brand. Kan-Doo owns five backhoes, three Case 590s and two 580s. “I'm not interested in switching to another brand. I believe the Case line of backhoes is superior in durability and design.” Kan-Doo uses backhoes for the excavation of foundations, pipe work, and general cleanup, putting around 1,000 - 1,200 hours on each backhoe annually. “Case backhoes hold up well, they do a good job, they have an excellent cycle time, with a great amount of power in the dipper in comparison to other brands,” Mr. Anderson said.

The company also owns three Case skid steer loaders, a 90XT, a 430 and an 1845. Mr. Anderson started using Case skid steers about seven years ago after having trouble getting service on a competing brand. “The Case skid steer is a good product. After purchasing our first one, my operators requested them and I rely on what they recommend.” He believes the Case skid steers provide more power and the hydraulics have a better response time than competing models offer. Kan-Doo uses the skid steers for grading the sub-base under the floor slabs and paving, auguring light pole bases, jack hammering concrete, backfilling walls and foundations, and cleanup.

The company also has a Case excavator that it uses for underground utility applications and a Case dozer.

Kan-Doo employs a mechanic, but Mr. Anderson still turns to the Birkey's service department “when the work gets too technical,” and counts on Birkey's for its wide selection of parts.

Kan-Doo's projects and clients include Apollo Industrial Park, development on North Prospect Ave., Atkins Group, Peter Fox Development, as well as numerous commercial building projects in Champaign County. In 2006, the company built a Wal-Mart in Urbana, IL, which had a very aggressive schedule. Kan-Doo also works for several restaurant chains as well as national chains such as Walgreen's. “Restaurant chains are usually on a tight budget. We're able to meet budgets and deadlines,” Mr. Anderson said.

As the first contractor on the job—often starting while the supervisor is finishing up another project—Kan-Doo has earned a reputation for dependability and doing the job right. In fact, Mr. Anderson said, the general contractor for Walgreen's has been extremely satisfied with the last four stores in Champaign County and will simply call Kan-Doo when it's building another one.