Gillespie Precast brings family business to Randolph County

ASHEBORO — If Gillespie Precast offers a new business and jobs to Randolph County, it also brings family.

The family-owned company from Maryland held ribbon-cutting ceremonies on May 8 at the new facility at 6577 High Pine Church Road, southwest of Asheboro. Among those celebrating, in addition to invited local guests, were dozens of employees and a host of Gillespie family members.

Andrew Gillespie, the president of Gillespie Precast, said he’s among the fifth generation in the family business. He said his great-great-grandfather, George Edward Gillespie, founded the company in 1922 on his Maryland farm when he decided to build a milking parlor with concrete blocks. He did such a good job that one of his neighbors asked him to make blocks for him.

According to Andrew Gillespie, the business started slowly, branching out into septic tanks, ready-mix concrete and then premix concrete. Eventually, George Edward’s son joined the business and today Gillespie Precast has more than 200 employees at four production plants, including the Asheboro location. 

The company makes concrete products primarily for underground utilities.

Asked what prompted Gillespie Precast to expand into Randolph County, Andrew Gillespie said their search was in Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Then it was decided to narrow it down to the growing markets between Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro.

That search led Gillespie to Randolph County and Asheboro. 

“We went to the county to see what it would take” to locate here, he said, adding that working with Planning and Zoning as well as the Health Department made the Gillespie leadership team realize that “Randolph County was very favorable to a plant here, hiring employees, the time frame and willing to help. It was a good experience.

“All our plants are in rural areas and our communities are supportive,” Gillespie said. “(This location) is an extension of where we come from.”

During the ceremony, Gillespie said, “This is an important day for Gillespie Precast. We’re proud to be part of the community.”

Noting that getting the plant up and running was completed in just six months, he said his family “thanks you for your support. We’re just getting started and are excited about what’s coming.”

NC Secretary of Commerce Kenny Flowers took to the podium to say, “Today is a day of celebration.” To Gillespie Precast, he said, “Welcome to North Carolina to enhance what we already have. This is the right place for you. These are well-paid jobs for Randolph County.”

Darrell Frye, chair of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, also welcomed Gillespie “to be part of our community. This building (formerly involved with the lumber industry) has new life.”

Frye said he had heard “good things said about the company,” and that people in the community can have good jobs without having to drive very far.

Fred Smith, chair of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, complimented the many people “who made this possible. It’s a remarkable company and I’m proud that Randolph County is the home of their newest facility. 

“I’m proud to support companies that improve the local economy,” Smith said. “This is the beginning of a partnership to support continued growth.”

A press release at www.rcedc.com says: “Gillespie’s plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Randolph County NC will allow the company to expand its current operations south to serve both existing and new clients. 

The target product line will consist of precast concrete box culvert, both wet and dry utility vaults, manholes, catch basins, box culverts and other custom structures.”

Gillespie purchased 32.85 acres at the site formerly owned by Hughes Furniture Industries. The company’s estimated investment of $9 million should create 60 new jobs with an average annual wage of $63,000, topping the county average by more than $13,000.

The county commissioners approved a local incentive grant of $92,000 to be paid over a five-year period. In addition to local incentives, Gillespie Precast qualifies for $350,000 in state grants to include a One NC Grant and a Building Reuse Grant, both requiring the local government to be the applicant on behalf of the company and a local match that will be satisfied as part of the local incentive package.