Luck Stone expands deeper into the Southeast

Luck Stone acquired Stephens Industries in Atlanta and Willow Oak Quarry in Kershaw County, South Carolina, broadening its footprint into new areas of the Southeast.

“These major acquisitions present tremendous opportunities for our associates, our business and our industry partners,” says Charlie Luck, president and CEO of Luck Companies. “This exciting expansion into Georgia and South Carolina launches a new period of strategic, accelerated growth for our company and aligns with our long-term mission to make a positive impact on the lives of people and on the welfare of communities we serve.”

As a result of the company’s expanded geographic footprint, Luck Stone created a new Southeast Region within its business. Joe Carnahan, general manager at Luck Stone, was named regional vice president of the Southeast region.

“South Carolina recently passed legislation to jump-start road and construction projects that will improve the state’s infrastructure, and Luck Stone is poised to be an active partner in that economic development effort,” says John Pullen, chief growth officer at Luck Companies.

Georgia offers ample growth opportunities for the company, as well.

“We look forward to many years of growing alongside this vibrant, pro-business state as a result of our heightened presence in the dynamic Atlanta area,” Pullen says.

Stephens Industries

The transaction with Stephens Industries, completed in early October, represents the largest acquisition in Luck Stone’s 95-year history. John Stephens founded Stephens Industries 18 years ago, and it’s a family-owned business located near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

In addition to having a large stone quarry and plant facility, Stephens Industries, now rebranded as the Luck Stone Atlanta-Stephens Plant, operates a sizable construction and demolition (C&D) line of business that recycles waste building materials from construction, remodeling and repair projects, as well as rubble from the demolition of pavements, houses, commercial buildings and other structures. Some examples of inert waste landfill materials recycled at this site include wood, bricks, metal, concrete and wallboard.

“Luck Stone has an excellent reputation in the mining and aggregates industry, and we really wanted to engage with a family-run business like ours,” says John Stephens, CEO of Stephens Industries. “During the discussions about an acquisition, my family was very impressed with Luck Stone’s values-based culture, their passion for innovation, their pledge to deliver the highest-quality customer service and their deep commitment to invest in their associates, as well as the communities where they conduct business. I am confident that our company is in good hands and is well-positioned for a bright future with Luck Stone.”

Willow Oak Quarry

The Willow Oak facility in Kershaw County, South Carolina, meanwhile, was added to the Luck Stone portfolio in June. Formerly a dimensional stone quarry and one of the few privately-held granite quarries in the state, the plant specialized in excavating stone, assessing its durability and finishing it to a specific size or shape.

Now called the Luck Stone Kershaw Plant, the site offers a much more robust inventory of state-approved crushed stone options through a partnership with Mellott Company, a mobile rock crushing provider.

“The value that Luck Stone has added to enhance capabilities that better serve our customers is beyond measure,” says Tom Rowland, CEO of Willow Oak, which is a subsidiary of American Timberlands Co. “As a resident of South Carolina, I’m pleased to welcome a thriving company that is equipped to support the rapid growth of our state.”

According to John LeGore, president of Luck Stone, the magnitude of these acquisitions has opened up new revenue streams for the company, particularly the C&D operations at the Atlanta-Stephens location.

“It is very exciting to combine the strengths of Luck Stone with these established businesses and their talented teams,” LeGore says.

LeGore reiterated that Luck Stone’s acquisition of both Willow Oak and Stephens Industries matched up well with the company’s mission and goals for growth.

“We’re proud to continue the respective legacies of Stephens Industries and Willow Oak as privately-held businesses,” he says. “They have provided a solid foundation for continued expansion in the Southeast region, enabling Luck Stone to create opportunities that will ignite the potential in our associates and support new customers and communities for decades to come.”