Kline Construction Inc.

Decorating the Chicago Area With Concrete

Juliet Farmer, ConcreteNetwork.Com Columnist

Little did Jerry Kline, President of Kline Construction Inc., and Don Henson (Vice President) know that back in 1991 when they started their business, they would be where they are today—serving up some of the most interesting decorative concrete work in the Chicago area.

What started as a plan they hatched while working for another concrete company has grown into a profitable business serving the commercial and residential needs of a 40-mile radius of their Elgin, Illinois, location, including south to Frankfort, Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, north to the Wisconsin border and west to the Rockford areas. Since 2001, Kline has also been signatory with labor unions for all work.

As the company developed a reputation for quality workmanship, customer satisfaction and the ability to meet a schedule, Kline Construction, Inc. has expanded its scope of work to include commercial and industrial projects, which have now become the backbone of the company. Never forgetting its roots, Kline Construction still provides residential concrete services for the local market.

Kline Construction has numerous commercial projects in their portfolio, ranging from 4,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and development space, to as large as 140,000 square feet of warehouse space. The company has also completed concrete work with several chains including Discount Tires, Bank One, Fifth Third Bank and Chili's Restaurant. They also recently completed manufacturing facilities for Dinex Corporation (110,000 square feet), along with various buildings ranging from 10,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet.

"We got into decorative concrete by mistake," explains Jerry Kline. "In 2001, Don built a house and we used Butterfield Color products for the driveway...That started our passion for decorative, as well as a new market area for us and fulfilled us creatively."

That driveway project—some 3,500 square feet of concrete stamped in the Fieldstone pattern and colored with what is now the number-two Butterfield color seller (Lannon Stone with Smoke Release), a color that was matched to a color Don wanted—served as a transition to decorative concrete that has gone surprisingly smoothly.

"We did stumble with the marketing," admits Kline, adding that his company has invested in consistent print and direct mail advertising, and that coupled with the company website has helped spread the word.

"Working with The Concrete Network has increased our traffic," he adds. "It keeps Henson running on leads, and it's an excellent lead source for us because people don't look at the phone book anymore...I'm thankful to have run into the Concrete Network, because the best thing I did was join."

Kline says he is now focused on growing the business by thinking bigger and broader. He explains, "We serve the Chicagoland area and are tapping into the architects and interior designers, showing them that decorative concrete is a focal point."

He adds that so far, the biggest challenge has been getting the information in front of architects. That's where direct mail comes in handy—Kline sends out direct mail packages that include brochures on his company and products. He also tries to get face-to-face meetings or phone call follow-up after the packages are sent out. "We're getting a lot of responses from architects," Kline says.

"We're in a hotbed of growth," Kline continues. "Residential is booming with housing projects, and there's lots of commercial infill. We're very fortunate to be in the area we're in, and since 1994 we've seen monster growth—bigger and bigger. It's an enjoyable ride."

Because Kline Construction has also completed a lot of high-profile commercial work, such as for Chilis Bar and Grill, people are seeing it in a commercial setting and that leads to residential requests.

"Commercial feeds ideas for residential," Kline explains. "People see it at a commercial facility and may think it's too expensive, then they're really surprised because acid staining is a viable flooring option....and in decorative, people are wanting to take more risks with colors and borders, and they are being more bold with their choices."

Kline will also be launching a new line in 2006. "We'll be taking concrete to the boardroom with a new line of concrete conference tables," he explains, adding that they are currently working on a 12-man concrete table that stemmed from the concrete table in their very own office. Kline is also adding a countertop division in 2006, both aspects of which have been touted in their advertising with Chicago Magazine.

As for how they keep their customers coming back for more, Kline Construction understand the needs of consumers. For example, just this year they started offering a financing program for the residential end, with options including 90 days same as cash or 12 months with no interest, which opens up avenues for more sales.

"It's very easy to do, and we're very satisfied with it," Kline says.

"Our concrete maintenance program also enhances relationships with our customer and adds referrals," he continues. "It builds and keeps rapport, and we've gotten a lot of references that way."

With great customer service and beautiful, creative work, Kline Construction Inc. has the Chicagoland area well covered.

Kline Construction, Inc.
Jerry Kline
1020 Bluff City Blvd.
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 931-4000 x221 Office
Send Mail Now - Click Here
http://www.klineconstruction.info

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