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Rob Elliot started Elliot Construction Corp., Glen Ellyn, Ill., in 1955 building basements and performing concrete work for a handful of homebuilders. Over the years, the company built a strong base of customers, at its residential height performing 15 to 20 basements a week. Starting in the 1980s, Elliot Construction began a gradual shift into the commercial and industrial sectors, taking on gas station projects and other light commercial work.

As competition for these projects grew, Elliot Construction turned away from the simple jobs and sought out the difficult projects less experienced contractors shied away from. Today the company specializes in all phases of concrete work, focusing on unique and technical commercial and industrial projects and extremely high-end residential homes. It also self-performs excavating and offers decorative concrete.

In today's tough economy, Elliot Construction relies on diversification and expertise to stay successful. The company is a preferred vendor for a number of corporate accounts across a broad range of industries. Paul Nielsen, vice president of Elliot Construction, says having relationships with a lot of these companies helps the business in an economic downturn like the one we're facing today. While some sectors might be lagging, like hotel and retail, others sectors like industrial food production facilities and communications are strong and looking to expand, he explains.

Elliot Construction's expertise in out-of-the-ordinary concrete construction has made the company a valuable resource for general contractors, bucking a common trend in a tight economy where price trumps a company's reputation. "We have a lot of clients, even architectural firms, who come to us with a concrete design and say 'How will this work?' We are known for solving problems and building complicated structures," says CEO and founder Rob Elliot.

Not your ordinary concrete
With an expertise in niche concrete projects comes the opportunity to build some unique and interesting projects. Residential homes in the $10 million and up range often include two-story garages, in-home batting cages and lower-level sport courts. And Elliot Construction is known throughout the Midwest for its experience in water park construction, having worked on about 30 of these facilities.