Solid Foundation
Founded on grit, determination and a challenge from his son, CC Concrete & Excavation Solutions has grown from a one-man leap of faith into one of central Indiana’s rapidly expanding concrete and excavation companies.
For owner Art Collier, the journey began in late 2018 after nearly two decades working in the concrete industry for other companies. What happened next wasn’t part of a carefully crafted business plan. Instead, it came together almost overnight.
“My son challenged me to build the legacy we had talked about for years,” Collier says.
At the time, Collier’s son had just earned a spot on a semiprofessional football team after trying out on a whim during spring break. The opportunity came with demanding practice schedules that would make it difficult for him to work enough to support himself. Collier offered to help financially so his son could pursue the dream, but his son had another idea.
Rather than allowing his father to shoulder the burden, he encouraged Collier to finally launch the business he had discussed for years. The next day, CC Concrete & Excavation Solutions was born.
“It all happened very fast,” Collier says. “I had relationships in the industry already, and things just came together.”
Those relationships, combined with years of hands-on experience, helped the company gain momentum quickly. Within a year, the business had become profitable, and by the end of 2020, the company had grown to dozens of employees.
Today, CC Concrete & Excavation Solutions handles a wide range of residential, commercial and excavation projects throughout central Indiana and beyond. Though the company has expanded dramatically, Collier says the original vision remains largely unchanged.
“The goal from the beginning was to provide outstanding quality concrete work at a fair price,” he says. “That’s still what we focus on every day.”
What has changed is the scope.
Originally focused primarily on concrete, the company has expanded into excavation services and large-scale commercial work while continuing to serve homeowners throughout the area. The business now operates through multiple divisions, each specializing in different aspects of the industry.
One division handles large and small commercial projects. Another focuses on residential work for homebuilders, completing hundreds of driveways annually. A third division specializes in decorative and custom homeowner projects such as patios, steps and outdoor living spaces.
While the projects themselves vary significantly, Collier says the company approaches every job with the same mindset.
“The expectations are the same no matter what size the project is,” he says. “Quality product, schedule adherence and professionalism.”
That consistency has become a cornerstone of the company’s reputation.
Collier says much of the company’s success is due to a culture centered around integrity, communication and authenticity. He describes the business as “family-run,” not simply because relatives have worked alongside him, but because of the environment he strives to create for employees and customers alike.
“We try to treat everybody like family,” Collier says. “Whether they’re actually family or not.”
That philosophy extends beyond the workplace.
Collier says work-life balance is an issue in an industry known for long hours and demanding schedules. The company intentionally limits weekend work whenever possible so employees can spend time with their families.
“I want my team members to be successful on and off the job,” he says. “We work hard, but family matters too.”
That same people-first mentality shapes the customer experience.
“We want customers to feel like they matter, because they do,” Collier says. “We show up on time, communicate, do the job right and stay responsive from start to finish.”
The company’s process begins with relationship-building. Estimators meet directly with customers to understand their goals and expectations before preparing a detailed proposal. Once a project is approved, the team handles scheduling, permits, utility locates and logistics before crews are dispatched. Final walkthroughs ensure the customer is satisfied before the project is considered complete.
“We want to help bring their vision to life,” Collier says.
In an industry where homeowners and developers are often making significant financial investments, trust is essential. For Collier, that trust is built through consistency and transparency.
“We stay genuine in how we work, how we lead and how we treat people,” he says. “That matters.”
The company’s growth has not come without challenges.
Like many construction-related industries, concrete and excavation businesses continue to face workforce shortages and rising material costs. Collier says attracting younger workers into the trades has become increasingly difficult.
“There’s definitely an aging workforce in construction,” he says. “There aren’t as many younger people entering the trades.”
At the same time, customer expectations continue to rise. Decorative finishes, polished concrete, stamped surfaces and custom outdoor spaces have become increasingly popular, requiring crews to maintain high levels of craftsmanship while meeting tighter timelines.
To adapt, CC Concrete & Excavation Solutions has focused heavily on maintaining strong vendor relationships and building reliable teams.
Collier says partnerships with suppliers and industry organizations are a key part of the company’s continued success. The business is active in professional networking organizations and maintains longstanding relationships with area concrete suppliers and construction partners.
Looking ahead, Collier is particularly excited about expanding the excavation side of the business. While concrete remains the company’s foundation, excavation offers opportunities for continued growth in site development, utility infrastructure and larger-scale development work.
“We’re finally at the point where we can really grow that side of the company,” he says. “That includes more site work, sewer, water and development projects.”
The company also plans to continue expanding its decorative concrete offerings for homeowners seeking customized outdoor spaces and upgraded curb appeal.
Over the years, the company has completed numerous projects across the region, transforming residential and commercial properties alike. Collier says one of the most rewarding aspects of the job is seeing the impact quality work can have on a property’s appearance and value.
“Concrete is one of those things people use every single day,” he says. “When it’s done right, it changes everything about how a property looks and functions.”
Despite the company’s rapid growth, Collier remains deeply connected to the community he has worked in for decades. Since moving to the Indianapolis area in the early 1990s, he has spent years helping shape neighborhoods, commercial spaces and residential developments throughout central Indiana.
That long-term perspective continues to drive the company today. Five years from now, Collier hopes to see CC Concrete & Excavation Solutions operating in multiple markets while continuing to uphold the values that built the business in the first place.
“Our values guide everything we do,” he says. “Integrity, communication, professionalism, teamwork, safety and authenticity — those aren’t just words to us. They’re how we operate every day.”
For Collier, the business may have started with a challenge from his son, but its continued success has been built on something much bigger: relationships, reputation and a commitment to doing the job the right way.
For more information, visit ccconcrete.net.
