Tuscaloosa, AL - Larry Tomlin, owner of Tomlin Construction, is no stranger to road building. Larry began his career in the road building and construction business when he was 18 years old, working for some of the largest contractors in the state. He was involved in numerous bridge and road building projects across Alabama for years.
Tomlin Construction was founded in 2000. For the past 7 years, Tomlin Construction has built bridges and roads, widened highways, reconstructed roads and much more – all with Caterpillar equipment at the helm. Tomlin's fleet at that time was made up of a 1968 Cat D5, a 1978 Cat D5 B, and a 1982 Cat 215. It was in 2000 that John Waldrop, a Thompson Tractor salesperson, approached Mr. Tomlin in his office in Gordo, Alabama. Waldrop’s goal in getting to know Larry and his wife Sandra was to discuss a potential relationship between Tomlin Construction and Thompson Tractor. It wasn’t very long before Waldrop sold the first machine to them, a 330 B excavator. Soon after, Tomlin purchased a D6 R Track-Type Tractor from Thompson as well.
Along with their fleet of Caterpillar machinery, Tomlin Construction also runs with 8 dump trucks, 2 low boys and 3 service trucks, all with Cat engines. Tomlin has a staff of mechanics to keep this fleet operational with assistance provided by Thompson Tractor as needed.
Thompson Tractor's Service Manager Jackie Mardis and Shop Supervisor Kent Jordan assist in keeping the operations of Tomlin Construction going. “Thompson Tractor has been there every time we’ve needed them. Jim Gray (Field Service Dispatcher) has helped me many times right over the phone,” says Larry Tomlin. “They’re good fellows, and they’ve helped us grow our business.”
Today, Tomlin Construction employs more than 60 people and owns more than 45 Caterpillar machines including: scrapers, excavators, articulated dump trucks, track-type tractors and motorgraders. Tomlin has overseen projects which include clearing the site for Lowe’s in Northport, Alabama, removing over 250,000 cubic yards of dirt, clearing the land for the construction of Ronnie Watkins Ford in Gadsden, Alabama, and widening Highway 43 at Bear Creek in Hackleburg, Alabama.
Tomlin currently has several projects under construction throughout Alabama. Currently in Phenix City, Alabama, Tomlin Construction is working on the Interchange at Highway 80 and Riverchase Drive adding entrance and exit ramps to the highway. The expansion is a multi-part undertaking. Tomlin is overseeing not only the new ramps being added but also the widening of the Highway 80 Bridge that travels above Riverchase Drive. The job began in June 2007 and should be completed by early 2008. The project was given a two year deadline. “I’ve never had a problem meeting deadlines,” says Tomlin. “We were given a deadline for the Lowe’s project and finished well within what we were expected to.”
Larry Tomlin recently began a bridge construction project located in Calera, near Thompson Tractor's new Shelby County branch located near the Shelby County Airport.
Thompson's full-service shop and rental store have proven to be of importance to Tomlin as he completes this project within the next few months as well.
Larry attributes the success of his business to honesty, hard work, and dedication to a job that he enjoys. His wife Sandra works with him in the business and his daughter, Kim Pritchett, runs the office. Larry can be seen on his jobsites daily as he oversees the projects to ensure his employees work just as hard as his Caterpillar equipment.