Institute for Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurial Education Partner
Mr. Beck Simonds of the Simonds Group, was our guest speaker recently, and his presentation was full of history, economics and details of all that is the Simonds Group.
In addition to ET Simonds, the Simonds group is comprised of Simonds Materials, Illini Asphalt, Kincaid Stone Company and the Anna Quarry, located right here in Anna. The company has grown from the simple construction company that Beck’s grandfather and company namesake, Mr. E. T. Simonds started after returning from WW 2 in 1946, into a thriving, multifaceted business!
Over the years, they have been instrumental in so many projects, both large and small in Southern Illinois. They did the foundation work for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in DuQuoin, they contributed to the Lake of Egypt Spillway, the pedestrian bridges at SIU, I24 and I57, and so much more! They are skilled at drainage structures, bridgework, stage construction, structural steel setting, paving and asphalt and many, many other things. They employ approximately 75 full time employees and 300+ seasonal employees, making them a huge employer in our communities.
E. T. Simonds is also very community minded. They strive to purchase as many materials, fuel, supplies and other items from local businesses. They support community organizations, including the Union County CEO program. The company has been investors since the start of the program and we can’t thank them enough for their generous and continued support.
Brinley Corbit, a senior at AJCHS and current UCCEO team member, had some great takeaways from Beck’s visit:
“My favorite day of the week was when we got to talk to Mr. Beck Simonds. I never realized that so many different businesses were associated and owned by the same people that own E.T Simonds Construction. They are also a third generation business and they love to give back to our community.
One quote that stood out to me was, “your name stays with what work you do” and I will use this in my future. During my personal business I think it's smart to keep in mind that whatever you do will be documented and you want to make a good impression.
Another thing that was interesting was how their business started with Beck’s grandfather, E.T. Simonds, and just a pickup and a wheelbarrow. How much this business has grown is so inspiring to me, and shows that anything can happen if you put hard work into it.”
Thank you Beck and the Simonds Group for all that you do and provide for Southern Illinois. We appreciate you!!! Below is a link to a video Beck shared with us that is a wonderful depiction of some of the people and work they do! Enjoy!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sKkjXCweUxM&pp=ygUKRXQgc2ltb25kcw%3D%3D
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