Founded in 1981, Foley Products has steadily grown into a major precast manufacturing operation with 18 plants across the United States. In 2023, Foley Products acquired its Fort Myers, Fla., facility to provide sanitary and storm precast structures for the region. Most recently, Commercial Metals Company (CMC) purchased Foley Products in 2025, so it now falls under CMC's umbrella of businesses that provide technologies and products for the global construction sector.

"Foley Products and CMC have been around a long time, and that experience matters in this business," said Shawn Maddox, operations manager of Southwest Florida of Foley Products. "Becoming part of CMC Precast is another positive step that we expect will strengthen the company even more."

At its Fort Myers facility, Foley Products manufactures sanitary and storm precast structures used in commercial, residential and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) projects. The 35-acre facility mainly serves underground contractors working within a three- to four-hour radius of Lee County. The Fort Myers plant employs about 25 people, and Maddox said the workforce is one of the operation's biggest strengths.

"This is a good group of guys, and that's what makes this place work," Maddox said. "We deal with challenges when they come, but I don't see major problems because our people have the experience to handle them."

In addition to producing standard FDOT-certified products, Foley Products also offers specialty solutions such as StormPrism, which is a precast concrete underground stormwater detention system that provides excellent storage efficiency for a wide range of applications.

"StormPrism helps set Foley apart from other companies," Maddox said. "Instead of dedicating surface area to a retention pond, you can put that system underground and use the land above it for parking or buildings. In a place like Florida, where real estate is at a premium, that's a big advantage."

Adding Konecranes Forklift

To help manage and move products around the facility, Foley Products relies on its fleet of material handling equipment. One of the key machines onsite is a Konecranes SMV 16-1200 C forklift, a 36,000-lb. unit purchased through Linder Industrial Machinery Company in 2024.

"The Konecranes SMV 16-1200 C has done everything well for us," Maddox said. "The machine runs all day. We're firing it up around six in the morning, and it stays busy until the day is done. It handles product movement, yard storage and truck loading, so it's involved in just about everything we ship."

Safety and visibility are two of the machine's biggest benefits. The custom boom allows the team to lift higher, while features such as strong lighting and a backup camera improve awareness around the yard.

"Linder worked with us to build the yellow boom on it, which gives us the lifting setup we wanted," Maddox said. "It has more lift height and flexibility than the standard forklift configuration, and it allows us to be extremely safe. The setup on the boom gives us confidence in how we handle product, and the visibility around the machine is a real plus. In a yard like this, those safety features matter every hour of the day."

From the operator's perspective, David Meadows, production manager, said the machine stands out because of the technology built into it.

"There's a lot of technology on this machine that we never had before," Meadows said. "The monitor shows your load percentage, the visibility is very good, and the backup view helps with spots you can't see from the seat. The joystick is a big improvement too, because you keep everything in your hand and keep your eyes where they need to be."

The machine also helps improve operator comfort. Meadows noted that the Konecranes SMV 16-1200 C is the first large forklift at the plant with an air-ride seat and pneumatic tires, both of which help on uneven ground. An air-conditioned cab adds another layer of comfort for operators working all day in the Florida heat.

"Honestly, it's amazing to run," Meadows said. "When you're in a machine that much, those details help keep operators comfortable and focused."

Linder's Support Is Key

Even with the machine's performance and technology, Maddox emphasized that the real value comes from the partnership behind it. Foley Products relies on Linder not only for the sale but also for service support and telematics monitoring.

"There's a lot of good equipment out there, but if you don't have the support, it does no good," Maddox said. "We're in the business of making precast, not working on equipment. With Linder and this Konecranes machine, we can stay focused on what we do best and let them do what they do best."

Maddox also credited Linder sales representative Heath Draper and Linder PSSR Joe DeOreo for their parts in growing the relationship between Foley Products and Linder.

"Heath Draper and Joe DeOreo were major deciding factors for me," Maddox said. "I've known them for years, and I trust them. When you know the people behind the equipment are going to be there when you need them, it makes the decision a whole lot easier. Linder's support is just second to none."

Keep It Rolling

As Foley Products looks ahead, the Southwest Florida team remains focused on hiring good people and producing quality products. With the additional support of CMC, the plant is well positioned to keep serving its market and building on its momentum.

"We appreciate partners who keep us rolling, because in turn we keep our customers rolling," Meadows said. "That's what this business comes down to. We want to keep making quality products, serving our market and moving forward."

(*The opinions expressed here are based on the customer's specific experience. Results may vary.)

(This story is reprinted with permission of Linder Industrial Machinery.)