Manufacturing: 2022 Year in Review

Keeley Manufacturing is establishing itself as a leader in its field for its expertise in completing multi-million-dollar designs, installation and maintenance projects with some of the largest manufacturing companies in the industry. The team also specializes in installing large equipment, conveyors, structural steel, and packaging systems. Keeley Manufacturing offers full-range services across various industries, with a talented group of self-perform Ironworkers and Millwrights. These industries include:

The Keeley Manufacturing Group is guided by the Keeley mission statement every single day, looking towards it when making decisions and providing exceptional customer service. The work that the team does ties directly back to the mission – being a customer-centric partner. When starting a project with a partner, the team not only serves as the construction expert, but they have to know the partner’s business inside and out, striving to prevent any impact to business operations while spreading the Keeley’n culture and dedication to the highest levels of quality and safety.

“We’re a team of experienced professionals and talented field personnel that completed Industrial construction projects across the country. We thrive on early involvement in projects with preconstruction team members that collaborate with our engineering partners to create the very best capital price and schedule. We pride ourselves on providing great value to our customers.”

-Jim Lee, Executive VP

A man in a hard hat is standing in front of a construction site.

John Herrin, VP of Manufacturing joined the team in the summer of 2021, taking over the reins as Ted Mettler took his well-deserved retirement. 2022 was a year of growth for the Manufacturing group that has only solidified since John joined the family. This is an incredible group of Keeley’ns, driven and focused on growing together while providing consistent, quality execution of services. Things are really falling into place, allowing the team to continuously improve and work on larger, more complex projects, including a large program for an Aerospace partner and a project for a local, trusted Food & Beverage partner.

National Defense and Aerospace Contractor

Keeley Manufacturing proudly serves a national defense and aerospace contractor as their trusted construction expert. Over the last 20+ years, we have completed over 200 projects for them, 13 of which were completed in 2022 – a record year! Some of our specialized projects include aircraft paint booths in a climate controlled, clean room environment; office remodels and expansions; large aircraft carrier assembly line installation; auditoriums with full flight simulators; secure labs, data centers, and training facilities; robotics foundations for defense and commercial assembly lines; and explosion proof bunkers.

Food & Beverage Partner

Keeley Manufacturing completed a unique Food & Beverage project in St. Louis, MO, strengthening their relationship with a trusted partner and forging connections in the industry. The completed project included the execution of drilled piers, foundations, underground plumbing, and the setting of five storage tanks. The team self-performed the building erection and completed the entire project under an accelerated schedule.

2022 was a year of growth for the team, getting the right people in the right seats to facilitate and drive their vision. With this robust group of Keeley’ns, a lot of focus was placed on processes and procedures. There were a lot of learning opportunities throughout the year that allowed them to evaluate and put these new processes into place, keeping projects running smoothly and building a strong backlog for 2023.

“My vision for Keeley Manufacturing is to be the go-to service provider for clients in the manufacturing space. I want our group to be a cohesive team with consistent delivery processes, all while exceeding expectations in safety, quality, and service. Customers will see this consistent delivery and it will lead to trusted partnerships and repeat business.”

-John Herrin, VP of Manufacturing

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Keeley Construction Industrial Group Partners with IKO

By Allison Kortkamp • January 15, 2026

Keeley Construction’s Industrial Group is proud to partner with IKO on the construction of a new crushing and coloring plant, supporting the company’s continued growth through a complex, full-scope industrial build. The project includes the construction of multiple buildings, the installation of all equipment & conveyors, and complete site utility work. This project will be delivered on an aggressive 18-month schedule. Keeley’s integrated self-perform teams will execute the work, with the Civil Group handling all civil and concrete scopes and the Steel Erection and Millwright teams leading building erection and equipment installation. “We’re proud to support IKO’s first shingle granular plant in the U.S. and look forward to building a strong, lasting partnership,” said John Herrin, Vice President at Keeley Construction. “Being selected by IKO for this project is a testament to our Industrial Group’s expertise and our ability to safely and efficiently deliver complex industrial work.” IKO emphasized the importance of selecting a trusted partner for this milestone project. “When selecting a contractor for the construction of the Bismarck Granule plant, our team performed a thorough analysis looking for a responsive partner who would be able to successfully execute the project,” said Helen Pejnovich, Regional Manufacturing Director at IKO. “We selected Keeley based on their capability and reputation in the St. Louis area. The fact that both companies are family owned and share values really validated we were making the right decision in choosing Keeley for this important venture for our U.S. operations.” This initial project marks the start of a new partnership with IKO and reflects a shared commitment to safety, coordination, and execution excellence. As IKO continues to expand, Keeley Construction looks forward to supporting future growth with reliable, performance-driven solutions. About IKO: IKO is a global manufacturer of roofing, waterproofing, and insulation products with operations throughout North America and beyond. Family-owned and operated, IKO is committed to innovation, quality, and long-term partnerships that support its customers and communities. About Keeley Construction: Keeley Construction Group was founded in 1975 as a family-owned paving company. Over five decades and 1,700+ Keeley’ns later, Keeley Construction has offices across the nation and is proud to provide world-class service in various market sectors. Guided by a steadfast mission, vision, and core values, Keeley Construction strives to exceed expectations on every project, giving customers the service they demand with the quality and safety they deserve.