HISTORY OF SUPERIOR RIGGING & ERECTING CO.

Superior Rigging & Erecting

The Early Days

1952 - 1990

1952

Superior began as a small-scale rigging and trucking company in Atlanta, GA.

1952

In the first year of business, Superior began hoisting Rich’s tree atop Rich’s in Atlanta.

1955

Company splits between Mr. Horne and Mr. Black. Mr. Horne takes the reigns and begins expanding Superior’s scope of work.

1958

Kraft Foods

Kraft Foods crane and rigging job in Decatur, GA. 

1959

Georgia Pacific

Georgia Power Project, now known as Georgia Pacific, in downtown Atlanta. 

1968

Charlie Lewis moved to Atlanta and took a 4-hour job with Superior out of the union hall.

1973

Benny Tumbleston joins Superior as a Sales & Estimating Rep for the crane, rigging and steel department.

1979

Charlie Lewis moved into the Rigging Department office.

1980

Benny Tumbleston promoted to VP and General Manager.

1981

Hershel Lynch took a one-day journeyman ironworker job with Superior. He didn’t know this would be the start of a very successful thirty-five-year career with Superior.

1985

Mr. Horne passes away. He asked his wife to find a group of seasoned Superior employees to carry out his vision of a family-oriented business. Ms. Horne gives Benny Tumbleston, Charlie Lewis, Dick Doughty and Tom Peterson the chance to buy Superior and they do.

1988

Apparel Mart 

Major Apparel Mart project begins. Superior added 7 floors to the Apparel Mart building in downtown Atlanta. Benny estimated the job and Hershel was the superintendent. 

1989

Patrick Lewis joins Superior as a union millwright.

Moving Up

1990 -2000

1992

C&S Bank Jack-Down

Superior completed the C&S Bank Jack-Down which was a complex demolition in downtown Atlanta. 

1992

Georgia Dome

 Superior completed the structural steel for the construction of the Georgia Dome. 

1995

Dick Doughty retires. Patrick Lewis moves into the office in sales role.

1996

Summer Olympics Project

Superior constructed the Olympic bridge, assisted with structural steel in the stadium and completed many miscellaneous projects around the city of Atlanta for the 1996 Olympics. 

1997

Hulk Installation

The Hulk was installed at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. This was the first ride at Universal and Superior’s first roller coaster installation. Hershel was the superintendent and Patrick was the salesman. It was one of Patrick’s first major jobs as a salesman. 

New Millenium

2000 - 2015

2001

Benny and Charlie retired. Patrick Lewis and Hershel Lynch take ownership of Superior.

2002

The beginning of a new era as the company renovated and relocated its offices.

2006

Macy’s Christmas Tree

This was the last year Atlanta’s famous Christmas tree tradition was named Rich’s Tree. It was changed to Macy’s Tree and Superior to this day hoists it atop Lenox Square Mall. 

2009

Kia Plant

The Kia Plant was Superior’s largest steel job to date at the time. 

2010

Amway Center

Over 9,400,000 pounds of steel were made to complete this 875,00 square feet project. Superior handled all steel erection.

 

2011

JetBlue Park at Fenway South

A 50,000 square-foot training center built upon 120 acres with a 12,000-seat stadium.

The Modern Age

2015 - Now

2015

Pandora – The World of Avatar

Disneyworld – Steel Erection 

2016

Hershel Retires

2016

New office in Florida was founded.

2017

Mercedes Benz Stadium

Mercedes Benz Stadium began construction in 2014 and was completed in 2017. Superior handled the steel erection and completed many rigging jobs during construction, including the famous Falcon in front of the stadium.

2019

Major Crane and equipment fleet expanded.

2020

Velocicoaster at Universal

2021

Camping World Stadium

SRE served as the rigging and steel erection partner for Barton Malow, general contractor, on the reconstruction of Camping World Stadium.

2022

Florida Can Manufacturing

In February 2022, Superior Rigging & Erecting Co. successfully completed the installation of the equipment line, conveyors and structural steel platform installation for Roeslein & Associates new 304,000 SF aluminum can manufacturing and warehouse facility.

2022

70th Anniversary

Superior celebrated their 70th Anniversary. Current and past employees joined together at Mercedes Benz Stadium to celebrate the long, successful history of Superior and got to hear from Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban as the guest speaker.

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