Penhall Company: Texas’s Trusted Concrete Services Partner
Texas is a state defined by growth, ambition, and infrastructure on a massive scale. From the booming tech corridor of Austin to the sprawling highways of Houston and the wind farms of South Texas, the Lone Star State demands concrete services that match its size and complexity. That’s where Penhall Company comes in.
For over 65 years, Penhall has been North America’s largest provider of concrete cutting, coring, demolition, and scanning services. With a deep commitment to safety, precision, and innovation, Penhall has earned a reputation as the go-to partner for projects that require surgical accuracy and heavy-duty capability alike. Their Texas operations, anchored by a strong presence in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, span healthcare, transportation, energy, and industrial sectors.
In this roundup, we’re highlighting five standout projects that showcase the breadth and depth of Penhall’s capabilities across Texas. Whether it’s a delicate hospital renovation in the heart of Austin or the demolition of a massive wind turbine foundation in South Texas, these projects demonstrate why contractors and facility owners across the state trust Penhall to get the job done safely and on time.
1. Dell Children’s Hospital — Austin, TX
Services: Wall Sawing, Core Drilling, Concrete Removal
Industry: Healthcare / Hospital
Healthcare construction presents some of the most demanding conditions in the industry, and this Austin project is a perfect example. Penhall was tasked with the surgical removal of a four-story, cast-in-place concrete stairwell to make way for a hospital addition at Dell Children’s Hospital. The scope of work began with the removal of architectural steel screening around the stairwell, followed by temporary shoring of the concrete structure. The team then wall sawed concrete risers and landings into manageable sections, none exceeding 10,000 pounds, and core drilled pick holes for removal by tower crane.
What made this project especially challenging was its location: the stairwell was attached directly to the hospital, adjacent to active patient rooms. Conventional excavator demolition methods were not permitted due to noise, vibration, and access constraints from the surrounding new construction. Penhall’s precision approach ensured the work was completed safely without disrupting hospital operations, a testament to the kind of careful planning and execution that Austin’s healthcare sector demands.
2. Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc. — San Marcos, TX
Services: Concrete Breaking, Concrete Removal
Industry: Industrial
Just south of Austin in San Marcos, Penhall took on a complex industrial project at a precast concrete manufacturing facility operated by Heldenfels Enterprises. The goal: break and remove concrete anchor blocks while preserving all vertical rebar for reuse in upgraded anchor blocks. This required a meticulous, multi-step approach.
The work scope included chipping the face of the concrete to expose horizontal rebar, torching out horizontal rebar for relief, rock drilling 6-foot-deep vertical holes, and filling those holes with expansive grout to create controlled relief cracks. The team then broke and chipped the remaining concrete, removing every piece without damaging the rebar that was designated to remain. This project highlights Penhall’s ability to perform precision demolition where preserving existing structural elements is just as important as removing the old ones.
3. Reloj Del Sol Wind Turbine Foundation Demolition — San Ygnacio, TX
Services: Demolition, Concrete Removal
Industry: Energy / Industrial
Deep in South Texas, Penhall was contracted to demolish and remove a wind turbine foundation at the Reloj Del Sol Wind site in San Ygnacio. Wind energy is a growing sector across Texas, and as turbines are decommissioned or upgraded, the massive concrete foundations they sit on need to be removed safely and efficiently.
This project involved breaking down 650 cubic yards of concrete using CAT 336 and CAT 325 excavators equipped with hydraulic hammers. With a focus on safety and efficiency, Penhall delivered a seamless demolition process, ensuring the site was fully cleared and prepared for the next phase of development. It’s the kind of large-scale demolition work that requires both heavy equipment expertise and careful project management, two areas where Penhall consistently excels.
4. Newt Graham Lock and Dam — Inola, OK
Services: Core Drilling, Wire Sawing, Concrete Removal
Industry: Lock / Dam / Infrastructure
Managed out of Penhall’s Austin operations, this lock and dam project demonstrates the company’s willingness and ability to mobilize for critical infrastructure work wherever it’s needed. After a barge struck a monolith structure at the Newt Graham Lock and Dam, Penhall was brought in to remove the damaged section down to sound concrete so repairs could proceed.
All work was performed inside a cofferdam, adding significant logistical complexity. The team diamond core drilled over 690 linear feet of holes, including wire access holes and rigging holes, while managing the unpredictable conditions created by the damaged monolith. Penhall then wire sawed 3,000 square feet of concrete, some sections up to 13 feet thick, and rigged and picked 15-ton sections of concrete to shore. The entire project was completed accident-free, underscoring Penhall’s industry-leading safety culture.
5. SH 288 and I-610 Interchange — Houston, TX
Services: Bridge Demolition
Industry: DOT / Infrastructure
Houston’s highway system is one of the most complex in the country, and upgrading it requires demolition partners who can work within extremely tight windows. For the SH 288 and I-610 interchange project, Penhall was responsible for the bridge removal of a three-level highway interchange, one of the most logistically demanding types of infrastructure demolition.
Seven bridges, composed of both precast concrete girders and steel girders, were removed over multiple mobilizations, including intensive 54-hour full weekend closures. Over the course of two years, Penhall removed all seven bridge structures, hauling off more than 17,000 cubic yards of concrete for recycling. This project is a prime example of how Penhall partners with state departments of transportation to deliver critical infrastructure upgrades on schedule and with minimal disruption to the traveling public.
View the full SH 288 and I-610 Interchange project details →
Built for Texas: Why Penhall Is the State’s Concrete Services Leader
From the precision required to remove a stairwell adjacent to hospital patient rooms in Austin, to the brute force needed to break down 650 cubic yards of wind turbine foundation in the South Texas heat, these five projects tell the story of a company built for any challenge. Penhall’s Texas team brings the same combination of cutting-edge equipment, rigorous safety protocols, and deep field experience to every job, whether it’s a delicate healthcare renovation or a multi-year highway interchange demolition.
What ties all of these projects together is Penhall’s commitment to doing the job right. Their investment in advanced technology, from diamond-blade cutting and wire sawing to GPR scanning and digital X-ray imaging, means clients get precise results with fewer surprises. And their Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) program ensures that every project, no matter the scale, is executed with the well-being of workers and the public as the top priority.
If you’re planning a concrete cutting, coring, demolition, or scanning project anywhere in Texas, Penhall’s local teams are ready to help. Explore their full portfolio of completed projects, or reach out to the Austin, Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio branch to discuss your next project.