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AMERICAN FORK -- If you've driven past exit 276 in Utah County recently, you may have done a double take: the word "dad" is spelled out with large concrete pumping machines at Dudley Concrete Pumping.
"We just like to get creative with the pumps," says Tyler Dudley. "We figured it would be a good way to show the appreciation for fathers."
With Father's Day coming up this weekend, Tyler and is coworkers used several of their giant Z-pump machines to spell "D-A-D" alongside I-15.
Usually the big machines are busy pumping cement for building foundations, parking lots and other construction projects.
"Before Mother's Day we sat around and talked about it and kind of joked about it," Tyler said. "It started as a joke, so we thought about it and gave it a try and it worked out."
Spelling the word "mom" was a bit easier with the pumps than "dad," but the whole idea is to say thanks to our parents for all they do. Besides, a little PR doesn't hurt either!
"It's amazing the response we got," Tyler says. "Everybody sees it, with I-15 running through right there. Yeah, everybody knows about it."
In fact, this stunt has actually generated some new business. So, if you drive by and there's a letter missing, you'll know that a pump is on a job site somewhere.
What's next for the concrete pumps?
"We're starting to get a reputation of being able to spell stuff with our booms, so yeah, we'll see. I've got people wanting me to write their names and stuff," Tyler says.
Employees are already kicking around ideas for the Fourth of July.
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
