Burns Construction Continues Legacy of Growth, Innovation, Partnership
In the ever-evolving world of construction, few companies achieve a balance between growth, innovation and preserving the ethos of a family business. Burns Construction, a multi-generational company headquartered in Connecticut, is an example of how a vision can evolve into a legacy.
Starting from modest beginnings, the company has expanded its footprint, diversified its operations and built an enduring relationship with partners like Tyler Equipment, which supplies much of its machinery.
Modest Beginning
Burns Construction was founded by Edward T. Burns Jr. in 1957. Like many veterans, when Burns returned home from serving in the Korean War, he sought stability and purpose after his service. His ambition took the form of a small construction company focused initially on residential driveways and sidewalks. This humble start laid the foundation for a thriving enterprise.
Burns’ approach was simple but effective — focus on
Bay State Contractor Achieves Steady Growth With Team-First Philosophy
After working in the landscape industry for a number of years, Greg Cunningham decided it was time to hang his own shingle; he started Ground Care Landscaping, located in North Andover, Mass., in 2002.
Over time, as the company became more diverse, the name was changed to Ground Care Landscaping and Snow Professionals. Today, the company has grown to a significant size, has
a large fleet of lawn care, excavating and snow removal equipment and an ever-growing staff of trained professionals.
Over the years, experiencing a steady growth curve, the company has achieved many milestones, but according to Cunningham the most significant milestone in his view is the hiring of each new team member.
With their recently purchased Volvo excavator (L-R) are Ken Burns Jr.; Joe Burns; Ken Burns Sr.; and Matt Tyler, sales representative of Tyler Equipment.
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Burns Construction Employs More Than 400 Team Members
Transition, Expansion
By the mid-1980s, Burns’ son, Ken Burns Sr., officially joined the family business after spending summers working under his father’s guidance. At the time, Burns Construction employed eight workers and concentrated on asphalt paving and utility patch work.
The company’s first major turning point came in 1986 when it ventured into installing natural gas pipelines during a regional boom in natural gas infrastructure. This move not only diversified the service offerings but also set the company on a trajectory of significant growth. Over the years, it expanded into commercial and municipal projects, providing excavation, site work and paving services for schools, parking garages and other infrastructure.
Today, Burns Construction employs more than 400 people. Despite its size, the company retains the spirit of a small family business.
Family Affair: Future of Burns Construction
As a family-run business, Burns Construction is deeply rooted in its legacy, while keeping an eye on the future. Ken Burns Sr. now leads the company, with the next generation actively involved. His sons, Ken Jr. and Joe, equipped with degrees in construction management and business, are already contributing to the company’s continued growth.
Family dynamics in business can be challenging, but communication and a shared vision have been their guiding principles. “We all have the same goal,” Ken Sr.. said, “to keep growing, secure big contracts and work together.”
Core Values: Heart of Success
Burns Sr. attributes the company’s growth and success to two key factors: its people and its philosophy.
“We still run the company like there are eight people working here,” he said. “We treat people like we want to be treated. This principle extends not only to employees but also to clients and partners.”
Many employees have been with the company for decades, seeing it not just as a job but as a career. Burns Construction has invested heavily in ensuring its employees have room to grow, whether through on-the-job mentorship or an updated training facility. Opened in 2017, the training center received an upgrade in 2023 to meet growing demands, representing an investment of more than $2 million.
The facility offers hands-on experience with industry
see BURNS page 6
BURNS from page 1
Burns Construction recently purchased a Ramvac for hydro excavation.
Extensive tooling is required for connecting and manipulating pipe for utility work.
Burns Construction has a fleet of more than 50 trucks. This photo shows a load being hauled out from the job site in Darien, Conn.
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Burns Construction Operates Multiple Distinct Divisions
BURNS from page 4
equipment, certifications in safety and operation and even fundamental skills like shoveling.
Burns Construction also understands the importance of community — it hosts “Touch-a-Truck” events, sponsors local initiatives and organizes toy drives during the holiday season. These efforts not only strengthen ties to the community but also help attract like-minded employees who value giving back.
Divisions, Specializations
Burns Construction operates multiple divisions, each catering to a specific aspect of construction:
• Natural Gas Pipeline Division: The backbone of growth in the 1980s, this division continues to service Connecticut’s gas companies and has recently expanded into Massachusetts.
• Water and Sewer Division: Focused on municipal utility work.
• Site Division: The newest branch, handling excavation and site preparation for large-scale projects.
• Paving Division: Offering both commercial and residential
• Recycling Division:
tainability, this division recycles asphalt and stone, providing materials that meet state specifications.
Building Partnerships
Central to the success has been its partnership with Tyler Equipment, a family-run dealership. This relationship dates back to the late 1960s or early 1970s, when Edward T. Burns Jr. first began trading in loaders annually to keep up with advancing technolsee BURNS page 16
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Ground Care Landscaping and Snow Professionals has a substantial fleet of equipment, including skid steers, excavators and loaders, all of which carry the JCB name.
GROWTH from page 1
“It means that we have grown, we have succeeded and now we have the opportunity to add another quality team member,” he said. “We pride ourselves on having a great working environment and that working for our company is a pleasure as well as a job. Our philosophy is to put as much emphasis on the company performing well for our team members as we do our team performing well for us.”
Acquiring the right tools for the right job is a critical aspect of Ground Care’s growth.
“Matching up the right tools for the right job is critical and expensive,” he said. “To evaluate the investment, we like to analyze what it would cost us not to have the exact tool needed to accomplish a project. What is it going to cost us if we don’t have the right tool? It’s much like trying to shovel a parking lot with a hand shovel. It’s just not going to work. You have to analyze what machine will produce the most effective and efficient approach to clearing that parking lot and then make that investment.”
Cunningham does not necessarily take the traditional approach when purchasing equipment. He had some experience working with Alta Equipment (previously known as Northland JCB) and his first purchase was a JCB skid steer.
“I was very impressed with the side door entry to the cab. It was big, spacious and easy to access, far different than trying to climb over a bucket and work your way into the cab.
Ground Care Landscaping and Snow Professionals photo
Over the years experiencing a steady growth curve, the company has achieved many milestones, but according to Greg Cunningham, owner of Ground Care Landscaping and Snow Professionals, the most significant milestone is the hiring of each new team member.
Ground Care Landscaping and Snow Professionals has grown to a significant size, has a large fleet of lawn care, excavating and snow removal equipment and an ever-growing staff of trained professionals.
In my opinion that was a great way to break a leg. The JCB also featured the single arm power boom.
“It was a tough decision to make,” he added. “Other people in the industry who I listen to insisted that I was going to be sorry for purchasing a single-arm machine. They insisted that it would never hold up. I’m pleased to announce that after several years of rigorous use, we have never had a failure on a JCB skid steer related to the single-arm design. I’m sure that’s why JCB offers a lifetime warranty on the arm.”
Cunningham was so impressed with his experience with his first JCB purchase that he has stayed loyal to the brand and to Alta Equipment. Today, Ground Care Landscaping and Snow Professionals has a substantial fleet of equipment, including skid steers, excavators and loaders, all of which carry the JCB name.
“Our sales representative with Alta Equipment is Ryan Sears and he has taken great care of us. He has encouraged us to attend a number of JCB/Alta events, and it is always a
great experience for us, as well as educational. If we ask him a question and he’s not confident of the answer, he does his research and gets back to us promptly.
“Even though service is not a part of his job description, he always gets involved in the process, making sure any issues that we have are quickly resolved. Our experience has been that Alta Equipment has put the right people in place to achieve a level of excellence in their service department.
Cunningham said having the right people in place makes all the difference in the world.
“If you deal with a company that does not have the right staff, the equipment that you have invested in can become a deterrent rather than an asset. I really admire that with Alta Equipment because I know from experience that hiring quality people is challenging and expensive. We are confident when an Alta Equipment technician walks into our yard that
see GROWTH page 18
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Burns Continues Work On Gas Line Project in Conn.
ogy. Today, Burns Construction relies heavily on Tyler’s expertise to outfit its fleet with Volvo machinery.
Burns Sr. praised Tyler Equipment not just for its Volvo machines, but for its service and commitment to excellence.
“If Tyler says something, they stand behind it,” he said. "It’s not just the equipment; it’s the people. Their service team treats the smallest repairs with the same urgency as the largest. It’s a partnership built on trust.”
One of the defining moments in the Burns-Tyler partnership came when Matt Tyler, their sales representative, delivered a crucial excavator bucket to a job site in Stamford.
“They went above and beyond, personally delivering it to ensure our project stayed on track,” said Ken Jr. “That kind of support is invaluable in this business.”
From its first Volvo purchase two decades ago to its current fleet of equipment, trust and mutual respect have formed the backbone of this collaboration.
Burns Sr. recalled taking a leap of faith when purchasing the company’s first Volvo paver. At the time, Volvo paving equipment was relatively rare in Connecticut, but the trust in Tyler’s sales and service teams tipped the scales.
tive process, with input from a dedicated team ensuring every purchase aligns with both the company’s needs and long-term goals.
The company’s fleet includes more than 50 Volvo machines supplied by Tyler, ranging from compact to 100,000-lb. excavators, loaders and pavers.
“Everyone has a wish list, but we’ve got to balance that with what’s essential to the work,” Ken Jr. said. “It’s a challenge, but we’ve built a process that works.”
Current Project
Burns Construction is working on a project in Darien, Conn., that involves the installation of approximately 2,000 ft. of 8-in. plastic 100-lb. gas line. The entire gas line is being extended for a condo development in Darien. The total project is valued at $100 million.
when conditions dictate.
“We were confident in the relationship,” Ken Jr. said. “That’s why we’re now on our third paver and continue to expand with their compactors and other equipment.”
Using Volvo technology has enabled Burns Construction to deploy cutting-edge equipment, including GPS-enabled excavators that streamline operations on large site jobs.
“It’s like stepping into a spaceship,” Ken Jr. said. “The cameras, GPS and other features make the operator’s job so much easier.”
Equipment Evolution
As Burns Construction evolved, so did its approach to equipment. With the company's steady growth came the need for a more systematic and collaborative approach to managing its fleet, which now encompasses everything from tri-axle trucks to advanced excavators. What once was a single person’s decision has been transformed into a collec-
Equipment on the site includes a Volvo 230 wheeled excavator, a Volvo L30 loader, a Volvo 145 excavator, various dump trucks and a new Hydrovac truck for hydro excavation. The project started in early October and is slated for completion by Dec. 1. It’s a very congested area with a significant traffic control challenge. According to Ken Burns Jr., “The city of Darien police department has done a great job maintaining the flow of traffic. On a daily basis between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. crew members are on site.
Looking Ahead
As Burns Construction continues to evolve, its core values remain unchanged: quality work, investment in people, and strong partnerships. Whether it’s their relationship with Tyler Equipment, their commitment to employee training, or their community involvement, Burns Construction sets an example of what a modern construction company can achieve.
For Ken Burns and his team, the future is not just about expanding their portfolio but about maintaining the integrity and family spirit that have been their hallmark for over six decades. CEG
(All photographs in this article are Copyright 2024 Construction Equipment Guide, except where noted. All Rights Reserved.) BURNS from page 6
Burns Construction often uses hydro excavating
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he knows his job and we can walk away and let him complete his task.”
Alta Equipment is great at communicating with him, Cunningham added.
“When I need their support, they keep me updated all along the way. If a part is needed, they let me know the part’s availability and communicate with me, letting me know what timeframe I am looking at to get a machine up and running.”
A few years ago, Ground Care Landscaping and Snow Professionals moved into commercial snow removal.
“This was somewhat a scary period for us,” Cunningham said. “We knew that the demands and expectations from our customers would be very high. We needed to invest in the right equipment to handle the job.
“We purchased a JCB 437 wheel loader. It was a major investment for us, so we initially did a lease program. We were so pleased with its performance that we purchased the machine once the lease terms were fulfilled. As our snow removal business grew, we have continued populating our fleet with JCB equipment.”
Another machine in the fleet that Cunningham has been very happy with is the JCB 409 articulated wheel loader.
“What has really worked for us is the variety of machines that JCB offers with each category of machine being available in a wide variety of sizes. We can literally pick out the exact machine that is ideally fitted for the project we are facing. It’s been very satisfying being able to report back to by friends in the industry that insisted I was making a mistake with JCB and reporting what a great experience it has been. As a result, several of them are now putting JCB machines in their fleet.
“Transitioning our company into snow removal was a stressful period for us. We relied heavily on JCB and Alta Equipment and they did not let us down.”
This year Ground Care Landscape and Snow Professionals set an aggressive goal of 48 percent growth, and it is on track to achieve that goal.
“Historically, we have achieved 20-25 percent annual growth. This year we felt we had the right people and equipment in place to make very aggressive projections. To achieve those goals the biggest challenge for us in this climate is getting the right people hired to get our staff where it needs to be. We have worked hard to create a culture that’s attractive to new hires.
“Typically, when someone goes to work for a landscape company, they expect that they will be some sort of laborer or equipment operator for the duration of their employment. We have grown to the size where our new hires have an opportunity to grow with the company. We have management positions, and we fill them from within as individuals grow into the position.
“Another part of our working environment is expressing gratitude. Gratitude to the customer who has entrusted us with his home and his money as well as gratitude to our team members that make it possible to keep our customers satisfied.”
Greg Carlson is the operations manager, and he is a prime example of the growth opportunity that Ground Care Landscape and Snow Professionals offers, Cunningham said.
Carlson started working as an equipment operator and has progressively, in a relatively short period of time, worked himself into a management position.
“It is extremely unusual to have growth potential in this business,” Carlson said. “At our company, even if your initial position is cutting or trimming grass, you have the opportunity to grow into landscaping, equipment operation and even managing a crew.
“We are a very professional organization, and we make every effort to deliver to our customer exactly what he is looking for and to do it on time. It gives me a great sense of pride to work for a company that is truly focused on customer satisfaction. It took almost a decade for Greg Cunningham to convince me to join his team. Since I made that decision there has been no looking back.”
The COVID period was a particularly challenging time the company.
“We had plenty of projects and it felt like no one wanted to work,” Carlson said. “When we did get someone hired, calling out or not showing up seemed to be a continuous problem and that’s when we really focused on our work culture to put ourselves in a position to be able to hire and retain professionals. That’s another reason that we appreciate working with the professionals at Alta Equipment. We know how challenging it can be to put the right people in place to keep the customer happy. Alta Equipment has certainly demonstrated their ability to do just that.”
For more information, visit www.altg.com and www.groundcarelandscaping.com. CEG (All photos courtesy of Alta Equipment, except where noted.)
