A Salute to a Komatsu Customer
Richard E. Pierson Construction Company Inc. reconstructs highways and bridges along the East Coast
E Richard Pierson, Owner
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Ever since he was a kid, Richard Pierson imagined himself building a career in the construction industry. He learned the ropes of the industry from his father and gained experience working his way up the ladder at a local contracting firm. In 1980, Pierson incorporated his own business, Richard E. Pierson Construction Company Inc.
“Like a lot of people from my generation, I got out of school and went to work,” stated Pierson. “I worked for a couple contractors and learned the business before I was ready to try something on my own. I bought my own backhoe in 1976 and continued working part time for the largest paving company in South Jersey before committing to my company full time in 1980.” Based out of Pilesgrove, N.J., Richard E. Pierson Construction Company has grown considerably over the past four decades. “We started out taking on private jobs for companies I had built relationships with across
An operator excavates material for a bulkhead using a Komatsu PC490LC-11 excavator at Richard E. Pierson Construction Company’s new marina job site. “We’re digging out the dirt, so we can put in the tiebacks,” explained Richard Pierson, owner. “That will hold the sheets and the deadman in place. Then we’re backfilling with high-quality material.”
the industry,” recalled Pierson. “They preferred our work and forced me to grow the company bigger than I initially intended. We now have two divisions, Pierson Construction and Pierson Materials, that complete a combined $350 million annually. “We prefer projects $50 million or bigger,” continued Pierson. “During peak construction season in the summer, we have upwards of 600 employees. The biggest key to our success is the quality of people who work here. We’re like a family company because we have a team that enjoys being here and is not afraid to do what’s necessary to get a project done the right way.”
The bigger the better
Today, Richard E. Pierson Construction Company primarily completes heavy civil roadwork jobs for states, counties and townships. Its portfolio includes extensive highway and bridgework projects throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Recently, the firm completed six miles of reconstruction along Interstate 476. The three-year project required two phases to rebuild four bridges and create the turnpike. Over the next five years, the firm will complete a $152 million project rebuilding 6.5 miles of Route 70 in South Jersey. “We’re installing a new gas main down the center of the highway, adding new water mains and all new storm sewer lines,” said Pierson. “It’s a heavily trafficked route with business access points we have to keep open. Although it’s challenging, projects like these are our strengths.”
Richard E. Pierson Construction Company will also take on unique projects spanning larger bodies of water.
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“The aging infrastructure along the East Coast means that we’re facing more reconstruction projects than new build jobs,” explained Pierson. “We tore down the old Goethals Bridge between New York and New Jersey once the new bridge was completed. More often, we will shut down half of a bridge to reconstruct one side at a time, which allows traffic to continue flowing. Almost
