Wendler Inc., an Iowa-based heavy civil construction firm, has completed its transition to 100% employee ownership through the establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Wendler Inc., an Iowa-based heavy civil construction firm, is proud to announce its transition to 100% employee ownership through the establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
The conversion provides nearly 150 employees with an ownership stake in the company, and the opportunity to share in its continued growth and long-term success.
"For more than 50 years, Wendler has been trusted with some of the most demanding infrastructure work in Iowa, and that trust was earned by our people," said Jamie Rich, President and CEO of Wendler. "Becoming 100% employee-owned connects the company's growth directly to the people in the field, in the shop, and in the office. It's how we plan to build on our legacy for the next 50 years, by ensuring the people who drive our success have a meaningful stake in the future they're helping create."
The transition caps a period of growth and investment for the company. Wendler's annual construction volume has roughly doubled since 2021; in 2025, it purchased the three-story Geonetric Building in Cedar Rapids' New Bohemia District to serve as its new headquarters.
Wendler continues to build key pieces of Iowa's infrastructure, including water and wastewater treatment plants, flood control structures, and high-voltage infrastructure powering the grid. The firm's 12th Avenue Pump Station for the City of Cedar Rapids Flood Control System was recently honored as Project of the Year by the Iowa Chapter of the American Public Works Association, and with a 2026 Masters Award from the Master Builders of Iowa.
"Ownership shows up in the field," said Kurt Reihmann, Chief Operating Officer of Wendler. "When the crew pouring concrete or setting pumps owns part of the company, they look at safety, quality and schedule the way an owner does. That's what our clients count on."
The company's ESOP transition comes as part of the national Employee Ownership Month. Wendler joins the approximately 175 employee-owned ESOP companies in the state of Iowa, according to The ESOP Association.
About Wendler Inc.
Founded in 1973 by engineer Glenn Wendler as Wendler Engineering and Construction, Wendler Inc. is an employee-owned general contractor specializing in complex civil, municipal and electrical infrastructure. With nearly 150 employees, Wendler builds water and wastewater treatment facilities, flood mitigation systems, underground utilities and high-voltage electrical and renewable energy infrastructure across Iowa and neighboring states. Learn more at wendlerinc.com.
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SOURCE Wendler Inc.
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