Key Stats
Founded: 1884 in Omaha, Nebraska
Headquarters: Omaha, Nebraska, United States
CEO: Rick Lanoha (since 2020)
Employees: Approximately 31,800
Ownership: Employee-owned (Private)
Kiewit Corporation ranks among the largest construction and engineering organizations in North America. The company provides construction services across transportation, water, power, oil and gas, building, industrial, mining, and marine sectors.
Kiewit operates as an employee-owned company with a decentralized structure spanning offices throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The organization employs more than 31,800 craft and staff workers on projects of all sizes.
The construction firm generated approximately $16.8 billion in revenue during 2024. Kiewit ranks third on Engineering News-Record’s Top 400 Contractors list and has built landmark infrastructure including the Hoover Dam participation, interstate highways, and major transit systems.
Kiewit Corporation History
The Kiewit Corporation story began when two brothers with Dutch heritage started a masonry business in Omaha. Peter and Andrew Kiewit learned brickmaking skills from their father John, who emigrated from The Hague in 1857. They formed Kiewit Brothers Masonry Contractors in 1884.
Peter Kiewit Jr. transformed the small family business into a construction powerhouse during the 20th century. He introduced employee stock ownership to motivate workers and began pursuing highway and heavy construction projects during the Great Depression.
1884
Peter and Andrew Kiewit founded Kiewit Brothers Masonry Contractors in Omaha, Nebraska. Their father established a brickyard where they learned the trade.
1889
Kiewit Brothers received their largest masonry contract to build the seven-story Lincoln Hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska.
1924
Company won first $1 million contract for the Livestock Exchange Building. Peter Kiewit Jr. served as project superintendent.
1931
Peter Kiewit Jr. dissolved family firm and formed Peter Kiewit Sons’ Co. with $125,000 in assets. Began selling shares to key managers.
1939
Won $7.5 million government contract to build Fort Lewis military base in Washington. Contract doubled in size shortly after award.
1951
Began construction of Thule Air Base in Greenland for U.S. military. Project continued through 1966 with 10,000-foot runway.
1979
Peter Kiewit Jr. passed away. Walter Scott Jr. succeeded him as chairman. Foundation established with $150 million endowment.
1998
Level 3 Communications spun off as independent public company. Ken Stinson became chairman and CEO of construction operations.
2008
Acquired TIC Holdings (The Industrial Company) based in Colorado. Expanded industrial construction capabilities.
2023
Acquired Weeks Marine and subsidiaries. Added dredging, tunneling, and marine construction expertise to company portfolio.
Kiewit Corporation Co-founders
Peter Kiewit Sr.
Co-founded Kiewit Brothers with his brother Andrew in 1884. Son of Dutch immigrant John Kiewit. Continued business as sole proprietor after 1904 partnership dissolution.
Andrew Kiewit
Co-founder who partnered with brother Peter to establish masonry contracting business in Omaha. Left partnership when brothers dissolved company in 1904.
Peter Kiewit Jr.
Youngest son born in 1900. Transformed family business into national construction leader. Led company from 1924 until death in 1979. Pioneered employee ownership model.
Kiewit Corporation Competitors
Kiewit competes with major construction and engineering firms across North America. The company faces competition in transportation, industrial, power, and heavy civil construction markets from both domestic and international contractors.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Services |
|---|---|---|
| Bechtel Corporation | Reston, Virginia | Engineering, Construction, Project Management |
| Turner Construction | New York, New York | Commercial Building, Construction Management |
| Fluor Corporation | Irving, Texas | Engineering, Procurement, Construction |
| AECOM | Dallas, Texas | Infrastructure, Engineering, Design |
| Skanska USA | New York, New York | Building, Civil Construction |
| Whiting-Turner | Baltimore, Maryland | Construction Management, General Contracting |
| MasTec | Coral Gables, Florida | Infrastructure, Utility Construction |
| PCL Construction | Edmonton, Alberta | Building, Civil, Heavy Industrial |
| McDermott International | Houston, Texas | Engineering, Offshore Construction |
| Granite Construction | Watsonville, California | Heavy Civil, Transportation |
Kiewit Corporation Revenue
Kiewit Corporation generated approximately $16.8 billion in revenue during 2024. The privately held company has grown consistently over the past decade through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.
Kiewit Corporation Revenue (in Billions USD)
Kiewit Corporation Acquisitions
Kiewit Corporation has grown through strategic acquisitions while also creating successful spin-off companies. The company expanded its construction capabilities and geographic reach by purchasing complementary businesses in industrial, electrical, and marine sectors.
In 1992, Kiewit acquired Mass. Electric Construction Company to strengthen electrical contracting services. The Boston-based firm traces its roots to 1923 and became a key subsidiary for transportation and industrial electrical work. TIC Holdings joined Kiewit in December 2008, bringing industrial construction expertise from its Colorado operations.
Cherne Contracting became a Kiewit subsidiary in 2010. Founded in 1916 as a plumbing company, Cherne developed refining and power construction expertise. This acquisition enhanced Kiewit’s capabilities in oil and gas projects across North America.
The company completed its largest recent acquisition in January 2023 when Weeks Marine and its subsidiaries joined Kiewit. The transaction included Healy Tibbitts Builders, McNally International, and North American Aggregates. Weeks Marine brought dredging, marine construction, and tunneling capabilities dating back to 1919. The deal added 600 marine equipment units to Kiewit’s fleet.
Kiewit also created significant value through spin-offs. MFS Communications went public in 1993 and sold to WorldCom for $14 billion in 1996. Level 3 Communications separated in 1998 to build a national fiber optic network. These telecommunications ventures emerged from Kiewit Diversified Group under Walter Scott Jr.’s leadership.
FAQs
When was Kiewit Corporation founded?
Kiewit Corporation was founded in 1884 in Omaha, Nebraska. Brothers Peter and Andrew Kiewit established Kiewit Brothers Masonry Contractors after learning brickmaking from their Dutch immigrant father.
Who is the CEO of Kiewit Corporation?
Rick Lanoha serves as CEO of Kiewit Corporation. He assumed the position in January 2020 after serving as president and chief operating officer since 2016.
Is Kiewit Corporation publicly traded?
Kiewit Corporation is a privately held, employee-owned company. The firm does not trade on any stock exchange and has maintained private ownership since Peter Kiewit Jr. began selling shares to managers in 1931.
Where is Kiewit Corporation headquarters located?
Kiewit Corporation headquarters is located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. The company has remained based in Omaha since its founding in 1884.
What construction sectors does Kiewit serve?
Kiewit serves eight primary markets: transportation, water, power, oil and gas, building, industrial, mining, and marine. The company provides engineering, procurement, and construction services across all sectors.