Строительная компания Hammers Construction отметила 70-летие в Перхэме

PERHAM — Hammers Construction celebrated 70 years of service this year with a community celebration on Thursday, Aug. 20. The celebration welcomed community members to the Hammers Construction building off Harvest Avenue in Perham for food, drinks, door prizes and activities from a dunk tank to dice games. The Perham-based construction company was started in 1956 by Hammers CEO Joe Hammers’ grandparents, Robert and Florence. Brad Neuerburg, vice president of business development and an in-house architect at Hammers Construction, said the anniversary was as much about people as it was about projects. ADVERTISEMENT Surrounded by longtime customers, employees, subcontractors, suppliers and their families, he reflected on how the business has grown over seven decades. “It’s really fun to see all the faces that have helped make this company become so successful — from the customers to the different workers we’ve had over the years, to the different suppliers and subcontractors,” Neuerburg said. “Everybody’s here, and it’s just a great time.” Neuerburg said that Robert Hammers “was kind of born to be a builder with a name like that.” He began by building houses after moving to town, but the company’s trajectory changed when Tuffy’s Pet Foods started up in the area. As Tuffy’s facilities expanded, so did the work for Hammers Construction. “He was doing houses, and then when Tuffy’s started, he started doing bigger buildings for Tuffy’s Pet Foods. As that company grew, Hammers grew with it,” Neuerburg said. “Now we’re capable of doing basically any type of big project.” The anniversary event was designed as a community thank-you. People filtered in throughout the afternoon, with even more expected once a local chamber golf tournament wrapped up later in the day. Prize drawings, food and family-friendly activities added to the festive atmosphere. Local businesses also pitched in to help mark the milestone. Neuerburg highlighted Esser Plumping & Heating , which donated four $500 cash door prizes for the celebration. “It’s really moving to see how many people have come out, and to have the businesses support us with some great door prizes,” he said. ADVERTISEMENT Neuerburg said the lighthearted fun was intentional — a way to show appreciation not just for employees and business partners, but also for their families. “When I talk about subcontractors and employees, I always want to include families too,” he said. “They’re a big part of what makes all of this possible.” Now an employee-owned company, Hammers Construction is looking to the future while honoring its roots. The locally owned business started offering an employee stock ownership plan in 2023 — a decision that has increased retention in a field that is known for "an ever-changing workforce," according to reporting by the Perham Focus in 2025 . Neuerburg, who has been with the company for nearly nine years, said the next chapter is about steady growth and taking care of the people who helped build the business. “We just hope to keep growing,” he said. “We’re employee-owned now, so we’re hoping we keep our best people, and we grow together.”