Business Profile: Knutson Construction Turns 100 Years Old

The Twin Cities skyline is an impressive sight thanks, in part, to the work of Golden Valley-based .

From buildings such as the Hennepin County Government Center and the Federal Reserve Building in Minneapolis, to 3M and the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul, has built, renovated and expanded a wide variety of buildings and structures across the metro area and beyond.

The recent downturn in the economy significantly impacted the construction industry.

“In Minneapolis, construction unemployment has run as high as 25%,” said Darin Knapp, senior vice president. “Changes in the lending industry have dramatically impacted new construction. But we’re seeing signs of growth. More projects are being discussed now which means new construction will follow.”

Knutson Construction has been celebrating their 100th anniversary throughout 2011. Events were held at all three office locations to celebrate the company’s success and longevity, and to thank their customers.

“Our relationships with organizations such as the University of Minnesota, the University of Iowa, the Mayo Clinic, and Allina are vital to our company, and are something to celebrate,” said Kathy Curry, marketing consultant.

In 1911, Thor Knutson founded Standard Construction Company. During World War I, the company received $23 million in government contracts and came in $900,000 under budget. That early success led to numerous projects including the Minnesota State Fair Cattle Barn (1920) as well as hospitals, schools, and county and city facilities.

In 1966, Standard Construction changed its name to Knutson Construction Company. The company continued to expand, opening offices in Iowa City, IA in 1982 and Rochester, MN in 1997.

Knutson Construction builds from the ground up (the Carver-Hawkeye Arena Bowl in Iowa City and the Carlson School of Management at the U of M) and renovates and restores existing buildings (the Orpheum Theatre, the Como Park Conservatory and the Landmark Center).

They also provide flood clean-up and restoration following natural disasters like the flooding in Cedar Falls this past summer.

Sustainability has become an integral part of all projects, whether restorations or new buildings.

“There are many ways to look at sustainability,” said Kathy Curry. “We consider ideas such as how to use recycled materials, we design landscaping that requires less maintenance, and use energy efficient lighting. Many ideas and methods can be implemented to leave the smallest imprint on the environment.”

Project managers and superintendents are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. Training involves learning to use local resources, and designing energy efficient systems.

These are just some of the things the company is celebrating as it moves forward into its next hundred years. But for now, it's celebration time, and Jan Clausen, director of human resources, has been busy the past months coordinating the events.

“The headquarters celebration was held at the Minnesota History Center,” she said. “It made the celebration even more special to hold it in one of our projects.” The building was completed in 1991.

As a way to give back to the community and celebrate its 100-year anniversary, Knutson Construction planted 100 white oak trees in Folwell Park in Minneapolis on October 26. The park area was devastated by a

The company also works with local trade schools to mentor and train the next generation of construction personnel.

Knutson Construction is also looking toward the future with a number of high-profile projects in progress, including the Children’s Hospital Expansion and Renovation, and the Abbott Northwestern & Children’s Hospital Mother Baby Program, both in Minneapolis.

Other projects include the Riverside Plaza Renovation project in Minneapolis, and several Mayo Clinic renovations in Rochester and Austin, MN.