HENKEL 9/18/07 2:19 PM Page 230

HENKEL CONSTRUCTION CO.

With 115 years under its belt, Henkel

focuses on healthcare and other
booming markets.

Under A Watchful Eye

Adaptability has helped Henkel Construction establish representation throughout the upper Midwest.
Founded in 1892, the company remains strong in today’s competitive market.
By Fernie Grace Tiflis secrets to longevity is our experience – our ability to per-

W illingness to change has made general con-

tractor Henkel Construction Co. successful
for more than a century. Despite increasing
competition, Henkel -–the second-oldest construction compa-
ny in the state – continues to be one of Iowa’s top-10
general contractors.
Specializing in healthcare, Henkel’s experience also in-
cludes banks, retail, restaurants, industrial, casinos, schools
and heavy highway projects. Most of Henkel’s work is nego-
tiated, making up 70 percent of its portfolio, while the re-
maining 30 percent is competitively bid.
Founded in 1892, Henkel credits its
Henkel Construction Co. 115 years in the industry to flexibility and
www.henkelconstruction.com adaptability, its repeat clients and its peo-
Proj. 2007 rev.: $60 million ple. “Although our niche is in healthcare,
Headquarters: Mason City, Iowa
Employees: 80 to 110 we pretty much do everything out there,”
Services: General construction notes Gary J. Schmit, vice president of
Scott Sheller: “With a company pre-construction services.
our size and the demographics
in our area, one of our secrets to “With a company our size and the
longevity is our experience.” demographics in our area, one of our
form in a lot of different markets: from bridges, to schools,
to hospital operating rooms,” adds Scott A. Sheller, busi-
ness development director.
Although Mason City-based Henkel adds new clients
every year, the bulk of its revenue comes from repeat busi-
ness, Schmit says. “If clients like the quality they see and
the people they work with, they’ll come back to you,” he
states. “In fact, we have some blueprints in our archives
that date back to 1922. Many of our current clients are rep-
resented in this long history of repeat customers.” For ex-
ample, the company completed its ninth theater project,
most recently working with St. Cloud-based Cinema
Entertainment Corp. In the healthcare market, Henkel has
worked with Mercy Medical Center, also located in Mason
City, for over 80 years.
Sheller stresses that clients drive Henkel’s business.
“They are the key to our growth, and despite economic
cycles, they keep coming back to us,” he says.
In addition, the company’s 110 employees contribute to
its accomplishments. “Year after year we have a continuous

230 ■ CONSTRUCTION TODAY ■ OCTOBER 2007