Member of the Week 8/22/2022 -- Bogner Construction

Only 3 percent of family-owned businesses make it to a fourth generation. Bogner Construction Company is one of them. As the fourth generation steps into the leadership of the company, they are marking the major milestone of 125 years in business.

A LONG-STANDING HISTORY

Theodore I. Bogner formed Bogner Construction Company with his three carpenter brothers in 1897. The company originally specialized in scaffold building and oil well drilling rig buildings. By 1913, the company evolved into completing all aspects of rough and finish carpentry work and formed a general construction partnership with William Long, who specialized in concrete and masonry construction. Over the subsequent decades, the firm of Bogner and Long constructed many custom homes and commercial buildings in Wooster and Wayne County. Throughout the years and generations, the family has evolved with the industry and its demand for construction services and currently offers General Contracting, Construction Management, Design-Build, and Crane and Rigging Services.

Not only has Bogner Construction thrived throughout the generations and decades, but they have also partnered and constructed facilities with multiple organizations for over a Century, such as; OSU ATI (formerly Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center), The College of Wooster (formerly The University of Wooster), Artiflex (formerly The Gerstenslager Company and Gertsenslager Buggy Works), The Wooster Brush (Formerly Foss Brush Works), Wayne County Commissioners, Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce (formerly Wooster Board of Trade) and Wooster City Schools.

COMMITMENT TO LOCAL PROJECTS

Their target area is Wayne and the surrounding counties, but they do have projects spread out across the state. Currently and locally (to name a few), Bogner is working on the Lowry Center project at The College of Wooster, spearheaded by Adam Bogner, Sr. Project Manager and Partner. Mike Bogner, Director of Procurement and Partner, is running the Liberty Beall project, which includes Mariola Italian Restaurant and apartments. They also have multiple projects in progress at Daisy, Gojo, and Wooster Brush, led by Tim Bogner, Director of Operations and Partner. They continuously complete projects at the various grocery stores for Buehler’s Fresh Foods and just started a major renovation at their Massillon-Jackson location, providing oversight is Brian Bogner; Director of Costing and Estimating and Partner.

“Every major (local) project we assign a Bogner/Partner to the project in order to provide the extra care, quality control and oversight the project deserves. This gives a level of comfort to our clients knowing that an Owner/Partner is heavily involved in the project throughout the process, Brian stated.

They believe it is important to give back to the community that gives to them. Through the years, the Bogners have volunteered time to serve on boards and clubs of a variety of community organizations.

For their longevity in the community, positive impact on the local economy, and concern for the well-being of their employees, Bogner Construction Company was named the 2000 Business of the Year by the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce. For Ted Bogner’s dedication and support of the Wooster community, he was named the 2019 Wall of Fame recipient by The Chamber.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

Bogner Construction has a separate division for Crane and Equipment Rigging. The 4th generation made a commitment to emphasize and increase this division and recently acquired a

Grove 115-ton all-terrain crane to complement its existing crane fleet. Bogner Construction now has the ability to tackle virtually any type of customer lifting requirements with its 15-ton, 30-ton, 40-ton, 60-ton, and our new 115-ton that can be sized for 60 and 90-ton lifts.

“Working for a family business and navigating the personal relationships and business situations can come with many challenges,” Brian said. “However, at the end of each challenge, we always adapt and do what is right for the situation, client, and/or community. It is this belief and attitude, that we hope will transfer to an historic 5th Generation someday.

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS

To memorialize this occasion, Bogner Construction held a private ceremony at the Wayne County Fairgrounds to recognize their employees and the vital role they play in the company.

The entire team gathered in front of the grandstand for a photo taken by Liberty Studios, who captured the progress photos in 1936 as Bogner was constructing the grandstand. Although the Bogner Family is at the forefront, their longevity could not have been possible without the employees of past and present, without their dedication, today would not have been possible, stated Brian. It continues to amaze and excite us that we literally have the opportunity to renovate and restore projects that our great-grandfather (1st Generation) and grandfathers (2nd Generation) constructed, said Adam Bogner.

For the future, we are hoping to “continue adapting and serving the community and construction industry, as the generations before us and set the table for the generations after us,” Tim Bogner commented.

A FAMILY BUSINESS ALL THE WAY AROUND

It’s not just the Bogner family. There are nine sets of other multigenerational families that have worked for the company over the years. It is a testament to the family for their dedication to the company and to the Wooster area.

CONTACT

For more information, call 330-262-6730. Visit them online at bognergroup.com and following them on Facebook at Bogner Construction Company