JANUARY 2024 NEWSLETTER

Hello, all fellow Hoffman Dirthogs, and welcome to the new year!

The days are getting longer, and soon, it will be time to start the 2024 projects. Every New Year, I can’t help but think about what exciting opportunities will present themselves in the new year, both personally and professionally.

We currently have some exciting work on the books and lots of opportunities. Our estimating department has been working many hours pursuing projects in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Our office staff has been closing out 2023 and preparing for the 2024 season.

Jim Hoffman

CEO

Our Maintenance department is busy getting all the equipment ready. For those of you who are off for the winter, enjoy your time off and rest up because we will hit the ground running in the spring and give our customers safe, productive, and high-quality finished projects.

A few weeks ago was the Hoffman Christmas party, where current employees and retirees mingled and shared stories from last year and the past. It was great to see everyone, especially retirees who made their careers at Hoffman and taught me the ropes! We recognized the multi-generational families of Hoffman employees. There are many stories of jobs from the past, experiences from the past year, and looking ahead to 2024.

I’m proud to be part of such a group with extraordinary people sharing success!

HOFFMAN PROJECT UPDATES

Lone Rock Project

Start 1/2023 End 10/2025

Construction involves work on both STH 130 and STH 133. The 2023 construction required approximately 30,000 CY or rock excavation on STH 133 using backhoes with rippers to take down the steep rock slopes in three predominant locations.

The excavation was hauled to build the new embankment for STH 130 on “Long Island” between the two new bridges being constructed by KNA. HCC crews also built two small MSE walls (1200 SF) at the south abutment of the southern bridge at the new intersection of STH 133. STH 133 was closed to complete work and open to traffic in the winter.

In 2025, HCC crews will wrap up the final stage as traffic flows on the new bridges. The old STH 130 roadway must then be removed to replace the occupied riverbed by the roadway embankment and mitigate flooding potential.

This is a photo taken at a construction site for the lone rock project this project has been built by Hoffman Construction Company

Eau Claire Wild Ridge

Start 7/2022 End 9/2023

Complete reconstruct of I94 eastbound and westbound lanes from STH 312 to STH 37 (approximately 3 miles), as well as reconstructing the STH 312/I94 interchange. Work consisted of grading, base aggregate, milling, HMA pavement, concrete pavement, culvert pipe, storm sewer, and other misc. items that were needed.

A particular challenge on the project was the timelines for westbound and eastbound I94 reconstruction. We were given from 9/6 to 10/18 to completely remove and replace 3 miles of westbound highway. Additionally, the spring timeline for eastbound replacement was from 4/1 to 5/25.

However, with good weather and a great crew, we completed more work than required which saved us working around traffic under lane closures. Ultimately, we completed 1 week of additional work above and beyond contract requirements in a compressed timeframe.

This is a photo of a road construction site built by Hoffman Construction Company and this is the Eau Claire wild Ridge project.

HOFFMAN TEAM GATHERING

ANNUAL SOUP & CHILI CONTEST

Spice enthusiasts and soup aficionados, brace yourselves for the ultimate showdown at our recent Chili and Soup Cook-Off extravaganza!

A delicious array of four soups and two chilis and tantalizing sides like chips and queso kept our taste buds dancing with joy.
Bonus was dessert!

As the aroma filled the air, it was evident that our talented chefs had brought their A-game to the Cook-Off.

In the soup category:

A warm round of applause (pun intended) goes to Olivia Sanders, whose cheesy chicken and broccoli soup claimed the coveted 1st place with seven votes.
Brian Burns secured 2nd place with his loaded baked potato soup, winning over taste buds with five votes.

Now, let’s talk chili:

In a neck-and-neck competition, Ryan Laufenberg clinched the
1st place with nine votes, narrowly edging out April Darst, who secured the 2nd place with eight votes.

A big shoutout to all our culinary contenders for making this Cook-Off an unforgettable feast for the senses!

a photo of Hoffman Construction Company ANNUAL SOUP & CHILI CONTEST

HOFFMAN EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Brian Burns

Fleet Manager

With an impressive 35-year journey in the industry, Brian brings a wealth of experience, and for the past twelve years, he’s been an integral part of the Hoffman Construction Company family.

Hailing from Huntington, WV, Brian is not just a seasoned professional but also an Air Force Veteran. Currently calling Black River Falls, WI, home, he shares this adventure with his wife, Pam Burns, who also proudly served in the Air Force.

Celebrating 42 years of marriage, they have raised three wonderful adult children – two sons, both Army veterans, and a daughter.

Beyond his professional life, Brian finds joy in family moments and camping adventures. His enthusiasm for working at Hoffman Construction stems from the familial atmosphere where colleagues truly become an extended family.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE NEED YOU!

We are hearing from employees how much they like seeing the newsletter show up in their mailboxes. We are also hearing how much they like being informed about what’s going on with the company and coworkers.

But WE NEED YOU to help us. We are looking for information to put into the newsletter and on our social media. Please contact us if you have a life event you would like to share with everyone, like a birth, graduation, marriage, or interesting job story.

Oh, and speaking of social media, did you know we have Facebook, LinkedIn and an Instagram account? There is some good info on them, and we are looking for you to help us get the word out.

Social media links are in the QR code to the right, and to submit or discuss content, please reach out to us. Please follow and share our pages.