Since its founding in 1949, Vollers Excavating and Construction Inc has evolved from a small family operation into a steadfast contractor serving New Jersey's heavy civil construction industry.
The company's roots trace back to a family farm that transformed into a thriving construction business when founder Herb Vollers saw a different kind of opportunity in the soil beneath him.
"My grandfather started the business right here on this property," said Chris Vollers, president of Vollers Inc, the parent company of Vollers Excavating and Construction. "He realized farming wasn't the future for New Jersey and transitioned into construction at a young age. The company really took off from there."
Today, Vollers Excavating and Construction operates as a turnkey, full-service heavy civil and demolition contractor serving clients across the Northeast and Midwest. The company's reach extends from Virginia to Connecticut and west to Ohio, with projects under review as far as Indiana.
"We handle about 80 percent private and 20 percent public work," Vollers said. "A lot of our projects come from repeat clients, and we take pride in being a one-stop solution for everything from demolition to paving."
The company's ability to perform nearly every aspect of a project has become one of its defining strengths. Vollers Excavating and Construction maintains a fleet of 150 to 200 machines and employs approximately 250 people committed to the company's longstanding reputation for quality and safety.
"Whether it's a general contractor, owner or public entity, we want to be as turnkey as possible," said Vollers. "It's less finger-pointing and makes our clients' lives easier, dealing with one partner from start to finish."
Investing in its people has always been the foundation of Vollers Excavating and Construction's success. After decades of family leadership, the company took another major step forward in 2025 when it became an employee-owned business through an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) structure.
"Being employee-owned changes the way decisions are made," Vollers said. "Our people now have a real stake in the business, and it's a way for us to give back to the team that built this company. We're very proud of the group we have."
That team includes second- and even third-generation employees who have spent their careers with the company.
"It really does feel like a family here," reflected Vollers. "We had a job last year where a grandfather, father and son were all working together. That's special, and it says a lot about our culture. We have a fantastic team with a ton of experience."
Technology Aids Diverse Projects
Komatsu East photo
In addition to Vollers Excavating and Construction, Vollers Inc is the parent company of several other subsidiaries, including HVI Services and Layout Inc, and has a partial ownership in Assuncao Brothers Inc. Each subsidiary strengthens the company's ability to offer comprehensive, in-house solutions.
"HVI Services is our recycling division that processes millings, topsoil, mulch and RCA at two Class B and Class C recycling locations," Vollers explained. "Layout Inc. handles surveying not only for us but for other contractors across the tri-state area. Assuncao Brothers Inc. specializes in concrete and heavy highway work, and their expertise strengthens our ability to deliver comprehensive site packages. These businesses help us keep projects on schedule and under control."
Vollers Excavating and Construction's project portfolio includes some of the region's most high-profile developments. The firm has worked on Merck World Headquarters, MetLife Stadium, Princeton University and the Valley Hospital in Paramus, and it is currently handling demolition at the new Netflix site in New Jersey.
"We've always leaned on Komatsu to fill our needs," said Chris. "We love our PC490 excavators. They're powerful, responsive and incredibly versatile. We use them for everything, from deep utilities to demolition. They're a workhorse across the board."
The company also runs several Komatsu D51PXi-24, D61PXi-24 and D71PXi-24 IMC dozers, which have transformed the way it approaches precision and productivity on the job site.
"We were one of the first companies in New Jersey to take on GPS technology," Vollers said. "We've always wanted to be ahead of the curve. From accuracy to production tracking, the benefits are undeniable."
Heavy Equipment Manager Joe Whitney noted that Komatsu's integrated GPS systems, Smart Construction Remote and Komtrax telematics help the company manage job files and machine utilization more efficiently.
"Komatsu's intelligent machine control has been a big advantage for us because the GPS is factory integrated, so we don't have the external components, cables and damage points we dealt with in the past," said Whitney. "With Smart Construction Remote, we can send 3D design files and updates from the office to one machine or the whole fleet without having someone travel to the job site. Komtrax is another tool I use daily to track utilization, idle time and performance, and that information helps us make better decisions across the fleet."
Key Support From Komatsu East
Komatsu East photo
To keep its large fleet performing across multiple states, Vollers Excavating and Construction relies on responsive service and technical expertise from Komatsu Company-owned Dealer East (Komatsu East). Whether it's coordinating parts delivery, troubleshooting issues or providing on-site support, the Komatsu East teamhelps ensure minimal downtime. Komatsu East Territory Manager Scott Maxwell has supported the company for the past eight years, building a relationship grounded in reliability and communication.
"Komatsu East has been a fantastic partner for us," said Vollers. "If something goes down, they're on it immediately. We don't hear, 'No,' from Komatsu. It's always, 'Yes, we'll figure it out.' That means a lot to us."
With Komatsu Care maintenance plans and a strong in-house service team, Vollers Excavating and Construction maintains a proactive approach to equipment health. The partnership allows Vollers Excavating and Construction's technicians to work seamlessly with Komatsu East's service personnel to plan maintenance and quickly resolve issues before they impact production.
"Having Komatsu East behind us is huge, especially as we expand geographically," noted Vollers. "They're always there, whether we're in New Jersey or out of state. It's one phone call, and I know we'll be taken care of. That kind of support gives us confidence to take on more complex and demanding work."
Onward, Upward
Looking ahead, Vollers Excavating and Construction remains optimistic. Despite challenges such as fluctuating interest rates and shifting market conditions, the company's backlog and pipeline remain strong.
"I think next year is going to be fantastic," said Vollers. "We have several large projects on the books, and we're confident about where we're headed. We have the right people and the right experience to tackle just about anything."
After more than 75 years of steady growth, Vollers Excavating and Construction continues to rely on the same formula that has defined it from the beginning — strong people, dependable equipment and trusted partnerships that keep the company moving forward.
(The opinions expressed here are based on the customer's specific experience. Results may vary. Article reprinted with permission from Komatsu East Insider, Summer 2026.)
