Knife River Invests in Employees and Communities in Benton County

Knife River, an aggregates-based construction company with a national footprint, is a major employer in Benton County and a supporter of the local community. The Sauk Rapids firm employs around 750 people in Central Minnesota, with 90% of its workers living within 60 miles of Sauk Rapids. Globally, Knife River has around 6,500 team members.  

“We try to be a people-first organization, putting time and effort into each employee,” says Jay Emmerich, Central Minnesota’s Vice President of Asphalt and Construction at Knife River. “We also emphasize safety. We want people to return home at night the same way they came in.”

Knife River has had a presence in Sauk Rapids since 2002, when it purchased Bauerly Brothers Construction, which had been operating in the area since the 1960s. The company continues to invest in Central Minnesota and plans to maintain a stable presence now and in the future.

Knife River Benefits from the Region’s Granite History

Central Minnesota has been a hub for granite production for nearly 175 years. Neighboring St. Cloud (which is part of Benton County) has held the nickname “The Busy, Gritty Granite City” for more than a century. The granite quarries remain valuable for mining aggregates and other essential materials used in construction, road maintenance, and other infrastructure projects.

Because granite is heavy and difficult to ship, a secondary economy developed in the region, creating value-added products and services with the raw materials extracted from the ground. This is also where Knife River comes in. The company produces a variety of products, many of which are ready for use in construction projects, and also offering services to the local community.

“We believe that no project is too big or too small,” says Leah Rado, Central Region Communications Manager at Knife River. “Whether we are making curbs and gutters safer or installing pickleball courts, we are always looking for ways to build up the community and make it safer.” 

The Company Strives to Keep Projects Affordable

The residents of Sauk Rapids and Greater Benton County benefit from having access to a company that maintains aggregate pits while also providing construction services. Emmerich explains that Knife River saves taxpayers money by producing its own construction materials for projects. There isn’t a significant upsell to cover the cost of importing materials from across the state or country.

These locally sourced materials also make Benton County construction projects more resilient to supply chain disruptions. Local projects won’t be delayed by issues like port strikes, global pandemics, or international conflicts.

Knife River works closely with local organizations to meet their construction needs. It is currently partnering with Sauk Rapids High School to develop a new track and field for its athletic facilities.

Beyond operating in a manner that serves the Benton County community, Knife River also has a company culture of stewardship. It frequently gives back to veterans groups and children's organizations, and its leadership team sponsors local projects and events. Residents and visitors can see Knife River in local parades, with employees driving big trucks along the parade route, much to the delight of small kids in attendance.  

“Hopefully, these efforts pay off in the future, and people want to work here,” says Emmerich.

Knife River Invests in Employees Who Want to Grow

Not only is Knife River a major employer in Benton County, but it also creates opportunities for residents to advance their careers and expand their skill sets. When hiring, Emmerich says it’s nice to find candidates with construction experience or truck driving licenses, but the company offers training programs for people who want to work but are new to the field.

“We hold equipment fairs so employees can learn how to run the equipment, and we also train people throughout the season,” he says. “If people want to be here, we will go above and beyond to make sure they are trained correctly to be a good team member for us.”

Many Knife River executives started in lower positions. The region president started at the company as a driver in his teens. As soon as he had his license, he was applying to the firm. The current CEO also started in the quality control lab and worked his way up. Emmerich, a longtime Foley resident, started working at Bauerly Brothers in 1992 as a flagger and construction laborer. He stayed on with Knife River when it bought out the Bauerlys in 2002, and over the next 20 years, he worked his way up to his current VP role.

Good wages, a healthy company culture, and a focus on training and development keep people at Knife River and make them want to grow.

Knife River is Part of the Benton County Industrial Ecosystem

Benton County has strong construction and manufacturing industries because of its granite history, and Knife River is a great example of a business that enmeshes itself in its community to support the families and neighbors of its employees.

Learn about other businesses in the region that are supported by Benton Economic Partnership, Inc. Meet companies like SNX Technologies that support manufacturing businesses across the country.

If you’re ready to grow your business in Benton County, contact our team today. We’re happy to discuss incentives and programs to make your expansion or relocation project viable.