Hensel Phelps

Hensel Phelps
Name	Hensel Phelps
Type	Private
Industry	Construction
Founded	1937
Founder	Abraham Hensel and Elam Phelps
Headquarters	Greeley, Colorado
Area served	United States, Caribbean, Pacific
Key people	Brad Buswell (President & CEO)
Revenue	US$ ~3.8 billion (2023)
Num employees	~3,500

Hensel Phelps is a privately held American construction firm founded in 1937 with headquarters in Greeley, Colorado. The company operates across commercial, federal, aviation, industrial, and healthcare sectors and is known for design-build, general contracting, and construction management delivery models. It has completed large-scale projects for agencies including the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and major corporate clients.

History

The firm was established in 1937 during the era of the Great Depression by founders linked to regional development in Colorado. Throughout the mid‑20th century the company expanded beyond regional roadwork and municipal projects into federal contracts tied to World War II mobilization and postwar infrastructure programs, including work associated with the United States Army and United States Navy. In the 1960s–1980s Hensel Phelps pursued diversification into commercial and institutional construction amid national programs such as interstate expansions influenced by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 and federal building initiatives administered by the General Services Administration. During the late 20th century the firm began using integrated project delivery methods and entered markets serving FAA aviation programs, state transportation agencies like the Colorado Department of Transportation, and healthcare clients including hospitals affiliated with Mayo Clinic-era medical networks. In the 21st century the company undertook major projects for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, federal laboratories, and private corporations in sectors represented by Amazon (company), Google LLC, and Microsoft.

Operations and Services

Hensel Phelps provides services spanning design–build procurement, construction management at-risk delivery, general contracting, preconstruction planning, and facilities maintenance, operating through regional offices aligned with metropolitan markets such as Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Honolulu. The firm bids on and manages projects involving complex systems integration for clients including the Department of Energy (United States), National Institutes of Health, and civilian agencies of the United States government. It delivers aviation terminal programs under oversight from the Federal Aviation Administration and collaborates with architects and engineers from firms like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Perkins and Will, and Gensler. Service lines include vertical construction for corporations such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, mission-critical facilities for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory, and tenant improvement programs for companies like Apple Inc. and Facebook (now Meta Platforms). The company maintains certifications and participates in industry groups including Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors of America, and standards programs influenced by American Institute of Architects practice.

Notable Projects

Significant projects span federal, aviation, commercial, and industrial work. Examples include modernization and construction at Denver International Airport and terminal work at Los Angeles International Airport under FAA coordination, mission support facilities at installations associated with the United States Air Force and United States Army Corps of Engineers, laboratory and research facilities for Sandia National Laboratories and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, corporate campus buildings for technology firms in Silicon Valley, and healthcare facilities for systems affiliated with Kaiser Permanente and regional hospital networks. The company has also completed large civic projects tied to city redevelopment initiatives in Seattle and San Diego, and performed industrial expansions supporting aerospace manufacturers including Northrop Grumman.

Corporate Structure and Leadership

The corporation remains privately held and family-influenced with an executive leadership team that has included Presidents and CEOs aligned to construction industry governance and project delivery strategy. Senior leadership has engaged with boards and advisory groups connected to institutions such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Business Roundtable, and regional development authorities. The firm maintains regional offices and project management divisions reporting to centralized corporate services covering finance, legal, risk management, and business development, and partners with design and engineering firms including AECOM, Jacobs Engineering Group, and HDR, Inc. on large design‑build programs.

Financial Performance

Hensel Phelps reports multi‑billion dollar annual revenue and places among the largest private contractors in annual industry rankings such as those compiled by Engineering News‑Record. Revenue streams derive from federal procurement, commercial development, aviation programs, and long‑term facilities maintenance contracts with public and private owners. The company manages backlog and bonding capacity through relationships with major surety firms and banks that underwrite public construction obligors, operating within procurement frameworks governed by agencies including the General Services Administration and military contracting offices.

Safety, Sustainability, and Community Engagement

The company emphasizes occupational safety programs aligned with Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards and participates in safety benchmarking with industry groups like the Construction Industry Institute and National Safety Council. Sustainability initiatives include implementation of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design strategies on projects, energy‑efficiency measures tied to standards from ASHRAE, and waste reduction efforts consistent with municipal recycling ordinances in cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. Community engagement efforts feature workforce development partnerships with trade organizations, apprenticeship programs affiliated with United Brotherhood of Carpenters and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and philanthropic work with charities such as Habitat for Humanity and regional educational institutions including University of Colorado and Colorado State University.

Category:Construction companies of the United States Category:Companies established in 1937