Starting a construction company requires a lot of things. Usually, one of the main components is a number of years in the industry. Iowa Earth Works (IEW) Owner Joe Jensen didn’t have that. But what he lacked in experience, he made up with determination and passion.
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He began his journey to one of central Iowa’s fastest growing contractors as a high schooler mowing lawns in his hometown of Huxley, Iowa, in the 2010s. Then, mowing lawns turned into landscaping and hardscapes while he was in college.
“I really liked running equipment, and it just kept getting bigger and bigger, and the opportunities kept coming,” recalled Jensen. “My family was very supportive of my dream and encouraged me to go for it.”
He started IEW in 2017 when the jobs — and equipment — started to get larger. Soon, small site development projects evolved into road reconstruction and other large-scale undertakings. Today, IEW has 25 employees and handles projects within a 60-mile radius of Huxley, which includes Des Moines, Waukee, Ankeny and Ames.
Leveling the field
Jensen knew he needed an edge to help him complete jobs in Iowa’s most competitive market quickly and efficiently. To do this, Jensen turned to Komatsu intelligent machine control (IMC) equipment from Road Machinery & Supplies Co. (RMS).
“We learned very quickly that we needed GPS and that the results were real,” laughed Jensen. “After our first year, we purchased a pair of Komatsu D61PXi IMC dozers. The speed and precision of the integrated GPS really delivered results for us.”
Now, the IEW fleet includes eight IMC dozers ranging from a D39PXi to a D71PXi.
“The integration between Komatsu and Topcon — the grade control and machine interaction between the files, satellites and operators — is the smoothest we’ve found,” emphasized Jensen.
The production of the dozers paved the way for IMC excavators in the fleet.
“We started with the IMC dozers because technology pays off in just about every application,” explained Jensen. “With the excavators, we waited a little longer, but now we’re doing jobs where the GPS is absolutely essential. We can do a long stretch with excavators, and the dozer is just fine-tuning the crumbs behind.”
Another bonus of the machines is the level of accuracy IEW can complete on difficult projects without using any grade stakes.
“At the end of a project, we walk with the engineer, and we’re within a tenth of an inch. Without these machines, there’s no way you’re doing that,” acknowledged Jensen.
Roads to growth
One area that has spawned growth for IEW is road reconstruction projects.
“In addition to our construction fleet, we have eight dump trucks, so jobs that we can tie in our equipment operators and drivers really make sense for us. Roadway jobs are perfect for that,” remarked Jensen.
This summer, IEW had its most visible project to date, a Department of Transportation job on Ankeny Boulevard in Ankeny, a large suburb north of Des Moines. On the three-phase project, IEW will be removing existing dirt and concrete, trucking in new material, and grading the site for paving.
“It’s one of the busiest streets in the heart of Ankeny, so it’s great visibility for us, and we were excited to get it,” said Jensen. “It’s complicated and high-profile, but it’s a key project for us.”
Jensen added with a laugh, “I’m not sure drivers are super excited to see us during construction, but when it’s done, it’s going to be a massive upgrade for the city and a project we can point to and be proud of.”
IMC on display
IEW’s project schedule isn’t limited to roadways. As it continues to grow, the company seeks out new and interesting projects that showcase its capabilities. Sugar Creek is a WRA (Wastewater Reclamation Authority) project in West Des Moines that does just that.
WATCH VIDEO: https://youtu.be/GbN1_0Kbk-c
“We are widening the embankments of the existing creek and armoring them with riprap,” described Jensen. “We’re redirecting the creek within the channel to balance the flow through the section because there are homes and townhomes on either side in addition to trails.”
To complete the job, IEW is using a Komatsu PC360LCi-11 IMC excavator.
“A lot of the banks were almost vertical, and now they are 3-to-1 slopes,” noted Jensen. “We were able to do the job so much faster with the GPS technology because we were always on grade. It’s very complicated, but the files have all the rock toes, weirs and riffling within the channel itself, and the operators were able to go dig it out without a stake and still meet all the water calculations and flows. Without the PC360LCi, it would have taken us multiple, multiple more hours to complete.”
Foreman Pete Gumina commented, “I could see all the mapping of the job on my screen and also the rock placements. This is great because it allows me to be precise, especially with the in-water features. With a standard excavator, it would have taken a substantial amount of more time.”
Trusted partner
As IEW added technologically advanced equipment to its fleet, Jensen knew that understanding the best ways to utilize it was key to realizing all its benefits. RMS Territory Manager and Technology Solutions Expert (TSE) Tyler Sherrill was there to ensure that the IEW was able to hit the ground running.
“From sales to training, Tyler has been tremendous in getting our fleet to where it is today,” declared Jensen. “Any time we have an issue, we call him, and he answers. With the IMC machines, he can even remote into the machine and solve any issues we may have. It’s a great feature.”
IEW took the next step in advancing its fleet this summer as it added some of Komatsu’s Smart Construction solutions, including Remote, which enables IEW to remote into its IMC monitors, download project files, help its operators and more.
IEW also added Smart Construction Field and Office for project management.
“It helps keep track of each jobsite, so we have better reporting, and it helps us work more efficiently,” elaborated Grading Superintendent Tim Morris, who heads the company’s GPS technology. “Everything associated with the job from hours to material is in there, and it’s user-friendly. RMS has done a great job of helping learn the program and get familiarized with it.”
It’s the latest example of the partnership between RMS and IEW.
“I really like to try and stick with one brand,” stated Jensen. “I really like the integrated GPS that Komatsu intelligent machines have. Through support and technology, RMS has done a great job of keeping us in Komatsu equipment.”
Continued growth
Growth has come relatively quickly for Jensen and IEW. Future growth and expansion aren’t explicit goals, but the trajectory of the company makes it a safe bet that both will happen sooner than later.
“Our sweet spot is the half-million to $1 million jobs. We can be on a job for a good amount of time, and our crews can stay local,” said Jensen. “Ideally, we would like to stay in that range. Our main goal is to keep our employees happy and be the best we can be in our industry. We want to do things better every day and be known as the guys who will do the job right.”
*The opinions expressed here are based on the customer’s specific experience. Results may vary.
Customer snapshot
· Company: Iowa Earth Works
· Location: Huxley, Iowa
· Employees: 25
· Established: 2017
· Area of expertise: Road reconstruction
· Komatsu equipment: IMC dozers ranging from a D39PXi to a D71PXi; PC360LCi-11 IMC excavator
· Komatsu technology: Smart Construction solutions, including intelligent machine control (IMC), Field, Office and Remote
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