Jerry Buesing, president and CEO of Buesing Corp., began working in the construction industry at 16 years old in Minnesota. After years in the industry, he and his brother founded Buesing Corp., which he later moved to Arizona, developing a reputation for taking on difficult projects.

Buesing Corp was founded in ’65 in Minnesota and moved to Phoenix a little more than twenty years later. Why Arizona?

In the early ‘80s, Buesing Corp. was doing well despite the construction recession that was devastating a lot of businesses. However, the majority of Buesing’s work was in northern Minnesota. The years 1983 and 1984 provided the Midwest, particularly northern Minnesota, extremely short construction seasons due to terrible weather. The soil conditions were so poor because of the rain, snow, and sleet that work was being postponed until the summer months. Buesing Corp. received the opportunity to bid a project in Phoenix for a Denver-based company. We were awarded the project and began work on our very first Phoenix project: the 91st Ave. Wastewater Treatment Plant. Following this project, Buesing Corp. was awarded many projects through this Denver-based contractor and others in the Phoenix Metro area. In fact, there were so many opportunities, Buesing made the decision to start a division in Phoenix. I moved about 25 employees and their families from Minnesota to Arizona. After the rough weather conditions continued in Minnesota, it was time for Buesing Corp. to be permanently based in Arizona. In 1988, we completed all contracts in Minnesota and the company officially moved.

Surely, the type of equipment and machines Buesing uses has changed a lot since the ‘60s. What are some of the biggest evolutions of note?

The equipment we use has definitely changed over the years, primarily in the production and fuel burn. Manufacturers now focus more on horsepower balance, weight and electronics. In regards to fuel burn, equipment is much more fuel efficient now than it was in the past. All of these changes allow us to pass savings along to our customers and make our pricing much more competitive. In addition to equipment being more cost efficient, we are seeing a lot less downtime.

Buesing Corp offers diverse services, though recycling has played an important role throughout. What is Buesing’s commitment to recycling?

Buesing Corp. feels an environmental responsibility to reuse material rather than fill a landfill. In addition to doing what is right for the environment and air quality, we are able to save our customers money by reusing material that is already on their project site. If that material cannot be crushed and used on site for that particular project, it can be taken to Buesing Corp. Plant II and dumped for a fraction of the price that it would cost at a landfill. That material will later be crushed at the plant and used on a different project.

Of what project or business achievement are you most proud?

I am proud of all our projects, really, because they have all been completely successfully and safely. From our early projects, such as Bank One Ball Park (now Chase Field) and America West Arena (now US Airways Arena) to our most current projects, such as Marina Heights and the Liberty Center at Rio Salado in Tempe, Ariz., Buesing Corp. has worked as a team to be part of the ever-changing Phoenix Metro area.

What sets Buesing apart?

Two things: The quality of people we hire and the reputation we have built with team effort over the years.

What’s a Surprising Fact About You?

I’ve achieved all this in my 40 years of age (wink-wink). On a serious note, we have survived and accomplished so much regardless of the ups and downs of the construction industry, and I credit that mostly to the quality of people that make up Team Buesing. They truly make Buesing Corp. “Simply the Best.”