Over sixty years ago, Peter Johnson Sr. established Johnson & Moore Inc., a red ore scramming contractor working in the open pit natural iron ore mines of the Mesabi Iron Range. As the natural ore was depleted in the late 50’s, Johnson & Moore began doing road work and site preparation. In 1956, Hoover Construction Co. was incorporated as the construction arm of Johnson & Moore under the leadership of Peter J. Johnson. In time, Hoover Construction prospered and grew while Johnson & Moore faded away.

 

Today, Hoover Construction Co. is a highway/heavy grading contractor. The primary geographic area of work remains the Arrowhead region of Northeastern Minnesota, with projects also extending to various states across the country, changing from year to year. A typical job for Hoover Construction is a large excavation project, primarily highways, airports, earth dams, and commercial industrial sites.

Under the leadership of Peter G. “Chipper” Johnson, PE, the third generation to guide the company, Hoover Construction developed drilling and blasting as a specialty. All types of drilling and blasting are done by Hoover, including mass rock excavation, structure excavation for footings, foundations and pipe trenches, and quarries. During his tenure, forty percent of Hoover’s workload was public highway work, and the company continued to expand its expertise and reach.

Now, Hoover Construction Co. continues to thrive under the stewardship of Peter N. Johnson, the fourth generation to lead the family business. The company’s workload has shifted to eighty percent private sector work, with twenty percent being public highway work. Additionally, thirty percent of the projects involve traveling out of state. The company workforce varies with the workload and season, typically employing between 100 and 150 employees. The annual work volume varies but on an average year, 8-12 projects will be under contract, varying in size up to $20 million. Hoover Construction Co. remains a family-owned business, carrying forward the legacy of excellence and innovation established by Peter Johnson Sr., Peter J. Johnson, and Peter G. “Chipper” Johnson.