The old adage, “As much as things change, they stay the same,” applies to Kraus-Anderson Companies. Technologies have changed greatly in the 100+ years of Kraus-Anderson’s history, yet Kraus-Anderson is still working in virtually every category of construction as in the days of founder James L. Robinson. Kraus-Anderson is a family owned business, just as it was when Robinson founded what is now known as Kraus-Anderson in 1897.

In his day, James Robinson built several Minneapolis landmarks, among them the Milwaukee Depot and a store for George Draper Dayton. In 1901 Worthington banker George Dayton chose Robinson’s company to build his department store in downtown Minneapolis. The cost of the six-story building, which would be one of the largest in Minneapolis, was $40,000, twice the size of anything that Robinson had built. The opening of the flagship store of Dayton’s (now Marshall Field’s) in the spring of 1902 started a long-standing partnership with Kraus-Anderson.

In 1929 Robinson retired, selling his company to Mathew Kraus and Amos Anderson just months before the stock market crash. The new company labored through the Great Depression, building mostly gasoline stations and sidewalks.

The long-term future of Kraus-Anderson was firmly set in 1933 when Lloyd Engelsma was hired as office manager and estimator. Recognizing the value of AGC of Minnesota, Kraus-Anderson Construction joined the association in 1934.

In 1937, Lloyd purchased the company’s very modest assets of a pickup truck, wheelbarrow and two employees.  

The company that built gas stations began building a construction legacy in Minnesota.

Lloyd had the knack of creating divisions as the need arose. The St. Paul Construction Division was added in 1949 because the company knew that a St. Paul presence was needed to build in that city. The Building Div. was added in 1974, specializing in small-to-midsize projects. Tenant build-outs and school projects are two areas of expertise of the Midwest Div., which was formed in 1986. North Division opened in 1991, specializing in northern Minnesota projects.

Other operations have been added to compliment the core construction business. Kraus-Anderson Insurance, established in 1972, serves the insurance needs of K-A and others. Also formed in 1972, Kraus-Anderson Communications Group was established to service K-A’s shopping center marketing needs and now provides a full range of services to all K-A divisions, as well as other clients. In 1973, Kraus-Anderson Mortgage Company was formed to arrange financing for K-A’s developments, projects and others. Kraus-Anderson Realty Company, established in 1978, owns, leases and manages more than 80 K-A properties as well as outside clients. Kraus-Anderson Capital, LLC was formed in 1998 and provides financing programs as well as equipment leasing to small businesses.

In 1997 Lloyd turned over the reins to his son, current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Engelsma. Bruce’s first job with K-A was watering the grass at Country Village Shopping Center at the age of 16. Summers brought the task of cutting grass at K-A shopping centers. Following summers were spent working construction in the field. According to Bruce, “Construction was hard physical labor, but it was very rewarding to look back at the end of day and see what you’ve done. There was a real camaraderie working with the guys on the job.”

Bruce has fond memories of his father’s business style. Lloyd ran the business, empowering and delegating duties to his employees. His employees were his most valued assets, something that Bruce also believes. The 600-700 construction employees, and 1,000 total employees, are the backbone of Kraus-Anderson. Another equally valuable resource is the network of K-A subcontractors, representing Kraus-Anderson in the field.

Today Bruce carries on Lloyd’s vision of integrity and high standards by developing and implementing planning and communication systems for all Kraus-Anderson divisions. He wants to get all divisions working “on the same page” and supporting one another.

Kraus-Anderson’s goal is the satisfaction of a job well done and the ability to look back with pride on all the projects they have completed.

Design/Build is not a new concept for Kraus-Anderson. Whether using K-A employees or competent subcontractors, Kraus-Anderson manages their projects from start to finish – to the owner’s specifications.

Today Kraus-Anderson Construction Company ranks #62 on the ENR Top 400 Contractor’s list. The company serves as general contractor, construction manager or design/builder for over four hundred projects yearly, ranging from small remodeling jobs to major corporate complexes.

Times, technology and areas of expertise may have changed, but the Kraus-Anderson goal remains the same: to exceed the customer’s expectations.