High Principles. Hands-On Practice.
Multigenerational Value System Is The Difference For The H&K Group
The H&K Group “Family of Companies”— a group of vertically integrated, family-owned and operated companies that together form one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s largest construction materials and full-service site contracting providers—is gearing up to celebrate a half century in business next year.
This network of separate but interrelated businesses consists of more than 80 operations in three states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. The group, headquartered in Skippack, Pa., employs more than 1,800 individuals and provides contracting services and construction materials to clients in the commercial construction, infrastructure development and residential building sectors.
The business started out in the 1950s as a small, self-titled excavation company located on John B. Haines IV’s family farm in Worcester, Pa. John, the founder, soon cultivated a prosperous operation through the principles of perseverance, honesty, dedication and taking pride in one’s work. In 1964, his childhood friend, John R. “Jack” Kibblehouse, partnered with him to lead the growing company. And just a few years later in 1968, together with business partners Harry Budenz, Lee Detweiler and Terry Koch, they founded Haines and Kibblehouse Inc.—now known as H&K Group Inc. (H&K).
By leaps and bounds, the business has diversified itself both horizontally and vertically into what is today a thriving family-owned, family-oriented empire. The H&K Family of Companies’ operating footprint grew most dramatically between the mid-1980s and the late 2000s. Vibrant growth and market demand, primarily in eastern Pennsylvania and in the Philadelphia metro region, have continued to fuel the company’s means and motivations to expand and diversify.
Public Relations and Marketing Director Tony Jeremias elaborates further, “Where there has been demand for civil construction services, we have either expanded the scope or reach of an existing H&K contracting affiliate, or have acquired a trusted contracting name within the target market. We typically bolt on connected construction materials facilities within a competitive radius of any new contracting affiliate. Also, H&K has merged with or acquired existing construction materials facilities located near our contracting affiliates.”
President and CEO Scott Haines, John’s eldest son and the first, second-generation partner to enter the business, adds, “By supplementing H&K’s construction services with our own construction materials facilities (e.g., quarries, asphalt and concrete plants) we have remained competitive and logistically connected where other industry players may have struggled.”
And growth continues. Multiple facility expansion projects are currently underway, in addition to the potential development of several new plants. H&K’s board of directors is also presently reviewing another possible company acquisition.
Caring for the Community
Even though operations have changed dramatically, the same basic principles that guided John are upheld by his descendants who are in leadership today. The second and third generations of H&K Group ownership work to foster a company culture based on compassion and mutual respect for others.
“We live and work by a value system that places accountability, quality and integrity above all business practices and principles. In so doing, we have built a company culture that creates exceptional products and services while remaining socially responsible, ethical and fair in all that we do. These principles have created a code of trust for our customers, clients, employees and the community,” says Scott.
The team at H&K is wholeheartedly invested in giving back to the communities in which it lives and operates. The company donates time and financial support to numerous charitable causes and community organizations and events.
“Our public relations and community outreach teams administer to and engage countless organizations, schools and individuals across our entire business footprint as a means of promoting and broadening our social quotient. From school tours, to local athletic teams, to the arts and sciences, we connect with our employees and our communities,” states James T. “Jim” Haines, Scott’s brother and COO.
H&K participates in and/or sponsors numerous fundraising events, one of which is Race to Heal, a family-friendly 5K that benefits local charities. Currently celebrating its 11th year is the company’s Annual Charity Golf Outing, which has a different beneficiary each year. H&K also sponsors an annual “Rock & Roll Ride for Autism & Spina Bifida” motorcycle road tour event, created to raise awareness of autism and spina bifida disorders and to provide financial support to those living with either condition. The sole beneficiary of this annual event is the Hallman-Haines Foundation for Autism & Spina Bifida.
Maintaining a Diverse, Inclusive Workforce
H&K works to advance its existing workforce in various ways, including career development opportunities. Case in point, The H&K Academy, an in-house employee training program, serves to comprehensively train workers for virtually every job in the company collective. “Utilizing our own highly skilled employee trainers, we host required training programs throughout the year that foster a true sense of hands-on, real-world training. This program remains a highly successful means of developing and retaining high-value employees,” says Tony.
In an effort to recruit the industry’s best and brightest, H&K uniquely blends traditional with state-of-the-art hiring techniques. The company sponsors regional job fairs each spring at its corporate location, where candidate hopefuls are thoroughly vetted in areas, including drug testing, assessing knowledge of heavy equipment capabilities and CDL driving on site, and much more. Job openings are also posted via digital recruiting platforms, social media outlets and on the company’s website.
To further engage and educate their workforce, as well as support high-level corporate transparency, the second generation of leadership implemented a unique employee engagement initiative in 2013.
“We live and work by a value system that places accountability, quality and integrity above all business practices and principals. In so doing, we have built a company culture that creates exceptional products and services while remaining socially responsible, ethical and fair in all that we do.” Scott Haines, President and CEO, H&K Group Inc.
“The boldest step in this endeavor has been the presentation of clear and concise financial performance results to our employee family. Also, we abide by an ‘open door,’ one-on-one interface with every employee, a business practice initiated by our founders that is being further cultivated by our third generation of leaders,” says Jim.
The company also derives value from maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. H&K’s leaders have found that incorporating a variety of perspectives, from multiple backgrounds, often translates to rewarding business results.
Tony elaborates further, “We place the diversity and inclusivity of our workforce above all other operational and business objectives. This diversity, coupled with our operational transparency and ‘open door’ management policies, has enhanced employee engagement and boosted their motivation. It has also led to cutting-edge innovation practices that have contributed directly to H&K’s impressive growth and success.”
Jim asserts that H&K’s employees are the “best in the business”—and a top reason why the company has stayed in operation for so long.
The “H&K Difference” is Key to Longevity and Success
In 2018, H&K will celebrate 50 years of business excellence. “A half century of continuous business operations is noteworthy and, quite frankly, feels pretty awesome!” shares Scott. “Though we are large in capability, strength, experience and value, we at H&K are unique in our ability to remain hands-on, engaged and local in the way we conduct our business. This, I believe, is the H&K difference and one of the reasons for our continued success.”
The team plans to kick-start its anniversary celebrations a little early, with website upgrades scheduled to roll out this fall. Various festivities are slated for late 2017 and throughout 2018, including a grand commemorative celebration and the return of the company’s legendary annual picnic. Scott declares that next year’s picnic, headed by his daughter Carly Henry, a third-generation owner who has worked with the company for the last 15 years, will “no doubt be an epic experience.”
Carly says, “I have attended the company picnics since I was a child, so helping to make this day a success is very important to me and a great honor. Celebrating 50 years as a family-owned business is a great accomplishment. To have a day dedicated to the individuals who contributed to that success is pretty remarkable.”
The future success and direction of the company will one day rest on the shoulders of Carly and her third-generation counterparts, including Austen Haines, also a third-generation owner. On this note, he voices his appreciation of the careful mentorship provided by his predecessors, including his dad, John Haines, a second-generation owner. To fully orient these young leaders on the company’s operations and business structure, they routinely attend various senior management and departmental meetings.
“The opportunity to work alongside previous generations provides an education that’s second to none,” says Austen. “It is one thing to have business school or other formal training, but it is an entirely different experience seeing the real work, actions and emotions that go into each business decision. My main goals throughout this experience are to grow interpersonally with my third-generation peers, and to build a framework for generations to come.”
This goal to build a positive framework for future generations complements Scott’s and Jim’s personal thoughts on the definition of a meaningful legacy. Scott concludes by sharing: “Our vision is that the H&K Group Family of Companies will remain strong, healthy, sustainable and profitable. While embracing the legacy of H&K as our founders envisioned it, our new generation of family leadership is also committed to refining our corporate goals and focusing intently on the future. With contemporary vision, strategy and a keen eye on technology and innovation, we will continue to pioneer new processes and set new industry standards that consistently exceed our clients’ expectations.”