Superior, WI 715.392.5181 Aurora, MN 218.744.1497 Marquette, MI 800.450.5181
Lakehead Constructors Inc. logo
Lakehead Constructors headquarters in Superior, Wisconsin

Home / About Us

One founder's vision, five generations of the same standard

In 1916, civil engineer Roland C. Buck set out to revolutionize large-scale harbor construction. A century and ten years later, the company he started is still building the Upper Midwest, under the same four pillars he set from day one.

How It Started

From R.C. Buck Company to Lakehead Constructors

Roland C. Buck started the company under his own name and earned a national reputation for breaking the mold on large-scale harbor facilities within a matter of years. In 1934, Floyd Bernard joined the company and worked his way up to ownership. In 1955, he and two partners incorporated under the name the region still calls first: Lakehead Constructors, Inc.

Today, we continue to live up to Buck's legacy. Our mission has not changed: provide innovative, reliable, high-quality construction services to clients throughout the Upper Midwest, and earn the kind of relationship that lasts fifty years, not one project.

Aerial view of Lakehead Constructors structural steel erection Still building the Upper Midwest
Four Pillars

Safety, Quality, Service, Innovation

The same four pillars have carried the company through every era, from harbor facilities in 1916 to ASME-stamped pressure piping today.

01

Safety

A Zero Injury Program with real stop-work authority for every employee on every site.

02

Quality

ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management, audited annually across every project.

03

Service

Direct phone lines to the people running your project, not a call center.

04

Innovation

Adapting to seven markets and a century of changing construction technology without losing the standard.

110 Years

The eras of Lakehead Constructors

1916

R.C. Buck Company founded

Roland C. Buck opens shop in the Twin Ports and earns a national reputation for large-scale harbor facilities.

1934

Floyd Bernard joins the company

Bernard works his way from employee to ownership over the next two decades.

1955

Lakehead Constructors, Inc.

Bernard and two partners incorporate under the name the region still calls first.

2003

The Maki era begins

Long-time employee Brian Maki purchases the company with two Lakehead veterans, taking sole ownership in 2015.

2026

110 years strong

Three offices, seven markets, and client relationships that have lasted more than 50 years.

Beyond the Job Site

We give back to the communities we build in

Lakehead Constructors has earned its status as a dependable, long-standing community leader that has withstood the test of time, and that includes showing up for the causes our people care about.

You guys were so great to work with. We can't thank you enough for your efficiency. I will be recommending you to anyone and everyone around.
L.R.H.Russell Steel
Since 1916

Partner with the contractor whose clients stay for 50 years.

There is a reason we have been in business for more than a century. Let us show you why on your next project.

Call Now Discuss Your Project