On Jan. 28, 1984, Robert G. Brinkmann (Bob), an ambitious 34-year-old engineer started R.G. Brinkmann Company out of a modest construction trailer. After many decades of delivering high-quality projects and building long-lasting relationships, the company, now known as Brinkmann Constructors, has grown to a national general contractor with over 450 employees and five offices across the country in St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Richmond and Phoenix.
This year, Brinkmann Constructors celebrates its 40th anniversary. During the past 40 years, the company has experienced many significant milestones that have helped shape it into the people-centric, creative leader it is today.
Brinkmann entered the industry as a small retail contractor but grew to secure large retail contracts for “power centers” across the country, including the 1998 construction of one of the nation’s largest open-air retail centers in Chesterfield, Missouri. Since that time, Brinkmann has evolved to include many other market sectors, transitioning from a well-known retail builder to a national general contractor with experience in industrial, multifamily, student housing, senior living and beyond.
“We are driven by a desire to look beyond the first answer and find impactful alternatives that offer our clients a greater value,” said Bob Brinkmann. “This is a philosophy we’ve lived by since the beginning; and it’s been a privilege to watch it evolve over the years as we’ve grown our team, expanded our national reach and entered new market sectors.”
After nearly 30 years of consistent growth, Bob Brinkmann made a strategic decision to invest in the people and solidify the company’s longevity by selling his majority interest to employees. In 2013 the company was established as an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), operating as a 100% employee-owned corporation. This decision empowered Brinkmann employees to actively contribute to the company’s success, reinforcing the firm’s entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative culture.
One aspect that has remained consistent throughout Brinkmann’s history is its focus on client service. As clients recognize this value, they continue to place confidence in the company’s creative solutions and delivery of repeat success. This emphasis on relationship building and client satisfaction has allowed Brinkmann to harness continued growth throughout the past 40 years.
In 2022, Brinkmann completed a succession plan that promoted Brian D. Satterthwaite to chief executive officer and Tom Oberle to president. Both executives have been with Brinkmann for more than 30 years. With this pivotal plan in place, Bob Brinkmann transitioned into the role of chairman of the board and remains engaged with the company he launched in 1984.
“Reaching the forty-year milestone exhibits our unwavering commitment to creating teams that inspire confidence and treat each project as if it’s their own,” said Brian D. Satterthwaite, chief executive officer, who joined the company as a project engineer in 1994. “We’re passionate about building, and that passion is reflected in our work.”
