Ozinga Celebrates 90th Anniversary
Ozinga celebrated its 90th anniversary as a family-owned and -operated business March 2. Over the years, the company has grown from a single horse-and-buggy operation in Evergreen Park, Ill., into a company that provides concrete, aggregate materials and energy solutions in multiple states through a fleet of barges, boats, rail and concrete mixers.
Ozinga was established in 1928 as a small coal and coke yard by Martin Ozinga Sr., who worked tirelessly to create a sustainable business that survived the Great Depression. Ozinga transitioned the company to his sons, who helped expand the business after their return from service in World War II.
With coal and fuel oil on the decline, Ozinga began producing ready mix concrete in the 1950s, which rapidly became the company’s predominant product. During the third generation’s ownership, the company expanded into the downtown Chicago market, supplying concrete for the new Comiskey Park (now Guaranteed Rate Field), the Dan Ryan Expressway, and Soldier Field, among many other notable Chicago projects.
When the fourth generation took the reins in 2012, they continued the company’s commitment to innovation by continuously expanding their product and service offerings to stay ahead of the ever growing needs of the building industry. Technology, logistics and green initiatives were at the forefront.
Ozinga said it is now a building materials partner helping customers and the local community grow through concrete, aggregate materials and energy solutions. It also offers transportation and logistics services through an extensive network of truck, rail, barge and ship terminals.
Today, Ozinga is owned and operated by six brothers and a first cousin who all serve as the company’s executives. Ozinga said it is making plans for the fifth-generation Ozinga family to one day take ownership and use the company’s values of service, learning and entrepreneurship to continually develop its skills, deepen its knowledge and accomplish success with integrity.
“We, as the fourth generation of ownership, feel so privileged to steward this amazing company alongside our dedicated coworkers,” said President Marty Ozinga IV. “We are deeply grateful for our heritage and all of those who have entrusted us with the opportunity to serve them. We are as excited as we ever have been as we look forward to many more years to come.”
