About Us
Built around people.
Since our founding in 1945, we’ve always been just as proud of the people behind the work as the buildings we construct. We work hard to help our team, clients, and communities thrive by believing that every good endeavor is Built Around People. As a result of this commitment to people and our world-class safety program, EV Construction is consistently rated a top place to work in the country.
Together, we’re leading the way toward a construction industry that doesn’t see people as numbers or trade contractors as less than equals, but sees people as the true foundation for any successful build. The team we built our business around brings unique, professional experience and the drive to deliver unmistakable projects. Our commitment to building relationships as we manage a project has allowed us to retain and partner with some of the best professionals in the country. Our expertise and professionalism will give you the support to complete your project with confidence.
What we Do
What we build
We serve a wide range of industries and project types. From small to large, complex to straight forward, our specialty is adapting a team and our process to your needs. With a seasoned team, robust self-perform trades, and a proven track record, we’re equipped to take on large-scale, ground-up construction projects exceeding $200 million—without losing the personal, people-first approach we’re known for.
Award-worthy
Company History
1926
21 year-old Peter Elzinga and his cousin embark on two consecutive cross-country trips to Yellowstone National Park and New York City in a modified Model T. In the same year, Peter joins Wickers Lumber Company and begins a lifelong love for client-focused architectural services.
1945
Peter Elzinga and John Volkers form a partnership to design and build homes in Fremont, Michigan and other various projects in Holland, Michigan, which leads to the incorporation of Elzinga & Volkers, Inc.
1950
Elzinga & Volkers begins the renovation of the old Armour & Co. tannery to create a major pharmaceutical plant for Parke Davis, which leads to six decades of projects on this site.
1955
Paul Elzinga begins his engineering education at Hope College. Later, he completes his civil engineering degree at The Michigan College of Mining and Technology (now Michigan Technological University).
1957
Ed Haltenhoff, who later becomes general manager of E&V, oversees the opening of the Mackinac bridge.
1960
Holland and Grand Haven, Michigan award E&V the general trade contracts for Unit #4 at the James De Young and the new JB Sims power plants, beginning decades of many municipal and private energy projects.
1965
Ed Haltenhoff joins E&V as general manager, bringing with him new methods for project management. Later in his career, Ed would become a leading expert and teacher on the construction management delivery model.
1968
GMB Architects & Engineers is formed as a professional service corporation and partners with Elzinga & Volkers, Inc. to solidify both firms as leaders for K-12 schools, pharmaceutical and industrial clients. Their first major project was to design and build the large industrial plant for Excello and B&T Machine in Holland.
1980
General Mills selects E&V to build an automated distribution center in Lodi, CA, which is followed by more than 100 project assignments with General Mills and Kraft Foods.
1985
Leadership of E&V is transferred over to Paul and Marshal Elzinga after Ed Haltenhoff retires.
1988
Elzinga & Volkers operates offices in four states and has been ranked three times by Engineering News Record in the Top 100 Construction Management Firms. E&V gains prominence as a national builder of ‘big box’ retailers such as Target and Meijer.
1994
Mike King joins the company as general manager and later becomes President and CEO.
1995
EV Group is established as a wholly-owned subsidiary to serve the food and beverage industry with supplemental staffing and professional services.
2003
Elzinga & Volkers begins work on the Maple Creek senior living project and Zeeland Community Hospital, which firmly secures the company’s leadership in the senior living and healthcare markets.
2007
Elzinga & Volkers is first recognized as a 101 Best & Brightest Company to Work For, which is the result of a new corporate cultural focus centered on the employees.
2011
Leadership is transitioned to Mike Novakoski and his executive team as Mike King retires from the business.
2012
Elzinga & Volkers is first recognized as the Michigan Contractor of the Year by the American Subcontractors Association of Michigan.
2014
Elzinga & Volkers launches “Alive365: Safety Week” providing free safety training to the trade contracting community.
2015
Elzinga & Volkers celebrates its 70th anniversary. The company records its rich history in a book titled Unmistakably E&V® and commemorates the anniversary by performing 70 Random Acts of Kindness throughout the community.
2018
Become Unmistakable® is published in conjunction with a consulting company under the same name.
2020
Elzinga & Volkers rebrands to EV Construction and continues to grow around the country.
2024
EV continues its focus on senior living and healthcare construction, completing The Farmstead by Resthaven and breaking ground on the new Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health at Pine Rest.
2025
Building on the success of Become Unmistakable®, a companion book Right Brain Justified® is published.
