About Empire Group

Empire Group: 70 Years of Excellence in Environmental, Demolition, and Infrastructure Services

For over seven decades, Empire Group has been the go-to source for reliable, innovative, and exceptional service throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. What began as a small demolition company in Reading, Pennsylvania, has grown into a diversified group of specialized companies providing demolition, excavation, environmental remediation, transportation, waste disposal, and utility services.

Guided by strong family leadership and a commitment to quality, Empire Group continues to deliver solutions that save clients time and money while keeping them safe and their facilities at peak operational levels.

Our Story: A Legacy Built on Hard Work

Empire Group’s journey began in 1955, when Harry “Whitey” O’Neill founded Empire Wrecking in Reading. The company quickly gained recognition for its specialized demolition and excavation services. Through dedication to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, Empire Wrecking became the cornerstone of what would later become the Empire Group.

In 1972, Whitey’s son, Harry O’Neill III, took over leadership and expanded Empire Wrecking into what is now known as Empire Services. As the company continued to grow, Todd O’Neill, Harry’s brother, came onboard in 1980.

Today, Todd O’Neill proudly serves as President of Empire Group, carrying forward the family’s long-standing commitment to quality, safety, and service excellence.

Expanding to Meet Industry Challenges

Empire Group’s growth has always been driven by innovative solutions. When the Empire Services team encountered hazardous waste during a project, they recognized an opportunity to better serve their clients. Rather than delay work or pass additional costs on to customers, they created a dedicated solution.

In 1988, Elk Environmental Services (Elk) was founded to handle hazardous materials and environmental challenges. This enabled Empire Group to provide comprehensive environmental solutions to their range of services.

Over time, additional companies were launched to address other critical needs in the demolition, construction, and environmental sectors:

Berks Transfer – Waste disposal services

Delaware Valley Contractors (DVC) – Transportation and logistics support

Delaware Valley Utility Contractors (DVUC) – Utility services throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Each company was formed with a single purpose: to make projects more efficient for Empire Group’s clients.

Integrated Services That Work Together

One of Empire Group’s greatest strengths is the collaboration between its affiliates. By sharing resources, manpower, and specialized equipment, the group delivers faster and more cost-effective results for customers.

This integrated approach helps eliminate delays for all of our clients, reduces the need for outside contractors, and guarantees that projects remain on schedule and under budget.

Empire Group provides comprehensive services, including:

Demolition and structural removal
Excavation and site preparation
Environmental remediation and hazardous waste handling
Waste disposal and transfer services
Transportation and logistics
Utility installation and infrastructure work
Emergency response services

Empire Group’s broad range of capabilities serves commercial, industrial, municipal, and institutional clients across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Reliable Snow Removal

An Empire Services wheel loader clears a street after a snowstorm.

In addition to year-round demolition and environmental services, Empire Group affiliates provide professional snow removal services for commercial properties and municipalities.

Their experienced crews help maintain safe, accessible facilities for:

Hospitals and healthcare campuses
Shopping centers and retail complexes
Banks and financial institutions
Large commercial properties
Streets and intersections

With dependable equipment and trained teams, Empire Group ensures businesses can operate safely, regardless of the weather.

Empire Group's Mission

At Empire Group, our mission is simple: To provide exceptional service while maintaining the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and fairness with our customers, subcontractors, and professional partners. This commitment guides every project we undertake and every relationship we build.

Serving Berks County and Beyond

From its roots in Reading, Empire Group has grown to support projects throughout Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region. With over 70 years of experience, the company has developed deep expertise across multiple industries and project types. Our timeline reflects decades of successful projects and trusted partnerships—proof of a company that continues to evolve while staying true to its values.

Partner with An Empire Group Affiliate

Whether your project requires demolition, excavation, environmental remediation, waste disposal, transportation, or utility services, Empire Group connects you with a specialized affiliate equipped with the expertise, manpower, and equipment to complete the job efficiently. By offering these services under one integrated network, Empire Group helps clients streamline project coordination, reduce delays, and control costs while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Backed by decades of family leadership, a culture of innovation, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Empire Group delivers dependable solutions for projects of every size.