Soil Remediation in New Jersey – Elk Environmental Services (Elk) and project partner Terraphase Engineering completed an extensive regulated soil removal project at a redevelopment site in New Jersey. Elk sampled soils and secured disposal approvals for approximately 4,000 tons of impacted/contaminated soils accompanied by an additional 11 truckloads of combined crushed drums and soil. Delaware Valley Contractors (DVC), an affiliate company, teamed up with Elk to transport the soil. Making conditions more difficult, this site required constant groundwater removal. Specialized water pumps were utilized to pump over 7,000 gallons of groundwater into mobile frac tanks for off-site disposal.
With the start of a new year, businesses reflect on the success they had in the last 12 months. They also take the time to appreciate their customers. At Empire Group, we truly appreciate our customers and the variety of projects awarded to our affiliates. Below are some project highlights from last year.
Structure Demolition for New Warehouse – Pictured below, Empire Services (Empire) is demolishing two of fourteen structures for a new warehouse in Berks County. Making way for upcoming construction, Empire provided erosion control, land clearing and utility removal.
Fun Fact: All demolished solid materials (concrete, brick, and block) were crushed and repurposed on site, in which they were used in the backfilling of basements and void created by prior demolition.
Installing a Pump Station - Delaware Valley Utility Contactors (DVUC) installed an additional force main pump at a large truck repair facility in Burlington, New Jersey. The pumping station was placed along side of the new addition, which was the starting point for the 900 feet of new 1.25 HDPE pipe that needed to be drilled and installed into an existing sanitary sewer manhole. Crossing the property was very challenging due to a 24-inch high pressure gas main, a wetland, and a tricky 35-foot vertical slope leading up to the 600 feet of drilling being performed on the shoulder of a local highway. DVUC’s trained drill crew installed the force main in three days, keeping the general contractor and the owner on schedule and under budget.
Converting an Old Furnace Property – DVC teamed up with our affiliate company Empire Services to help create a passive park on the old Breininger Furnace property in two phases. DVC provided a fleet of triaxles to import needed soils to complete this transformation project.
New Additions
DVC, Elk and Berks Transfer expanded their fleets this year!
DVC
2022 Rogers Trailer
2022 Kenworth Dump Truck
Photo By: John Doe
2022 Kenworth T880 Roll Off Truck
Photo By: John Doe
Button
2022 Kenworth Dump Truck 2022 Kenworth T880 Roll Off Truck
ELK
2019 Kenworth Bottle Truck 2023 Kenworth T880 Tractor
BERKS TRANSFER
2022 Hitachi Zaxis 250 LC Excavator
Before we get into the hectic pace of 2023, we just wanted to take a moment to thank our customers for their business and support. The projects completed by our affiliates demonstrate our experience and capabilities to provide exceptional customer experiences. We look forward to serving our customers this year and helping them achieve their project goals!
The holiday season came alive on Saturday, December 6th, as over 30 children gathered for Empire Group’s annual Breakfast with Santa event at the Mohnton Fire Company in Mohnton, PA. This annual tradition kicked off the holiday season for Empire Group employees and their families. A Festive Morning Full of Fun and Laughter The event, which began at 9 AM, was filled with excitement and joy. As the children eagerly awaited Santa’s arrival, they kept busy with festive arts and crafts. They colored mini holiday-themed coloring books with fun crayons and decorated gingerbread ornaments, adding even more holiday spirit to the morning. As the clock ticked closer to Santa’s arrival, anticipation grew. When Santa finally made his entrance, the room erupted in delighted cheers. Each child had the chance to sit on Santa’s lap, share their wish list, and receive a gift. From trash trucks and pirate sets to lego and diamond dot sets, every child left with a thoughtful gift, making it a truly magical experience for all. A Delicious Holiday Breakfast for All Ages While the kids waited for Santa, families were treated to a hearty breakfast buffet. The spread featured classic favorites that everyone could enjoy, including: Fluffy pancakes Crispy scrapple Bacon and sausages Scrambled eggs French toast Fruit bowls The breakfast was the perfect complement to the holiday festivities, offering a cozy, warm meal for families to share together. Creating Lasting Memories As the event wrapped up around 11:30 AM, children left with not only smiles on their faces but also goodie bags and gifts in hand. The morning was a wonderful reminder of the importance of community and the joy of giving during the holiday season. The breakfast also marked the last event of the year for Empire Group employees and their families, making it even more special. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who helped make this event a success, including Tonia Carlile and Ellen Ganime. We also send a special thank you to Todd & Karen O'Neill, Harry & Cathy O'Neill, Billy Ruth, and the Mohnton Fire Company. We can’t wait for next year’s Breakfast with Santa!
As Thanksgiving approaches, Empire Group is taking a moment to reflect on a year filled with progress and meaningful connections. At the heart of every success story are our dedicated, hardworking employees whose expertise and commitment to excellence power everything we do. This season, and every season, we are very grateful for each and every member of the Empire family. Celebrating Our Team Through Employee Appreciation Events To honor the amazing people who make our company great, we hold employee appreciation events throughout the year. These events let employees relax and enjoy time together, and celebrate the teamwork that makes our company successful. One of the year’s highlights was a fun-filled day at Knoebels Amusement Resort, where employees and their families’ enjoyed rides, games, and an amazing lunch. We also teed off at our Annual Empire Group Golf Classic, a favorite tradition that brings together employees from our affiliates for a day of friendly competition and camaraderie. These events are just a small way for us to say thank you for the passion, skill, and dedication our employees bring to their roles every single day. Supporting Our Community Together This year also gave us the honor of participating in several community events. Our employees proudly represented Empire Group at: Touch-A-Truck Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Convoy National Night Out Berks Fall Fest At each event, their enthusiasm and pride were unmistakable, from ensuring our vehicles looked their best to engaging with families, local organizations, and community partners. Their commitment extends far beyond the jobsite; it plays a vital role in strengthening the communities we serve. Showcasing Our Unique Projects and Services At Empire Group, we take immense pride in the diverse range of services our affiliates provide across various industries. This year, they had the privilege of working on several standout projects that showcased the talent and expertise of their employees. Here are just a few highlights: Empire Services : The team recently completed one of their most complex demolition projects. They dismantled an enormous clarifier measuring 198 feet in diameter and 20 feet below ground. With no on-grade access, they lifted equipment into the structure using multiple cranes, including lowering a JLG 450 AJ articulating boom lift with a 75-ton crane. Once inside the tank, the crew built a scaffold stair tower for long-term access and skillfully removed and lifted every steel piece back out of the tank. The project also included demolishing a former control building — all completed safely, efficiently, and ahead of schedule.
Fall is in full swing, and our affiliates are busy providing a variety of services to our customers. We take pride in helping them to reach their objectives. Here are some of the exciting projects and events over the past few months.
Workplace safety is more than a regulatory requirement—it’s a responsibility. A safe and healthy work environment protects employees, boosts productivity, and strengthens overall job satisfaction. Yet, many preventable injuries and fatalities still occur each year because of inadequate safety gear, lack of enforcement, or insufficient training. To spotlight areas where improvement is needed, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ) releases its annual list of the Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Safety Standards. These violations serve as a reminder that safety must remain a top priority for every employer. Below are the top five OSHA workplace safety violations for fiscal year 2025 across the nation: 1. Fall Protection – General Requirement (OSHA Standard No. 1926.501) For the 15th year in a row, fall protection remains the most frequently cited OSHA standard, with 5,914 violations . Falls are one of the leading causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths, making proper fall protection essential in construction and other high-risk industries. 2. Hazard Communication (OSHA Standard No. 1910.1200) With 2,546 violations , hazard communication continues to hold the number two spot. This standard ensures workers understand the risks of chemicals they handle—both those used on-site and those imported into a facility. 3. Ladders (OSHA Standard No. 1926.1053) Ladder safety remains a concern, ranking third again this year with 2,405 violations . This standard covers all ladder types, including extension, job-made, wooden, and step ladders. Proper setup, inspection, and usage can help prevent many of these incidents. 4. Lockout/Tagout (OSHA Standard No. 1910.147) Moving up this year, Lockout/Tagout received 2,177 violations . These procedures are designed to prevent accidental energization of machinery, which can lead to electrocutions, burns, and severe injuries such as lacerations and fractures. 5. Respiratory Protection (OSHA Standard No. 1910.134) Dropping to fifth place, respiratory protection recorded 1,953 violations . This standard applies to a wide range of industries—including general industry, construction, shipyards, and marine terminals—where workers may be exposed to harmful airborne contaminants.
Empire Group Hosts 30th Annual Golf Classic at Galen Hall Golf Club
It was an exciting summer at Empire Group , where our affiliates went above and beyond to deliver exceptional results. From dismantling a giant shark tank to celebrating the hard work and dedication of our employees, we proved once again that reliability and expertise are at the core of everything we do. By keeping projects on schedule and within budget, Empire Group continues to be the trusted partner for demolition, excavation, and specialized contracting services across the region. Take a look at some of some project highlights.
September is National Preparedness Month, a nationwide initiative launched by the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) after 9/11 to encourage Americans to prioritize safety and disaster readiness. For businesses—especially those in construction, development, or field-based industries—this month is a critical reminder: Are you truly prepared for severe weather? With hurricane season peaking in September and extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense, having a solid emergency response plan isn’t optional—it’s essential. 2024: A Wake-Up Call for Emergency Preparedness Last year has been one for the record books when it comes to natural disasters. Just look at the data: Tornadoes broke records in six states: New York (32), Ohio (74), Oklahoma (152), West Virginia (20), Iowa (125), and Illinois (142). Hurricane Beryl became one of the earliest Category 5 storms ever recorded, part of a hurricane season that brought 18 named storms, with seven forming after September—another new record. Even traditionally "safe" regions weren’t spared. In a single hour, five tornadoes touched down in Pennsylvania, highlighting a new trend of severe weather events reaching areas like New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. These aren’t outliers—they're the new norm. And they underscore a simple truth: Every business needs a safety plan. Key Questions: Is Your Job Site Ready? As unpredictable weather events grow more common, now is the time to evaluate your emergency protocols. Ask yourself: Do your employees know where to go during a severe storm? Are you aware of post-storm hazards like downed power lines, gas leaks, or structural damage? Is your job site equipped to handle flooding, a fire, or high winds? How are your workers protected during cleanup operations? Do your workers know first aid and CPR? If you’re not confident in your answers, you’re not alone—and that’s exactly why National Preparedness Month exists. Don’t Wait for the Storm: Let Elk Help You Prepare Elk Environmental Services , one of our affiliates, has a Health & Safety Team specializing in custom emergency preparedness planning that meets all local, state, and federal compliance standards. Whether you're building a safety plan from the ground up or revising an outdated one, they are can guide you every step of the way. Schedule Your Safety Consultation Today Preparedness isn’t just good policy—it’s good business. Protect your team, your job sites, and your peace of mind. Schedule a safety consultation with Ed Clemas or Jamie Caron today to get started.
On Saturday, August 23rd, employees and their families gathered for a fantastic Empire Group Family Fun Day at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA. This year's event was a big hit, with over 120 attendees coming together for a day filled with fun, food, and excitement.
It was a memorable evening at the Berks County Fairgrounds in Leesport for this year’s Northern Berks County National Night Out! With clear skies and great energy in the air, the community came together for an unforgettable night of connection, fun, and celebration.
In times of crisis, reliability isn’t just a virtue—it’s a necessity. While qualities like loyalty and honesty are essential to any great company, when an environmental emergency strikes, the trait that matters most is the ability to act fast and effectively. That’s where Elk Environmental Services, an affiliate of Empire Group, truly stands out. Why Reliability Matters in Environmental Emergencies Whether it’s a fuel spill, chemical leak, or contaminated soil, environmental accidents require immediate attention. The company that responds quickly and knows exactly what to do is the one you’ll remember—and the one you’ll call again. Elk Environmental Services offers 24/7 emergency spill response that goes beyond showing up fast. Their highly trained, experienced team is equipped to handle the unexpected with precision, care, and cost-effectiveness.
