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About H&W

With a rich heritage spanning more than 90 years, H&W Construction Company has established itself as a leading force in the Shenandoah Valley, offering a wide range of services including General Contracting, Site Development, Crane Rental, Drilling and Blasting, and Property Management. Leveraging over 9 decades of experience and three generations of leadership, we have built a reputation for delivering exceptional construction projects that leave a lasting impression.

Rooted in our core values of safety, quality in workmanship, integrity, customer focus, and community service, H&W Construction is dedicated to providing safe, effective, and top-quality workmanship. Whether leading a project independently or collaborating with partners, our commitment to excellence remains absolute.

Our success is driven by our exceptional team of professionals who are the heart and soul of our organization. With a workforce comprising such devoted and steadfast employees, we prioritize ongoing training, development, and the implementation of the industry’s best practices. This combination of experience, competence, and customer loyalty allows us to lay the foundation for success on every project we undertake.

Meet H&W's Leadership Team

History of H&W

1931

Harry W. Aikens founded Aikens Construction

Amidst the challenges of the Great Depression, Harry W. Aikens founded Aikens Construction, a family owned and operated company. He worked in the woolen mills during the day and built houses by night, driven by his passion for development. His drive and commitment to family values would shape the company’s culture, instilling the defining traits of hard work, resilience, and unity.

1931

1973

Walter Aikens, joined the company and renamed it H&W Construction

Harry’s son, Walter, joined the company and renamed it H&W Construction, marking the beginning of a family legacy that has spanned generations. Under Walter’s leadership, the company experienced remarkable success as a result of their eminence in development and their strong connections within the industry. H&W Construction later expanded its services to include not only general contracting, but also other diverse areas such as hotel development, apartment communities, and commercial real estate. Embracing the philosophy of organic growth, H&W Construction flourished through economic highs and lows, firmly establishing itself as a trusted developer in the industry.

1973

1986

Crane Division Initiated

Our crane division’s story began with a single, 25-ton Link-Belt crane and just one operator. This modest beginning laid the foundation for future growth and specialization.
1986

1996

The Aikens Group Corporation was formed

Recognizing the diverse branches of the business, the Aikens Group Corporation was formed as an umbrella organization to encompass all the different facets of the company’s operations. Building on this foundation, Walter’s two sons, William and Jason, would take on leadership positions in both the construction and management sides of the company.

1996

2000

William Aikens joined H&W as a project manager

William graduated from James Madison University and joined the H&W team as a project manager. He now serves as the Vice President of H&W Construction. Additionally, William spearheaded the expansion of the excavation, crane, and drilling & blasting departments of H&W, broadening the company’s range of services exponentially.

2000

2002

Jason Aikens joined the Aikens Group team

Jason graduated from James Madison University and joined the team, working first as a hotel operations manager for the Aikens-owned hotels in the area before his promotion to Vice President of the Aikens Group. The two brothers merged their respective areas of expertise and propel the company’s growth under the Aikens Group umbrella.

2002

2005

Jason Miller Joins Crane Division

The arrival of Jason Miller marked a turning point for the crane division. His expertise and leadership played an instrumental role in the establishment of more specialized service offerings.
2005

2013

Johnna Hutton Joins Crane Division

Johnna Hutton’s arrival further enhanced the crane division’s capabilities, contributing significantly to its growth and specialization.
2013

2019

Drilling & Blasting Division Established

The drilling & blasting division was established under the leadership of Claude Finneyfrock. Initially non-existent, it quickly grew from one drill to four, thanks to strategic annual purchases. Claude’s leadership enabled H&W to expand beyond in-house blasting projects, offering services within a 100-mile radius. In just five years, the division became a major revenue generator, contributing $3.2 million to H&W and expanding its team to seven blasters.
2019

2023

Significant Expansion of Crane Division

The crane division saw a significant expansion with the acquisition of a 210-ton AT Link-Belt and the addition of lift planning specialist David Stevick. The division grew from one operator to seven and from one crane to eight.
2023

2023

Safety Division Enhanced

The safety division saw significant improvements with the arrival of Miles Park as Safety Director. He revised H&W’s safety manual, enforced tighter security on safety practices and policies, and established an Employee Safety Committee. Under Miles’ firm leadership, mandatory safety orientations, OSHA training, CPR, First Aid, and routine safety meetings became standard. Safety became integral to determining raises and promotions. The main goal of the Safety Department is to maintain a low EMR score while mitigating risks and keeping jobsites safe.
2023