Over 40 Years of Experience
Carstensen Contracting, Inc.
Since 1980, we’ve built a reputation as a company that offers quality construction and innovative thinking. Customers become repeat customers because they’ve experienced our expertise, responsiveness and attention to detail. Employees stay with us because of our focus on safety and the ongoing education and training opportunities we offer.
Over the years, we’ve expanded our services from underground utilities and general contracting to materials, oil, gas, and saltwater infrastructure construction, and site preparation. Likewise, we’ve expanded the region we serve, from our roots in the Midwest to projects throughout the country. Yet, as much as we’ve grown and changed, our mission has remained the same. Provide the best value construction services while maintaining safety, quality and integrity.
Committed to our customers
Mission
Our mission, vision and values outline who we are, what we seek to accomplish, and how we plan to achieve it. These guiding principles provide clear direction for our company and help ensure we all work toward the same goals.
Mission
Our mission serves as the standard against which we weigh our actions and decisions.
Our mission is:
To provide the best construction value.
At Carstensen Contracting we recognize that building quality relationships is as important as building quality projects. To that end, we are committed to fulfilling our mission by:
- Providing the highest level of service and innovative thinking for our customers.
- Providing a safe and rewarding work experience for our employees.
- Inspiring this same level of thinking and service in every community we touch.
Vision
Our vision guides every aspect of our business by describing what we must accomplish to continue achieving sustainable growth.
Our vision is to:
- Never compromise commitments to our employees and customers.
- Grow the company by encouraging new ideas from a team of dedicated personnel, subcontractors, and suppliers.
- Respond to the customer’s voice.
- Develop an atmosphere of respect, support and recognition.
- Promote long-term relationships.
Values
Our values serve as a compass for our actions and describe how we behave in the world.
Safety: Placing the safety of people above all else.
Integrity: Sincere in all we do and say.
Quality: Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
Making a positive impact
Community Involvement
Community involvement is an important part of our value system. As President Rick Carstensen says, “Build something positive in yourself and those around you every day.” CCI is dedicated to applying that philosophy to everything we do.
CCI takes pride in making a positive impact on the communities in which we live, work, and play. Whether it is at home or out on a project site, we strive to leave the community better than when we arrived.
This year CCI is a Gold Sponsor of the Eco Experience Exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair, August 27 – September 7, 2009. The Eco Experience is an educational exhibit that showcases cutting-edge, environmentally-friendly services and products. The event strives to inspire Minnesotans to take direct actions that will help them live more sustainable lives, improve the environment, and enhance quality of life. CCI was also a sponsor for this exhibit in 2007 and 2008.
In 2009, CCI gave the Pipestone County Hospice a monetary donation.
From our code of conduct, to purchasing as many local products and services as feasible, CCI strives to make a positive impact on the local community during each project. During the Elkhorn Ridge project, CCI purchased goods and services from as many local vendors as possible including fuel, concrete, miscellaneous supplies, food and housing.
During the Buffalo Bear project employees helped raise money for the local theater. CCI donated the food and supplies for a pancake feed, while the employees donated their time.
In 1999, CCI built the local circle track that is used by the International Kart Federation and a local group called the Pipestone Flat Trackers. Each year events such as quad and Motorcycle flat track races and the Kart Racing National Event are held at this track, attracting visitors from all over Minnesota. CCI continues to support this project through regular maintenance of the track, keeping it in great shape as each season progresses.
In 1999, CCI built the local circle track that is used by the International Kart Federation and a local group called the Pipestone Flat Trackers. Each year events such as quad and Motorcycle flat track races and the Kart Racing National Event are held at this track, attracting visitors from all over Minnesota. CCI continues to support this project through regular maintenance of the track, keeping it in great shape as each season progresses.
Committed to our employees
Company Culture
CCI was built on a foundation of values that forms the basis of our company culture. These values of safety, integrity, quality, leadership, collaboration, passion and accountability continue to serve as the compass for making decisions.
Each day our people integrate those values in every aspect of our business and utilize them to provide a new level of thinking.
Safety: Providing a safe work environment for everyone involved is our first priority.
Service: Meeting and exceeding customer expectations is our goal and by going the extra mile we will accomplish it.
Respect: Building an environment of honesty and mutual understanding for the benefit of all.
Innovation: Empowering and encouraging every member of the team to innovate, contribute ideas, and discover new solutions.
Partners: Cultivating mutually beneficial relationships with vendors, subcontractors, and others to meet the needs of our customers and employees.
Community: Striving to make a positive impact and leave the community a little better than we found it.
Environment: Recognizing our impact on the natural and human environment and working hard to ensure its preservation for future generations.
Energy: Taking on new challenges is what drives us. Passion is our fuel.
Teamwork: Empowering individuality to realize the full potential of the strength created when those unique capabilities and experiences are combined.
Transparency: Communicating with openness and honesty.
Conscientious: Being aware that what we say and do impacts those around us.
Since 1980
History
Rick P. Carstensen started working for a construction company at 18 and within two years became a partner in the business. With a passion for building and a drive to succeed, Rick purchased that same company just two years later. Starting with a few concrete forms and some miscellaneous construction supplies, Rick first began his new venture.
By 1980, Rick’s business had grown to include five employees, and Carstensen Contracting was born. Having grown up on a farm in rural Minnesota, Rick brought a strong work ethic based on the fundamental values of integrity and quality to everything he did. He has earned the respect of customers, colleagues and employees alike with his positive leadership style and commitment to quality results.
Knowing the company’s values and ethics matched his own, Rick’s son, Brad Carstensen, joined the company in 1998. His beginnings of working alongside the Field personnel prepared him to progress in to the role of Site Manager, then Estimator in a very short time. With an intense focus and thirst for knowledge, his passion, dedication, and energy are evident as he has seamlessly stepped in the position of Vice President in April, 2013.
Today our focus is on underground utilities, concrete paving, general contracting, and site preparation. Carstensen Contracting, Inc. has worked in over 20 states throughout the Midwest, Southern and Western United States We install 200-300 miles of piping and pour approximately 30,000 square yards of concrete every year. We’ve built a solid reputation built on Integrity. Our customers know Carstensen Contracting, Inc. brings a talented team to the table. A team focused on Solutions, with Results to bring your vision into a powerful reality.