History

After fleeing his war-ravaged homeland following World War I, Slovenian immigrant John Pohar Sr. established his own business in 1929. Initially, he used a small dump truck to haul coal, wood, and ice to homes in the local area. His business soon expanded into demolition, with John personally dismantling buildings and salvaging lumber for resale.

In 1947, at the age of 15, John Jr. joined his father in the business. That same year, they acquired their first hydraulic track loader, marking the company’s entry into the excavation industry during the post-WWII boom. By 1955, they purchased a small hydraulic backhoe, enabling them to branch out into sewer and water installation. In 1956, John Sr.’s younger son, Frank, also joined the family business. The company continued to grow, securing maintenance contracts with local factories while further expanding demolition and commercial site work services.

The business was formally incorporated as John Pohar & Sons, Inc. in 1966. During the 1970s, the company shifted its focus to sewer and water main work, along with private development projects. Snow removal also became a key part of the business during this period.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the company began taking on larger projects and investing in more advanced equipment. In 1981, Frank’s sons, Frank Jr. and David, joined the business full-time, marking the third generation’s involvement. John III, the son of John Jr., worked part-time while pursuing a civil engineering degree. After graduating in 1991, he joined the business full-time, continuing the legacy built by his grandfather, father, and uncle.

Today, under the leadership of the third generation, John Pohar & Sons, Inc. has significantly expanded its services to include site preparation, mass grading, land clearing, hydro-excavation, and overburden stripping, while still maintaining its core offerings of utility installations and demolition. With John III, Frank Jr., and David at the helm, the company continues to invest in cutting-edge equipment and technology to stay at the forefront of the industry.