Basin Conversion – We started off the year by converting a dry detention basin associated with a residential community into a wet infiltration basin in Berks County, PA.
A Look Back at 2022
Empire Services • December 5, 2022
We find ourselves at the end of another year. Where has the time gone? Empire Services completed a variety of demolition, site, and civil projects. Each one required a strategic solution to achieve successful results. We also gained two new team members. Let’s take a look at some project highlights from this year.
Academic Library Demolition -- This multi-level project at Albright College's Gingrich Library included the removal of non-essential utilities, partitions, ceilings, and flooring exposing the main structure for future upgrades. Our interior demolition work on each floor created open space for the renovation.
Digester Demolition – We demolished the digester lid and interior framework inside a concrete digester structure at a wastewater treatment facility near Hershey, PA. The lid was 60 feet in diameter with a 15-foot ring hanging below it. Once lowered to the ground, the Empire Services team cut up the lid and transported the pieces a disposal facility.
Municipal Complex Renovation – We performed select interior and exterior demolition and renovation services on the Plymouth Meeting Municipal Complex in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Our skilled team demolished elevated concrete slabs and basement slabs as well as removed walls, ceilings, floor finishes, doors, windows, plaster soffits, exterior walls, and stone wall finishes.
Stabilization & Demolition of a Silo – We stabilized a partially collapsed silo at a local manufacturer so Elk Environmental Services, an Empire Group affiliate, could vacuum out the powdered limestone. Once the silo was empty, our team started the demolition process by torch cutting the top.
Excavation of a Historical Property – The Robesonia Furnace is being transformed into a passive park and a compost transfer station. Empire Services excavated the site in two phases. In phase one, we regraded the area to provide proper drainage and the desired aesthetics for the park. In phase two, we graded the upper level of the job site with the topsoil delivered by multiple hauling contractors, one of them is our affiliate Delaware Valley Contractors.
New Team Members
Empire Services welcomed two new team members this year.
Anthony Klopp - Demolition Estimator/Project Manager
Prior to Empire, Mr. Klopp was an estimator/operations manager at another demolition company. He has an applied science degree and an engineering degree and has been estimating demolition projects for nine years.
Marco Ciccone - Estimator/Project Manager
Prior to Empire, Mr. Ciccone was an Estimator/Superintendent at Joseph Ciccone and Sons. He has been in the heavy/highway construction industry for 35 years. Marco’s strongest achievements are earthwork, underground utilities, and black top. He has extensive training in Blaw-Knox asphalt pavers/finishers, trenching, and shoring. He has earned OSHA 10, concrete testing, and job safety certifications.
At Empire Services, we are thankful for the opportunity to work on these projects, which enabled us to help our customers to achieve their goals. We are also thankful for our team and everyone who works behind the scenes to keep Empire Services operating safely and efficiently. We look forward to the projects we will be working on in 2023! Happy Holidays!
It’s hard to believe summer is winding down! Our demolition and excavation teams worked tirelessly across the region, keeping projects on schedule and ensuring client satisfaction. From complex industrial dismantling to precision culvert installation, we brought the talent, equipment, and dedication needed to deliver safe and successful results. Below are some of our summer project highlights.
On Saturday, August 15th, Empire Group employees and their families gathered at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA, for a day filled with good food, laughter, classic rides, and quality time together. With nearly 100 employees and family members in attendance, this year’s Empire Group Family Fun Day was a wonderful opportunity to step away from the daily routine and enjoy being together. A Picnic Lunch to Kick Off the Day Before heading into the park, everyone gathered for a delicious picnic lunch featuring plenty of summertime favorites. A big thank you goes to Russ and Kristi Mountjoy for preparing the meal, providing the food, and manning the grill. With full plates and plenty of good conversation, it was the perfect way to start the day. Then, it was time to head into the park for roller coasters, train rides, games, and attractions. Making Memories, One Ride at a Time Throughout the day, everyone enjoyed all the park had to offer. Some took on the thrills of the rides, while others enjoyed a more leisurely day exploring the park. Rick and Melissa Dom took a relaxing train ride with their Yorkie-Poo, Ahsoka Tano. Meanwhile, Ellyn Harkin's niece and nephew may have been too small to ride the famous Phoenix wooden coaster, but that didn't stop them from getting in on the fun. They posed for a memorable picture in one of the coaster's cars instead! This year’s location was especially fitting. Knoebels is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The park traces its roots to 1926, when Henry Knoebel opened a swimming pool, restaurant, and carousel at his farm near Elysburg. Over the past century, Knoebels has grown into a beloved Pennsylvania destination with more than 100 rides and attractions, while maintaining the family-friendly atmosphere that has been part of its story from the beginning. Celebrating Empire Group's Family Fun Day at a Pennsylvania attraction with a century of family memories behind it was a fitting way to celebrate our own company family, with 70 years of memories and our 10 th anniversary at Knoebels. A Special Thank You We extend our heartfelt thanks to Todd & Karen O’Neill and Harry & Cathy O’Neill for making this special day possible. Their generosity and thoughtfulness allowed employees and their families to come together and enjoy one another’s company outside of the workplace. More Than a Day at the Park This event brought the entire Empire Group together, creating fun memories while enjoying a wonderful lunch, friendship, and a variety of classic rides. It’s just one of the many events the company hosts to celebrate employees and build connections. These moments of joy and community are what make Empire Group feel like a family. We can’t wait until next year’s Family Fun Day!
Demolition is about more than tearing something down. It is often the first step toward giving an existing property a new purpose. An outdated building may need to be removed for new construction, an aging structure may need to be carefully dismantled while preserving portions of the property, or an existing space may need to be stripped down before it can be renovated. In urban environments, such as Reading, PA, these projects can present unique challenges. Buildings being demolished are sometimes located close to homes, businesses, and other structures, which can make job site space limited, reroute pedestrians and vehicles, and necessitate protection of utilities and other infrastructure. Completing this type of demolition requires careful planning, specialized equipment, and an experienced workforce that understands how to work safely in limited spaces. Empire Services brings that experience and precision to challenging demolition projects throughout Reading and the tri-state area.
When people think about roads and transportation infrastructure, bridges and highways often come to mind. Yet some of the most important infrastructure is hidden beneath our feet. Storm sewer culverts carry water under roads, railroads, driveways, and embankments, preventing flooding, protecting roadways, and preserving the surrounding environment. Although they are rarely noticed, culverts play a vital role in keeping communities safe. When these underground structures begin to fail, the consequences can include flooding, roadway damage, sinkholes, traffic disruptions, and costly emergency repairs. At Empire Services, preserving infrastructure means staying ahead of these problems. The company's experienced crews recently completed a storm sewer culvert replacement project for Earl Township, restoring an aging drainage system that will continue protecting the roadway and surrounding properties for years to come.
Our demolition and excavation teams worked tirelessly this spring, keeping projects on schedule and ensuring client satisfaction. As summer begins, our team continues to tackle a variety of projects, from precise school upgrades to intricate industrial demolitions. Below are some of our recent project highlights.
As communities evolve over time, preserving their history creates opportunities for the future, which is what truly drives redevelopment. In Reading, Pennsylvania, that balance is taking shape within the Prince Historic District, where a nearly century-old industrial property is being transformed into modern senior apartments. Empire Services is proud to play a role in this exciting redevelopment project, helping prepare the site for its next chapter while honoring the area's rich heritage.
If you ever played the game Operation , you probably remember the pressure. One wrong move with the tweezers and suddenly the buzzer sounded, Cavity Sam’s nose lit up, and your turn was over. Winning the game required patience, coordination, and a steady hand. That same level of precision is happening right now on one of Empire Services’ industrial demolition projects. Empire Services has been contracted by Warfel Construction Company to remove an old roof and support structure at a processing plant to prepare the space for brand new roof construction. While roof demolition may sound straightforward, this project is anything but ordinary. Directly beneath the roof, located in the middle of the active processing plant, are vital active utility lines that can’t be disrupted, creating a high-stakes environment where every cut matters. Just like the game Operation , the Empire Services team must work carefully, methodically, and strategically to avoid “touching the sides."
When it comes to successful site development, everything starts from the ground up. At Empire Services, bulk earthwork isn’t just about moving dirt; it’s about building the foundation for long-term performance, safety, and sustainability. A recent project at a medical complex in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, showcases how strategic earthmoving and full-service site work come together to deliver lasting results.
When businesses grow, their spaces need to evolve with them. Whether it’s reconfiguring an office layout or repurposing an older industrial property, renovation is often the key to unlocking a company’s full potential. For many organizations, purchasing an existing structure offers the space they need—but it also presents the challenge of transforming it into something functional, safe, and future-ready. That was the case for Empire Services with the pit project at a former manufacturing facility.
