The rise in mercury with spring finally here is just what Eily Vande Krol is looking forward to as he takes the lead on concrete work as new owner of Pour Boy Construction. Vande Krol, a 2012 graduate of Lynnville-Sully High School, purchased Pour Boy Construction from founding owner Eric Lanser earlier this month. Vande Krol will lead the Pour Boy Construction crew moving forward with Lanser lending his support and expertise as needed during the transition period.
In 1997, Lanser had nearly a decade of construction experience under his toolbelt when he launched Pour Boy Construction. Over the years, Lanser built Pour Boy Construction into a leading contractor in the concrete industry. No job has been too big or small for the Pour Boy construction crew as they have specialized in flat work and decorative concrete, and have taken on everything from corporate and municipal work to residential jobs.
Vande Krol has also been making a name for himself in the construction industry. While majoring in Construction Management at Kirkwood Community College, Vande Krol spent summers working construction with Jer Schnell, another local who has made a name for himself as a reputable craftsman. An internship opportunity with Woodruff Construction, a commercial construction company, quickly led to a full-time position
Vande Krol climbed the ranks at Woodruff to the position of superintendent. For five years, Vande Krol oversaw large commercial projects ranging from wastewater treatment plants to schools to senior living facilities. In 2022, Vande Krol took a position as a project manager with Hastco Construction. While working for major names like John Deere and U-Haul, Vande Krol never forgot his hometown Lynnville roots. About a year and a half ago, Vande Krol approached Lanser about the possibility of selling and made aware his intentions that he would be interested in owning the reputable business if the opportunity presented itself. The dream to own a business in the construction industry became reality when in March of 2023, Lanser reached out for further conversation.
“I always would pester him saying if he ever wanted to sell, to let me know,” said Vande Krol. “I didn’t really think it would ever happen, but he jumped me in March of 2023. I was interested in going into further discussion.”
For Lanser, the opportunity to sell came at a time when he was already thinking about his future in the industry. Working in the concrete business is very labor intensive, and something Lanser had been performing day in and day out for over 30 years.
“I was hoping sometime I would be able to sell because I was getting to the point where I knew I wasn’t going to be able to do this forever,” said Lanser. “I’m 53 now, and this is some-thing I’ve done since I’ve been 18.”
Discussion turned into serious talks and one year later, the ownership transaction is officially complete. Vande Krol purchased the company name, the 2024 proposals Lanser and Vande Krol worked on together, the Pour Boy Construction trucks and equipment, and of course, the reputation of excellence that has kept the business a sought-after name in the industry.
“Eric has made a great name with the business and himself,” said Vande Krol of the founding owner, whom he calls “very humble and selfless in character.” Vande Krol plans to build on the solid foundation Lanser has created for nearly three decades by focusing on the same kind of quality work and lead the company forward.
Along with Lanser lending support as needed, Vande Krol will work with Pour Boy Construction’s four experienced employees who are well versed in the trade. He hopes to add on two more employees to the payroll in order to have a crew of five or six on job sites.
Lanser has no plans of slowing down. Although he hopes to squeeze in an extra fishing trip when the fish are biting, retirement is not on the horizon. “I have plenty of stuff to do,” joked Lanser. That “stuff” includes helping Vande Krol on larger pours, agricultural work on the farm he owns between Lynnville and Searsboro, driving part-time for Janco, and helping out at Key Co-op when needed.
The future for Pour Boy Construction, like its past of nearly three decades, is solid and in good hands. Vande Krol is excited to get 2024 projects underway now that construction season has arrived and keep the high standard of work Lanser and his crews have become known for.
