Celebrating 75 Years of High-Quality Earthwork Construction Services

Our people are our most important resource. Instilling a culture of safety and providing on-the-job training from quality, highly skilled, veteran employees are our top priority. Providing them a quality fleet of equipment and tools, maintained by our experienced mechanics in our full service shop, are keys to our success. It is what has kept A.W. Oakes & Son, Inc. in business for over 75 years; and what we strive to do every day. ‘Do it right the first time’ is our philosophy, with ‘Safety’ being our culture.

A.W. Oakes & Son 75th Anniversary

Affiliations and Memberships

Local 113 Engineers Local 139 Local 599 Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association
Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association RAMAC Associated Earth Movers Inc. Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association

Earthwork Construction Services Since 1948

AW Oakes Historical Photo AW Oakes Historical Photo AW Oakes Historical Photo AW Oakes Historical Photo

Oakes has been in the construction industry since the early ‘30s digging basements, starting with Arnold William (A.W.) Oakes. In the ‘40s, he began his own company, A.W. Oakes & Son, and formalized as an Incorporation in 1959. Working on grading projects and asphalt, the company began to grow. Over time we morphed into an asphalt paving company early on and paved the first parking lot at Six Flags Great America.

Over time, the company continued to develop with the second generation in the late ‘60s through the early ‘80s with Glenn Oakes taking over and focusing on landfill development, asphalt paving, and mass excavation. When Glenn was ready to retire, Dan Oakes (third generation) was ready to take the reins. During his leadership, the company has become what it is today – a full service civil contractor servicing Southeast Wisconsin and employing over 200 people. Dan is currently CEO and mentoring the fourth generation, President Max Oakes, to continue the success of A.W. Oakes & Son, Inc.

Our History

Latest News

The A.W. Oakes Journey of Kevin Hokanson

Jan 16, 2024

The construction industry is one where vision shapes the landscape and hard ...

​​​​A.W. Oakes & Son Wins Contract for KIN

Nov 22, 2023

A.W. Oakes & Son has been awarded a $22.25 million contract to ...

Maintaining a Tradition of Quality for 75 Years

Sep 21, 2023

Max Oakes was five years old when his dad, Dan Oakes, hoisted ...