Some of the most successful companies are born from opportunity. Others are born from determination in the face of life’s challenges. Johns Brothers is both.
In 2011, Eric and Earl Johns were each thriving in their own careers: Earl in agriculture and excavation and Eric in commercial construction. After 16 years, they had the skills, the work ethic and the industry knowledge. But when their mother faced a serious illness, the two brothers found themselves spending more time together and reflecting on what really mattered.
“Out of that season we decided, ‘Hey, we ought to just quit our jobs and start a company,’” Eric says. “And that’s exactly what we did.”
With a $100,000 loan, an old tiling machine from the 1980s and a backhoe, they set out on their own. What began as two brothers with borrowed equipment has since grown into a $4 million-a-year, multi-generational business employing a dozen people, most of which is family.
A Business Where Family Runs Deep
Family is the foundation of Johns Brothers, shaping how the company works and why it thrives. Out of 12 employees, only three aren’t related, although every member of the team is treated like family.
Eric and Earl’s older brother, Don, joined the business in 2013, keeping the fleet in top shape as a mechanic while also running excavators. Eric’s son, Andrew, came on after earning a business degree from Grace College in Winona Lake and is preparing to carry the company into the future. Earl’s son-in-law, Air Force veteran Tyler Skinner, joined in 2018 and now operates excavators and dozers on some of their largest projects.
Eric also points to longtime employee Nick Ames. “Nick kind of runs with the commercial excavating side of things,” he explains. “We depend on him a lot, especially on the big dairy farms. He’s a huge asset to us.”
Behind the scenes, Earl’s wife Stephanie manages the office from Francesville, handling billing, payroll and bookkeeping. Eric’s wife Maurie, a nurse, keeps the shop running by stocking food and drinks, washing work clothes and making sure the crew always has what they need.
“It’s such a dirty job that we even provide their work clothes,” Eric says. “It’s one of those little things that makes life easier for the guys.”
From Small Jobs to Massive Projects
When the company began, a $20,000 tiling job was a big deal. Today, Johns Brothers regularly tackles half-million-dollar pattern tile projects covering hundreds of acres.
“We still do the small jobs,” Eric says. “They’re not always the most profitable, but that’s what built our business. It’s also an investment in future work, so we keep at it.”
Their work now extends far beyond field drainage. Johns Brothers handles about 75% of Titan Construction’s commercial dirt work and maintains strong relationships with large dairy operations in the region.
Their biggest dairy project was an 8,000-cow facility where they managed every bit of site work, including lagoon construction. This year alone, they have dug retention ponds for stormwater, prepared sites for new calf facilities and excavated for a biogas digester.
“There’s never a shortage of work,” Eric says with a grin.
A Fleet Built for Any Job
From their humble start with two machines, Johns Brothers now owns more than 30 pieces of equipment, including:
- 7 excavators
- 5 bulldozers
- 4 tiling machines
- 2 skid steers
- Multiple semis, dump trucks and support vehicles
Owning their own equipment, or as Eric would say, “owning their own iron,” gives them the flexibility to take on nearly any job without waiting on rentals or outside resources.
A Partnership They Can Count On
Since day one, Johns Brothers has trusted Fratco for their drainage solutions. The connection runs deeper than business. Eric, Earl’s wife and several Fratco employees, including President and CEO, Chris Overmyer, all grew up together riding the same school bus. That lifelong bond built a foundation of trust.
“It’s not a perfect world,” Eric says, noting that in such a dynamic industry, mistakes are bound to happen. “But when they do, Chris is our guy—he always makes it right. That’s why we keep going back.”
For Johns Brothers, dependability is everything. “They’re always there to supply what we need,” Eric explains.
In this business, timing is everything. If we call, they make sure we have it. That’s the kind of partner you hold on to.
Eric explains, “John Danford is my go-to guy. He always makes sure we have what we need. He has had the guys load pipe up for us overnight so I could get it the next morning. He’s also been very flexible and accommodating if they didn’t have exactly what I needed, usually because of my lack
of planning.”
Eric also appreciates the no-pressure approach of Fratco Sales Rep Jade Crum. “I don’t like to be pestered by salesmen,” he says. “If I need something, I call him and he takes care of it. That’s how I like to do business, and Jade
honors that.”
Guided by Faith
From the very beginning, Johns Brothers has operated under a guiding verse:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:31
This scripture isn’t just a motto on the wall. It is the principle that directs how the brothers lead their crew, treat their customers and think about their future.
With the next generation already stepping into leadership roles, Eric and Earl know that Johns Brothers’ foundation of faith, family and hard work will continue to carry the business forward for years to come.
