WRH, the Corridor-based heavy civil contractor helping to build Cedar Rapids’ permanent flood protection system, is opening its next chapter with a full rebrand and plans to relocate its headquarters to Cedar Rapids’ NewBo District later this year.
The company is rebranding as Wendler Inc., a name that dates back to its founding by Glenn Wendler in 1973. The launch includes a refreshed website, wendlerinc.com, and updated branding across all equipment and job sites.
For more than five decades of experience and 100-plus employees statewide, Wendler has delivered water and wastewater treatment plants, flood protection systems, and high-voltage electrical infrastructure for communities across Iowa, including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Marion, and many others. The company has earned a reputation as a reliable partner on complex civil projects, often conducted in partnership with agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of Public Defense (Iowa National Guard).
“Wendler is the name many people knew us by,” says Jamie Rich, president of Wendler Inc. “This rebrand isn’t about changing who we are. It’s about making it easier for our partners and our community to recognize us, and to know the role we play in building and protecting Iowa communities.”
Currently based in South Amana, the company in June purchased the Geonetric Building at 415 12th Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids’ NewBo District for $6.8 million. It is currently renovating the second floor of the building for its 35-person executive, estimating, and project management staff, and expects to move into the new space at the end of 2025.
Wendler’s operations, maintenance, and fabrication divisions will remain in South Amana. All existing tenants of the Geonetric Building, including software firm Geonetric and nonprofit incubator NewBoCo, will remain in the building.
The new headquarters will place Wendler at the center of the city it is helping to safeguard from future floods. The firm is leading the $30 million Reach 2, Phase 1 segment of Cedar Rapids’ Flood Risk Management Project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; it is also building the $14 million second phase of the Horizontal Collector Well No. 7 near the future site of the Alliant Energy LightLine Bridge, which will facilitate further floodwall construction.
“Standing on our new front steps and seeing the floodwall we helped build is a reminder of why we do what we do,” said Kurt Reihmann, chief operating officer with Wendler. “Cedar Rapids has trusted us to deliver critical infrastructure, and now we’re doubling down on our commitment to this community by making it our home.”
For more information, visit wendlerinc.com.
