IQ Contracting is now 100% employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), marking a significant milestone for the North Carolina–based concrete contractor and reinforcing a long-standing commitment to its people, clients, and community.
Lazear Capital Partners (Lazear) served as the exclusive financial advisor on the ESOP transaction, which was structured to support IQ Contracting’s continued growth while preserving the values, operating standards, and local focus that have guided the company since its founding.
Josh Goldblatt, Managing Director and Charlotte Market Leader, led the transaction with support from Brad Bennett and Luke Hartline. “There’s a lot of pride in building something that lasts, especially here in North Carolina,” Goldblatt said. “This transition ensures IQ Contracting’s future remains tied to the people on the ground doing the work and the communities they serve.”
“As a company, we’ve always believed that our success starts with our people,” said Tim Crawford, President and CEO of IQ Contracting. “Transitioning to an ESOP recognizes the role our team has played in building IQ and gives them a meaningful stake in where the company is headed. It allows us to grow while staying focused on quality, safety, and the relationships that define who we are.”
Founded in 2004, IQ Contracting has grown over more than two decades into a diversified concrete contractor serving restoration and new construction markets. The company employs more than 80 people and provides conventional and civil concrete construction, concrete repair and rehabilitation, and general contracting services.
The National Center for Employee Ownership continues to report steady growth in ESOP adoption among construction and trade-related companies seeking long-term continuity, workforce engagement, and sustainable leadership. With this transition, IQ Contracting joins a growing group of employee-owned firms using employee ownership to protect their legacy, strengthen competitiveness, and invest in the people at the core of their success.
About Lazear
Lazear is a premier middle-market advisory firm specializing in business ownership transitions nationwide. Headquartered in Columbus, OH, with a growing presence, the firm is dedicated to helping business owners maximize wealth and preserve legacies through customized exit strategies, including ESOPs and 1042, M&A, and capital formation.
To learn more, visit www.lazearcapital.com and follow Lazear on LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Katherine Koon
Marketing Director
kk@lazearcapital.com
614-502-1411
