The Gabe’s Story

Eight decades and four generations of
honest work. This is our company history.

Gabe's founder Jacob Gabrielse wears a white shirt and writes at desk; adding machine behind.

An Enduring Impact

Jacob Gabrielse founded this company on the principles of relationships, family, and values. His belief in honest work that enhances quality of life remains embedded in who we are and how we do business.

Toward the end of his career, Jacob credited his success to his “four partners, three sons, and God.” We invite you to experience the legacy he built, from 1942 to today.

1942

Jacob Gabrielse founds the company, positioning Gabe’s as a drain tile contractor aiming to increase crop production.

Vintage Gabes Const. Co. dump truck parked by worker, house behind.

1954

Founder Jacob Gabrielse passes away, leaving Gabe’s to the second generation.

1954 photo showing four men from Gabe's reviewing plans at construction site with materials.

1960

Gabe’s establishes a reputation as the Midwest’s leading underground utility contractor.

Black-and-white historical photo showing three men working on a pipe near parked utility trucks in 1960

1965

Gabe’s becomes known for quality underground high-voltage infrastructure work.

Workers operate heavy machines, laying pipes on dirt path.

1970

The third generation joins Gabe’s and begins pursuing new opportunities.

Seven suited men, leaders of Gabe's, sit around a table in wood-paneled office.

1985

Gabe’s becomes a leader in telecommunications installation and service.

Two yellow bulldozers travel beside a rural highway.

1990

Gabe’s acquires its first horizontal directional drill.

Four workers in safety gear near equipment and roadside cones.

2000

The second generation retires, and the fourth generation joins the Gabe’s team.

Bulldozer pulls orange cables across field; workers, trees nearby.

2007

Gabe’s acquires an American Augers DD-625 drill rig, empowering crews to take on large-diameter and long-distance trenchless projects.

Flatbed truck with horizontal directional drilling equipment sits in muddy lot, cloudy sky.

2017

The Gabe’s team celebrates 75 years of service in the underground utility industry.

Construction site at dusk: workers, equipment, Gabe’s Drilling trailer.

2024

Gabe’s refreshes the brand and establishes four business units: collaborative delivery, horizontal directional drilling, underground conduit high-voltage infrastructure, and Gabe’s Technical Services.

Gabes script logo in white oval, blue background, uppercase tagline.

Trusted Expertise, Then and Now

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