Today you’re reading Vol. 75. No. 4 of Kieways Magazine. As 2020 comes to its end, the Kieways editorial board celebrates 75 years of Kieways, The Magazine of Kiewit Corporation.
Vol. 1 No. 1 was released on July 1, 1945. The original issue didn’t have a name, and was instead published with a giant question mark on the cover. When the second issue came out in September 1945, the cover said Kie-ways, and the employee who suggested it earned $25.
The Kieways name has remained — except for losing its hyphen in the mid ‘90s — for the past three quarters of a century. And so have many other things. Like the very first issue, Kieways continues to feature articles about company projects and messages from leadership.
Some things about the publication have changed. Originally a magazine for employees only, Kieways is now shipped across North America to current employees, retirees, recruits, clients, subcontractors and other business partners. Anyone in the world with an interest in the company, construction or engineering, and an internet connection can read featured articles online at Kieways.com.
Looking back, the Kieways archive offers an informative company history. Some issues document important milestones such as the death of Peter Kiewit in 1979, Kiewit’s centennial in 1984 and its 75th year in Canada in 2016. Others document the company’s place during a universal moment in time. In the second issue, published only days before the end of World War II, Peter Kiewit discussed the company’s contributions during the war, and opportunities that would arise after its conclusion, including expansion of manufacturing plants and highways. Chairman and CEO Ken Stinson reflected on the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the September-October issue of that year. Earlier this year, President and CEO Rick Lanoha shared his thoughts on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pages of Kieways have featured articles on thousands of the company’s projects, large and small. They’ve detailed important initiatives and advancements in safety, training and technology. They’ve highlighted the adoption of new contract models, expansion into new markets, and Kiewit’s evolution from a leading contractor to a leading construction and construction-focused engineering firm.
Most importantly, Kieways has routinely showcased the spirit of Kiewit people and what they’re capable of. Kiewit staff and craft of the past and present have delivered projects that provide safe transportation, reliable power, clean water, accessible health care and much more to millions in communities across North America. We’re proud to feature a few of their stories each year and hope you’ve enjoyed learning about them.
Thanks for reading.
Important moments in Kieways history
1945: After a call for entries in the first issue, the second issue debuts the name Kie-Ways and the magazine's first masthead. The employee with the idea was awarded $25.
1959: The issue features a look at the company's first 75 years. The "Since 1884" sketch above debuts and has since been modernized. Check out the back cover of this issue for the current version.
1979: The full issue following Peter Kiewit's death is dedicated to his life, work and philanthropy.
1984: Kieways covers the company's 100th anniversary all year with a special focus on historical perspectives in each issue.
1996: The San Joaquin Hills Toll Road project is featured on the cover of the magazine. San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor in Orange County, California, becomes the company’s first large design-build transportation megaproject.
2015: Kiewit constructs a new stand-alone gravity-based structure (GBS) for the Hebron oil platform in Newfoundland Labrador, one of the company's largest projects to date. The project is featured on the cover.
