ABOUT US
Our Legacy
1973
Jim Uhl, a Marine Officer and Vietnam War Veteran, founded Agro Construction, which at the time was primarily an agricultural construction company, located on the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. Jim grew Agro into a concrete, steel, pre-engineered metal building, and earthwork contractor for 45 years.
1985
Jim began searching for an intern to join the Agro Team, while a young Lou Primak was attending Arizona State University’s Del E. Webb School of Construction. Lou started his construction career as an intern working under Jim’s guidance and oversight. Jim followed Primak’s career for 30 years offering advice and guidance to Lou as he advanced his building and construction management career on many significant and large commercial construction projects primarily in the Marshall Islands, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Colorado.
1988
Due to Agro’s growth in other market sectors, Jim changed the name of the company to Primak, Inc., where it flourished as a general contractor building projects throughout the United States and abroad. Primak Steel, Primak Concrete and Primak Construction, the Primak family of companies, have built facilities from Alaska to Florida while putting a geographical emphasis on the Western United States. Jim built a company culture founded on his Marine Corps’ experience; aligning the core values of the company with honor, determination, pride, discipline and simply doing things the right way; an approach that he referred to as “Certainty of a Successful Outcome”.
2017
In 2017, Lou Primak and Rick Nichols acquired the helm of the Agate family of companies, carrying forward the strong foundation built by Jim Uhl for over 44 years. With Jim’s guidance through the transition, his legacy remains deeply embedded in the company’s culture—one built on integrity, hard work, grit, and a commitment to its people. Since then, Lou and Rick led a Team that not only executes projects safely and efficiently but continued to expand Agate’s presence in the commercial and industrial construction markets sectors, as well as steel fabrication and erection activities across the greater Southwest. With decades of experience and a shared vision for growth, they drove Agate forward, ensuring its success for years to come.
Today
Today, the legacy Jim built remains the foundation of the company—now with a new name and a sharp vision for the future. To distinguish the two sides of the business, Primak Construction Group emerged, with Lou Primak leading the charge of PCG. With decades of “boots on the ground” experience, resilience, and a relentless commitment to excellence, Lou is leading the PCG Team forward into a new era— strengthening partnerships, empowering its Team, and advancing the build environment.
Our Success is a result of
the following fundamentals
Our People
Our Team doesn’t just identify challenges—we proactively solve them. Our experienced professionals take an initiative-taking approach to planning and scheduling with precision to keep every project safe, on time, and within budget.
Competitive Fees
Our client-first approach allows us to offer a more competitive fee structure than other contractors. We’re built on lasting relationships, not just individual projects—delivering value that extends beyond the build. With our boutique style and approach, we aren’t the biggest–just the best.
Ownership Involvement
Lou Primak is more than a leader—he is a hands-on partner in every project. With a personal stake in every detail, he remains actively engaged in daily operations, ensuring precise execution and delivering excellence at every stage of the project.
Why Primak Construction Group?
At Primak Construction Group, our Team of experts takes genuine pride in delivering an unwavering commitment to each one of our clients’ projects, staying committed to the following practices that ensures the Certainty of a Successful Outcome.
Process Driven
- Methodical and Surgical Project Controls
- Detailed Schedules
- Emphasis on Procurement
- Timely Financial Reporting
Communication
- Honest
- Transparent
- Clear and Intentional
- Problem Solvers, Not Problem Finders
Approach
- Collaborative
- Organized and Orderly
- Calm Sense of Urgency
- Sophisticated Blue Collar
- Large Company Capabilities with a Boutique Approach
Experience
- Since 1973
- Hands On Ownership
- Remote Jobsite Execution “Know How”
Safety Performance
- Award-Winning Safety Program
- Superior EMR of .54
- Exceptionally Favorable Insurance Rates
- Strong Safety Culture
- MSHA-Trained Team Members
Delivery Methods
- Design Assist
- CMAR
- GMP
- Competitive Bid, Lump Sum
- Design Build
People
- Enthusiasm
- Commitment
- Accountability
- Culture of Building
- Caring
- Experienced
Relationships
- Partners, Not Subs
- Stewards of Customer Goals
Our Leadership Team
Our leadership Team sets extremely exacting standards through their work ethic, enthusiasm, and exceptional skills–and frankly, through their care, grit, and determination. By going above and beyond on every project and recognizing outstanding performance, they actively drive our commitment to excellence that results in a Successful Certainty of Outcome.
Lou Primak
Bart Bates
Andy Platt
Zane Serrano
