Elite Infrastructure Group successfully completes turnkey civil sitework and public utility projects with Komatsu equipment from Linder

Elite Infrastructure Group may be a relatively new name in the North Carolina civil contracting market, but its co-owners, Carson Heffner and Will Duke, bring decades of combined experience to the table.

“We got started in February 2024 when we landed an $8 million apartment sitework contract,” recalled Duke. “We were just off to the races. We’re grateful for every opportunity that’s come our way.”

Both Heffner and Duke entered the construction industry at the ground level, learning firsthand what it takes to run successful civil projects. Duke earned his construction management degree from Western Carolina University and spent years building interstates and managing operations. Heffner got his start at NC State University, landed in the field by chance, and worked his way up by running utility crews and learning every phase of sitework.

Today, their company specializes in turnkey civil sitework and public utilities, tackling complex projects like the Lower Adams Creek Sewer Outfall in Mount Pleasant, N.C.

“Our focus is utility work, but we’re also diversifying into commercial and public sector jobs, and we do some subdivision development,” elaborated Heffner.

Duke added, “We want a healthy mix, so we’re not tied to one market.”

Based in Monroe, N.C., Elite Infrastructure Group keeps its projects within a tight radius to stay close to home.

“Our territory is about 60 to 100 miles from Monroe,” described Duke. “We want our guys to be home with their families every night, if possible, but we understand we have to go where the work is, too. The Charlotte metro area is where we like to be.”

In less than two years, the company has grown rapidly and now employs about 60 people — a team that Heffner and Duke view as the heart of their success.

“These guys are the ones getting the work done every day,” said Heffner. “It’s critical to have a good atmosphere, where we know everyone’s names and they feel respected. That’s the way you build loyalty.”

“Our people are everything to us,” Duke shared. “We want to know their families, bring everyone together for company events. When our guys’ wives send them out the door, they know we’re going to look after them and make sure they’re safe.”

Built for versatility

A big part of keeping projects on track is Elite Infrastructure Group’s fleet of Komatsu equipment, which includes a range of excavators, wheel loaders and intelligent machine control (IMC) dozers. They help the company deliver productivity and reliability in demanding conditions.

“Komatsu has always been great,” stated Heffner. “We run everything from the Komatsu PC210 excavators up to the Komatsu PC360 for mainline trenching and deep cuts. We’ll use the PC210s for utility trenching, backfilling and even rock breaking when needed. They’re versatile and powerful for their size. Our crews love the speed and reliability. The machines run hard, and they don’t break down often, which is critical for our schedules.”

Duke added, “The PC138USLC and PC238USLC tight tail swing excavators are perfect for in-town water projects or when we’re working around existing structures.”

Having quick couplers on the excavators has been another practical benefit that helps Elite Infrastructure Group’s crews adapt to changing conditions in the field. Operators can swap buckets or attach hydraulic breakers on the fly, which offers time-saving flexibility when they are dealing with mixed soils and rock.

“The Komatsu WA270 wheel loader is also a versatile machine, and we use it to move materials like pipe and bedding stone, offload materials, and load rock boxes, so the excavators can stay focused on digging,” noted Duke.

Elite Infrastructure Group’s grading division relies on Komatsu’s IMC dozers, including D51PXi and D61PXi models, to bring projects to grade without sacrificing power.

“We love the dozers,” Heffner commented. “They’re equipped with the IMC GPS systems, so we don’t have to run stakes everywhere or worry about rework. It’s very easy to understand.”

Trusted partnership

For Duke and Heffner, the value of the Komatsu equipment goes beyond the iron itself — it’s about the partnership with Linder Industrial Machinery Company, especially sales representative Bill Cross.

“Linder’s service has been outstanding,” declared Heffner. “When we first started, we needed equipment fast. They made it easy to get financing through Komatsu Financial, and we had three machines on the ground in no time.”

That quick response and ongoing support have given Elite Infrastructure Group peace of mind when projects hit rough patches.

“These machines get beat up — they’re not like a car you drive down the road,” Duke acknowledged. “They’re out there breaking rock and hammering away. They’re going to have problems, and you have to have somebody who is there to support you with parts and service. Although we do have our own field mechanic, it’s nice to have Linder’s expertise as well, because that’s what they do all day every day, and they do a great job.”

That dependability from Linder and Komatsu has allowed the company to expand strategically and take on larger, more complex jobs.

“Komatsu equipment is a great product at a great price, and the warranty support has been impeccable,” remarked Duke. “If we have a problem, we just pick up the phone, and they’re out here within 24 hours, or they’re trying to figure out a way to get us a spare machine if needed, which they’ve done a couple times. They’ve let us demo some machines as well. All in all, Linder has been fantastic, and we’ll continue to partner with them in the future.”

Steady growth

Looking ahead, Heffner and Duke are determined to keep building a reputation for quality work, strong partnerships and a dedicated team.

“We’d like to grow to 80 or 90 employees, maybe $25 million in revenue, but keep that family feel,” emphasized Heffner.

“When people hear Elite Infrastructure Group, we want them to think of top-notch service, on-time delivery and no surprises,” concluded Duke. “We just want to be known as a quality group with quality people and quality equipment, thanks to Linder.”