Overview of our Company
In October of 1977, Gerald Rudolph, Sr., Jim Brown, and a small crew including son David began Brown & Rudolph Masonry. The partnership started out doing residential and small commercial jobs. Gerald, Sr. would work in the field all day, estimate plans at night, and work on the bookkeeping over the weekend.
In May of 1984, Jim Brown’s shares of the partnership were redeemed, at which time the company started doing business as Rudolph Masonry.The business had now grown into a company that takes on large commercial projects such as churches, schools, hospitals, shopping centers, etc. With the change in name, Gerald, Sr. did very little bricklaying and used his business and organizational talents to do bidding work. By this time, Gerald, Sr. had three sons working in the business: Jerry Jr. (Bricklayer), David (Estimator-Bricklayer-Laborer-Operator), and Bruce (Laborer-Operator).
Since 1980, to further solidify the family-oriented feel of Rudolph Masonry, the sons have continued to be an integral part of the company. Son David has been assisting his dad with estimating, scheduling and managing projects. Son, Jerry, Jr. continues to lay brick, labor and oversee the safety of the crew and the completion of the jobs on site. Son, Bruce had been a laborer and operator in charge of the other laborers and project set-up, but now has retired.
As Rudolph Masonry moves into its fourty fourth year in business, we continue to strive for quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. We have seen many changes take place in this industry such as these things: the time allotted to complete a job, more regulations and paperwork, and the push for “green” jobsites and buildings. We look forward to continued success as a leading mason contractor in Northern Illinois.
Safety
Safety for Rudolph Masonry, Inc., operations is not just a corporate goal, it is a requirement! While the cost and competitive pressures of managing a business in today’s economy and environment help dictate the need to minimize the accidental losses, the greatest asset of this corporation is our people, so we do all we can to insure their safety.
It is a condition of employment with Rudolph Masonry, Inc., that all employees adhere faithfully to the requirements of OSHA rules and to our safety policy, as well as to the safety rules, instructions, and procedures issued in conjunction with it. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action as outlined in Rudolph Masonry’s Safety Policy.
Some of the safety procedures we follow to ensure a secure environment include the following:
- A clean job site
- OSHA and first aid classes
- Forklift and other equipment training
- Complying with OSHA regulations
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Communication – Weekly Tool Box Talks
- Being a part of the Hazardous Communication Program
- Regular job-site visits from the Rudolph Masonry Safety Inspector
- Regular job-site visits from The Northern Illinois Contractor Association Safety Director
Because of our good safety record, we’ve received low Experience Modification Rates from our insurance company
Accurate Digital Estimating
Tradesmen software
“We use the latest most updated technology to ensure accurate, cost-effective estimating.”
Equipment
At Rudolph Masonry, we believe in having the best equipment to do the job. By having good equipment, we can give you competitive pricing and ensure safety for our employees.
Some of the equipment Rudolph Masonry has to help with job-site safety and productivity include the following:
- Lull and Pettibone Rough-Terrain Forklifts
- Bennu Hydraulic Scaffold that has ergonomic and safety features to increase productivity, facilitate project completion, reduce worker fatigue, and considerably decrease the risk of injuries
- Lifting Device for Hydraulic Scaffold to increase job safety, save time with set up, and give us precise control for moving scaffold with towers attached. This device was designed and patented by David Rudolph
- Grout Hog Delivery System that is the best solution for grouting masonry walls. With this system, there is no more dragging heavy pump hoses, and no more lugging around five-gallon buckets
- ¾ Yard Dump Hoppers that help us to keep an orderly, safe, and clean-from-start-to-finish job site


Awards and Testimonials
Rudolph Masonry has garnered the following awards and testimonials:
- Illinois-Indiana Mason Contractor Excellence in Masonry Award – Honorable Mention
- 1988 First Assembly Church — Rockford, Illinois
- 1989 Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center – Rockford, Illinois
- 2003 South Beloit High School — South Beloit, Illinois
- 2003 Northern Illinois Building Contractor Association Master Award Subcontractor Division Award
- 2004 Bricklayers Local #6 new union hall
Philanthropy
As part of our commitment to serve the community in which we live, we have donated the following structures:
- First Assembly of God Church (Currently called Rockford First) rebuilt chimney –Donated labor & material
- South Beloit High School Sign — Donated labor and material
- Jefferson High School Dugouts — Donated labor and material
- Jefferson High School Sign — Donated bricklayer foreman and material
- Jefferson High School made doorway between two classrooms – Donated labor and materials
- Rockford River Walk Piers — Donated labor and material to waterproof piers
- WQFL Radio Wall of Fame – Donated labor
- Christian Life High School outside equipment storage area – Donated labor and materials for the inside walls