About Northwest Excavating

Bob Groff – a farm boy from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania – was a living example of the saying “life begins at forty.” In 1951, he founded Northridge Equipment Rentals, which grew into its largest independently owned rental company before being sold to Sunbelt Rentals in 2005. 

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In 1959, seeing the need for contractors to have access to operated rental equipment, Bob established Northwest Compaction next door to its sister company in Northridge, California. The business began modestly with two backhoes, an Arrow hammer, a skip loader, and a Gradall. His only child, Howard Groff – then 18 – became the company’s first equipment operator and manager. 

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During its early years, Northwest focused on providing operated equipment rentals to local grading and sewer contractors. The company prospered through the 1960s as Southern California’s construction needs soared. Maintaining a conservative approach to growth, Northwest steadily expanded its fleet. 

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In 1962, Howard became president while Bob returned full-time to Northridge Equipment Rentals. Like his father, Howard embraced a hands-on, conservative management style. In those years, he worked as an operator, mechanic, low-bed driver, whatever the company needed. Through the late 1960s and early 1970s, Northwest grew at a steady pace. 

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Based on its early experience supporting utility contractors, Northwest launched its own underground dry utilities division, specializing in installing power and telephone systems. Starting with trenching, backfilling, and hand compaction for residential developers, Howard personally handled estimating and managed most jobs. 

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By the mid-1970s, the company re-incorporated as Northwest Excavating to reflect its expanding operations better. Growth continued through both divisions, and as the employee base grew, Howard focused increasingly on company management. 

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In the early 1980s, Northwest operated 15–20 late-model rental machines, always striving to provide customers with the most productive equipment. The underground utilities division expanded to include the complete installation of underground power, communication conduits, and street lighting systems for contractors and developers. Long-standing partnerships were established during this period – with AT&T (1976), GTE (now Frontier) (1985), and Southern California Edison (1986) – all of which continue today. 

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By the late 1980s construction boom, Northwest was at the forefront of the Southern California rental industry, with a fleet that included D8N dozers, 623E scrapers, and other large equipment. While the fleet remained relatively small (20–25 machines), the company’s reputation for productivity and customer service set it apart. 

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In the early 1990s, while many competitors scaled back, Northwest maintained its steady, aggressive approach. The company continued to grow with a strong customer base, productive equipment, and the best employees in the industry. At the close of the decade, Howard’s youngest son, Robbie, joined the management team after a successful professional racing career – highlighted by a 9th-place finish in the 1997 Indianapolis 500. 

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In 2010, Northwest Excavating became the first utility contractor in over a decade to contract directly with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to build power infrastructure systems. This work culminated in the 10-mile Scattergood transmission project (West L.A. to LAX) completed between 2014 and 2018. 

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Northwest also launched a Saw-Cutting Division to serve customers better. This division offers fully equipped trucks with state-of-the-art asphalt, concrete cutting, and core drilling capabilities. 

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Northwest operates a fleet of approximately 60 late-model machines – including CARB-compliant D8T dozers, 140M blades, 623G scrapers, excavators, backhoes, and rubber tired loaders. The company continues to expand its capacity while maintaining its founding commitment to productivity, customer service, and professionalism. 

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With Robbie Groff at the helm, Northwest Excavating has come a long way since 1959. Through decades of steady growth, the company has forged lasting relationships with customers and partners – relationships that remain the foundation of its success. As Northwest looks to the future, it will continue to provide clients with the latest, most productive equipment and the most dedicated employees in the industry. This philosophy has guided Northwest since its founding and will continue to guide the company for generations.