On June 19, MZ Construction celebrated 17 years in business. While the company was officially incorporated as Martin-Zombek Construction Services in 2009, its roots reach back to 1927, when W.R. Henderson founded a lath and plaster company built on craftsmanship, hard work, and pride in the trade.

That legacy continued through Lloyd Martin Sr. and Lloyd Martin Jr., who helped guide the company from its early plaster work into the commercial construction partner MZ is today.

A New Chapter Built on Legacy

In 2009, Andrew “Slim” Zombek helped begin a new chapter for the company as President of MZ Construction. Raised on his family’s dairy farm under the guidance of his father, Stanley Jr., Andy brought with him a strong work ethic, a respect for people, and a practical approach to leadership.

For Andy, the goal was never to leave the company’s history behind. It was to carry it forward.
One of the most influential figures in that transition was Lloyd Martin Jr., who Andy has described as both a teacher and mentor.
“When people ask where I went to school, I simply respond, ‘Lloyd University.’”
That spirit of mentorship still shapes the way MZ leads, trains, and works today.

Growing Across Central New York and Beyond

Over the last 17 years, MZ Construction has expanded its capabilities and contributed to major commercial projects across Central New York and beyond. The company’s work spans hospitals, schools, dormitories, public spaces, entertainment venues, and large-scale commercial environments.

Notable projects over the years have included:

Fort Drum
Del Lago Casino
Albany Convention Center
New York State Fair Expo Center
IDA Towers
Colonial 1 & 2 Housing Developments
The I-90 Thruway Project: 14 Rest Areas
Burke Library at Hamilton College

Each project reflects MZ’s commitment to safety, productivity, and quality - the three values that continue to guide the company’s work.

Craftsmanship Meets Innovation

MZ’s history is grounded in craftsmanship, but its growth has been shaped by a willingness to adapt. As construction continues to change, the company has embraced tools and methods that help the team build more efficiently and solve problems earlier in the process.

Digital layout, CAD, laser layout, preconstruction planning, and prefabrication all play an important role in how MZ works today. These tools help identify issues before crews arrive on site, improve communication between project partners, reduce delays, and support stronger results in the field.

Zombek has often emphasized that there are “no bad ideas,” only opportunities to build from them. That mindset has helped MZ stay open to change while remaining grounded in the values that built the company.

Building Smarter for the Future

Prefabrication innovation knows no bounds in the MZ Prefab Shop.

Looking ahead, prefabrication continues to be an important part of MZ’s future. By turning traditionally two-dimensional drywall work into three-dimensional prefabricated forms, the company can improve quality, reduce field time, and support more efficient project schedules.

But MZ’s future is not only about technology. It is also about people.

One of the company’s guiding philosophies is to never simply hire an employee for a job, but to find the right job for the employee. That people-first approach has helped shape MZ’s culture and continues to guide its growth.

Investing in the People Who Build

Today, MZ is continuing to invest in workforce development, union carpenter training, continued education, employee wellness, mental health, safety, and long-term growth opportunities.

As MZ Construction celebrates 17 years in business, the milestone is a moment to recognize the legacy behind the company, the people carrying it forward, and the future being built through innovation, care, and craftsmanship.

From 1927 to 2009 to today, MZ’s story has always been about more than construction. It is about building with purpose, honoring the work, and supporting the people who make it possible.