Findorff history

1904: Findorff purchases an old flour mill and constructs an office, lumberyard, and planing mill.

In May 1909, an intense fire swept through Findorff’s planing mill and everything was lost, including the nearly completed millwork for the Capitol’s east wing and heating plant.

In 1936, Findorff bought its first crane for construction at Oscar Mayer.

1941: The company is selected to install the first parking meters in downtown Madison.

In 1942, the Company helped build the sprawling Badger Ordnance Plant among the cornfields nestled at the base of Baraboo’s bluffs.

The company continued to operate as a partnership for approximately 30 years, until incorporating under the name J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. in 1946.

Kruska's relationship with Findorff began in 1954, when he joined the company as a carpenter's apprentice.

1961: Milton Findorff becomes chairman, while W. Harold Hastings is named president.

The Company served as the largest contractor for structural work on the $12 million First Wisconsin Bank building, which opened in 1974.

In 1977, the company was ranked 307 in Engineering News Records' top 400 construction firms, with more than $37 million in contracts for the year.

Gerd Zoller was named Findorff's president in 1979.

By 1980, John R. Findorff was serving as Findorff's chairman and CEO. The previous year, Findorff expanded operations outside of Wisconsin when it established a branch in Tampa, Florida.

1981: John R. Findorff sells the company to three long-time employees.

1990: Findorff celebrates 100 years of operations, and sales reach an unprecedented $92 million.

In Milwaukee, Findorff was recognized as the city's largest minority business in the July 20, 1992, issue of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

In 1994, Findorff's sales reached $94 million.