Timeline
1920s
Edward Gray stands next to the company's first truck-mounted air compressor.
An early air compressor used to provide power to sand blasting equipment and pavement breaking jackhammers, etc.
In 1921, Edward Gray establishes the Chicago Concrete Breaking Company (CCBC), a firm specializing in sand blasting and pavement breaking.
In 1926, CCBC receives a milestone contract for the removal of a retaining wall -- utilizing dynamite -- along the Illinois Central Railroad tracks in Chicago's Grant Park. Without interruption to train traffic, on-time completion of the difficult project earns the company national recognition and its motto: "Wanted -- a hard job."
1930s
Billboard advertising announces company's entry into precision blasting business.
CCBC demolishes Sky Ride Towers at 1933 World's Fair
In 1933, CCBC pioneers the use of dynamite to remove salamanders (iron ore deposits) from blast furnaces.
Also in 1933, CCBC receives contract to dynamite and remove salamanders from Wisconsin Steel's #3 blast furnace. Successful completion of the project launches the company into the precision blasting business.
The company expands and applies its expertise to the breaking of slag and waste materials in hazardous steel-producing facilities.
CCBC is hired in 1934 to demolish the 628-ft. Sky Ride Towers utilizing controlled explosives at the World's Fair in Chicago.
1940s
Telegram from Tata Iron and Steel requesting CCBC's blasting expertise in Jamshedpur, India.
An early air compressor used to power sand blasting, power pavement breaking jackhammers, etc.
The company works in Jamshedpur, India, removing salamanders from Tata Iron and Steel Company's blast furnaces.
Throughout the decade, CCBC develops several unique machines including the "Overhead Loader," which mechanizes the removal of waste materials from steel-making facilities and the "Jet Trapper," which blasts out tap hole plugs, speeding the molten steel extracting process.
1950s
Avenue O office - 1951 Chicago, Illinois
Graycor celebrates its 30th Anniversary in 1951.
In 1951, offices and shop facilities are established on Avenue O in South Chicago, which enables the company to expand its services to include repair and rebuilding of steel-making facilities. Chicago Tribune names Edward Gray as "Outstanding Chicagoan" in 1953. In 1957, Chicago Concrete Breaking Company is renamed The Edward Gray Corporation, reflecting its expansion into construction services.
1960s
Edward Gray, 1892 - 1962, founder Chicago Concrete Breaking Company.
Upon Edward Gray's death in 1962, Donald Neville assumes presidency and develops the company into a full-scale industrial construction company. Major projects include a railroad tank-car manufacturing plant, the substructure for a new 14-inch bar mill and major additions to Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant.
1970s
Melvin Gray, Chairman
and Chief Executive
Officer
Blast furnace rebuild at
Inland Steel Company
(now Ispat Inland Inc.),
East Chicago, Indiana
Following Donald Neville's death in 1971, Melvin Gray, son of Edward Gray, assumes leadership of the company as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Throughout the decade, the company increases its project capabilities to include machinery and process equipment installation as well as steel erection. Work in Northwest Indiana steel mills continues to thrive.
In addition, the company expands its services to include additions to nuclear fuel recovery facilities for several major power generating plants.
1980s
333 Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois
Remote-controlled furnace cleaning machine
900 North Michigan building
Chicago, Illinois
In 1982, The Edward Gray Corporation acquires Inland Construction Company, a leading retail/commercial contractor whose résumé includes projects such as Water Tower Place and 333 Wacker Drive.
Also in 1982, the company develops a remote-controlled furnace cleaning machine that dramatically decreases the time needed to deline stoves and furnaces.
Robert Rolwing is appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer in 1983.
In 1984, Inland receives a milestone project: construction management of the 65-story, mixed-use 900 North Michigan building.
In 1985, the company is renamed Graycor, Inc.
1990s
Graycor headquarters Homewood, Illinois
BP Amoco
Naperville, Illinois
DaimlerChrysler
Indianapolis, Indiana
In 1992, the company relocates its headquarters to Homewood, Illinois.
Kenneth Isaacs is named as President and Chief Operating Officer in 1996.
Also in 1996, the company's operating units are renamed to identify them under one unified name: Graycor Inc. The name change coincides with the celebration of Graycor's 75th year in business, a year in which the company achieves record growth.
In 1997, Graycor receives a multi-year, multimillion-dollar contract to modernize DaimlerChrysler's Indianapolis foundry.
Graycor achieves 2 million work hours without a lost-time accident in 1999 at U.S. Steel in Gary, Indiana.
Graycor enters the high-tech market with completion of BP's relocation and tenant build-out project.
In 1999, Graycor receives ISO 9002 registration, one of only five contractors in the U.S. to achieve this distinction.
Today
Southdown Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
Wisconsin Electric Power Co.
Port Washington, Wisconsin
In 2000, Graycor enters the cement manufacturing market by modernizing Southdown Inc.'s Chicago Terminal.
The company expands its industrial maintenance services to include hydroblasting and vacuum cleaning.
Graycor continues to position itself as one of the nation's premier power contractors.
Today, the company is a diversified North American contractor that continues to tackle complex industrial and commercial projects that require a full and integrated complement of construction services, reaching to the east coast and across borders to Mexico and Canada.
