COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 1629

Heavy Construction, Not Elsewhere Classified

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

26companies1915–1991founding years20still active6no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedBlack & Veatch LLPFoundedBlack & Veatch LLP
1915
FoundedPhilipp Holzmann AG
1917
FoundedJ.A. Jones, Inc.FoundedJ.A. Jones, Inc.
1920
FoundedFoster Wheeler Corporation
1927
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedPeter Kiewit Sons' Inc.
1941
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedSundt Corp.FoundedSundt Corp.
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedBouygues S.A.
1952
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedMontedison S.p.A.FoundedMontedison S.p.A.
1966
FoundedItel Corporation
1967
FoundedCoflexip S.A.FoundedVECO International, Inc.FoundedVECO International, Inc.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedBritish Aerospace plc
1978
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedJohnstown America Industries, Inc.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Black & Veatch LLP →
Active · founded 1915
Black & Veatch LLP is a leading global engineering and construction firm.
Black & Veatch LLP →
Active · founded 1915
Black & Veatch LLP is a leading global engineering and construction firm.
Philipp Holzmann AG →
Active · founded 1917 · Germany
Philipp Holzmann AG is Europe's largest construction company, the second-largest international building contractor in…
Philipp Holzmann AG →
Active · founded 1917 · Germany
Philipp Holzmann AG is Europe's largest construction company, the second-largest international building contractor in…
J.A. Jones, Inc. →
Active · founded 1920
J.A.
J.A. Jones, Inc. →
Active · founded 1920
J.A.
Foster Wheeler Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1927
Foster Wheeler Corporation is an international company overseeing a wide range of engineering and construction…
Foster Wheeler Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1927
Foster Wheeler Corporation is an international company overseeing a wide range of engineering and construction…
Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc. →
Active · founded 1941
Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc.
Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc. →
Active · founded 1941
Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc.
Sundt Corp. →
Active · founded 1946
A major general contractor in the United States and abroad, Tucson-based Sundt Corp.
Sundt Corp. →
Active · founded 1946
A major general contractor in the United States and abroad, Tucson-based Sundt Corp.
Bouygues S.A. →
Active · founded 1952 · France
Bouygues S.A.
Bouygues S.A. →
Active · founded 1952 · France
Bouygues S.A.
Montedison S.p.A. →
Defunct · founded 1966 · Italy
Montedison S.p.A.
Montedison S.p.A. →
Defunct · founded 1966 · Italy
Montedison S.p.A.
Itel Corporation →
Active · founded 1967
Itel Corporation is a diversified transportation and logistics company.
Itel Corporation →
Active · founded 1967
Itel Corporation is a diversified transportation and logistics company.
Coflexip S.A. →
Active · founded 1971 · France
France's Coflexip S.A.
Coflexip S.A. →
Active · founded 1971 · France
France's Coflexip S.A.
VECO International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
VECO International, Inc.
VECO International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
VECO International, Inc.
British Aerospace plc →
Defunct · founded 1978 · United Kingdom
British Aerospace plc (BAe) is the largest defense contractor in Europe, as well as being a leading aerospace company.
British Aerospace plc →
Defunct · founded 1978 · United Kingdom
British Aerospace plc (BAe) is the largest defense contractor in Europe, as well as being a leading aerospace company.
Johnstown America Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
A rising manufacturing force, Johnstown America Industries, Inc.
Johnstown America Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
A rising manufacturing force, Johnstown America Industries, Inc.
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