History

Our rich history and unwavering principles have shaped our success, from our founding days to our current diverse portfolio and future ambitions.

A Heritage of Hard Work and Innovation

The Curran Group history begins with William Curran, who grew up in Cook County, Illinois. His parents were Irish immigrants who married in Ottawa, Canada, and later settled in Illinois. William and his three sons founded Metropolitan Ice & Coal Co. in 1918. With business savvy and an eye on the future, William shifted the business from coal and ice to heating and oil distribution, founding the Suburban Oil Company.

Our story is one of hard work, determination, business innovation and adherence to core values, a legacy that drives our diverse presence in the market today and guides a future that promises continued growth.

Black and white photo of WM Curran & Sons building in winter, showing the Suburban Oil Company signage.

From the Beginning

1918

William Curran Starts Metropolitan Ice & Coal Co.

William Curran founded Metropolitan Ice & Coal Co. in Cook County, Illinois.

1918

1930

Metropolitan Transforms to Heating Oil

Founded Suburban Oil Company, transforming Metropolitan into a heating oil distribution company in Forest Park, Illinois.

1930

1936

Curran Enters Asphalt Paving

Curran Contracting Company founded with initial contracts in asphalt paving.

1936

1961

Paving Business Expanded

Expanded paving business with the acquisition of Stahl Construction Company.

1961

1974

Entered Rail Industry with Holland

Company holdings diversified into rail industry with purchase of Holland Company.

1974

1980

Diversified into Sod Farming

Diversified into sod farming with purchase of Warren's Turf Nursery.

1980

1985

Founded Crossville Ceramics

Crossville Ceramics, the first U.S. producer of large-unit porcelain tile, founded.

1985

1992

Lewis Rail Service Purchased

Holland Company purchased Lewis Rail Service.

1992

1996

Sold Warren's Turf Nursery

Curran Group sold Warren's Turf Nursery.

1996

1998

Entered Paint Finishing with JBI

Curran Group diversified into the paint finishing industry with purchase of JBI.

1998

1998

Skokie Valley Asphalt

Curran Contracting expanded with purchase of Skokie Valley Asphalt.

1998

2000

JBI Expanded with Blu Surf

JBI expanded with aquisition of Blu Surf.

2000

2002

M-Bar-D Acquired by Holland

Holland purchased M-Bar-D.

2002

2003

Formed Global Finishing Solutions

JBI merged with Blowtherm USA, creating Global Finishing Solutions.

2003

2004

Holland Acquired E.O. Patton

Holland acquired E.O. Patton.

2004

2005

Peltier Glass Purchased

Crossville purchased Peltier Glass.

2005

2007

The Finish Line.

Crossville purchased The Finish Line. 

2007

2007

Opened Excavating Division

Curran Contracting opened excavating division in Illinois.

2007

2008

Multiple Acquisitions and Expansions

Holland purchased Industrial Metrics.

Curran Contracting purchased Royer Asphalt.

Crossville purchased Creative Metalized Products.

2008

2009

New Headquarters Opened

Curran Group and Curran Contracting moved into new headquarters in Crystal Lake, IL.

2009

2010

Acquired Royer Asphalt Paving

Curran Contracting acquired Royer Asphalt Paving in DeKalb, IL.

Crossville acquired Master Tile (Florida).

2010

2011

Expanded Operations in Texas and Mexico

Curran Contracting established SMC Builders Inc. in San Antonio, Texas. Curran Contracting established McGuire Aggregates Inc.

Global Finishing Solutions expanded its manufacturing facility in Osseo, Wisconsin, and relocated its Monterrey, Mexico operations. Crossville purchased Master Tile (Texas and Oklahoma).

2011

2012

Global Finishing Expanded Facilities

Global Finishing Solutions expanded its manufacturing and office facilities in Osseo, Wisconsin.

2012

2014

Opened San Antonio Operations

Curran Contracting opened operations in San Antonio, Texas.

2014

2015

Bankhead Railway Services Added

Holland acquired Bankhead Railway Services of Atlanta, adding thermite and electric welding to its capabilities.

2015

2016

Center for Excellence Launched

Global Finishing Solutions expanded with the opening of its Center for Excellence.

2016

2017

Crossville Rebranded as Crossville Studios

Following acquisitions of additional businesses, Crossville rebranded its 30+ distribution locations as Crossville Studios.

2017

2018

100 Years of Business Building

Curran Group celebrated 100 years of building businesses.

2018

2021

G.A. Blocker Joins Curran Contracting

Curran Group acquired G.A. Blocker for Curran Contracting.

2021

2023

Crossville Ceramics Sold

Curran Group sold Crossville Ceramics.

Curran Contracting ceased operations in Texas. 

2023