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.
From the Beginning
1918
William Curran Starts Metropolitan Ice & Coal Co.
William Curran founded Metropolitan Ice & Coal Co. in Cook County, Illinois.
1930
Metropolitan Transforms to Heating Oil
Founded Suburban Oil Company, transforming Metropolitan into a heating oil distribution company in Forest Park, Illinois.
1936
Curran Enters Asphalt Paving
Curran Contracting Company founded with initial contracts in asphalt paving.
1961
Paving Business Expanded
Expanded paving business with the acquisition of Stahl Construction Company.
1974
Entered Rail Industry with Holland
Company holdings diversified into rail industry with purchase of Holland Company.
1980
Diversified into Sod Farming
Diversified into sod farming with purchase of Warren's Turf Nursery.
1985
Founded Crossville Ceramics
Crossville Ceramics, the first U.S. producer of large-unit porcelain tile, founded.
1992
Lewis Rail Service Purchased
Holland Company purchased Lewis Rail Service.
1996
Sold Warren's Turf Nursery
Curran Group sold Warren's Turf Nursery.
1998
Entered Paint Finishing with JBI
Curran Group diversified into the paint finishing industry with purchase of JBI.
1998
Skokie Valley Asphalt
Curran Contracting expanded with purchase of Skokie Valley Asphalt.
2000
JBI Expanded with Blu Surf
JBI expanded with aquisition of Blu Surf.
2002
M-Bar-D Acquired by Holland
Holland purchased M-Bar-D.
2003
Formed Global Finishing Solutions
JBI merged with Blowtherm USA, creating Global Finishing Solutions.
2004
Holland Acquired E.O. Patton
Holland acquired E.O. Patton.
2005
Peltier Glass Purchased
Crossville purchased Peltier Glass.
2007
The Finish Line.
Crossville purchased The Finish Line.
2007
Opened Excavating Division
Curran Contracting opened excavating division in Illinois.
2008
Multiple Acquisitions and Expansions
Holland purchased Industrial Metrics.
Curran Contracting purchased Royer Asphalt.
Crossville purchased Creative Metalized Products.
2009
New Headquarters Opened
Curran Group and Curran Contracting moved into new headquarters in Crystal Lake, IL.
2010
Acquired Royer Asphalt Paving
Curran Contracting acquired Royer Asphalt Paving in DeKalb, IL.
Crossville acquired Master Tile (Florida).
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).
2012
Global Finishing Expanded Facilities
Global Finishing Solutions expanded its manufacturing and office facilities in Osseo, Wisconsin.
2014
Opened San Antonio Operations
Curran Contracting opened operations in San Antonio, Texas.
2015
Bankhead Railway Services Added
Holland acquired Bankhead Railway Services of Atlanta, adding thermite and electric welding to its capabilities.
2016
Center for Excellence Launched
Global Finishing Solutions expanded with the opening of its Center for Excellence.
2017
Crossville Rebranded as Crossville Studios
Following acquisitions of additional businesses, Crossville rebranded its 30+ distribution locations as Crossville Studios.
2018
100 Years of Business Building
Curran Group celebrated 100 years of building businesses.
2021
G.A. Blocker Joins Curran Contracting
Curran Group acquired G.A. Blocker for Curran Contracting.
2023
Crossville Ceramics Sold
Curran Group sold Crossville Ceramics.
Curran Contracting ceased operations in Texas.