"It is.important to look ahead, to recognize the opportunities that our experience, technical strengths and resources offer for the future."
More than just the story of another contracting company, the history of J.F. White is a legacy of simple beginnings, hard work and perseverance spanning more than seventy five years, yielding great success and impressive accomplishments. Closely tied to the history of Boston and the Greater New England area, J.F. White has played an integral role in this regions progress. We have helped to build the infrastructure that supports the daily life of the city and participated in many landmark projects that have become so closely identified with the Greater Boston area.

The First Generation - Groundwork

The company's founder, Joseph F. White, Sr. defined the character of the company, reflecting his personal ideals, work ethic and business savvy.
Joe Sr. bought his first truck in 1918. Until then it was horses and tip-carts. Four years later he purchased his first Bucyrus Erie steam shovel. In 1924 he incorporated as J.F. White Contracting Company.

Between 1919 and 1928, local highway, railroad and private work doubled in volume. With access to local sand and gravel pits, Joe White was well positioned to provide the materials required by road builders.

Eager to grow the business, Joe branched into foundation excavation. From 1924 to 1930 J.F. White excavated the foundations for many prominent developments including: Statler Hotel & Office Building, Boston, Aetna Insurance Headquarters, Hartford, CT, Sears Building, Boston, Harvard Business School, Boston, and the Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge.

Personal financial success and the opportunities that accompanied it nearly turned to financial ruin as the Great Depression began in 1929. As the depression widened, construction work slowed, diminishing the need for services. Real estate holdings depreciated to half their value. Joe was forced into personal bankruptcy.

During the declining market, not one to sit idle, Joe focused on the continuation of the Company and its loyal workers, he formed White Fuel at the waters edge in South Boston. He used the personnel and equipment resources of the contracting company to haul coal to meet the heating needs of the cold New England winters.As White Fuel prospered and Joe's finances improved, he paid off the creditors impacted by his 1930's bankruptcy. Legally he was under no obligation to do so, but his associates admired his actions. Consequently, he had excellent credit in the area. From that day forward, no one doubted that Joe White's word was his bond.

The Second Generation - Diversification & Growth

In 1945, Tom White and his brothers Joe, Jr. and John returned from World war II and revived the contracting business.
Joe Sr. expected the boys to focus on hauling and earth moving. Tom, a graduate of Harvard Class of '42 took a broader view towards diversification and growth.In the post war economy, public agencies and municipalities emerged as key players providing construction opportunities. Principal among these at the time was The Metropolitan District Commission, or MDC, the umbrella organization that awarded construction contracts for improvements to the region's water and sewer systems, roads and recreational facilities.

Eager to establish a relationship with the agency, the boys took a modest job of cutting ski trails and building a new ski tow at the MDC Blue Hills Reservation.In 1950, the company was low bidder on what is today known as Storrow Drive. Securing the contract was not easy. The company's bonding agent was against issuing the company a payment and performance bond for the $650,000 project. Without Tom's knowledge, Joe, Sr. personally indemnified the company in the amount of $50,000, securing the contract.

J.F. White, Sr. would not live to see the profitability of the boys' first major project. He died on September 6, 1950.

Much of the company's work in the 50's and 60's shifted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Works (DPW), responsible for road improvements and highway projects throughout the Commonwealth. Early on, bridgework was sub-contracted, but eventually the company developed the expertise to construct major highway overpasses with it's own personnel.

When funding allocation shifted from the Interstate Highway program to the expansion of rapid transit, White's market focus shifted.

The Charles River dam project transformed J.F. White Contracting from a New England road builder and excavating contractor to a competent and well- recognized heavy/civil contractor.
As the company grew and prospered, Tom delegated authority to qualified professionals who brought new talents, experience and a sophisticated approach to the organization. No individual better represented the ideals of the J. F. White Contracting Co. than Phil Bonanno. The future came in waves.

Project experience included the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Facility, a vital component to the cleanup of Boston Harbor, The Ted Williams Tunnel for The Central Artery, and now the North to Chardon Segment of the CA/T, connecting the existing harbor tunnels to the newly depressed I-93 North and South.

The Third Generation - Stability, Specialization and Service

The company's history has demonstrated a versatility that enables the organization to move quickly into shifting markets, to establish trusting and mutually beneficial relationships with strategic partners and adapt new technologies to improve the construction process.
Peter T. White, Stephen J. Barlow and Kevin K. Egan have teamed in a unique way to guide the Company into, through and beyond the next phase of its development. Markets continue to evolve in new ways, projects require new approaches, clients are not their traditional selves. Financing will be a constant constraint on infrastructure requirements. Design/Build and Private Market work are a current and future reality. J. F. White Contracting Co. intends to apply many of the lessons learned throughout its years to continue to provide a decent place of work to our people, a quality of work to be proud of, a safe-site environment, and always a cost-effective approach to complex construction tasks.

Thank you for your interest. Please feel free to contact us.