History of J.F. White Contracting

History

More than just the story of another contracting company, the history of J.F. White is a legacy of simple beginnings, hard work, family values and perseverance spanning more than eighty-five years, yielding great success and impressive accomplishments. Closely tied to the history of Boston and New England, J.F. White has played an integral role in this region’s progress by helping build the infrastructure that supports the daily life of the 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. After buying his first truck in 1918, Joe White began serving clients and expanding his capabilities. Between 1919 and 1928, local highway, railroad and private work doubled in volume. With access to local sand and gravel pits, he was well positioned to provide materials required by road builders.

In 1924, he incorporated as J.F. White Contracting Company. From 1924 to 1930, he branched into foundation excavation. In those years, J.F. White excavated the foundations of many prominent developments including: the Statler Hotel and Office Building, Boston MA; Aetna Insurance Headquarters, Hartford CT; Sears Building, Boston MA; Harvard Business School, Boston MA; and the Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge MA.

Success nearly turned to financial ruin as the Great Depression began in 1929; in fact, Joe was forced into personal bankruptcy. Never one to give up, he formed White Fuels at the water’s edge in South Boston and employed his personnel and equipment hauling coal for heating. Soon Joe's finances improved, and he paid off creditors impacted by his earlier bankruptcy.

The Second Generation - Diversification and Growth

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

Starting with a modest job cutting ski trails and building a new ski tow at the MDC Blue Hills Reservation, J.F. White’s success with MDC projects continued; in 1950, the company was low bidder on what is today known as Storrow Drive. Joseph 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 50s and 60s 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 its own personnel. When funding allocations shifted from the Interstate Highway program to the expansion of rapid transit, White's market focus also shifted.

It was the Charles River Dam project that transformed J.F. White 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. Ever-larger projects followed in waves: the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Facility, a vital component of the cleanup of Boston Harbor; The Ted Williams Tunnel; and 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 - Service, Stability and Specialization

Ownership of J.F. White shifted to the children of Tom White in the mid-1990s. Leadership by Peter and Stephen White shaped the company all through the early 2000’s. Substantial work on the Central Artery Tunnel Project, crystallized J.F. White’s status as a leading contractor in the public market. Work in the area of deep foundations, marine construction, electrical and mechanical groups expanded into larger, more complex projects.

In 2012 and 2013, J.F. White was awarded two Design Build projects that would become a showcase for the company’s capability on a large-scale signature project. Work to replace the Fore River Lift Bridge, connecting Quincy and Weymouth, included working from water to float in the significant sized span. Engineering and technical coordination expertise were on display. The historic Longfellow Bridge, connecting Boston and Cambridge was a rehabilitation project of this vehicular bridge that also carries the Red Line transit tracks. Historical rehabilitation including antiquated riveting methods from the early twentieth century were in the foreground of constructing this vital infrastructure.

The Future Awaits

In 2014, J.F. White Contracting Company became a Dragados USA affiliate when it was acquired by the ACS Group, an international construction and engineering organization. The company's history shows a versatility that enables the organization to move quickly into shifting markets, to establish trusting and mutually beneficial relationships with strategic partners, and to adopt new technologies that improve the construction process.

J.F. White’s present leadership will 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 depart from long-established tradition. J.F. White Contracting Co. will continue to apply the lessons learned through the years to continue to provide an exceptional workplace to our people, superior work quality to our clients, a safe-site environment, and always a cost-effective approach to complex construction tasks.