Harper Industries Timeline

1949 - J.M. (Bill) Harper forms Harper Construction Company in Paducah, Ky. Throughout the 1950’s, the firm operated in various partnership arrangements, undertaking two to three projects at a time and establishing a reputation for quality work in the area.

1960 – Harper & Gray Construction expands from general commercial construction to industrial construction and begins a pattern of growth throughout Western Kentucky.

1971 – Billy Harper (son of founder J.M. Harper) joins father in business.

1975 – Recognizing an impending influx of concrete paving in Western Kentucky, Harper & Arterburn Construction expands to slipform highway and airport paving, as well as other heavy construction primarily related to concrete work. This diversity of work made continued growth possible throughout the 1970’s.

1976 – Harper & Arterburn Construction purchases Morsey, Inc., an industrial contracting firm, from Robert Morrow.

1980 – Harper Industries is formed as a holding company for construction and related companies.

1981 – Harper Industries purchases Federal Materials, a Paducah, Ky-based ready mix operation. During this period, Harper Construction was paving the downtown Paducah, Ky. loop and was unable to get timely delivery of concrete. A local, 50-year old, family owned ready mix company became available for sale, and it made sense to control the supply.

1982 – Metro Ready Mix, Inc. is formed as a new company serving the Nashville, Tenn. market. Originally, the assets of this company were purchased at auction with the intent of using the equipment in the Paducah market by Federal Materials. However, after conducting market research of the middle Tenn. area and determining good growth potential, Metro Ready Mix was formed to fill the need.

1983 – Vanguard Contractors is formed in Paducah, Ky. The company began operations primarily in commercial construction, but has evolved into a well regarded design-build firm performing extensive work for the Army Corps of Engineers throughout the United States.

1997 – Frontier Materials, Inc., a ready mix operation is established to service the Greater Houston, Texas, market.

1999 – American Fabrication, Inc. a vessel fabricator is purchased and moved to Calvert City, Ky.

2001 – Metal Fab, Inc., a steel fabrication firm, is purchased in Calvert City, Ky.

2001 – American Fabrication and Metal Fab are merged to become Precision Steel, a steel and vessel fabrication operation in Calvert City, Ky.