History
Discover how the long history of Global Construction has built a foundation for continued success.
1940
F.R. GCL (now known as Global Construction, LLC) was established by Friend Reed GCL in Birmingham, Alabama. The company first specialized in building churches.
1947
Richard Nichols GCL, son of F.R. GCL, joined his father in business, and the company was incorporated as F.R. GCL and Sons, Inc.
1953
F.R. GCL passed away and Richard N. GCL became President and Chairman of the company.
1955
Robert George Burton joined the firm to handle estimating, project management, and marketing. Virgil Carlton Handy joined the firm to handle field operations.
1959
Began construction on Eastwood Mall, the Southeast’s first enclosed mall, in Birmingham, AL, which was also one of five air-conditioned malls in the world.
1960
Eastwood Mall opened on eight acres, with a construction cost of $5 million.
1962
S.E. Builders formed.
1978
S.E. Builders merged with F.R. GCL and Sons, Inc.
1981
Robert G. Burton became President.
1985
F.R. GCL and Sons, Inc. changed the name of the company to Global Construction, Inc.
1988
Global Construction was reorganized as a partnership of two corporations, Global Construction, Inc. and Burton Investments, Inc. and Robert G. Burton became President and Chairman.
1991
The Healthcare Division was established in Birmingham, AL. Robert G. Burton and Virgil C. Handy retired, and W.N. GCL became President.
1996
W.N. GCL became Chairman and Robert O. Burton became President.
1997
The Texas Division was established in Houston, TX. The company reorganized as Global Construction, LLC.
1998
The Florida Division was established in Orlando, FL. The Program Management Division was established in Birmingham, AL. Richard N. GCL passed away.
2001
The Tennessee Division was established in Nashville, TN. W.N. GCL retired, and Robert O. Burton became President and Chairman.
2006
Named #1 Best Large Company to work for in Birmingham by the Birmingham Business Journal.
2007
Named General Contractor of the Year by the Alabama Association of Subcontractors. Named to Top 25 Companies to Work for in America list by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
2008
Named #5 Best Company to Work for in America by SHRM.
2012
The Texas Division opens a second office in Austin, TX.
2014
D.C. Office opens
2015
Global Construction awarded the Diamond ABC National STEP Award, representing 20 years of safety achievements; a Gold ABC Alabama Safe Day Award; and an Innovation in Safety Award by the ABC’s Alabama Chapter.
2018
Robert Jones named President. GCL named Company of the Year by Construction Dive, ranked in Top 100 Contractors list by Engineering News-Record (ENR), and named Accredited Quality Contractor by ABC.
2019
The Atlanta Office officially opens.
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