McCarthy Holdings, Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in America. Founded in 1864 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company has grown from a small lumber business into one of the largest commercial builders in the country.
The company operates through two primary subsidiaries: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. and Castle Contracting, LLC. McCarthy builds healthcare facilities, renewable energy projects, airports, education buildings, and water treatment plants across the United States.
Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, McCarthy became 100% employee-owned in 2002. The company maintains offices in 17 cities nationwide and has completed projects in nearly every state.
McCarthy Holdings History
McCarthy Holdings Co-founders
McCarthy Holdings Revenue
McCarthy Holdings generates approximately $4.78 billion in annual revenue across its construction operations. The company ranks among the top 20 largest commercial contractors in the United States. Projects range from $1 million renovations to multi-billion dollar healthcare campuses.
McCarthy Holdings Market Cap
McCarthy Holdings is a privately held, 100% employee-owned company. Unlike publicly traded contractors such as Fluor or Jacobs Engineering, McCarthy does not have a public market capitalization.
McCarthy Holdings Competitors
McCarthy competes with major national and regional construction firms across healthcare, renewable energy, and commercial building sectors. The company differentiates itself through its employee ownership model and 160-year track record.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Turner Construction | New York, NY | Commercial, Healthcare, Sports |
| DPR Construction | Redwood City, CA | Technology, Healthcare, Life Sciences |
| Mortenson | Minneapolis, MN | Renewable Energy, Sports, Healthcare |
| Hensel Phelps | Greeley, CO | Aviation, Government, Healthcare |
| Gilbane Building Company | Providence, RI | Education, Research, Healthcare |
| Clark Construction | Bethesda, MD | Commercial, Civic, Transportation |
| Skanska USA | New York, NY | Infrastructure, Commercial, Healthcare |
| JE Dunn Construction | Kansas City, MO | Healthcare, Education, Commercial |
| Kiewit Corporation | Omaha, NE | Infrastructure, Mining, Power |
| Whiting-Turner | Baltimore, MD | Data Centers, Research, Commercial |
McCarthy Holdings Acquisitions
McCarthy has historically grown through organic expansion rather than aggressive acquisitions. The company focuses on building internal capabilities and developing long-term client relationships across its target markets.
In 1991, McCarthy purchased SDL, a contracting firm based in Bellevue, Washington. This acquisition expanded McCarthy’s presence in the Pacific Northwest and added capabilities in the semiconductor and technology construction sectors. The firm operated as SDL McCarthy for several years before integrating fully.
The year 2000 brought another strategic move when McCarthy’s Texas division acquired assets and contracts from Concrete Pavers, Inc. of Evansville, Indiana. This gave McCarthy in-house paving capabilities and allowed more competitive bidding on civil transportation projects.
McCarthy created MC Industrial, Inc. in 2005 as a dedicated subsidiary for industrial construction. MC Industrial focuses on heavy industrial projects including refineries, power plants, and manufacturing facilities. The subsidiary completed the BP Whiting Refinery Modernization Project, one of the largest industrial projects in company history.
The most significant recent acquisition came in 2014 when McCarthy Holdings purchased Castle Contracting and its subsidiary CastleGPS. Castle brings sitework, earthwork, and underground utility capabilities to McCarthy’s portfolio. The acquisition also added 3D utility mapping technology powered by GPS, strengthening McCarthy’s design-build offerings. Castle continues to operate as a stand-alone subsidiary under the McCarthy Holdings umbrella.
In 2023, McCarthy made a seed investment in OnSight Technology, a construction technology startup. This investment reflects McCarthy’s ongoing commitment to adopting digital tools that improve project delivery and client outcomes.
FAQs
Who owns McCarthy Building Companies?
McCarthy Holdings is 100% employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan established in 2002. Every salaried employee receives ownership shares in the company.
Where is McCarthy Holdings headquartered?
McCarthy Holdings is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The company maintains 17 offices across the United States in cities including Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, and San Francisco.
What types of projects does McCarthy build?
McCarthy builds healthcare facilities, renewable energy projects, airports, education buildings, water treatment plants, data centers, and commercial structures across the United States.
Is McCarthy a public company?
No, McCarthy Holdings is a private company. It is the oldest privately held national construction company in America, with no stock traded on public exchanges.
How many employees work at McCarthy?
McCarthy Holdings employs approximately 7,500 salaried employees and craft professionals across its nationwide operations and 17 regional offices.
