COMPANY HISTORY
In 1860, Isaac Blanchard, a master mason and Civil War veteran, founded what is known today as Wm. Blanchard Co. in Newark, N.J.. A specialist in the construction of brick baking ovens, Isaac Blanchard built a solid reputation for hard work and dedication which allowed him to branch out into other aspects of general construction.
Turn of the century industrialization and expansion in Newark provided the opportunity to move into the forefront of building construction. The firm remained a family enterprise, with management passing from father to son. William L. Blanchard carried on the tradition of excellence, as did his son, Isaac C. Blanchard. The company’s commercial projects continued to grow, along with the recognition and respect as one of the area’s premier general contractors.
The Great Depression was a time of diversity for Blanchard. With construction demand ebbing, Blanchard carpenters were put to work crafting “Nordic Hickory Skis” for civilian and military use. Blanchard tradesmen also continued with the maintenance and renovation of Blanchard-owned buildings leased to commercial and manufacturing firms in northern New Jersey.
With the start of World War II and the resurgence of construction demand, Blanchard became an integral part of the war time effort. William F. Blanchard oversaw the four month conversion of a General Motors automobile plant into a Grumman “Wildcat” Navy fighter plane factory. This extraordinary accomplishment earned the firm the prestigious Army-Navy E Production Award for excellence in War production.
Post-war economic expansion introduced a variety of projects in northern New Jersey. This was a time when Blanchard was building breweries, banks, churches, hospitals, department stores, warehouses, and industrial plants. Beginning in the 1960s with the next generation of Richard and William C. Blanchard, large-scale office buildings in the heart of Newark and northern New Jersey became part of Blanchard’s growing capabilities.
The advent of Construction Management in the 1970s and the demand for specialized expertise refocused Blanchard’s mainstay into hospital construction. To this day, Blanchard has had long term relationships with such health care providers as Hackensack University Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Atlantic Health Systems, Meridian Hospitals Corporation, Hunterdon Medical Center, and others. Today 95% of our current projects are repeat work from clients who have selected Wm. Blanchard Co. over others for decades.
Today with the sixth generation of Blanchards participating in the firm, Clifford and William I. Blanchard, can draw from the company’s heritage of passionate commitment to hard work, long experience, and extraordinary results to ensure Blanchard’s continuing place in the forefront of its industry.