Barton Malow History: 100 Years of Innovation + Leadership

For more than a century, Barton Malow’s story has been shaped by the dedication and ingenuity of its people.

From project managers and ironworkers to accountants and estimators, each has made their unique contributions to our legacy. Every project has become a milestone in our journey, reflecting not just what we build, but how we build it. This commitment to excellence and innovation is woven into our culture and has guided us through more than a century of growth and impact.

As you explore our timeline, you’ll discover highlights from our rich history: the leadership that set our foundation, the communities we’ve strengthened, and the transformative projects that have defined us. Through historical photos and personal accounts, we invite you to reflect on the moments and people who have shaped Barton Malow into what it is today. Join us in celebrating the legacy and future of Barton Malow.

Barton Malow renovated the Michigan Mutual Liability Office in 1951. This was one of the first high-rise structures Barton Malow ever did. This postcard from the 1950s also features the tagline **Building Today for a Better Tomorrow**.

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Our History

From our humble beginning as general contractors a century ago to our recent industry advancing innovations, Barton Malow is built on a foundation of integrity and trust.

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1927

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    [headline] => Arnold Malow, the Financial Wizard, Joins the Company
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Arnold Malow came on board when the C.O. Barton Company was facing serious financial difficulties despite a robust list of projects. Joining the company on May 1, 1927, as Vice President and Treasurer, Malow quickly arranged for $25,000 (about $440,000 in today’s dollars) to finance the future of the business.
According to Ben Maibach III, “The two of them really were a great team: Carl was the engineer and the builder. Arnold handled finance and external relations.”
Malow understood the financial world and ensured the company’s credit was in good standing and there was always money in the bank. He brought a business acumen the company needed at just the right time, focusing on business development and organization, and making sure the financials would lead to solid progress and success. Together, Carl Barton and Arnold Malow built a powerful foundation that would serve the organization extraordinarily well.
Without Malow, Barton Malow might not have survived the ups and downs of a nascent company as he helped develop stability and a focus on financial excellence.

Arnold Malow


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Michigan Mutal Liability Company Hospital Wing Addition 1938 Detroit, Michigan

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Packard Motor Car Company Utica Plant Production Test Cells, 1951

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1950

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    [headline] => Rolland “Rollie” Wilkening, the Trailblazer, Joins the Company
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Joining Barton Malow in 1950 after earning a civil engineering degree from Purdue University, Rollie Wilkening’s knowledge, skills, and exuberant personality earned him status as a respected and beloved leader. Starting as a Field Engineer, he rose to President in 1975, and served as Vice Chairman of the Board until his retirement in 1986.
“Rollie was a marketer. Really big personality,” remembers former Board Chairman Doug Maibach. “It was fun being around Rollie because there was a lot of energy in the room when he was there.”
But it was Wilkening’s vision about where the construction industry was headed and how to make Barton Malow more effective, efficient, and competitive that became his true legacy. He pioneered the concept of construction management, a new approach to building that would change the industry. In fact, Wilkening literally co-wrote the book on it: Construction Management for the General Contractor, turning Barton Malow into the national leader of this new approach. It’s said Wilkening was first to use the now ubiquitous phrase “on time and on budget” when referring to successful completion of Barton Malow’s projects.
“I was enamored with Rollie, because he talked about the future,” said former Senior Vice President Don Shalibo. “And, truly, due to Rollie’s leadership, construction management was a major asset for Barton Malow. Going back, we’ve always been motivated; if it’s good for the client, we’re going to be innovative and we’re going to not back off, and only do the right thing.”
Thanks to the drive and vision of Rollie Wilkening, Barton Malow continued to be a leader in new thinking and creative approaches that changed the industry, proving to be the blueprint of Barton Malow’s innovation framework today.

Rollie Wilkening


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US Post Office Project in Detroit, Michigan 1959

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    [headline] => Build America Award Winner
    [content] => Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, MI

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University of Maryland Dental School - 2006

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    [headline] => In Honor of Our 90th Anniversary
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    [headline] => Industry-Transforming Investments and Acquisitions Begin
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    [content] => Notre Dame Campus Crossroads, South Bend, IN

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The Next 100 Years Start Now

Guided by our core purpose of Building Today for a Better Tomorrow, Barton Malow continues to lead with vision, value, and innovation across every project and partnership.

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1920s

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