Our Company History
1920's
In the early part of the twentieth century, Johns Manville not only manufactured insulation, mastics, cements, refractory products, and more; they also performed contracting services. By the early 1920’s, Johns Manville decided to concentrate on manufacturing and exit the contracting business.
A Johns Manville employee was given the responsibility of selling the contract businesses…this was the beginning of our company. We trace our origin to a corporation in Baltimore incorporated in 1924. In 1928, a second contracting business was incorporated in Newark, New Jersey…about this same time, the company bought the Baltimore business from the first owner.
In the beginning, the owner decided that the active employees would own the businesses. This tradition continues today.
1930's
In the early 1930’s, the company bought an insulation company in Richmond, Virginia.
At about the same time, the company started a branch in Charlotte, NC. The first manager of the Charlotte Branch was James McDonald who was one of the founding members of the Southeastern Insulation Contractors Association (SEICA) in 1949. The company remains an active member of SEICA today. Eight company executives have served as President of SEICA.
1940's
As you would expect, most of the efforts in the 1940’s were directed to the war. The company concentrated on defense related insulation contracting.
From the beginning, the company has been a major player in the cold storage contracting business. During the 1940’s, the company built many Coolers and Freezers that were related to the war effort.
Beginning in the early 1940’s, the company was a leading manufacturer of a below ground distribution conduit known as Therm-O-Tile. This system was originally manufactured by Johns Manville and purchased from Johns Manville in the 1940’s. The distribution and installation of Therm-O-Tile for Steam and Hot Water distribution systems for schools, universities and other campus style heating systems, contributed significantly to the company’s success until the 1980’s.
1950's
By the 1950’s, the company had become predominately a power, process and industrial insulation contractor and a Cold Storage contractor with 4 branch operations in Newark; Baltimore; Richmond; Charlotte.
1960's
In 1962, the company opened a branch in Norfolk, Virginia.
1970's
In 1971, a merit shop operation was started in Charlotte. In 1978, the company bought an open shop contracting business in Richmond, Virginia.
In 1975, the company opened a branch operation in Orlando, Florida that was moved to Jacksonville, Florida by 1978.
1980's
In the mid 1980’s, the company consolidated its merit shop businesses under the name of Unitherm, Inc.
1990's
In 1990, the company bought an insulation company in Florida and added Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Tampa as merit shop insulation contracting branch operations.
21st Century
In 2002, Unitherm continued to increase its presence in the industry by acquiring the Centin operation in Columbia, SC.
Looking Ahead
Unitherm's plans for the future include opening additional branches in the southeastern U. S. and insuring that active employees continue to own 100% of the Company.
Over Eighty-Seven years ago, our forefathers said that this company will be owned entirely by the active employees. This is still true today. We will continue to protect and preserve this tradition.
