History

The Evolution of Kelleher Construction Company

1912 Before the days of refrigeration and freezers, blocks of ice cut from Massachusetts area lakes and ponds were shipped throughout the world as a means of keeping perishable goods cool and extending shelf life. Massachusetts ice was admired at home and abroad for its purity and taste. Recognizing that this was a unique business opportunity, John C. Kelleher, Sr. founded Beverly Ice Company in 1912 and began cutting blocks of ice from nearby Wenham Lake. As the Beverly-based business thrived, Kelleher expanded his operations and quickly became a main source for ice within the community. Kelleher later moved the ice cutting operation to his own property in Beverly, dredging a 5-acre pond to service demand when Wenham Lake was sanctioned as the main water supply for the surrounding communities of Beverly and Salem. The success of Beverly Ice Company is attributed to Kelleher’s responsiveness to market changes and customer needs. Today, Kelleher’s Pond is a local landmark, not to mention a popular fishing hole and ice skating spot. John C. Kelleher, Sr. Beverly Ice Company 1954 The 1950's saw an insurgence of technological advances. Among the many changes was the revolution of residential refrigeration and heating efficiencies. As the need for ice declined and the business began to melt away, Kelleher, along with his son, John C. Kelleher, Jr. embarked on a new business venture: heating oil. Responding quickly to changing market demand, Kelleher and his son established Kelleher Fuel Company. This new business grew as former ice clients became fuel clients. In 1954, Kelleher, Jr. took over management of the fuel company. Expanding from a small-scale residential home heating oil business, Kelleher Fuel Company became a major fuel oil distributor and supplier, providing installations and services throughout the North Shore of Massachusetts. Kelleher remained focused on building stable, reliable, and trusted relationships with his customers. Actively managing Kelleher Fuel Company for over 42 years, Kelleher’s success is attributed to continuing his father’s commitment to market responsiveness and exceptional customer service. John C. Kelleher, Jr. Kelleher Fuel Company 1974 In 1974 John C. Kelleher, III joined the family business, representing the third generation of family members to work for the firm. Kelleher, III managed and oversaw the construction arm of the business, Kelleher Construction Company. The construction company was initially established by Kelleher, Sr. to offset the slower summer months of the ice business. When Kelleher , III joined the firm, he recognized the growth opportunities that existed in the construction market and set out to develop more fully this smaller, secondary business line. Initially specializing in new residential construction and renovation, Kelleher built an extensive staff that including carpenters, masons, and laborers. This well established team allowed Kelleher to move onto larger scale projects. As the business focus shifted to industrial, commercial, and institutional construction, Kelleher’s completed project portfolio grew to include academic centers, dormitories, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, luxury residential condominiums, retail centers, restaurants, bank branch offices, aircraft hangers, ice arenas and auto dealerships, to name a few. Today, John C. Kelleher, III is president of Kelleher Construction Company, general contractors and construction managers. The Company continues to focus on commercial, industrial, and institutional construction and offers sophisticated pre-construction and construction management services. Kelleher, III carries on the family tradition of providing a high quality product with a commitment to market responsiveness and exceptional customer service. John C. Kelleher, III Kelleher Construction Company