Barton Malow

Barton Malow. Barton Malow is a prominent American construction and construction management firm, recognized as one of the largest general contractors in the United States. Founded in Detroit in 1924, the company has grown into a national entity with a diverse portfolio spanning the sports venue, healthcare, education, industrial, and corporate sectors. Headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, the firm is known for its expertise in complex design-build and construction management at-risk project delivery methods.

History

The company was established in 1924 as a partnership between Ben Maibach Sr. and Emil B. Barton, initially focusing on residential and small commercial projects in the Detroit area. Following World War II, Barton Malow expanded into the industrial and institutional markets, contributing to the post-war building boom in the Midwestern United States. A significant milestone was its work on the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, a landmark project designed by Eero Saarinen. Under the leadership of subsequent generations of the Maibach family, including current CEO Ryan Maibach, the firm pursued strategic geographic and market diversification, establishing regional offices across the Sun Belt and East Coast of the United States.

Notable projects

Barton Malow has been the constructor for many iconic and technically complex facilities across North America. In the sports architecture sector, key projects include Ford Field (home of the Detroit Lions), Comerica Park (home of the Detroit Tigers), and the University of Michigan Stadium expansion. The firm has also constructed major National Football League venues such as Hard Rock Stadium for the Miami Dolphins and Lucas Oil Stadium for the Indianapolis Colts. Significant higher education projects encompass the Biological Science Building at the University of Michigan and facilities for Duke University. Other landmark builds include the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas.

Business operations

The company operates as a full-service construction firm, offering pre-construction planning, general contracting, construction management, and design-build services. Barton Malow is particularly noted for its implementation of Lean construction principles and Building Information Modeling to enhance project efficiency and collaboration. The firm maintains a significant self-perform workforce for concrete and site work through its subsidiary, Barton Malow Builders, which allows for greater schedule and cost control on large-scale projects. Its operations are supported by a network of offices in key markets including Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.

Corporate structure

Barton Malow is a privately held company, majority-owned by the Maibach family and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, fostering an employee-owner culture. The executive leadership is led by Ryan Maibach as CEO, with additional leadership overseeing various regional and market sector divisions. The company is organized into dedicated business units focusing on specific market sectors such as Sports, Healthcare, Advanced Technology, and Industrial manufacturing. This structure is designed to cultivate deep expertise and long-term client relationships within each vertical, supported by centralized resources for safety, Virtual Design and Construction, and sustainability.

Industry recognition

The firm consistently ranks among the top contractors in the United States by publications like Engineering News-Record and Building Design+Construction. Barton Malow has received numerous awards for project excellence, including multiple honors from the Associated General Contractors of America and the Design-Build Institute of America. Its commitment to workplace safety has been recognized with repeated STEP Platinum awards from the Associated Builders and Contractors. The company's innovative project delivery and community impact have also earned it accolades from organizations such as the American Institute of Architects and various regional business journals.

Category:Construction and civil engineering companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Michigan Category:Companies established in 1924 Category:Privately held companies of the United States