In 1860, Isaac Blanchard, a master mason and Civil War veteran, founded the firm that is known today as Wm. Blanchard Co. in Newark, New Jersey. A specialist in the construction of brick baking ovens, Isaac Blanchard built a strong reputation for hard work and dedication, which enabled him to branch out to other aspects of general construction.

Turn-of-the-century industrialization and growth 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 region’s premier general contractors.

The Great Depression became 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 provided 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 national war 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 generated 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 to meet the pace of the area’s rapid development. Beginning in the 1960s with the next generation of leadership under Richard and William C. Blanchard, large-scale office buildings in the heart of Newark and northern New Jersey became an important part of Blanchard’s growing portfolio.

In the 1970s, the advent of Construction Management and increased demand for specialized expertise refocused Blanchard’s priorities to hospital construction. To this day, Blanchard has long-term partnerships with Hackensack University Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Atlantic Health Systems, Meridian Hospitals Corporation, Hunterdon Medical Center, and others. Currently 95% of our projects are repeat work from clients who have selected Wm. Blanchard Co. for decades.

With the sixth generation of Blanchards leading the firm, Clifford and William I. Blanchard can draw on the company’s extraordinary heritage and passionate commitment to hard work, dedication to clients, and excellent results to ensure Blanchard’s continuing position at the forefront of the industry.