Press Releases

ST. LOUIS, MO (March 25, 2025) – St. Louis-based Western Specialty Contractors proudly joins the ranks of U.S. businesses celebrating a 110^th anniversary in 2025. An elite club, roughly only 1,000 companies nationwide are over 100 years old.

From humble beginnings as a basement waterproofing business founded in 1915 by entrepreneurs Ben Many and his brother-in-law George Bishop, Sr., Western Specialty Contractors has navigated two World Wars, The Great Depression, a slew of U.S. Presidents, multiple recessions and numerous challenges to become the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing and specialty roofing.

Owned and operated by third generation Bishop family members - Chairman of the Board/CEO Ben Bishop, Jr. and his brother Vice President/Director Michael Bishop - Western boasts 30+ branch offices and a diverse team of nearly 1,400 salaried/hourly professionals to serve facility managers/owners, general contractors, architects, engineers and consultants across various markets from coast to coast.

“My grandfather George was a hard working and innovative man who founded the business on honesty and principles; the same ones passed down from generation to generation within the family and instilled in everything we do at Western,” said Ben Bishop, Jr. “Today we celebrate our milestone 110^th anniversary with every member of the Western team, past and present, who have shared their time and talents, working alongside us over the decades to make Western the respected company it is today. We extend our sincerest gratitude to them and to our thousands of customers who have supported us throughout our many years.”

Western averages about 3,200 projects per year, skillfully restoring and protecting some of the nation’s most recognized and beloved landmarks throughout its history. Notable projects include: the United States Capitol in Washington, DC; the Parthenon in Nashville, TN; Field Museum of National History in Chicago, IL; Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC; Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA; the Chrysler Building in New York, NY; and many others.

Award-winning building envelope restoration experts, Western has earned a reputation for quality craftsmanship, family values and world-class job safety, which Bishop says contributes to the company’s long-standing success.

“Our number one priority is ensuring that each and every one of our employees returns home safe to their families every night after work,” said Bishop. “Our craftsmen and women work in some of the toughest environments, hundreds of feet in the air on scaffolds, in crumbling concrete parking garages and atop roofs and structures. Our ‘no excuse for not working safely’ company culture and ongoing safety training have been at the heart of our business for over 100 years. Our employees are greatly appreciated and always have been. We could not have stayed in business and prospered for as long as we have without our dedicated and talented team.”

Western CEO Ben Bishop, Jr.

About Western Specialty Contractors

Family-owned and operated for 110 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing and specialty roofing. Western offers a nationwide network of expertise that building owners, engineers, architects, and property managers can count on to develop cost-effective, corrective measures that can add years of useful life to a variety of structures including industrial, commercial, healthcare, historic, educational and government buildings, parking structures, and sports stadiums. Western is headquartered in St. Louis, MO with 30 branch offices nationwide and employs more than 1,200 salaried and hourly professionals who offer the best, time-tested techniques and innovative technology. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit www.westernspecialtycontractors.com.