Historical Profile

During the twentieth century, handshake relationships became common among many of the large construction entities and their counterpart industrial clients.

An example, of one of these companies was Linden & Sons, Inc. (Associated Building Contractors member). Founded by Andreas Linden in 1907, then expanded by his son Hugo, Linden & Sons advanced from a small maintenance and repair shop operation to the contractor of many major industries during the first half of the century.

One lasting relationship developed by Linden & Sons, Inc. was with Rockford Screw Products. In 1929 a group of industialists formed a new company known as Rockford Screw Products. They commissioned the construction of their first plant, located on Railroad Avenue, to Linden's firm. With the successful completion of this pairing, the long term relationship between the companies was set in motion.

Although there were many smaller projects Linden & Sons completed for Rockford Screw Products, a few of the larger ventures were:

• A new factory at Kishwaukee St., and Harrison Ave. in 1943;
• A structure on Kishwaukee Street consisting of 120,000 sq.ft. of single-story space assigned for airplane component contracts in 1953;
• In 1962, an office building at Harrison Ave. and Kishwaukee St.

Linden & Sons had many other industrial clients. The company completed projects for Amerock, National Lock and other industrial and commercial clients during its seven decades of operation.

Hugo Linden was acting President of NIBCA in 1946, 1947 and 1952.

The entrance to the office of Rockford Screw Products in the 60's bore the distinctive "nut and bolt" design that fit its manufacturing line.