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The Auchter Company

From Alfawiki
The Auchter Company
Company typePrivate
IndustryConstruction, Civil Engineering
Founded1929
FounderGeorge D. Auchter
Defunct2007-12-31
FateAcquired by Perry-McCall Construction, Inc. (merger dissolved and ceased operations)
Headquarters
Jacksonville, Florida
,
United States
Area served
Florida, United States
Key people
George D. Auchter (founder), Wilbur H. Glass Jr. (owner), Brad Glass (president)
ProductsConstruction of buildings, bridges, shipbuilding during WWII (floating drydocks)

The Auchter Company was a general construction contractor headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, established in 1929 by engineer George D. Auchter. Recognized as one of Florida's longest-standing contractors, the firm was responsible for constructing many of Jacksonville's prominent civic and commercial structures, including City Hall, and was regarded among the leading design/build firms nationwide. During World War II, the company supported the US Navy's Emergency Shipbuilding Program by building ships; its shipyard ceased operations in February 1946. After the war, The Auchter Company concentrated on the construction of buildings and bridges until it was acquired by Perry-McCall Construction, Inc. on March 26, 2007.

Origins

Born on January 6, 1889, in Jersey City, New Jersey, George David Auchter was the eldest of three siblings in a family with an engineering background. He pursued engineering studies at Rutgers College and resided in Red Bank, New Jersey when his employer assigned him to a bridge project in Florida during the early 1920s. Capitalizing on Florida's construction surge and Jacksonville's nickname as "The River City," Auchter utilized his expertise in bridge engineering. He obtained Florida engineering license #375 in 1922 and founded the George D. Auchter Company in 1929. George Sr. passed away in 1974 while his son George Jr. was overseeing the company.

Background

The Auchter Company excelled in both design and engineering for on-site construction as well as prefabricated elements delivered worldwide. Its diverse portfolio encompassed office buildings, manufacturing plants, bridges, warehouses, resorts, churches, museums, residential developments, hospitals, and power generation facilities. Significant projects included Jacksonville International Airport, military installations, courthouses, and detention centers. During World War II, the firm constructed floating repair drydocks for the US Navy along with pulpwood barges and concrete vessels. In the postwar period, focus shifted toward civil infrastructure and high-rise building projects.

In 1981, George Auchter Jr. retired after selling the company to a group of investors; he died five years later in 1986. Among these investors was Wilbur H. Glass Jr., whose father had served as Auchter Company President for fourteen years. Glass Jr., a civil engineer with prior experience as a US Army field engineer, joined as project manager and became vice president by 1979. He acquired full ownership in 1993 while maintaining the company’s original name. Under Glass’s leadership, the company expanded beyond Jacksonville into other Florida markets and broadened its portfolio to include retail construction for clients such as Gate Petroleum and three Target stores located throughout North Florida.

In 1999, The Auchter Company moved its headquarters to a First Coast Technology Park situated on the University of North Florida campus to foster closer collaboration with the university community. Wilbur Glass’s sons became involved with the business: Jeff Glass joined in 1978 (becoming partner by 1993) before retiring in 2004; Brad Glass entered the firm in 1995 after earning a business degree from UNF and subsequently assumed the role of president. Additionally, Dave Auchter—another grandson of George Auchter—joined as Director of Corporate Development in 2000 following prior media positions with World Golf Village and the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.

In 2006, Perry-Mccall Construction Inc. formed a partnership with Auchter to submit a bid for constructing the new Duval County Courthouse. Although initially awarded this contract, it was rescinded due to financial difficulties faced by Auchter. To retain the project contract, Perry-Mccall acquired The Auchter Company on March 26, 2007; however, Jacksonville’s General Counsel rejected this acquisition citing irregularities in bidding procedures. Consequently, the merger was dissolved and The Auchter Company ceased operations on December 31, 2007.

Small Auxiliary Floating Dry Docks (AFD - AFDL)

The Auchter Company produced Auxiliary Floating Docks, Light (AFDL), also referred to as Auxiliary Floating Docks (AFD), for the United States Navy. These docks measured 288 feet in length with a width of 64 feet and had an empty draft of 3 feet 3 inches, which increased to 31 feet 4 inches when submerged to accommodate ship repairs. Typically, crews ranging from 30 to 130 personnel resided on a nearby barge while operating these docks. With a displacement of 1,200 tons, the AFDLs were capable of lifting vessels weighing up to 1,900 tons for maintenance purposes. Designed as single-section docks open at both ends, they were primarily utilized for servicing smaller vessels such as PT boats and submarines. In 1946, following World War II, all AFDs were redesignated as AFDL.

  • USS AFD-19 - Later known as AFDL-19, this dock operated out of Dunstaffnage, Scotland before being sold and moved to Jacksonville, Florida
  • USS AFD-20 - Also designated AFDL-20, served in American Samoa
  • USS AFD-21 - Referred to as AFDL-21
  • USS AFD-22 - Identified as AFDL-22
  • USS Adept (AFD-23) - Known as AFDL-23

References

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