History
In 1971, Charles McClure and Bob Kleis were working for a local Indianapolis excavating company. Kleis had graduated from Purdue University and was working as the estimator for the company. McClure was a union operator who had purchased his own backhoe and was working for the company as a subcontractor.
The two decided to start their own company, and in March of 1972, they formed McClure and Kleis Construction. The company was a union shop and participated in many school, hospital, and commercial projects in the Indianapolis area. Their first project was the Forest Manor Middle School on the Northeast side. Over the years, the company grew from two pieces of equipment to 16 units. The company would normally employ 15 to 25 people during the construction season. McClure and Kleis worked for most of the large general and mechanical contractors in the area. In 1977, Bob Kleis purchased McClure's interest in the company and became the sole owner. In 1982, Kleis purchased land in Greenwood, Indiana and eventually moved the office and shop to that location, where it remains today.
In about 1985, Bob Kleis's son, Craig, joined the company as a laborer. He advanced to operating engineer and later was an estimator and project manager. Craig Kleis attended IUPUI and in 2006, purchased the business from his father.
The two decided to start their own company, and in March of 1972, they formed McClure and Kleis Construction. The company was a union shop and participated in many school, hospital, and commercial projects in the Indianapolis area. Their first project was the Forest Manor Middle School on the Northeast side. Over the years, the company grew from two pieces of equipment to 16 units. The company would normally employ 15 to 25 people during the construction season. McClure and Kleis worked for most of the large general and mechanical contractors in the area. In 1977, Bob Kleis purchased McClure's interest in the company and became the sole owner. In 1982, Kleis purchased land in Greenwood, Indiana and eventually moved the office and shop to that location, where it remains today.
In about 1985, Bob Kleis's son, Craig, joined the company as a laborer. He advanced to operating engineer and later was an estimator and project manager. Craig Kleis attended IUPUI and in 2006, purchased the business from his father.