The History Of The McLean Company

The McLean Company traces its history back to its founder Don H. McLean – father of the company’s current chairman of the board, Donald K. McLean, and vice chairman, Fred H. McLean; and grandfather to the current president, Donald S. McLean; his sister, Carey; and Fred H. McLean’s three sons, Scott, Doug, and Bill McLean.

Don H. McLean started out in 1926 with Barber-Greene based in Aurora, Illinois. After gaining experience in the Chicago and Detroit offices in 1930, D. H. McLean was assigned to Barber-Greene’s Cleveland, Ohio branch as office manager. Under his management, the Barber-Greene Cleveland office weathered the Depression years. In World War II, D. H. McLean and his brother Kenneth McLean went to work for Cleveland area industries producing for the war effort. After the war, Barber-Greene elected to sell through distributors instead of branch offices. The McLean’s joined forces and incorporated their own company – The McLean Company – in 1948.

In 1949 the McLean’s began selling asphalt, concrete and aggregate plants at their headquarters in Cleveland. During the 1950s and early 1960s, The McLean Company provided quality products and service in all but 13 Ohio counties despite a small sales force. The first generation of McLeans guided the company from its formation until 1976. That year, the second generation of McLeans assumed control of The McLean Company. In 1962 Fred McLean moved his family to Columbus to open a sales office. In 1968 he moved the operation from his home to the current Columbus branch office. Later, in 1981 a branch in West Chester, Ohio was added.

Donald S. McLean represents the third generation of family members who began leading the company in 1994. Don took over as president and sales manager following his father Don K. McLean’s retirement. Fred’s three sons are also in the family business. F. Scott McLean joined the company in 1981 and is now the vice president/field sales manager of The McLean Company located in the Columbus branch. Bill McLean joined The McLean Company in 1983 and is now the company’s corporate treasurer in Cleveland. Douglas H. McLean joined the company in 1980 working as southeast territory salesman. He is also vice president and West Chester branch manager. Carey M. Brockman, daughter of Don K. McLean, joined the company in 1986. She has been responsible for sales in north central Ohio and is corporate assistant secretary.

A Tradition Of Quality For Fifty Years

The McLean Company (Three Generations)

 

For three generations, The McLean Company has stood for quality. Founded in 1948, the company has provided customers throughout Ohio with knowledgeable applications assistance and customer sales support.

A Partnership For Customers

The McLean Company has a reputation for being efficient, professional, and highly responsive to its customers needs.

Through the years, the distributorship has established a strong partnership with its customers based on trust and friendship. According to Don, customers have grown up with the McLean’s, they know their faces, and they have confidence in them to know that they will go the extra mile to provide quality products and support.

"Eighty percent of our sales are to people we know," Don said. "We are selling to people that my father and grandfather did, which is kind of neat. We’re selling across generations. We have done business with some of the larger contractors for 30, 40, and in some cases, 50 years."