Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
PASSING THE TORCH — J. McLaughlin Construction will have a new home, as on April 1, a deal to acquire Dickison and London’s equipment assets and its shop location at 174 Bangor Street will be finalized. Dickison and London was founded in 1946 by Ronald Dickison and Guy London and taken over by their sons, Gerald and Jerry in 1971. Gerald Dickison, left, passes the torch to the new owner, Josh McLaughlin.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
In 1946, Ronald Dickison and Guy London formed a partnership that would lead to a well-known name in the earth work industry. In 1971, the founders’ sons, Gerald Dickison and Jerry London, took over the business to keep the legacy flourishing.
Now, 44 years later, the time has come for Dickison and London, Inc. to call it a day. On April 1, a deal to acquire equipment assets and the shop location at 174 Bangor Street will be finalized, as Josh McLaughlin will take over the site.
“We were able to reach a financial agreement and signed a purchase and sales agreement,” said McLaughlin, president of J. McLaughlin Construction, LLC.
The acquisition will be bring McLaughlin full circle in his groundwork career.
“I was mentored for years by Jerry London and Gerald Dickison,” he said. “I worked summers for the company throughout high school. I knew I always wanted to be in construction and I wanted to stay in Houlton if at all possible.”
After graduating from the University of Maine at Orono in 2005 with a degree in construction management, McLaughlin accepted a job with Buildings Etcetera in Houlton. He grew a bit restless and wanted to go back to his excavating roots, so he contacted Herb Sargent of Sargent Corporation.
McLaughlin worked as lead foreman for Sargent Corporation of Stillwater for several years, laying out and overseeing environmental permitting procedures on the first commercial-sized windmill farm in Mars Hill. McLaughlin went on to become an expert in environmental work, layout and field supervision on many additional windmill projects throughout the state.
But, he wanted to do what he did when he was a little boy; have equipment and trucks and move the dirt. The excavating trade was in his blood.
McLaughlin decided to step out on his own, forming J. McLaughlin Construction LLC, in May 2012 after buying out R.G. Dow Construction from Raymond Dow and his son, Greg.
Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
LOTS OF MEMORIES — A frame located at the Dickison and London shop on Bangor Street holds plenty of memories from the past. Special items along with photographs have been captured together to mark the moving of time.
Nearing three years, McLaughlin has established himself and his workers as the ones who can handle anyone’s building needs, starting at the ground level.
“Jerry and Gerald were looking to retire and change course in their lives with Jerry London looking to spend more time in South Carolina with his family and Gerald continuing to work, but not having to deal with the business side of things any longer,” McLaughlin explained. “I am happy we were able to reach a financial agreement and I am excited J. McLaughlin Construction is in a position to better ourselves in the industry and within this community through this acquisition.”
McLaughlin coupled with the Dows and Brent Dickison forms a knowledgeable team and will further the experience with the addition of Gerald Dickison.
“I am very excited and pleased to have Gerald on board,” said McLaughlin. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and over 50 years of experience. Both he and Jerry were instrumental in my career path.”
The acquisition provides McLaughlin with a permanent combination of office and shop within the town of Houlton.
“It just seemed like the perfect fit,” he said.
The new office/shop, additional equipment and skilled staff puts J. McLaughlin Construction LLC in a very competitive position.
“We can truly offer our customers ‘Excellence at the ground level,’” McLaughlin added.
To reach McLaughlin for your construction or groundwork needs, call 532-6335 or 694-2546.
