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History

Continually delivering and improving value to customers since 1896

A Proud History of Success:

  • 1880’s – Seaman John Nooter sails from Amsterdam. Experience in high-rigging on sea ships prompts John Nooter to take a job as a rigger for John O’Brien Boiler Works in St. Louis.
  • 1896 – The John Nooter Boiler Works Company is founded. Profits from painting lead to the purchase of a sheet-metal bending roll and John Nooter begins fabricating stacks and repairing boilers.
  • 1897 – Tom Ryan leaves his position with the John O’Brien Boiler Works Company to work with his old friend, John Nooter, to erect a large stack on the Old Lindell Hotel in St. Louis.
  • 1900 – John Eschmann, Sr., a boilermaker and rigger, joins the John Nooter Boiler Works Company.
  • 1902 – The John Nooter Boiler Works Company opens a shop on Main Street in St. Louis.
  • 1904 – St. Louis World’s Fair
  • 1910 – John Nooter Boiler Works Company begins manufacturing their signature horizontal return tubular boilers.
  • 1911 – John Nooter Boiler Works Company Erects a new plant at 1400 South Second Street, site of the current Nooter Construction Headquarters.
  • 1924 – The first electric welding machine is purchased by Nooter.
  • 1944 – John Nooter Boiler Works Company is awarded the Army Navy “E” Award for excellence in the production of tanks for culturing of life-saving penicillin, the construction of equipment for the synthetic rubber, 100 octane gasoline and explosive industries.
  • 1944 – John Nooter Boiler Works Company is awarded the Army Navy “E” Award for excellence in the production of tanks for culturing of life-saving penicillin, the construction of equipment for the synthetic rubber, 100 octane gasoline and explosive industries.
  • 1952 – The Metalizing division of the Nooter Corporation becomes St. Louis Metalizing and moves into its new facility at 625 S. Sarah in St. Louis.
  • 1954 – Nooter and Missouri Boiler merge.
  • 1955 – Nooter Corporation crafts incubation tanks for the mass production of the polio vaccine.
  • 1956 – Local 27 Boilermakers build a solid-gold tank as part of the first “portable” nuclear power plant. Metal for the tank and cast cost $14,000 (over $122,600 in 2021 dollars).
  • 1960 – Nooter Corporation constructs one of the nation’s first polysonic wind tunnels for McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Boeing).
  • 1960 – With Mcdonnel Aircraft, Nooter constructs four experimental space capsules for NASA’s Project Mercury.
  • 1961 – Nooter completes its first refinery tower job in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  • 1961 – Nooter begins using high-frequency sound to test for invisible flaws in construction of vessels for the nuclear industry.
  • 1964 – Nooter breaks records, constructing a 133-foot high prill tower in nine weeks.
  • 1964 – Nooter contracted by the U.S. Navy to construct deep-diving titanium submarine hulls.
  • 1964 – A total of 5400 feet of rolled and welded plate pipe is constructed by Nooter to form the caisson section of the Poplar Street Bridge, crossing the Mississippi River in St. Louis.
  • 1965 – Nooter Corporation constructs a barge loading facility on the Mississippi River, near the main plant, between Rutger and Miller Streets.
  • 1965 – Nooter becomes one of the leading manufacturers of commercial brewing equipment with the introduction of Anheuser-Busch’s stainless steel STRAINMASTER.
  • 1967 – Nooter builds world’s largest acid plant in Louisiana.
  • 1967 – Unidynamics and Boeing tap Nooter craftsmen to construct the stainless steel foils for the Tucumcari Hydrofoil for the United States Navy.
  • 1972 – Nooter begins constructing Monsanto’s Enviro-Chem equipment for pollution control.
  • 1978 – Nooter Corporation implements its first computer-aided design system run by this room-sized computer system.
  • 1980 – Nooter Corporation opens new field facilities in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • 1981 – Nooter contracted by the U.S. Navy to construct deep-diving titanium submarine hulls.
  • 1982 – At 186 feet long and over 545,000 pounds, a 13-foot diameter tower breaks all records for the largest shipment ever to leave St. Louis by rail.
  • 1983 – The largest vessel ever to be post-weld-treated (stress relieved) by Nooter is erected in New Augusta, Mississippi.
  • 1984 – Nooter develops one of the industry’s first mobile field testing labs for welding.
  • 1991 – Nooter receives “E Star” Award for exporting by the United States Department of Commerce.
  • 1991 – A 120,000 lb. reactor vessel fabricated by Nooter is shipped overseas to BP Chemical in England using the world’s largest cargo plane, the AN-124 Rusian.
  • 1994 – Nooter develops revolutionary new process used in the fabrication of stainless steel polymerization.
  • 1996 – Nooter creates a specialized “clean-room” used to reduce weld contamination on specialty fabrication projects.
  • 1997 – Nooter awarded the first-ever ASME Division 3 Stamp Accreditation.
  • 1997 – Nooter participates in the construction of one of the first facilities to produce fine paper grades from recycled materials.
  • 1998 – Nooter joins with St. Louis Refrigerator Car Company to develop a specialized rail car used to transport the largest turbine in power generation history.
  • 1999 – Boeing and Raytheon tap Nooter for fabrication of the Delta IV Launch Complex Ground Support System at NASA’s Cape Canaveral Air Station.
  • 2001 – Nooter Construction Power Services secures maintenance contract for PSEG.
  • 2001 – Nooter Construction replaces regenerator head, cyclones, piping, and 3rd stage separator for Conoco.
  • 2003 – Nooter Construction acquires RMF Industrial Contracting, Inc. and renames the company; RMF NOOTER LLC.

1947 – William Ferrel, Inc. named after the founder, began as a Pipefitter – Steamfitter and Plumbing Company. In the early 1950’s, Mr. Ferrel creates a boilermaker division. The formation of this Division attracts notable experts in welding such as Richard Lester, Dale Sheidler and others. Mr. Richard Lester is promoted to President in 1974. Ownership changes when investors from Chicago purchase the Company in 1983. Mr. Lester decides to leave William Ferrel, Inc. in 1986. The Corporation dissolves in 1989.

1986 – Great Lakes Industrial Contracting, Inc. (GLIC) is formed by Mr. Lester and investors from Michigan. The best project managers, welders and support staff from William Ferrel, Inc. follow Mr. Lester to GLIC. After several successful years completing railroad and boilermaker construction projects, GLIC expands to offer electrical, instrumentation, and millwright capabilities.

1988 – Great Lakes Industrial Contracting, Inc. is purchased by RMF Global, Inc. a holding Company incorporated in 1976, and operates as a subsidiary.

1994 – RMF Global, Inc. consolidates business interests and creates RMF Industrial Contracting, Inc. from the former Great Lakes Industrial Contracting, Inc.

1997 – Philip Services Corporation (PSC) purchases RMF Global, Inc. PSC retains the RMF Industrial Contracting, Inc. name. President Richard Lester retires in 1998.

2003 – Nooter Construction Company of St. Louis, Missouri, acquires RMF Industrial Contracting, Inc. and renames the company; RMF NOOTER LLC.

2020 – NOOTER Construction Company unifies all of its regional business units under the NOOTER brand, resulting in RMF NOOTER doing business as NOOTER.

  • 2004 – Nooter Construction completed Sunoco Sulfur Recovery Unit Expansion.
  • 2004 – Nooter Construction completes the first ever super module replacement.
  • 2005 – Nooter Construction constructs the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Unit of Sunoco.
  • 2006 – Valero ALKY Revamp and expansion project conducted on the West Coast by Nooter Refinery Services. The project included setting 40 vessels, one that weighed 413,000 lbs. and one that weighed 213,000 lbs. Nooter also installed roughly 50,000 lift of piping.
  • 2006 – Nooter Refinery Services conducts a Crude Unit turnaround in St. Paul.
  • 2007 – Nooter Refinery Services completes a NSR project by removing existing equipment to make room for installation of a new waste heat boiler, SCR unit, Wet Gas Scrubber and all new duct work.
  • 2007 – Nooter Construction awarded COC for Fossil and Hydro Stations in the Northeast.
  • 2007 – Nooter Construction completes its largest project to date: A FCCU Revamp requiring 1 million man-hours.
  • 2008 – Nooter Construction erects two SDA Vessels and 4 additional tanks and 1 set of Lime Day Silos and 1 waste ash silo with stiffener rings for Dynergy. The SDA vessels were 54′ in diameter and 130′ tall.
  • 2008 – Nooter Construction completes first Electrical Services project- a Crude Heater Revamp for Valero.
  • 2009 – Nooter Power Services replaces 2 air heater baskets and rotors at a Missouri Power Generating station.
  • 2009 – Nooter Refinery Services conducts major upgrade to Alky unit located in Southern California. The project included piping, structural steel, electrical, and exchanger installation.
  • 2010 – Nooter Construction removes and replaces a Waste Heat Boiler that was approximately 8′ in diameter and 80′ long.
  • 2010 – Nooter Construction conducts major FCC turnaround for Husky, in Lima, OH. The project included replacing the regen head and cyclones, air grid, and spent cat distributor. The project included major structural steel upgrades to the FCC structure and the addition of a Waste Heat Boiler.
  • 2010 – Nooter Construction erects 2 SDA vessels and 4 additional tanks and 2 sets of Lime Day Silos with Stiffener rings. The SDA vessels were 54′ in diameter and 130′ tall.
  • 2011 – Amex Construction is acquired by Nooter Construction and becomes AMEX NOOTER LLC

1979 – Amex Construction formed by Robert Kimberling as primarily a mechanical contractor working in the Chicago, Illinois and Northwestern Indiana areas.

1986 – Amex is purchased by Greg Harper and Mike Vanier and they continue to be known for high quality and safety.

1987 – Amex moves to Hammond, Indiana. The new larger location was needed due to the success in the years prior.

1988 – Awarded major contract for Safety Kleen.

2001 – Completed the mechanical work necessary for a historic fire rebuild at Citgo in Lemont, Illinois. Largest contract Amex had completed to date.

2009 – Completed Praxair-Whiting Hydrogen Reformers SMR #5 & SMR #6.

2011 – Amex is acquired by NOOTER Construction and becomes AMEX NOOTER LLC.

2011/2012 – Using NOOTER St. Louis as a major subcontractor, completed new Coker Unit project during the BP WRMP.

2012 – Completed Safety Kleen Blend Tank Farm Expansion.

2013 – Amex Construction Office moves to Tinley Park, Illinois.

2015 – Completed Aux Sable FRAC Expansion.

2018 – Seizes opportunity to combine office management and fabrication shop into one location by relocating to University Park, IL.

2020 – NOOTER Construction Company unifies all of its regional business units under the NOOTER brand, resulting in AMEX NOOTER doing business as NOOTER.

  • 2011 – Nooter Construction is awarded the PBF Energy Maintenance Contract at the Delaware City Refinery.
  • 2011 – Nooter Construction removes and replaces furnace upturn elbow at Illinois Steel Plant.
  • 2011 – Nooter construction with Nooter/Eriksen conducts repairs to HRSG that was damaged during hydro testing. Repairs included the removal and replacement of LP and IP system components and the replacement of a Deaerator Tank, Low Pressure Drum, Intermediate Pressure Drum, 8″ steam outlet line and a 12″.
  • 2012 – Nooter Construction restarts the Area 6 Platformer for Monroe Energy.
  • 2012 – Nooter Power Services installs new SOFA Air Registers, replaced 25 final super heat pendants and rebuilt 2 feed water heaters for Ameren.
  • 2012 – Nooter Construction is awarded “Key Contractor Award” for recognition of performance during Florida Power and Light’s Turkey Point Condenser Change out project.
  • 2012 – Nooter Refinery Services installs 2 waste heat boilers for BP Whiting.
  • 2012 – Nooter Refinery Services replaces existing regen air grid distribution system with new design, this project was challenging in that all materials had to pass through existing manway.
  • 2013 – Nooter Construction constructs first crude oil railcar offloading operation in the Northeast.
  • 2013 – Nooter Construction takes on concrete restoration and repair as part of COC contract at Hydro Stations.
  • 2013 – Nooter Construction takes the lead on EPC contract for Monroe Energy JetMax Project.
  • 2013 – Nooter Refinery Services conducts ExxonMobil FCCU turnaround and pre-assembly of a new reactor, regen head and cyclones.
  • 2013 – Nooter Construction takes part in revolutionizing the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex Phase I of the Mariner East Project.
  • 2013 – Nooter Construction Completes the construction of two Invenergy HRSG Units that were partially completed in 2002. Project was challenging due to the 5B Gr2 P-91 material.
  • 2013 – Nooter Construction Refinery Services moves and replaces BP Whiting FCU 600.
  • 2013 – Replaced two Ploysonic Wind Tunnel Stilling chamber screens for Boeing originally constructed by Nooter Construction in 1954.
  • 2014 – Nooter Construction is awarded pump station fork for the Mariner East Pipeline.
  • 2014 – Nooter Construction Refinery Services completes the replacement of six Coke Drums and seismic structural steel upgrades for a large west coast refinery.
  • 2014 – Nooter Construction completes the C-5 Gasoline Splitter at the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex.
  • 2014 – Nooter Refinery Services performed pip and tank repairs for the first phase of an ethanol to biodiesel conversion project.
  • 2014 – Nooter Power Services completes the replacement of the Ameren Final Superheat Header and 141 FSH pendants during a fall 2014 Main Boiler Outage.
  • 2015 – Nooter Construction replaces the reactor, strippers, and ductwork while managing all mechanical and rigging work at this Lemont, IL refinery.
  • 2016 – Nooter Construction completes FCC/ALKY/VRDS major turnaround in Whiting, IN while finishing on schedule, under budget, and zero injuries.
  • 2016 – Nooter Construction completes a 46 day shutdown with over 400,00 manhours to complete this FCC1, FCC2, Coker2, and Crude Heater turnaround in Toledo, OH.
  • 2018 – Nooter Construction awarded planned shutdown in El Segundo, CA to complete FCC, Reactor head and VSS Replacement, (2) 3rd Stage Replacements, (2) Cat Cooler Replacements, and all other FCC fixed equipment and associated piping. Completed in 52 days with over 200,000 manhours.
  • 2018 – Nooter Local Services begins in St. Louis, offering Boiler, HVAC-R, Mechanical, Electrical, and Millwright maintenance services around the region.
  • 2019 – Full Coker Unit turnaround, all Columns, Drums, Exchangers, piping, and Z&J Valves in McPherson, KS. Nooter Construction completed this turnaround in just 33 days with over 100,000 manhours.
  • 2020 – Nooter Construction and subsidiaries AMEX NOOTER and RMF NOOTER rebrand into NOOTER.

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