Brothers Ulrich and L.O.J. Milord started a lumber yard in the early 1880s, supplying Chicago with valuable building materials post the Great Chicago Fire. When the demand grew for more builders, L.O.J. started a construction company. The two operated their separate businesses while maintaining their partnership until Ulrich retired. Finally, in 1887, between L.O.J. and Ulrich’s son Raymond, the Milord Company was established.

Their business was soon thriving as Chicago scrambled to prepare for the World’s Columbian Exposition, the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s discovery of America and a defining moment in the nation’s history. This historical event marked some of Chicago’s most innovative architectural design, the invention of the ferris wheel and spray paint, buildings the size of four football fields which altogether elevated Chicago from the ashes of the fire and turned it into what was soon to be known as the White City.

The Milord Company thrived in this time of history and was able to establish a presence in Chicago as they helped Chicago establish a presence for the rest of the world. “At the Colombian exposition, L.O.J. was working amongst the most brilliant architects that Chicago had to offer. He was successful because he too was an innovator, but more importantly, because he was a hard-working son of a gun,” recalls R.T. Milord, the third generation owner.

Ray Milord, who began as a foreman at the company when he was 17, took ownership of the business when L.O.J. passed away. “My father Ray was a man at fifteen. He understood the value of hard work and took pride in the business because it was a reflection of our family. He was a great role model,” said his son. In the midst of the Great Depression, Ray raised his two sons and taught them everything he had learned about construction and the discipline required. By their early teens, R.T. and Paul were no strangers to the construction industry.

In it’s third generation, brothers R.T. and Paul incorporated the company in 1957. Throughout the later part of the century, the brothers drastically grew the business in size and scope, entering new markets, including a wholly-owned subsidiary, Milord Development, in Boynton Beach, Florida.

R.T.’s son, William would go on to manage Milord Development. Paul had three sons, Kevin, Philip and Paul.

In a nation where only about three percent of family-owned businesses survive into the fourth generation, the Milord Company has grown stronger in knowledge and skill, with experience in virtually every construction environment.

Headquarters based in Bridgeview, the Milord Company is owned and managed by Kevin, Phil and William Milord.

Source: The Family Firm Institute