Our Story

1930s

In 1930, Walter and Barney bought out Max Payne's interest in the company and in 1934 Payne and Dolan completed their first two contracts as general contractors. It was in this year that they also bought their first two paving machines.

Throughout World War II, Payne and Dolan worked on military contracts for airport runways and military complexes, which extended to Madison, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula in Michigan.

1950s

In 1959, Payne and Dolan split into two companies with the Bechthold family assuming ownership of Payne and Dolan in Wisconsin and Barney Dolan maintaining ownership of Payne and Dolan in Illinois.

The company continued to grow and launched the Streets and Roads Company in 1959.

1960s

After serving in the Army Corps of Engineers for two years, Ned Bechthold, Walter's son, joined the company in 1962.

Payne and Dolan of Wisconsin purchased its first aggregate deposit, Waukesha Lime & Stone, in 1967.

1970s

Payne and Dolan of Wisconsin incorporated in 1974 and had nine locations throughout southern Wisconsin, Michigan, and northern Illinois.

1980s

Growth continued in 1983 when the assets of Highway Pavers of Wisconsin were acquired and renamed Zenith Tech (ZTI). ZTI continued to expand with Wisconsin offices in Waukesha and Wausau and Oakdale, Minnesota and projects in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, and the Dakota's.

In order to better serve the needs of the family of companies, Construction Resources Management was formed in 1986 as a captive service company. This company employs all of the shared business service groups as well as the Quality Management Services division, shops, plants, aggregate sites, and tank farm operations.

1990s

Northeast Asphalt moved into its new corporate facility in Greenville, Wisconsin.

2001

In 2001, Northeast Asphalt acquired Parent Construction, which is now known as Premier Concrete, a full-service concrete and aggregate materials supplier with locations in Sturgeon Bay and Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin.

2014 - 2016

With a strong interest in expanding its capabilities and offerings, Payne and Dolan, launched its engineering and general contracting services division in 2014 to offer planning, design, and construction management services to customers throughout the Midwest.

To connect and showcase our family of companies and the "Power of One,” the Walbec Group brand was established in 2016 with a commitment to helping people reach their destinations.

2017

Walbec recognizes our work environments along with the latest tools and resources enable our team members to provide the best service to our customers. Payne and Dolan's engineering and general contracting group completed a large addition to the Greenville location to house their growing team of engineers, construction managers, and surveyors.

Payne and Dolan opened a new asphalt plant and ZTI completed their new headquarters, both in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

2018

Walbec’s quality management team moves into an all-inclusive lab facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin. This facility brings the entire team together with upgraded facilities and additional opportunities for training and collaboration.

2022

Parisi Construction Company joined the Walbec Group family of companies. Like Walbec, Parisi is a third-generation, family-owned, industry leader that holds an unwavering commitment to ethics and prioritizes a positive workplace culture, safety, quality, and innovation.