For more than a century, P.J. Keating has put its core values to the test and became one of the most community focused construction companies in the region. From providing quality crushed stone, asphalt, and recycled products to the construction of many expansive projects, P. J. Keating is proud to be an integral part of Massachusetts’ infrastructure history.
The P.J. Keating Company was founded in 1923 by Paul J. Keating and began operating as a manufacturer of crushed aggregate products to the construction industry. The company concentrated on road work and heavy construction projects in its early years.
In 1933, the company began operating a sand and gravel processing plant off Route 2 near the Fitchburg-Lunenburg, Massachusetts line. In 1937, the plant was moved to Buttrick Avenue in Fitchburg and was the first ready-mixed concrete plant built in North Worcester County.
A few years later, a bituminous concrete plant was built in 1939 at Buttrick Avenue. During this time, Paul J. Keating discontinued road construction to focus on manufacturing concrete and blacktop.
In 1968, a new six-ton asphalt plant was installed in Lunenburg and a second five-ton asphalt plant was installed in 1970, making the company’s asphalt production the largest at a single location in Massachusetts.
In 1978, the company expanded its footprint into the Northeast by acquiring a hot mix asphalt plant, quarry, and crushing operations from Essex Bituminous Company in Dracut, Massachusetts.
In 1994, following several years of significant downturn in the state’s economy which impacted the construction industry, P. J. Keating reorganized under partial ownership by Oldcastle Materials, which was part of CRH based in Ireland. Under a new business plan, John Keating was named President.
P. J. Keating then began the process of consolidating operations with Tilcon Inc. / Capaldi Inc. a Massachusetts and Rhode Island-based construction materials company acquired as part of an acquisition in 1996 by CRH of Tilcon Inc. That same year, Oldcastle Materials became the 100% owner of P. J. Keating.
On January 1, 2003, P. J. Keating and Tilcon Inc. / Capaldi Inc. merged under the P. J. Keating name. This expanded P. J. Keating’s marketing presence to include Southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
In 2004, John Keating took on a new role as President of Oldcastle Materials New England Division and subsequently went on to become President and Chief Operating Officer of Oldcastle Materials East comprising the Northeast, Central, South, and Mid-Atlantic divisions, and Canada in 2007. In 2016, Keating became Chief Operating Officer for CRH’s Americas Materials business across North America.
Following a period of rapid growth and success, the company becomes the leading producer and provider of asphalt paving in Massachusetts in 2016. What started out as a family business, transformed into a premier provider of building materials, renowned for their exceptional customer service, quality products, and strong commitment to the community.
In 2023, P.J. Keating turns 100 years old and celebrates a century in business.
P.J. Keating acquires an asphalt plant in Rochester, MA.
If have any questions about our products, services, and career opportunities - let us help!
