Ruhlin History
Founded by John G. Ruhlin, a bricklayer, with brothers Charles and Edward, Ruhlin Brothers Construction Company wins bid to build Creston School (value $30,000)
Completed Rimer Elementary School for Akron Public Schools in 1929.
Ruhlin later completed its replacement in 2009.
The company was incorporated under its new name “The John G. Ruhlin Construction Company.” In the same year, the office and yard were relocated to 1024 Home Avenue in Akron, Ohio, and John G. Ruhlin was named President & Chairman (1948-1960).
Ruhlin completes Kolbe Hall, Liberal Arts Building, which was a $1.1 million project for The University of Akron.
First highway work – SR 5 bridges near Easton, OH; subcontract to Herman H. Miller & Son, Inc.
This $2.3 million project for Oberlin College Conservatory of Music consisted of a 157,801 square foot teaching library and assembly building. The structure was of reinforced concrete construction with architectural precast finish.
This concrete dam has 300 feet of spillway and was located in Shenango, Pennsylvania. It contained seven sluiceways which were electrically operated and two railroads were relocated to make way for the resulting lake.
Construction of this dam project required the removal of 60,000 cubic yards of rock. The 60,000 cubic yards of concrete were poured at night in 5 foot lifts, 4 days apart to allow for cooling. To facilitate construction, Ruhlin erected its own mixing plant on the site.
Ruhlin’s headquarters moves to III Cascade Plaza in Akron, Ohio.
This wholly owned Ruhlin subsidiary established itself as a custom close tolerance fabricator and began providing special machinery for the steel mill industry.
Ruhlin completes General Tire & Rubber Company, which was an $11 million tire plant in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
$6.7 million library for Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio.
$6.8 million project involving an 8-story addition and alterations.
Ruhlin completes the $4 million limited access roadway for The Ohio Department of Transportation in Summit County, Ohio.
$6 million ambulatory care facility and parking garage in Akron, Ohio.
Ruhlin completes the $15 million precipitator erection for American Electric Power in Moundsville, West Virginia.
$40 million, 75 megawatt low-head hydro project for the City of Vanceburg, Kentucky.
Ruhlin opens subsidiary with offices in Orlando and West Palm Beach, Florida.
$30 million, 18-story office building for Nationwide Insurance Company in Columbus, Ohio.
$10 million desalination and power plant for the Economy and Finance Ministry in Cape Verde.
Ruhlin constructs and moves to a new office on North Cleveland-Massillon Road in Akron, Ohio.
$20 million, 12-story office building and parking garage in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
American Electric Power Rockport Plant – $30 million project involving erection of four Wheelabrator-fly electrostatic precipitators in Rockport, Indiana.
Crosstown Boulevard Bridge is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This was a $7.4 million, 45,000 SF sanctuary addition. The Main Sanctuary of the Akron Baptist Temple features seating for 4,000, state-of-the-art lighting and acoustics, and full TV/radio production facilities. This clear span structure also includes a complicated (and beautiful) ceiling design.
Roadway Services – $19.4 million, 200,000 SF office addition and 71,000 SF computer center in Akron, Ohio.
$25 million project involving roadway and bridges along I-279 for PennDOT in Pittsburgh, PA.
$8 million, two-turbine generator project for the Beaver Falls Municipal Water Authority in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.
John B. Ruhlin, Jr. named President (1988 to 1994). Also served as CEO (1990 to 1994).
Ruhlin Corporate Headquarters moves to 6931 Ridge Road, Sharon Center, Ohio.
$20 million, 100,000 SF addition and 57,000 SF renovation to hospital in Medina, Ohio.
$10.8 million, 90,000 SF school/sheltered workshop in Medina County, Ohio.
A Ruhlin coffee cup is included as a prop in the movie “The Slience of the Lambs” starring Jodie Foster and Sir Anthony Hopkins.
