ADJUSTABLE FORMS INC | concrete construction since 1930
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Who We Are Adjustable Forms has built a reputation based on unparalleled commitment to quality. We offer a wide variety of concrete services built on over 75 years experience. Family owned and operated since its beginnings in 1930, Adjustable Forms has continued to operate as a leader in concrete construction. History The story begins in the 1920's with R.F. Tickle and Russell W. Stambaugh, two young engineers working for a division of Republic Steel called Truscon. Stambaugh came up with an innovative new idea for the concrete construction industry. He wanted to create a formwork truss with adjustability and strength, while minimizing overall weight. Stambaugh began working on his new design. A few years later, he finalized his new "adjustable joist" and applied for a patent.. With his new product, Stambaugh started performing concrete services. Unfortunately, he did not accomplish the success he had hoped for. After years of work designing his truss and an unsuccessful attempt at construction, he sold his patent to his co-worker, R.F. Tickle.  With his new truss, Tickle teamed up with partner Harold Geneter to form a new company, fittingly named Adjustable Joist Company. Like Stambaugh before him, Tickle struggled to get off the ground with his new company. In the early 1930's, the construction industry suffered with the onset of the Great Depression. While work was scarce, the company found an opportunity looking outside its Minnesota home. A sister company, named Adjustable Forms, Inc., would then provide concrete formwork services in areas outside the Minnesota home. The company found work during depression era building a public  housing project in Atlanta, Georgia. This project was the first of its kind under President Roosevelt's New Deal programs, and helped the young company stay afloat during some difficult years.Throughout the 1930's and 40's, Adjustable Forms struggled, but managed to stay in business offering concrete formwork services. In 1947, after fulfilling his Naval service, Lieutenant Commander Elmer H. Lindquist joined Adjustable Forms as a civil engineer responsible for sales and engineering. The 1950's brought rapid geographical expansion for Adjustable Forms, performing work in 16 states. Among these projects was The Los Angeles Furniture Mart, as well as Veteran Administration Hospitals in Florida and Alabama. The decade also introduced the company to projects that would one day become their specialty - high rise construction. The construction of Chicago's 860 Lake Shore Dr. Apartments, made famous by world-renowned architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, solidified Adjustable Forms' prominence in the Chicago high rise market. Shortly after, Elmer H. Lindquist assumed the role as President of Adjustable Forms. Adjustable Forms recognized the need to create a separate office to serve operations in other markets. Chicago, in particular, was on the verge of a boom in high rise construction. 1952 marked the establishment of the Chicago office, which could more  effectively cater to the rapidly growing Chicago market. This era featured just one of many architecturally prominent structures completed by Adjustable Forms. Rising 1,476 feet out of the Chicago skyline, construction of stunning John Hancock Center pushed the company literally to new heights. All of the focus was not, however, limited to the Chicago area alone. Projects throughout the country included shopping centers in Michigan, apartments in New York, and a CIA building in Virginia. At the Carl Sandburg Village Project in Chicago, Adjustable Forms was able to complete deck pours at a blistering-quick cycle time of just 2 days!In 1984, Adjustable Forms President Elmer Lindquist's son, Jim Lindquist, purchased the company from the Tickle family. From this point forward, Adjustable Forms would operate separately of its parent company, primarily in the Chicago area. Soon after, the company expanded operations to Indianapolis under the name Adjustable Forms of Indiana. The 1990's marked the transition of Adjustable Forms from strictly a concrete formwork  contractor into a full service concrete contractor. The project that solidified the transition was River East, a 60-story condominium, hotel, and parking complex in Chicago's Near North Side. At the time of completion, River East carried the title of the third tallest residential structure in the nation. Seeing an opportunity to grow as a company, as well as cater to a market demanding full service concrete contractors, Adjustable Forms made the transition and has yet to look back. Consistently placing concrete frames in excess of 50 stories, Adjustable Forms has grown into one of the nations largest concrete shell contractors.Today, Adjustable Forms has grown from its humble beginnings as a formwork contractor in Minnesota to a leader in full-service concrete frame construction. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to outstanding service and maintain our reputation as both an innovator and leader in the concrete construction industry. Where We Do Work While our main focus has been in the Midwest, particularly in the Chicago area, Adjustable Forms has performed work throughout the nation. Below is a map displaying the states we have completed work, as well as the locations of our 4 offices. For detailed information regarding our locations and contact information, please see the contact section of the website.  |
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