Since 1998, Global Finishing Solutions (GFS) has been fully owned by the Curran Group, Inc., a family-owned and operated holding company based in Illinois. This year, the Curran Group is celebrating 100 years in business and GFS is taking part in the celebration.
Founded in 1918 as Metropolitan Coal & Ice by William Curran and his three sons, the Curran Group now has nearly 3,000 employees across four businesses — Curran Contracting, Holland LP, Crossville and GFS.
All four companies operate under the same five core values — family, respect, partnership, integrity and improvement. As a family-owned and operated company, with several generations of Curran family members working for the business throughout the years, the value of family is especially important to the Curran Group and GFS.
Asked how they will celebrate the past 100 years, Tim Curran, co-president of the Curran Group, responds with a laugh, “With a nice glass of wine! Actually, the celebrations will be focused on family. We have events scheduled at each of the four businesses, culminating in a community open house at our headquarters near Chicago in September.”
This past week, GFS employees celebrated the Curran Group’s 100-year anniversary with an employee lunch, hosted by the Currans. Employees gathered in GFS’ R&D facility in the Center for Excellence, and the Currans showcased their past 100 years with a video.
“The Curran Group is an incredible company, and we are thankful to be associated with them,” says Jim Faragher, president of GFS. “It’s amazing that a company that’s been in business for 100 years has weathered the tough economic times, invested wisely and resulted in 100 years of success.”
Over the past 20 years, the Curran Group has provided GFS with exponential stability, resources and added financial strength, but most of all, it has provided a place to call home for hundreds of employees. Thank you, Curran Group, and congratulations!