FROM THE BEGINNING:

HB Global traces its roots back to the inception of HB McClure in 1914, our original company established by visionaries Herbert Bassett McClure and Curt Fisher. Over the years, HB Global has proudly carried forward the legacy of its founders. Drawing from a remarkable and storied history, HB’s transformation into an employee-owned enterprise and its strategic acquisitions pay homage to the enduring spirit of hard work and ingenuity of its founders.

1914

Herbert Bassett McClure bought into Fisher Brothers and formed Fisher McClure

  • Gallon of gas - $0.12
  • New house - $6,156.00
1931

The HB McClure office moves to 1515 Derry St., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

H.H. Schultz and J.Q. Sherman invent an individual room air conditioner that sits on a window ledge and was available for purchase a year later.

  • Large cooling systems cost between $10,000 and $50,000. Today that is equivalent to $120,000 to $600,000.

1940's

With only six employees, Bill McClure Sr. joins the company. This is the beginning of selling fuel oil.

The United States builds its first power plant to handle the growing electrical load of air conditioning.

Post-World War II

1950's

During the post-World War II economic boom, 1 million residential air conditioning units are sold in just one year. Bill McClure Jr. joins the growing team with 21 employees.

1970's

With the growing demand of services, the first off-site warehouse is added. Located at 17th and Chestnut streets, the first residential geothermal system was installed. Window units are not as popular due to the rise of central air. Using condenser, coils and a fan the air gets drawn, passed over the coils and blasted through a homeowner’s ventilation system.
1980's


While the team was growing with 50 employees, Robert F. McClure joined the business. The 80s were a decade of firsts for the company. Throughout this time, it had its first $100,000 job with the expansion of the West Shore YMCA, first $500,000 job with Simpson School renovation and first $1,000,000 job with the Cedar Run mid-rise senior living.

1990-1993



With the expansion of the company and the increase in clients, HB McClure completes its first million-square-feet warehouse job for Sherman Williams in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania, and its first commercial design and build geothermal project at the Heritage Hills Hotel in York, Pennsylvania.

2004


HB McClure hits a milestone with the completion of its first $10,000,000 job at Bethany Village.

2008



With 195 employees, Bob Whalen becomes President of HB McClure.

“I wanted our future to be as a purpose-driven organization that could reshape and redefine our industry through empowering people and building a future for everyone.”

Bob Whalen, CEO, HB Global
2009


Solar thermal technology is on the rise. HB McClure works on its first commercial solar thermal job with the Cumberland County Housing Authority.

2010



To ensure the company’s longevity Bob Whalen and CFO Andrew "Andy" Henry transition the business from a private, family-owned business to a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). With this, every employee becomes an employee-owner of HB McClure.

2011


HB McClure completes its first three acquisitions with CW Fritz from Lemoyne, Pennsylvania; Freedom Propane in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; and Derry Oil Company, based out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

2012



HB McClure acquires Shelly Oil Company in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

2013


HB McClure acquires Feaser Mechanical in Newville, Pennsylvania, and Henry Mechanical in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

2014



IT Landes and Son, Inc., of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, merges with HB McClure in August. IT Landes is a commercial and residential PHVAC service, installation and fuel oil company.

HB McClure turns 100 years old.

“IT Landes is a fourth-generation family-run business, founded in 1929. We looked to merge with HB McClure because of its strong reputation as a leading mechanical contractor in the region and because of its employee-owned [ESOP] culture. Mike and I felt this was our best way to transition out of an ownership role and reward our current staff. In addition, HB McClure’s commitment to deliver superior customer service is a perfect fit with our business philosophy and culture.” –
Chris Landes, Former Owner/President of IT Landes
2015


HB McClure acquires Worden and Shewell out of York, Pennsylvania, and Green Mechanical from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

2016



HB McClure acquires Mainhart Mechanical of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, and the residential service business of REMCO out of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. HB McClure has over 500 employees.

2017


HB Global, LLC, was created to better support HB McClure and IT Landes as separate operating divisions, and HB Global announces the acquisition of Nash Plumbing and Mechanical, LLC, in November.

“In 2016 after a battle with a stress-related illness and 40 years in the construction business I decided it was time for the next stage in my life. The acquisition of Nash Plumbing and Mechanical by HB Global was a perfect fit for my needs to transition out of the business with what I required for retirement, and give my son and our 200 employees a better future and great benefits. This allowed the Nash legacy to continue for generations to come.”
– James Nash, Former Owner of Nash Plumbing and Mechanical
2018



IT Landes acquires R&R Mechanical from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and HB McClure acquires BBEC out of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and Accu-Aire Mechanical Services from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

2019


HB McClure acquires Air Solutions LLC located in Randallstown, Maryland. HB Global employs over 900 people across its three operating divisions.

"Today, HB Global has continued to advance and evolve while remaining centered around the founding values of the HB McClure brand in 1914. Robert McClure’s philosophy and our commitment to being employee-focused have created what we have today. The future holds enormous possibilities and we are excited and fully committed to continue on our path to being an exceptional place to work while building retirement for our employees.”
- Bob Whalen, CEO, HB Global
2019



IT Landes acquires Indian Valley Mechanical, LLC from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

2019


HB Global, LLC acquires North Shore Mechanical Contractors, LLC, based out of Danvers, Massachusetts. NSMC adds 85 employee owners to HB Global.

"I really think NSMC and HB Global are going to be a great fit. As a Co-Founder of the company, and being ‘the guy who is leaving’, it is very important to me to be leaving the company in good hands. HB Global’s embracement of the ESOP values and the desire to grow and build the business makes a difficult decision so much easier”
- Joe Whitney
2020



HB Global, LLC acquires Spectrum Mechanical & Service Contractors LLC, based out of Tempe, AZ adding about 150 employee-owners to HB Global.

2020



HB Global, LLC acquires William R. Nash, a Miami-based company. William R. Nash serves a broad spectrum of clientele such as healthcare facilities, hospitality complexes, correctional institutions, sports & entertainment projects, and high-rise building.

2021



HB Global, LLC acquires Nash Mechanical, a Phoenix-based company. Nash Mechanical merged with Spectrum Mechanical brand and renamed themselves to Spectrum Mechanical & Plumbing Contractors, LLC. They will now operate as a full service plumbing and mechanical divsion.

2021



HB Global, LLC acquires The Bell Company. The Bell Company has three subsidaries: Bell BCI Company, Bell Constructors, and John P. Bell & Sons.

2022



HB Global, LLC creates new business unit HB Mechanical Group housing all of our commercial brands.

“Today, HB Global has continued to advance and evolve while remaining centered around the founding values of the HB McClure brand in 1914. Bob McClure’s philosophy and our commitment to being employee-focused have created what we have today. The future holds enormous possibilities and we are excited and fully committed to continue on our path to being an exceptional place to work while building retirement for our employees.”

Bob Whalen, CEO, HB Global