FL Crane & Sons has long been a dominant force in the wall and ceiling contracting industry, particularly in the southern United States. Founded in 1947 with a modest team of half a dozen individuals, the company has steadily grown, rooted in strong family leadership. 

Over the years, brothers Jimmie and Johnny Crane joined the business, and by 1963, FL Crane & Sons had officially incorporated. By 1985, the company had expanded, opening additional locations in Austin, Texas, and Angie, Louisiana, with a workforce of approximately 150 employees. In the early 1990s, the firm launched its Casino Construction Division, leveraging the success of its smaller offices and the capabilities of its Fulton Division in Mississippi. The adoption of modern estimating technology further facilitated growth, leading to the opening of additional branches in Memphis, Cleveland, Jackson, and Ocean Springs, Miss., as well as Huntsville and Tuscaloosa, Ala. The company credits much of its success to its extensive work on casinos throughout the South.

Today, FL Crane & Sons stands as one of the nation’s most extensive finishing contractors, regularly recognized on Walls & Ceilings’ Top 50 Contractors list. Under the leadership of President Ty Crane (who also serves on W&C’s Editorial Advisory Board), the company continues to evolve with the construction industry’s changing landscape.

Since the last company update in 2022, where W&C included a cover story, FL Crane & Sons has seen remarkable success, making 2024 an historic year for performance metrics.

“It has been an incredible year for FL Crane & Sons, one that will go down in the record books across the board,” said Jim McCullough, Director of Business Development. “And the reason behind our success is simple—our people.”

McCullough emphasized the company’s strong culture, which influences every aspect of the business—from internal relationships to client interactions and project execution. “We approach each task with the utmost focus, craftsmanship, and respect, and these core values drive our overall success,” he added.

Reflecting on the past year, McCullough highlighted the critical role each division played in the company’s growth. FL Crane & Sons has seen a record number of projects exceeding more revenue than in year's past, with several divisions securing major anchor projects valued at over $12 million in key markets. This surge in large-scale projects continues to elevate the company’s reputation and brand credibility.

Looking ahead, FL Crane & Sons maintains a healthy backlog across its various divisions. The company’s Off-Site Construction offerings are gaining industry traction, positioning 2024 as a record-breaking year in this sector. Furthermore, the recent opening of a Miami office expands the company’s presence into one of the nation’s hottest construction markets. “The industry is experiencing constant change and innovation,” said Ty Crane. “Some incredibly intuitive solutions to long-standing challenges have emerged recently, and we’re embracing these advancements.”

Crane’s long-term vision for FL Crane & Sons is to become the go-to contractor in its region for prefabricated interior and exterior wall panels, as well as exterior metal panel systems.

“For over 75 years, we’ve built a strong foundation by doing things the right way,” he said. “That foundation remains at our core, and when combined with our drive for innovation, we have assembled a team capable of thriving in an industry where tight schedules and labor shortages have become the norm.”