J. FLETCHER CREAMER & SON, INC.
HACKENSACK, NJ

J. FLETCHER CREAMER & SON originated in Fort Lee, New Jersey in 1923. The company has evolved from a small Ford rack truck running deliveries and performing miscellaneous chores to undertaking an awe-inspiring variety of projects as one of the most respected, technically advanced contracting companies in the country. At the height of the Roaring Twenties, amidst the euphoria of the WWI victory, women gaining the vote and great economic prosperity, a giant rose in NYC — Yankee Stadium was opened. Telephone lines criss-crossed many regions and electricity production quadrupled in America. At the very same time, across the Hudson River in Fort Lee, NJ, another quiet giant had just been born. In 1923, J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., was founded by J. Fletcher Creamer, II, with one Ford rack truck and a dream. So began an amazing family saga. As the great Depression took hold of the nation, many were grieving great economic losses. Yet during the same period some of the greatest inventions and engineering feats were undertaken. The Empire State Building was completed, the first “talkie” was released, the first long playing phonograph record was introduced and the magnificent span known as the George Washington Bridge was under construction. J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., was there at the ready to help haul rock away as the site for the great bridge was being excavated. World War II was indeed on every American’s mind and in their hearts. With many of our young men overseas fighting on two fronts, much of the construction in the U.S. came to a halt. Most manufacturing plants were turned into military resources making everything from tin plates to guns, parachutes to uniforms. The women who were left behind often took up the slack and pitched in; Rosie the Riveter was on every street corner doing her share. Through these auspicious times, J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., persevered and was able to ride out the tough times. With the end of the war and a new fuel truck at the ready, J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., was once again on the move. This decade saw the US once again embroiled in war against Korea and our arch enemies, the Communists, in the Cold War. But great growth was taking place and construction was once again booming. The men who had returned victorious from the Great War were striving to make a life for their new families; many went to college, learned a new trade and set out to build an America never before seen. Elvis Presley and Rock ‘n’ Roll came on the scene! With air conditioning just becoming available to the masses, J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., saw the opportunity and once again moved into new areas of business as air conditioning installation became a revenue stream for the company. A new generation of Creamers was being born — part of the Baby Boomer Generation. The Hippies emerged and the Flower Children were everywhere across the country, while in NJ, J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., continued to expand. Set against this counter-culture, the assassination of JFK and opposition to the Vietnam War, great “firsts” were taking place in America. The first laser was demonstrated, we traveled into space and not long after man walked on the moon, a human heart was transplanted and the very first computer game was invented! J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., also saw many firsts — heavy highway work, the beginning of a long-term relationship with Hackensack Water and profit sharing for the Creamer employees. The company was definitely growing and making its mark. Once again the US found itself in a recession and we were faced with the oil crisis — remember the long lines and odd-even gas days? Yet through this tough period, astounding technological advancements took place. The development of the integrated circuit, the theory of Black Holes, space exploration and the Voyager program, as well as the birth of the early personal computer, pocket calculators and microprocessors all came into existence during this decade. Against this backdrop Fletch Creamer, Sr., took the reins at J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., as President, the company acquired Babe’s Taxi near the Bridge Plaza and the Creamer logo that is still evident everywhere was born through a contest amongst the employees. The term “yuppies” came into existence as more young people than ever graduated from universities and entered the workplace looking to cash in on the American Dream. With the help of President Reagan the Berlin Wall fell, the Cold War was winding down, the Space shuttle was launched, more women entered the workplace and buying power was reaching new highs. J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., continued its steady growth. It entered the Pipe Cleaning and Lining business, purchased a helicopter, laid down synthetic turf in Giants Stadium and moved into its new corporate headquarters in Hackensack, from where they still run the business today. They were ranked #250 on the list of largest construction firms in the US by Engineering News Record by the end of the 80’s. Generation “X” appears on the scene, personal computers are in many homes and schools, NASA lands a spacecraft on Mars as the Internet explodes and Nintendo is born. While we celebrated the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America, the 90’s was about looking ahead to the next new trend, the next new toy and the next technological advancement to make our lives easier and more fun. In the decade leading up to the millennium, J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., is awarded larger and more comprehensive projects, opens its California office, is named New Jersey’s 43rd largest privately owned firm and completes the Route 4 & 17 flyover in record time to the delight of shoppers in northern NJ and beyond! century continuing to grow and expand its services. The Creamer family has proudly ushered in a fifth generation into the business and with energy issues at the forefront of world issues Creamer boldly stepped into alternative energies. While maintaining and increasing the already stellar reputation across the other services, Creamer was able to use this experience to break into solar, wind and other alternative energy producing sources.