McKay-Cocker was formed January 26, 1946 by Col. Hugh McKay and Herb Cocker.

The Founders:

Herb Cocker, born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1908, started his career in banking but he left to pursue an apprenticeship as a bricklayer with Piggot Construction, a company in which his father was general superintendent. During his time as an apprentice and foreman Cocker went to night school studying drafting, surveying and practical engineering. Always wanting to be in "business for himself" Herb Cocker left Piggot in 1946 and along with Col. McKay the company was born.		Hugh McKay had come from a career as a professional engineer with a special interest in steel construction. Born in Seaforth, Ontario in 1896, Col. Hugh McKay's amazing military career encompassed both world wars. Those accomplishments were recognized through the Efficiency Decoration and an Order of the British Empire. Hugh McKay's knowledge of steel design and business acumen gave McKay-Cocker a distinguished first president.

McKay-Cocker employees retire but never leave the McKay-Cocker family. Many employees in their eighties still attend our functions and Paul Cocker maintains contact with Herb's original secretary. Barbara Sherlock, who is in her nineties, provides input on recent articles and press releases.

The company originally had four employees, yet quickly grew throughout the 1950's and 1960's expanding their offering from schools and churches to industrial and commercial buildings, and gradually to a fully diversified construction services company. Between 1955 and 1970 the company saw their revenue increase 500 percent and employed 24 in the office alone. This growth however was not without its losses. In 1961 the company lost Col. McKay. Herb Cocker became president of the company with McKay's passing. In 1964 McKay-Cocker was awarded a pre-engineered building franchise for the London area and our Design-Build Division was established, led by Vice President Bill MacGregor.

Herb Cocker retired in 1974. Bob McMurdo, Col. McKay's son in law became President, Bill MacGregor Executive Vice President and Fred Marshall Treasurer. Jock Tindale and his cousin Paul Cocker had joined the company in the 1960's. In 1991 Jock and Paul purchased the company. The new team with Jock as President and Paul as Chairman worked through a major recession and continued to diversify and grow. Jock's untimely death in 1997 was a major loss in the company. The existing internal structure allowed McKay-Cocker to immediately adjust and distribute responsibilities with the existing McKay-Cocker team.

The team consolidated with Paul Cocker, David Blake and Paul Shanks as principals, directors, and shareholders. Strong growth in many new sectors, delivery methods and business systems helped McKay Cocker's team to move forward and become one of the pre eminent construction firms in Ontario. More specifically our design-build and construction management divisions have grown in sync as these delivery methods have gained prominence in the industry.

In September 2010 Fayolle Canada purchased the shares of McKay-Cocker and added our company to the existing group of Magil Construction in Montreal and Task CM in British Columbia. This transition has provided additional financial depth to McKay-Cocker and this has opened greater opportunities for the company. Existing management looks forward to a gradual succession plan and continued growth for an exciting young team.