History

Mechanical Contractors, Inc. was founded by three men, Charles T. Besser, Ralph L. Burt, and S. J. Sossoman, on December 16, 1948, as the Chas. S. Besser Company. Mr. Burt bought the business for $6,700 and changed the name to Mechanical Contractors, Inc., before the name was widely used as an industry description of the general trade. He would remain with the company for fifty years as its President until his death in 1999..

Mechanical Contractors landed its first big job in 1952 at Camp Lejune with a three building project. They continued to perform many contracts for the government, schools, churches and office buildings as Mr. Burt built his reputation. Some examples are First Methodist Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church, and Montaldo’s downtown store which was renovated to the Mint Museum of Craft + Design by MCI.

Today, the company is in the hands of his son Ralph Lea Burt Jr. Lea grew up in the business from working in the warehouse, to working as a sheet metal mechanic in the summers, to operating as the company’s President and registered Professional Engineer. Lea has kept the family tradition alive with his commitment to his employees and customers.