Our History

Knowles Industrial Services Corporation is a 100% employee-owned business which originated under the name Chick Construction. In 1970, Arthur and Ellen Knowles purchased the company. In 1971, they incorporated and changed the name to Knowles Industrial Services Corporation.

In 2017, the company was purchased by the employees and is now 100% employee owned & operated.

Originally specializing in industrial stack and chimney as well as church steeples, the company soon gained a reputation for innovation. In the early 1950's, we became one of the first gunite contractors in the northeast then in the early 1970's we were one of the first to use epoxy injection. More change came in the early 1980's when we pioneered the use of wet-mix shotcrete in New England.

In 2001, Dan and Lisa (Knowles) Maloney purchased the business with the intention of continuing the tradition established by the previous generations.

From the very beginning, we have focused on providing our customers with excellent service, quality and innovation because we realize that when we provide for our customers we also ensure our future. The legacy of our founders still exists today in the strength of the relationships formulated with many of the same customers that span 30, 40, even 50 years.

Effective May 31st, 2017, the company became 100% employee-owned and all 78 employees would share ownership in the company moving forward. The Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) aims at rewarding our employees for their hard work and dedication by sharing profits through a company stock ownership plan. This transition caused no interruption or change in management and/or operational structure. The new ownership structure aims at promoting hard work, loyalty, and dedication to the company through mutual accountability. It is our mission to carry forward the culture, reputation, and technical expertise that KISC has developed over the past 90 years and to continue providing our customers with high quality repair and restoration services.