1940’s

April 1946 – Swanson & Youngdale is formed. Our first job: painting a new construction house. Vern didn’t have a car, so he traveled to the jobsite by streetcar—standing on the rear platform balancing a stepladder, paint buckets, brushes, and drop cloths.

1950’s

1956 – S&Y completes the Metropolitan Sports Arena Stadium, the first of many stadiums the company has completed over the past 70 years.

1960’s

S&Y revenue exceeds $2 million for the first time.

1970’s

In 1978, S&Y receives a contract to paint Units 1 and 2 of the Coal Creek Station in Underwood, ND, for $1.8 million.

1980’s

On April 1, 1980, to enable employees to acquire capital ownership in the company, the board of directors converts the profit sharing plan into an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

1990’s

1990 – Bob Swanson becomes President.

2000’s

2000 – Painting is completed on the Xcel Energy Center.

2015 – Today

Work commences on Essar Steel, Nashwauk, Minnesota.