ABOUT BBL BUILDING COMPANY
Building is in our blood. From our early roots in 1935 to the diverse group of companies today, The Bette Companies story is synonymous with a family history and traditions in the construction industry.
BBLbc was formed as a full-service commercial construction company to specialize in multifamily and light commercial projects. We are focused on meeting the needs of our clients beginning with project inception through to completion and occupancy.
BBL Building Company was founded by Matthew Bette and Peter Bette (founders of Bette & Cring Construction in New York State), and Mark Lear, an active member and leader in Texas’ multifamily industry.
Today, with locations in Texas and Florida, it is the most recent addition to a family of companies that goes back half a century.
Our story is based on several generations working to “Build Value” in our communities
The Bette family enters the construction business when Joe Bette starts Bette Builders
Mike Bette gets his start in Commercial Construction Industry
Mike Bette and Bob Barry relocate to Upstate NY to start a new construction Office in Albany.
Mike Bette partners with Bob Barry to form Barry & Bette, Inc. specializing in heavy highway construction.
The next generation joins the family construction business as Mike’s sons Matt, Kevin, Peter, Chris, and Mark move up through the ranks at BBL.
Harold Cring joins BBL and opens an office in Watertown, NY.
Barry & Bette adds a new partner and Barry, Bette, & Led Duke, Inc. is formed (BBL Construction).
BBL forms a real estate development division, headed by Kevin Bette, to offer new services.
Matt Bette expands the company opening an office in Ft. Myers, Fl. (BBL Florida) to focus on high-rise, multi-family type projects.
Matt Bette expands the company opening an office in Irving, Texas focusing on multi-family construction.
Peter Bette becomes a Vice President of BBL and Division Manager of the Bridge Group
Matt Bette is named “Contractor of the Year” by the American Subcontractors Association of Southwest Florida.
Kevin Bette forms First Columbia, a real estate development and investment firm.
Bette & Cring Construction Group is formed as a spin-off of BBL by sons Matt and Peter Bette (Albany, NY Office) and Harold Cring (Watertown, NY Office).
Bette & Cring, First Columbia, BBL Florida and TX BBL relocate their headquarters to Century Hill Plaza in Latham, NY – our present location.
Bette & Cring develops, builds, and owns the landmark Burrstone Energy Center, which provides onsite cogenerated power to a neighborhood microgrid serving St. Luke’s Hospital, Utica College, and St. Luke’s Nursing Home, and exports power back to the grid.
The Bette Companies forms to unify First Columbia, Bette & Cring, BBL Florida, and Texas BBL as a national diversified construction group.
As demand for energy alternatives grows, Bette & Cring creates Cogen Power Technologies, a cogeneration and power consulting company.
TX BBL changes its name to BBL Building Company to represent its wider geographic coverage.
A new generation of the Bette family and Cring family join the construction legacy in project management, field supervision, and administrative roles.
Mark Lear and Ron Rollins assume leadership positions at BBL Building Co. and expand office to Plano, Texas.