Our History

In 1909, Morris Rosenberg invests $4.50 in a bucket, a sponge, a mop, and a company’s future. Serving merchants on San Francisco’s Fillmore Street, Morris turns a profit of $3.50 on his first day.

Expansion from window washing to full janitorial services demands our first rebrand. Morris updates the name of his growing business to American Building Maintenance Company.

By the end of their first decade in business, American Building Maintenance Company expands from the streets of San Francisco to open offices in Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle.

Winning a contract to clean Stanford University makes us the first janitorial contractor in America to clean a major college campus. Making a mark for ABM’s employee culture, a future president of the company (Morris’ son Ted) is sent there on his first professional assignment, as a janitor.

When ABM opens our first New York branch office in 1933, we’ve grown to 1,500 employees and specialized services for banks, theatres, offices, department stores, and colleges. Our technical services have their first birthday, founded in Los Angeles as the APEX Electrical and Mechanical Company, soon to be renamed the Pacific Electrical and Mechanical Company (PEMCO).

The World’s Fair on San Francisco’s Treasure Island asks ABM to be responsible for 500,000 square feet of space, including entrance halls, pavilions, exhibit palaces, 400 restrooms, and more. To get the gates open on time, trucks have to haul 280 tons of debris off the newly created island. Our executives request 400 union workers within 24 hours. On opening morning, the site is ready.

The famous “Giant Janitor” logo steps up to represent the World’s Largest Janitorial Contractors. From 1953 and on into the ’60s, a genuine giant, Mr. Hite, made special appearances as our Giant Janitor at industry tradeshows.

When Disneyland opens the Magic Kingdom, ABM is on the job.

Long before company emails and apps, ABM shares employee anniversaries, recognizes new accounts, and recaps business news of the day in our newsletter The Maintainer.

At our 50-year mark, ABM has grown to employ more than 6,000 people, with offices in 45 cities across North America.

Our stock lists on the American Stock Exchange.

ABM team members secure $1 million of new annual service contracts in just one month for the first time.

Recalling the moment years later, the son of ABM’s founder says: “On our first day on the New York Stock Exchange I bought the very first share of stock. I still have it.”

Of the 4,000 corporations listed over-the-counter and on the major stock exchanges, only 234 have increased annual dividends in the last 10 years. ABM is one, ranking 65th.

Bill Steele becomes President and Chief Executive Officer of ABM in 1991, having started as a management trainee in 1958.

Marking increased revenue for the 82nd consecutive year, ABM and our subsidiaries now serve clients in 35 of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the United States.

ABM launches www.abm.com

The terrible toll of the attack on the World Trade Center includes 17 ABM employees. Survivor Jan Demczur, an ABM window washer, uses his squeegee to open a trapped elevator, saving not only himself, but the lives of everyone stuck inside. To honor Demczur’s bravery in leading those trapped with him safely out of the building, his squeegee and ABM uniform were later inducted into the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. At the time of the attack, the WTC is ABM’s single largest client, with approximately 800 janitorial, engineering, and lighting employees caring for the site.

ABM Industries Incorporated celebrates the 100th anniversary of our founding by ringing the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The son of ABM’s founder, with former job titles from janitor to corporate director, is there to share the moment with us.

ABM Facility Solutions returns to the site of its former largest client, the World Trade Center, taking on the responsibility for integrated facility services at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Caring for these unique spaces remains a special honor for us, as 17 of the names memorialized there belong to ABM employees.

ABM acquires Atlanta-based AirServ Corp. for $158 million, and HHA Services—a food and facility service provider to hospitals, healthcare systems, long-term care facilities, and retirement communities.

ABM makes several acquisitions, including GBM Support Services Group Limited, Airco Commercial Services, and Alpha Mechanical Service.

In April, ABM appoints Scott Salmirs as its 7th CEO and Anthony Scaglione as CFO. Salmirs launches "2020 Vision" in September, restructuring the company into industry-focused groups and centralizing support functions. As part of this strategy, ABM sells its non-strategic security business for $131 million in October 2015 and acquires UK-based Westway Services Holdings in December 2015.

Fortune 500 welcomes ABM Industries as a new member.

ABM makes waves, selling its government services business to Valiant Integrated Services for $35 million. In September, ABM purchases GCA Services Group for $1.25 billion, the largest acquisition in the company's history.

ABM celebrated its 2018 Investor Day by ringing The Opening Bell® at the New York Stock Exchange, showcasing its strong financial strategy and business acumen. This momentous event highlighted the company's positive outlook and adaptability in response to the 2017 Tax Reform Act, underscoring its reliability as a business partner.

ABM partnered with Navy Pier, an iconic Midwest destination, to manage over 1,500 parking spaces and support upgrades to parking infrastructure. This collaboration enhanced the guest experience and showcased ABM's expertise in large-scale facility management, significantly expanding its presence in the Chicago area and its national portfolio.

In April 2020, ABM announced its EnhancedClean™ Program to aid in COVID-19 remediation efforts. This program, essential to business operations during the pandemic, included providing hygiene and safety products, using EPA-registered disinfectants qualified against COVID-19, and increasing cleaning frequency, all in line with recommendations from global health authorities. ABM's commitment to safety and adapting to new cleaning protocols underscored our role as trusted advisors during this critical time.

On November 3, 2020, we announced the appointment of Rene Jacobsen as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Jacobsen, previously serving as the Chief Facilities Officer, played a pivotal role in service delivery and business transformation, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his new role, he was poised to lead operations across all business segments, leveraging his extensive experience to drive ABM's success and meet client and employee needs.

On December 15, 2021, ABM hosted a virtual Investor Day to unveil their comprehensive strategic plan, ELEVATE, aimed at unlocking long-term value and reinforcing their industry leadership. This plan focused on elevating the client and team member experiences through innovative offerings, enhanced talent management, and advanced use of technology and data. ELEVATE represents ABM's commitment to adapting and growing in a changing market, leveraging their recent acquisitions and insights from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 6,000 ABM team members, management, and clients joined a live-stream Sting concert celebrating ABM's 50th anniversary on the New York Stock Exchange. President and CEO Scott Salmirs recognized long-term team members and announced a donation to the Rainforest Fund, founded by Sting in 1989, as part of ABM’s commitment to support Indigenous Peoples and environmental protection.

In September, ABM completes the acquisition of Able Services, headquartered in San Francisco, CA. At the time of the acquisition, Able Services stood as the largest family-owned facility services company in the United States.

ABM was named to Selling Power’s 2022 ‘50 Best Companies to Sell For’ list, recognized for its commitment to team member development and creating a supportive sales culture. EVP Sean Mahoney highlighted the company's focus on empowering sales professionals with advanced technologies and training. This honor reflects ABM's dedication to a diverse, dynamic, and professional sales environment.

ABM acquired Momentum Support, a key Irish facility services provider, boosting its market presence and aligning with its ELEVATE strategy. This move, incorporating Momentum's $70 million revenue and 2,300 employees, enhances ABM's growth in sectors like technology and life sciences. ABM's CEO, Scott Salmirs, emphasized the strategic alignment and potential for improved services and client relations.

On September 1st, ABM completes the acquisition of RavenVolt, Inc., a leading nationwide provider of advanced turn-key microgrid systems utilized by diversified commercial and industrial customers, national retailers, utilities, and municipalities.

R&B superstar Usher entertains ABM frontline team members at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York On September 17. With over 100,000 team members, the tribute pays homage post-pandemic to individuals dedicated to safeguarding the people, places, and spaces crucial to ABM clients and the world.

ABM centralizes eMobility and electrical operations in the new ABM Electrification Center in Cumming, GA, strengthening its position in electrification solutions alongside RavenVolt, offering comprehensive training and testing facilities for our EV charging, microgrid, parking, and power system services.

ABM has been recognized on the DiversityInc Noteworthy companies list for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This acknowledgment highlights ABM's initiatives like the Culture & Inclusion Council and supplier diversity program, reflecting its efforts to create an inclusive workplace and foster diverse business partnerships. This marks a significant milestone in ABM's journey towards embedding DEI in all aspects of its operations.