The Weitz Company story begins before Coca-Cola, the telephone and even the Civil War. Prior to seeking a life in America, Charles H. Weitz had served Germany in the Revolution of 1848, attended public school and traveled through Europe. There he mastered French and English and developed an acute interest in architecture. Weitz and his wife, Helen, emigrated from Germany to Fort Des Moines, Iowa, in April 1855. That very year, he founded a small carpentry shop. Eager for the chance to prove his skills, he made a name for himself by installing windows in the Savery House and building several homes, private businesses and public buildings. As the business grew, Charles handed down his craft and sense of values and quality to his sons, who in turn passed the family business on to their children, continuing for four generations. The company was put to the test in the 1930s when private construction became scarce. In response to the Great Depression, Weitz constructed federal buildings and post offices in 42 states. During World War II, The Weitz Company supported the war effort by constructing industrial plants in record time for the purpose of producing ammunition. The company�??s president even took a 15-month leave of absence in 1954 to manage construction maintenance for Army, Navy and Air Force buildings and depots. When competitors succumbed to the challenges of their time, Weitz positioned itself as a leader in new market segments. Adept at generating positive growth opportunities, The Weitz Company pioneered the development of precast concrete exterior wall construction and became one of the largest producers of architectural precast concrete. The company also focused on modern food-grain storage in underdeveloped countries worldwide. East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was the sight of a uniquely successful project, the only World Bank-financed project in that country to be built on schedule. Projects were also pursued in Egypt, Germany, Nicaragua, Philippines, Vietnam and Argentina. March 1995 marked the culmination of 140 years of Weitz family leadership and the emergence of an independent company owned debt-free by 36 employees. This pivotal event catapulted the company into a decade of unequaled growth opportunities and enhanced shareholder return that continues to this day. The Weitz Company�??s strong and proud history is the foundation for a successful future.