UBS Company History

Universal Builders Supply, Inc. was founded in New York City in 1931. Since then we have been a major supplier and subcontractor to the construction industry.

UBS designs, engineers, erects, and dismantles hoisting, scaffolding, and protection systems of virtually every kind.

UBS is known for its innovative engineering solutions to thousands of challenging projects over the years and has earned a reputation for excellence around the world for eight decades.

UBS was founded in N.Y.C. in 1931 by Harold A. O'Callaghan, a mechanical engineer, graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology (1925), which is in nearby Hoboken, NJ. Harold had previously been employed by Con Edison as an engineer and then by Wickwire Spencer Steel Company where he sold to the greater metropolitan construction market steel products, such as reinforcing mesh and other specialty items. His most memorable job he always said was one of the few jobs in N.Y.C. at the time, The Empire State Building. His grandson, Kevin O'Callaghan, B.A. Trinity College, has been President and CEO since 1991.

UBS has been a subcontractor on many memorable projects throughout the world.  Our company provides scaffolding and hoisting that allows trades access to buildings and structures of all kinds.

UBS has worked for an array of clients/owners including the NY Port Authority on many tunnels and bridges in and around NYC including the George Washington, Verrazano and Williamsburg Bridges.  UBS has also worked with the US Parks Department as the principle scaffold contractor on the Statue of Liberty, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.  Our company recently completed the scaffolding at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

In the private sector, our projects for scaffolding and hoisting include: The AT&T Building, the entire N.Y. World Financial Center, the entire Canary Wharf Project in London, UK. In these and many similar major projects, the developer entrusted us with the complete hoisting and scaffolding responsibilities for every one of these buildings, which were among the largest projects in the world.

UBS has worked for the Architect of the Capitol providing the Presidential, Congressional and Media Stands for the 2001, 2005 and 2009 Presidential Inaugurations at the US Capitol.

UBS has done work throughout the world for types of structures where we were asked to provide our expertise to work with the owners and contractors to provide safe and innovative systems.

UBS has a great deal of experience in doing our work in a safe environment where the public in some cases were either very close or in the building, such as the Harrisburg State Capitol, which was occupied. Grand Central Terminal remained open with our scaffolding spanning the main area ceiling.  Restoration work was performed while as many as 500,000 people passed underneath each day, without incident.

For over 80 years UBS has performed safely, innovatively and securely.