Company History

Timeline

Over 50 Years As The Worldwide Leader In Commercial Diving

1969

UCC Founded

Underwater Construction Corporation (UCC) is founded by John Chiangi, Sr. and Stuart Leech.

1973

First Successful Radiological Dives

UCC divers complete radiological dives at the Yankee Rowe Nuclear Plant.

1986

UCC Acquired by the Brand Companies

UCC is acquired by a publicly owned asbestos abatement company named The Brand Companies. The original founders leave. Chiangi’s son, John, Jr., takes over as president of the company.

1987

UCC Completes its First International Contract

UCC completes its first international project at a nuclear plant in Taiwan. As a result, UCC goes on to successfully complete several nuclear plant projects throughout Taiwan into the early 2000s.

1989

UCC and its Parent Company Acquire Lakeshore Marine Establishing the Midwest Division, & Take on Two Massive Projects on Each Coast

UCC and its parent company acquire Lakeshore Marine located in Michigan. This allowed UCC to expand its operations to the Great Lakes region and service a host of new and existing clients, particularly one noteworthy customer located on Lake Michigan, which happens to be UCC’s longest running contract to date. UCC also takes on two massive projects in this year. The first is a re-rack project at a nuclear plant in California. The second is a marine construction project for Metro-North Commuter Railroad that involved the extensive rehabilitation of four railroad bridges in Connecticut. Both projects are a great success and help UCC gain substantial recognition in the nuclear and marine diving industry.

1991

UCC Expands into International Underwater Welding Projects; Receives Approval to Weld in Japan

1994

President John Chiangi Jr. Retires from UCC

1994

UCC Develops Nuclear Underwater Coatings Program

UCC develops state-of-the-art methods and products that can withstand high levels of radiation and be applied underwater in nuclear plants. UCC completes its first project of this type.

1995

UCC Experiences Two Advancements in its Welding & Reactor Services Program

UCC completes its first safety-related welds at a Nuclear Plant in North Carolina and its first dryer cut-up at a nuclear site in Japan.

1996

Three Long-time Employees Acquire UCC; Open Third Office in Tennessee

Formerly a public company, UCC is acquired by three standout employees who have worked many years as divers and in management roles. The new leadership team is comprised of John Lawton as President and CEO, and Michael Pellini and William Feeley as two vice presidents.

UCC also opens a new office in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, to service the vast network of power producing facilities along the Tennessee Valley River System. This expansion into the south eventually accounts for 25% of the Company’s annual revenues.

1997

UCC Commences First Nuclear Diving Project in Brazil, a First for that Country

2000

UCC Enters into the Nuclear Power Plant Non-Diving Reactor Services Sector, a Service that Extensively Supports the Industry to this Day

2004

UCC Experiences Record Growth; Wins More Opportunities in Japan

UCC performs dives at one of the largest nuclear facilities in the world. More than 30 divers work at the site in Japan for several months and the outcome of the project proves to be a tremendous success.

2005

UCC Signs Joint Venture with Chinese Company QPOC

UCC signs joint venture with Chinese company QPOC providing training and development services. The relationship continues to this day.

2008

UCC Successfully Completes its First Nuclear Reactor Dive in the People’s Republic of China

2010

UCC Continues Expansion with New Wisconsin Office

UCC’s Michigan office expands its marine diving operations further west to Wisconsin.

2012

UCC Safely Completes its Busiest Nuclear Diving Year with more than 60 Nuclear Diving Projects Worldwide

2013

UCC Completes its 100th Nuclear Power Plant Spent Fuel Project

2014

President Lawton Retires; Raymond Palumbo Becomes President

Lawton retires from UCC after serving as its President and CEO for eighteen years. The two remaining owners, Pellini and Feeley remain as co-chairmen and promote the company’s Chief Financial Officer Raymond Palumbo, to the position of President and CEO.