Our History
Serving Defiance and Paulding, OH 
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Serving Defiance and Paulding, OH
Defiance 419-782-5821
Paulding 419-782-5821

About Baker-Shindler Company

Our History

The Baker-Shindler Contracting Company is celebrating more than 96 years of serving Northwest Ohio with quality construction, leaving its mark in Defiance and the surrounding communities with scores of public buildings.

Recognized as the oldest general contracting firm in Northwest Ohio, Baker-Shindler Company became incorporated on March 28, 1921 by Frank Baker and Douglas C. Shindler, constructing schools and commercial buildings. 

When Frank Baker left the firm to join First Federal Savings & Loan Association, D.C. Shindler continued operating the company until his death in 1945, at which time his son, Walter B. Shindler took over as President until his retirement in December of 1983. Walter’s son, Douglas R. Shindler, joined the firm full time after serving in the Navy Construction Brigade and took over as President and Chief Operating Officer on January 1, 1984 and continues in that position today. Douglas’s son, Andrew D. Shindler, serves the company as Vice President and currently oversees the Ready Mix and Builder’s Supply division.  

During the last 96 years, the firm has been involved in the construction of schools, hospitals, offices, commercial buildings, churches, libraries, and manufacturing facilities such as General Motors Powertrain, Defiance Precision Products, Johns Manville, Campbell Soup Company, ConAgra Grocery Products, Sauder Woodworking Company, Lafarge Corporation, and Chase Brass & Copper Company, and is approved to conduct business in the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

In 1947, Baker-Shindler Ready Mix Concrete was established with a five truck operation on Columbus Avenue, and at that time was, the first Concrete Plant like it in Northwest Ohio, aside from Toledo and Lima. 

In 1968, Baker-Shindler moved to its present location on Cleveland Avenue. In 1982, the firm added a plant operation in Paulding, Ohio. Baker-Shindler Ready Mix has been a leader in quality concrete for many construction projects in the area for 70 years.

Baker-Shindler has been and will continue to be instrumental in the building of Defiance and the surrounding areas of Northwest Ohio for many years to come.
View Our Recent Projects
Baker-Shindler Mixer
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