THE BEGINNING
Walter started with nothing more than a dream to build a business, a commitment to delivering quality products at a fair price, and a promise to treat employees and clients with dignity and respect, Walter established ARC Enterprises, Inc. as one of the premier bridge fabricators in New England.
In 1974, Walter Kilbreth was welding pipe for a local company on a construction project in Rumford, Maine. After discovering he was the lowest-paid worker on the job, he made a life-changing decision to become self-employed—and vowed he would never treat his employees the way he had been treated.
With a $3,500 loan from a local bank in Phillips, Maine, Walter founded Kilbreth’s Welding. Over the next several years, he worked on construction projects across a wide region—from Northern Maine to Virginia and as far west as Ohio.
By 1977, weary of constant travel, Walter chose to establish his business in the Kingfield, Maine area. There, he quickly earned a reputation for quality workmanship and fair pricing. His early work primarily involved field repairs on skidders, log trucks, and other construction equipment.
In 1985, Walter hired his first employee—who remains with the company today—and officially established ARC Enterprises, Inc. The following year, the company built its first repair shop, a 50' x 70' wood-framed building that was soon outgrown.
In 1989, ARC relocated a short distance up the road and constructed a 15,000-square-foot steel-framed facility. Within three years, continued growth required an additional 12,000-square-foot expansion.
In 1993, ARC Enterprises, Inc. achieved certification through the AISC Quality Certification Program for simple bridges and steel buildings. In the years that followed, the company upgraded its certification to include Major Bridges and Complex Buildings, along with a sophisticated paint endorsement. This marked a strategic shift toward steel plate girder fabrication for major bridge projects.
In 2010, Walter’s son, Jake, joined the company, marking the transition to a second-generation business. With prior experience in the steel fabrication industry, Jake brought fresh ideas and a new perspective to operations. That same year, ARC completed another 12,000-square-foot addition and acquired additional land to support future growth.
In 2020, a 14,400-square-foot addition dedicated to coatings—specifically metallizing—was completed. This new facility expanded bidding opportunities, as metallizing has become the standard coating application in bridge fabrication. For a small company, this was a major hurdle, but it proved to be a successful investment that opened new doors for ARC within the bridge industry.
In 2021, after more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Walter decided to step away from day-to-day office operations and transitioned to a remote role, assisting with project bidding alongside his son, Jake.
By 2022, both Walter and Jake agreed it was time for Jake to fully take the reins, allowing Walter to enter his well-earned retirement.
As of 2026, the company is thriving. With a strong team in place and Jake’s determination to carry the family business forward, ARC has firmly established its place in the bridge industry. By leading with the same values instilled by his father, Jake has demonstrated—to employees, customers, and Walter himself—that ARC will continue delivering high-quality, well-crafted products for many years to come.
