ST. LOUIS, MO — Mechanical contracting firm Murphy Co., headquartered in St. Louis, has four additional locations in Colorado: Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins. Patrick J. Murphy Jr. is the fourth-generation owner of the 113-year-old firm started by his great-grandfather.
“We are following the advice of the CDC and our government officials,” he says. “We have avoided speculating on all the ‘what if’s’ as it can be distracting and add little value to the organization. Financially, we have been building a very strong balance sheet through excellent execution over the last several years and proactive cash management.”
'After we get through the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be a better company. We have adapted to ever-changing conditions. We learned new skills which will allow the organization to continue to grow its capabilities, quality of services and create new opportunities for our people to provide increased value to our customers.' — Patrick J. Murphy
As the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through droplets from coughing or sneezing, this ventilation method is thought to reduce the spread of the disease in hospitals or other health-care settings. Murphy Co. designed a system where the ductwork is fed through a window in the room, with HEPA filtration located on the roof.
Murphy Co. converted rooms at two other hospitals—St. Anthony North Health Campus in Westminster, Colo., and the SSM Health DePaul Hospital in Bridgeton, Mo.—into negative-pressure rooms. Each project had different design challenges, but pre-fabrication methods and quick installation met the needs of the health-care institutions.
Concerned about the safety of jobsite crews, Murphy Co. designed itsBoth Colorado and Missouri have started to cautiously open up more businesses in their states. Colorado ended its more restrictive orders on April 27, and Missouri’s order expired May 4.
He is quick to point out that his family’s company resiliency as it has withstood much over its century-plus history
“After we get through the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be a better company. We have adapted to ever-changing conditions. We learned new skills which will allow the organization to continue to grow its capabilities, quality of services and create new opportunities for our people to provide increased value to our customers. Because of the outstanding members of our team, we will not only survive the challenging times, but also thrive in the good times.”
About the Author

Kelly L. Faloon
Freelance Writer/Editor
Kelly L. Faloon is a contributing editor and writer to Contracting Business magazine, Contractor and HPAC Engineering. The former editor of Plumbing & Mechanical magazine, Faloon has more than 20 years experience in the plumbing and heating industry. She started a freelance writing and editing business in 2017, where she has a varied clientele.
Faloon spent 3 1/2 years at Supply House Times before joining the Plumbing & Mechanical staff in 2001. Previously, she spent nearly 10 years at CCH/Wolters Kluwer, a publishing firm specializing in business and tax law, where she wore many hats — proofreader, writer/editor for a daily tax publication, and Internal Revenue Code editor.
A native of Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula, Faloon is a journalism graduate of Michigan State University. You can reach her at [email protected].