Newkirk Electric opened its doors in Flint, Michigan in 1961 as an "electrical systems specialist", and quickly developed capabilities in high voltage work to help Consumers Power Company build its power distribution/substation system throughout the state.

Newkirk Electric opened its doors in Flint, Michigan in 1961 as an "electrical systems specialist", and quickly developed capabilities in high voltage work to help Consumers Power Company build its power distribution/substation system throughout the state.From there, Newkirk ventured into power plants and served as the primary electric contractor on many of the state’s largest power generation units starting with the award of the 1,872 MW Ludington Pumped Storage plant in 1968, at the time the largest civil construction project in the world. Other large power plant projects followed as Michigan built its base load generation units including the Palisades Nuclear Plant, the J.H.

Newkirk Electric was founded by a group of greatest generation war veterans, led by the company's namesake Arland Newkirk, with an unyielding drive to build a great company. Their work ethic and integrity are deeply embedded into the core fibers of Newkirk Electric.

When founding shareholder Chris Anton purchased controlling interest of Newkirk Electric in 1973, he continued to foster this legacy. This proved successful in fueling the company's growth from a small regional electrical contractor to one of the largest in the United States today.Now under its second generation of family direction, Newkirk Electric's management has evolved its business model to one that is based on a professional nimble, team-oriented culture, while maintaining the values and ethics of its founders.