The company was originally formed in 1885 by Robert John (RJ) McKinney at premises on the Limestone Road in Belfast, initially for the production of wrought iron.

The premises were moved to Alexandra Park Avenue, Belfast with the growth of structural steel and in 1947 it moved again to York Road, Belfast, by this time incorporating a reinforcement company.

During the next 20 years the growth of the company necessitated a further move to larger premises at Mallusk, outside Belfast, where the group consolidated and expanded to a total of 7 companies in the McKinney Industrial Estate.

In the mid eighties the McKinney family sold all their subsidiaries to specialise in commercial development.

The Company is currently being managed by three great grandchildren of the founder, Robert John McKinney.