A Legacy of Innovation

In the 1960s, Cochran emerged as a technological pioneer in the construction and electrical industries, laying the groundwork for advancements that would shape the company and the entire industry. One of Cochran’s earliest and most significant achievements was its collaboration with IBM to develop one of the first supercomputers and a revolutionary estimating system. This ambitious project highlighted the company’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to innovation.

At the heart of this story is Gordon Cochran, the former CEO and Co-Founder of the company, whose leadership and vision drove Cochran’s role in this groundbreaking project. According to Gordon, the journey began when he recognized a problem: estimating and managing construction costs was inefficient and riddled with errors, particularly for large-scale, complex projects. Estimators, including himself, were burdened with manual calculations and cost analyses that consumed time and left room for inaccuracies. “We were doing it by hand, and I knew there had to be a better way,” Gordon recalled in an interview.

Enter IBM, which, in the late 1960s, was in the midst of developing its next-generation Model 32 computer. Cochran seized the opportunity to collaborate with IBM and help adapt the machine to meet the needs of the construction industry. This partnership wasn’t just about automating calculations; but about reimagining how the industry could operate with technology. Gordon and his team spent over three years working alongside IBM engineers, developing software to manage the intricate details of construction estimates, cost controls, and even daily segment costs.

“We were the first to have a fully functional estimating system on the market, It wasn’t just about making our jobs easier, it was about setting a new standard for the industy.”

Gordon Cochran

Cochran’s collaboration with IBM is a testament to the company’s deep-rooted commitment to innovation. Decades before “digital transformation” became a buzzword, Cochran leveraged cutting-edge technology to redefine what was possible in its industry. The estimating software development wasn’t just a technological achievement—it was a philosophical statement about Cochran’s approach to business: always looking ahead, always finding ways to improve.

As the company continues to grow and adapt in today’s rapidly changing technological landscape, the spirit of innovation that defined Cochran’s partnership with IBM in the 1960s remains a guiding principle. From building the first supercomputer to embracing today’s advanced technologies, Cochran’s legacy of innovation is alive and well, ensuring that it will remain at the forefront of the industry for years.

What made this collaboration particularly remarkable was the degree to which Cochran was willing to experiment and innovate. Gordon was not satisfied with using IBM’s punch card systems, which were prone to errors if the cards were dropped or damaged. Instead, he pushed for a machine that could handle real-time inputs from multiple terminals. After some trial and error—and several objections from IBM executives—Cochran successfully connected eight terminals to the Model 32, proving that the machine could handle far more than it was initially designed for. This innovation did more than streamline Cochran’s internal processes; it also influenced how construction companies across the country would manage projects.

“We were the first to have a fully functional estimating system on the market,” Gordon noted proudly. “It wasn’t just about making our jobs easier; it was about setting a new standard for the industry.”

The impact of Cochran’s work with IBM rippled across the construction world. Their developed system allowed Cochran to bid on and manage more significant, complex projects with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. This newfound capability paved the way for Cochran to win high-profile contracts, including some of the most iconic projects in the Pacific Northwest.