The company was founded on 21 April 1920 by Allen Lewis.

By the company's collapse, 18 of its 21 contracts were cashflow negative.

[9][10] KordaMentha was appointed the administrator,[11] and proceeded to liquidate the remaining assets of the company by 2018.

[12][13][14] During their investigation, it was also revealed that Walter Construction had traded while insolvent.

[15][16] Prior to the collapse, John Holland had a bid to acquire Walter Construction, however the deal fell through in 2002.