In May 1951 Robert L. Arnold graduated from Clarkson College with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Like all college graduates, he was looking for employment.  ALCOA in Massena was expanding and had an opening for him but not before October of that year.  Being young and ambitious, he wanted to find something to keep him busy.  His stepmother, Isabel Arnold, suggested that he see her boss, George A. Thomas, about a job.

George hired him immediately and he got his first lessons in the feed business.  In August, George had some family problems and decided to move down state.  He approached Isabel and Robert about buying the business.  Together with his father Thomas Arnold and his Aunt, Florence Arnold Herald, they went into business as Malone Feed & Farm Supply Inc.   In October ALCOA called but he passed on their offer and decided to stay in his hometown.     

As years went by, Malone Feed & Farm Supply changed direction, discontinuing the marketing of farm machinery and commencing the sale of building materials.  Bob's father Thomas, was a local contractor and it was logical to pursue that avenue of expansion.  Bob had worked with his father in the past and had a good knowledge of the building business.

In the early 1980's, Bob's sons were now full time and very active in the business.  The grain business was starting to wane due to farm cut backs, however construction was flourishing.  Bob again envisioned expansion for his business.  The logical choice was to go for the the only phase of a house that he could not supply - the basement.  With much thought and careful planning, he bought a concrete plant to produce redi-mix concrete.  The business grew again and more employees were hired.

In May of 1988, Robert passed away and his sons were left to carry on his legacy.  With hard work and great support from family and employees, Bob's son's, Dan and Tom persevered through a difficult time.  The business was still growing and the brothers decided to implement many of their father's ideas to facelift and modernize the entire showroom.  The brothers embarked on this task during the fall of 1989 and completed the project by spring of 1990.

The computer age had finally arrived and the boys welcomed its advancement into their business. (note: Robert was totally opposed to ever having a computer.)  They felt it was time for a change of direction and focus with the feed business now waning they decided to close it down.  The decision, while painful, was a necessary business decision and was in the best interest of Malone Feed & Farm Supply Inc.  

The biggest change to date happened in July of 1990 when the brothers renamed the business from Malone Feed & Farm Supply to it's present name, Malone Lumber & Ready-Mix Inc.(MLRM).  This gave true definition to the type of business that they were in and help new folks in the area identify more with them(note: ready-mix not redi-mix because fast service was their montra).  

Both brothers had agreed that this last change was the most dramatic as it left their last link from the past behind them.  They also hoped that they would never go through such a transition again and, as such, look only forward to further growth in ways to better enhance and diversify their busisness along with service to their customers needs.

In March of 1998, an opportunity arose with the retirement of a local fuel dealer, John Connors, and the Connors Oil business with a bulk plant on West Street was purchased and renamed Arnold Oil Inc.  Operations were moved from Amsden Street to the corner of Raymond & Elm Streets, built specifically for the Oil company.  This business, which included a gas station, supplemented the existing Lumber and Ready-Mix operations and allowed the boys to offer Malone and surrounding communities heating oil,gas,diesel and kerosene sales as well as service for heating systems.  It also allowed for the transfer of some employees to go back and forth between businesses as activity or seasons dictated their need.(note: this was done years before with the feed and the ready-mix personel)

Although the 1990 name change was dramatic, in 2000 a complete remodeling of the retail store took place with the demolition of the entire store behind the main building, which was once the heart and soul of Malone Feed & Farm Supply, and a new structure arose.  The "new store"(over 8000+ square feet) ushered in an era of ease for both retail and contractor customers to find everything they needed for construction with wide ailses and improved lighting.

In July of 2001, Dan and Tom again branched out and purchased a neighboring business, Upstate Memorials, as  a means to expand their real estate for future expansion, operate more efficiently and to continue to offer the community necessary products and services locally.  The business was renamed Arnold Monuments Inc.

Embarking on a new endeaver in June of 2009 Tom and Dan established Arnold Pre-Cast Inc.  This allows us to provide products and services that both dovetails and integrates with existing Ready-Mix and Monument operations as well as expand the lines of our building supply materials business.

To all who have supported and continue to support us since 1951 we say THANK -YOU and to our future customers we say WELCOME.