Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. (O-A-K), long-standing commercial construction company, is pleased to announce expansion plans for a new office in downtown Kalamazoo in November 2013. The new office will be located in the historic business district, on the ground floor of the Haymarket Building at 161 E. Michigan Ave, Suite 102, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
Founded in Grand Rapids in 1891, O-A-K has completed some of West Michigan’s most iconic construction projects in its 120+ year history. Interestingly, the firm’s historic portfolio includes the Old Kalamazoo Central High School (Additions & Gymnasium in 1912) and Fort Custer (built in 1940), both staples of Southwest Michigan.
“Having a true local presence is very important to us at O-A-K. All of our projects are intertwined with the communities in which they’re built,” said President & CEO, Frank Stanek. “We have multiple projects in progress in Southwest Michigan and look forward to continued growth in the region. We want to show the Kalamazoo community that we are fully committed to the people and organizations in this area.”
As an employee-owned firm with 62 corporate shareholders, O-A-K brings a unique commitment to the local marketplace. The majority of Project Superintendents and Project Managers, who manage the daily operations of the firm’s construction projects, are owners of the company. O-A-K employees are both personally and professionally invested in the success of every project.
Knowledge of the local marketplace and commitment to the local community are key ingredients for the success of this new branch office. To ensure the new office will operate with a local perspective, O-A-K has hired Tom Stanek, Kalamazoo construction expert, to head up the new branch. As the Director of Kalamazoo Operations, Tom will be responsible for business development, resource management and overall project success for all projects out of the Kalamazoo office. Tom brings 24 years of commercial construction experience in Southwest Michigan. He is also a graduate of Western Michigan University. Tom joined the firm in August 2013.
