About Us

A legacy built on excellence.

For over 75 years, our family has been committed to quality craftmanship.

We ensure that the finished product is as functional and watertight as it is beautiful. Founded by Gerrit Buist in 1947, Buist Sheet Metal has built a reputation for quality work.

Over the decades, we have remained rooted in tried and true construction methods that execute exceptional building designs at the highest level. We’ve fabricated and installed roofing and wall cladding systems on some of West Michigan’s most iconic structures.

Who We Are

Values matter to us. At Buist Sheet Metal, we believe that true excellence can only be achieved through the balance of experience and perfection in architectural artistry. We achieve that balance by staying true to who we are, craftsmen who value integrity in our business and construction practices.

Core Values

We value conscientious workmanship, safety, honesty, integrity, and faith.

Mission Statement

To provide West Michigan with high quality craftsmanship, creating specialty architectural sheet metal work through dedication to the trade.

Our Culture

We build lasting relationships of mutual respect, based on trust and open lines of communication.

Rooted in Metal Roofing

When you know where you come from, you know who you are and where you’re headed. At Buist Sheet Metal, we believe the best way to secure our legacy is to be good stewards of our past—the foundation of everything we do.

  • 1947
  • 1950
  • 1956
  • 1961
  • 1975
  • 1980
  • 1986
  • 1991
  • 1997
  • 1999
  • 2005
  • 2013
  • 2022
  • 1947 - 1947

    1947

    Buist Sheet Metal Company was founded by the late Gerrit Buist in 1947. Gerrit had worked in sheet metal for many years when he decided to start his own business out of his garage. His first job was to remove the slate roof from a soon-to-be demolished building on Calvin College’s Franklin Campus. He then installed a new slate roof, built-in copper gutters, and copper flashings on Calvin’s new science building.

  • 1950 - 1950

    1950

    In 1950, Gerrit and his sons, Don and Dale, built a small shop on Myrtle Street on the northwest side of Grand Rapids and moved the growing business out of Gerrit’s garage.

  • 1956 - 1956

    1956

    Gerrit passes away, leaving Don and Dale to take over the business. One of the last projects completed prior to Gerrit’s death was installing a clay tile roof with copper gutters and flashings on St. John’s United Church of Christ’s new building on Bridge Street.

  • 1961 - 1961

    1961

    Buist Sheet Metal’s reputation for quality workmanship has spread and the two brothers continue to work on many churches, schools, and homes. In 1961, they installed a slate roof with lead coated copper built-in gutters and flashings on Mayflower Congregational Church.

  • 1975 - 1975

    1975

    Don’s son Jim joins the family business full time after graduating from Calvin University, having already worked summers in the business since the late 1960s. A notable project from the 1970s was the standing seam roof on the Independent Bank in Belding.

  • 1980 - 1980

    1980

    Buist Sheet Metal moves their headquarters to the current location on Webster Street on Grand Rapids’ west side. With a larger shop, the company expanded its operations to include computerized press brakes and roll forming equipment.

  • 1986 - 1986

    1986

    Buist Sheet Metal wins an Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors Western Michigan Chapter for work on Evergreen Commons, the first of over 30 EIC Awards to date recognizing quality workmanship.

  • 1991 - 1991

    1991

    Christ Memorial Reformed Church, a milestone project for Buist in the late 80s, wins an ABC National Excellence in Construction Award, after having won locally in 1990 from ABC/WMC.

  • 1997 - 1997

    1997

    With Jim at the helm, Buist Sheet Metal celebrates 50 years in business at the annual ABC/WMC Excellence in Construction Awards banquet, earning their 11th EIC Award that evening.

  • 1999 - 1999

    1999

    Buist Sheet Metal installs the first photovoltaic solar panel roof system in West Michigan, on the Jarecki Center for Advanced Learning at Aquinas College, winning another Excellence in Construction Award in 2000 for this work.

  • 2005 - 2005

    2005

    Jim’s son, Don, graduated from Calvin University and joins the company full time. A highlight project from this summer is the steeple restoration on St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parnell, a 2006 Excellence in Construction Award winner.

  • 2013 - 2013

    2013

    Buist Sheet Metal wins an Excellence in Construction award for their copper masterpiece, The Dunes at Lake Michigan.

  • 2022 - 2022

    2022

    Buist Sheet Metal celebrates 75 years! Today, Don Buist runs the day to day operations, representing the fourth generation of family leadership. With a dedicated team of craftsmen, Buist Sheet Metal is poised to grow its legacy of conscientious workmanship, embracing innovation while staying true to the principles that have guided our success.

Add the artistry your property deserves by contacting us for a quote today.