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
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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.
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1950 - 1950
1950In 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.
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1956 - 1956
1956Gerrit 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.
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1961 - 1961
1961Buist 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.
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1975 - 1975
1975Don’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.
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1980 - 1980
1980Buist 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.
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1986 - 1986
1986Buist 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.
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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.
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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.
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2005 - 2005
2005Jim’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.
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2013 - 2013
2013Buist Sheet Metal wins an Excellence in Construction award for their copper masterpiece, The Dunes at Lake Michigan.
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2022 - 2022
2022Buist 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.
