On any given day, thousands of drivers pass by Dee Cramer, Inc.’s headquarters in Grand Blanc Township without realizing the national reputation and family legacy behind the unassuming building.
But what began in 1937 as a small, two-man residential furnace operation in Flint is now the largest sheet metal contractor in Michigan and sixth largest in the United States. Not to mention a powerhouse in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry.
It’s taken a whole lot of hard work and teamwork to get there.
“I firmly believe we are the technology leaders we are today thanks to the values my grandfather, Dee Cramer, believed in and instilled in all of us,” said Matt Cramer, president.
Matt Cramer and his brother, Rich, grew up in the family business working beside their grandfather and their father, Richard J. Cramer Sr. Today, under the leadership of the third-generation owners, the company has grown exponentially to employ 336 people and generate more than $105 million in annual sales – five times more than a generation ago.
Yet despite opportunities to relocate operations elsewhere, Dee Cramer remains firmly planted in Genesee County.
In 2001, the company did relocate its headquarters from Flint to its current location at 4221 E. Baldwin Road and I-75, a move driven not only by logistical needs but by a desire to stay close to home.
“We’re a family business, and we raised our kids here … our roots are here,” Matt Cramer said.
“We’re really invested in the community and the people of Genesee County.”
In addition to its main headquarters in Grand Blanc Township, the company has established branches in Lansing, Wixom, and Saginaw to support projects across the Lower Peninsula, Ohio, and Indiana. “As we continue to expand, we’ve also diversified and gotten other locations closer to other parts of our customer base to better support them,” Matt Cramer said.
After deciding to leave the residential heating sector in 2017, Dee Cramer had the capacity to expand its HVAC fabrication and installation division for commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities, as well as a round-the-clock service division. That means the company not only manufactures all its own ductwork, it also installs and services it.
In recent years, the company has played a role in major Michigan projects, including General Motors’ Factory ZERO, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Hurley Medical Center, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown.
The company is now transitioning to its fourth generation of leadership, with three of Matt’s children and two of Rich’s already in the family business.
Alec Cramer, a licensed mechanical engineer and Rich’s son, is spearheading the company’s design-build division.
Dee Cramer most often utilizes two HVAC project approaches: the design-assist and design-build methods. Both foster collaboration and communication. Design-assist involves contractors early in the design process to provide feedback and expertise, while design-build involves a single entity responsible for both design and construction.
“We used to subcontract design work, but now we’re doing it ourselves thanks to Alec,” Matt Cramer said.
Dee Cramer is not only building and servicing HVAC systems – it’s building futures, too. For three summers, the company has offered a Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE), a national nonprofit aimed at introducing high school students to skilled trades.
“We’re trying to open up the eyes of young people to other good careers out there. This program gives high school kids an opportunity to get their feet wet and get their clothes dirty,” Matt Cramer said. “A lot of parents and kids don’t realize they can do a skilled trade apprenticeship and make $60,000, $70,000, or $80,000 a year, plus benefits, and have no student loans.”
Since 2023, Dee Cramer has introduced 75 HMSE students to the sheet metal industry – and even hired a few camp graduates.
The family has also established the Richard J. Cramer Sr. Scholarship for undergraduates enrolled in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration program at Ferris State University. The scholarship serves as a tribute to Dee Cramer’s passion for mentorship, innovation, and developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
The Cramers readily admit their explosive growth over the years wouldn’t have been possible without a talented workforce, which includes several multi-generation families of workers. That workforce has been shaped by a strong company culture that began 88 years ago with founder Dee Cramer and continues today.
“If you went to a party on the weekend and asked some of our workers what’s the best thing about working at Dee Cramer, most of the people would say there’s a teamwork here,” Matt Cramer said.
“Our team members are technologically advanced, they’re driven, they’re innovative. I’m proud to work with them every single day.”
Looking to the future, Dee Cramer is poised to continue its measured growth while staying connected to its Genesee County roots.
“We’re optimistic the work in Michigan can continue supporting our growth,” he said.