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Our Core Values define us and represent our way of doing business every day. They are the guiding principles that dictate our behavior and action, ensuring that we maintain consistency in our approach and interactions.
Our team has a passion for community involvement, service, and giving back. TRUEBLUE is a company-wide charitable program designed to encourage community involvement and monetary donations. We proudly support over 90 organizations through sponsorships and volunteerism.
MSI General is more than just a company; it’s a family that has been building dreams and creating lasting partnerships since 1957. Focusing on strategic company growth while maintaining the commitment to excellence Pete and Dirk Debbink have firmly established, MSI General is stronger than ever. As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain committed to our founding principles, ensuring that every client can trust in The MSI General Way.
Metal Structures Inc. was founded in 1957 as a family-run business by Claude Debbink and his son Pete. Their first employee was carpenter Don Loppnow. Pete's wife, Jo, managed the bookkeeping. Their primary focus was the design-build construction of metal buildings.
When Claude Debbink passed away in 1962, his son Pete carried on the family legacy and continued to grow the business.
The office relocated from the family home on the north side of Lac La Belle to downtown Oconomowoc in 1963. The new office is in a prime location overlooking Main St. and Wisconsin Ave.
In 1965, Richard Bertand joined Metal Structures Inc. as an architectural draftsman, expeditor, purchaser, and negotiator. He became Pete's Partner in 1973. He was appointed CEO in 1991 when Pete retired. Dick retired in 1995.
The company moved into a larger space, it's current location, on the Hwy 16 frontage road in Nashotah in 1970.
In 1976, Metal Structures Inc. rebranded itself as MSI General. This name change reflects the company's evolution over the years and its broader scope of services offering a wide range of construction and general contracting services.
After nearly two decades of operating from a barn on the Debbink property in Oconomowoc, the shop relocated to a newly built facility in the Hartland Industrial Park.
Dirk Debbink joins the MSI General team in business development and estimating in 1983. He had worked in the shop on the family property from 1968-1973 before he attended the United States Naval Academy. He returns to active Naval duty from 2008 until 2012, when he returns to MSI General after retiring from his position as a three-star U.S. Navy Vice Admiral.
Pete Debbink officially retired from his role at MSI General in 1991, passing the torch to the next generation. His son, Dirk Debbink, steps into the role of President, and Richard Bertrand is appointed CEO.
MSI General takes pride in its streamlined design-build approach, which they uniquely refer to as "Single Source Responsibility."
Dirk Debbink creates the tagline "Designing Excellence. Building Trust.™" and has it trademarked.
Ken Krahe was hired in 2001 as a Project Superintendent, advancing his role with the company in different positions.
MSI General achieves green status. This prestigious designation reflects the company's dedication to incorporating eco-friendly practices and principles into every aspect of their operations.
John Kutz joined MSI General as a Select Project Director in 2012. In 2016, he became the Large Project Director and then Vice-President of Sales in 2018.
In 2021, Dirk Debbink initiated a significant transition in the company’s leadership by announcing the addition of two new shareholders—Ken Krahe, President, and John Kutz, Vice President of Sales. Both Ken and John have been integral members of the team for many years, bringing a wealth of experience, dedication, and deep understanding of the company’s core values and operations.