Heinrich G. Christman, a 27-year-old German immigrant with little more than a team of draft horses and a dream of being an American businessman, begins a “Teamster and Excavating” service in South Bend, Indiana. Honesty and respect and a willingness to work hard, learn on the job and feel pride in producing the best product would become the foundation for the company that would bear his name through the industrial era and into the 21st century.
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Upon Heinrich Christman’s death from diphtheria at the age of 50, his 17-year-old son, Henry Gottold (H.G.) Christman, takes over the business. A carpenter by trade, he and his three younger brothers start offering general contracting services, too, including custom-designed Victorian homes. Improbably, a group of children led by a teenager laid the foundation for a multimillion-dollar company that would change the construction industry and the Midwest skyline.
When the Depression of 1893 swept across the country, H.G. Christman needs financial help to attract sufficient business. Christman had remained a family affair, and banks were refusing loans to anyone except commercial and industrial clients. In 1894, Henry organizes his business as a legal partnership – Christman Brothers.
By the turn of the century, Christman Brothers changed the appearance of South Bend and the surrounding area with construction of a new city hall, five school buildings, YMCA building and an Elk’s Lodge Temple. The Singer Company, manufacturer of sewing machines, contracts with Christman for a warehouse, the largest such building in northern Indiana.
South Bend remains as headquarters with H.G. Christman at the helm, but reorganization looms. Larger bids were being made further away, sending equipment and work crews – as well as management – to Cairo, Illinois, to build a veneer plant; Grand Rapids, Michigan, to construct a school; and Mishawaka, Indiana, to erect an orphanage. In 1907, brothers Henry, Fred, Julius and Theodore dissolve their partnership, redistribute management responsibilities and form the Henry G. Christman Company.
Christman’s grid-design construction in reinforced concrete allows imaginative use of interior partitions while permitting exterior façades of practically any style. The blend of functional space and aesthetics is showcased in Agriculture Hall, the first major building on the Michigan Agricultural College campus in East Lansing since its original building boom in the 1850s. The project became a milestone in the expansion of the Henry G. Christman Company.
Christman learns that grid-design construction, used primarily for industrial buildings, transfers to institutional use. Interior-reinforced concrete pillars eliminate traditional bearing walls and allow flexible use of space. The facade diminishes uninteresting symmetrical shape for a distinguished appearance. Agriculture Hall reflects both early Greek architecture and a 20th century institution of higher learning. The portico with its tall pillars and elaborate cornice became the focal point.
Taking advantage of the construction boom in Canada, Christman became an international firm by opening a branch office in Hamilton, Ontario. Despite a good amount of work over the next eight years – culminating in construction of the Wrigley Building in Toronto in 1915 – challenges to operating internationally during World War I, which began in 1914, eventually led to the decision to close the Canadian office.
Reinforced concrete was rapidly replacing millwork as the preferred material for factory buildings. Advantages were many, but the primary reasons were that it allowed more open space within a building and a stronger flooring that remained level indefinitely. The new style construction met the demands required by the use of larger, heavier machinery and the open floor design allowed workers unhampered space. The mass production era had arrived in America, and Christman’s deployment of creative building technology was helping the firm grow and lead the way for firms.
Southeast Michigan proved another fruitful area for construction growth, and Christman opened its Detroit branch in 1911, initially focusing primarily on construction of small business buildings. Christman went on to construct many area landmarks, including the SBC Building pictured here.
Harry Conrad, a sharp young architecture field inspector, was recruited by H.G. Christman – an astute judge of management and building talent – to join the company. He also enrolled in engineering classes at Notre Dame University and, at the age of 25, designed and supervised construction of a multi-storied warehouse for Oliver Chilled Plow Works.
A mathematician and engineer, Harry Conrad earned respect for his ability to convey knowledge. He taught shop arithmetic at South Bend High School and served a two-year term as secretary of the South Bend Industrial Building Code Committee. In 1914-15, he assisted in the wording and wrote in longhand the detailed code that became a significant contributor to Midwest construction growth. It was copied by other industrial cities, including Michigan’s capital of Lansing.
Christman’s skill and expertise at building factories is well-timed with the growth of the fledgling auto industry. In 1915, H.G. Christman guides his company into a contract to design and build an addition for the Olds Motor Works Engine Plant in Lansing. Within two years, the work develops into a momentous undertaking as Olds executives order more projects.
On Nov. 20-21, 1918, at the Hotel LaSalle in Chicago, H.G. and J.F. Christman meets with other general contractors to establish a national organization. Five months later, 143 general contractors from 29 states, the District of Columbia and Quebec Canada attend the first Associated General Contractors of America meeting to establish a code of ethics and uniform building procedures. The latter was the forerunner of government building codes. The firm has been represented at each AGC annual meeting since 1918.
Studebaker Carriage Works of South Bend, Indiana, contracts with Christman to build a complex to produce automobiles. H.G. Christman guided the crews, met the completion date, kept costs minimal and produced a safe, sound and long-lasting building. It also provided the perfect opportunity to display the firm’s refined technology in using reinforced concrete.
The Lansing industrial community welcomes H.G. Christman Company’s expertise. Contracts are negotiated with other manufacturers, including Novo Engine Company, Federal Drop Forge and Ryan-Bohn Foundry. The firm opens a second branch in the capital and builds factories, schools, banks, garages for display and service of new automobiles, electric power houses, shelter houses at parks, warehouses, fire alarm and telegraph buildings, churches and the occasional residence.
Engineer Henry Conrad is introduced to H.G. Christman’s friend, industrialist William C. “Billy” Durant, who wanted to build a second factory in Lansing to manufacture Durant and Star automobiles. Edward VerLinden, former Olds company executive and Durant Motors Corporation general manager, collaborates with Conrad with sketches on butcher paper at Verlinden’s kitchen table. The result is a 1,500-foot-wide plant several blocks in length and completed in 1920.
The board of directors of H.G. Christman Company votes in 1927 to allow its Lansing and Detroit branches to become separate corporations, enabling non-family executive employees to become shareholders for the first time. H.G. Christman remained chief executive of all business operations.
Christman-Burke of Detroit is selected in 1927 to build both the Fisher Tower building and the Detroit Masonic Temple, modern-day landmarks in the Motor City. Fisher Tower architect Albert Kahn uses Christman’s grid design technique in the blueprint. The ornate facades and finishing materials distinguished this building from industrial structures for which Christman had become well known.
H.G. Christman-Lansing adds to the skyline with notable constructions: YWCA building, St. Casmir School, American State Savings Bank, Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church, Knights of Columbus Clubhouse, major addition to Edward W. Sparrow Hospital, The Peoples Church of East Lansing, Horticulture Building, and Union Memorial Building at Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University), and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Home for veterans’ orphaned children.
Additionally, downtown sees new stores, apartments, factories, and office buildings. Christman oversees the building of REO Motor Car Company and the Postum Company factory in Battle Creek for W.K. Kellogg Company.
Having operated in rented space at the Porter Hotel since coming to the city, H.G. Christman-Lansing purchases a site along the Grand River in the same block Pliny Olds built his first car and new Lansing headquarters. The first-of-its-kind building accommodated Christman’s construction offices and allowed leased rental space for other commercial enterprises. The 408 Kalamazoo Plaza address would remain the home office for the next 80 years.
Through astute bidding and estimating practices, Christman outbids its competitors for nine jobs approved for federal funding through the Public Works Administration (PWA). The largest jobs were a U.S. Post Office Building in Lansing and a $120,000 sewage disposal plant in Traverse City.
The wastewater treatment plant constructed by Christman in Traverse City in 1933 becomes one of the first such projects in the country. Recognized as an early, perhaps first, step toward preserving the purity of Lake Michigan, it was studied by city officials, architects and construction companies. From this emerging environmental concern, new areas of expertise in waste plant design, engineering, city and suburban planning, and environmental control evolved.
In 1933, H.G. Christman died at the age of 64 and Christman transitioned from H.G. Christman-Lansing to The Christman Company, Inc. Harry Conrad Sr. became company president.
President Harry Conrad’s son “Bud” joins the firm in the summer of 1935 with a first assignment of crew worker on the remodeling of the City of Lansing streetcar barns into a loading dock, the future location of the Lansing City Market. Encouraged to learn a construction skill, as well as get his college education, Bud ultimately accomplished both, earning both an engineering degree from Michigan State College and a bricklayer’s card.
Coming out of the Great Depression, Christman erected two notable Lansing landmarks: the Oldsmobile Engineering Building and the J.W. Knapp department store. The Engineering Building, designed by renowned architect Alfred Kahn, embodied his distinctive style, reminiscent of Detroit’s Fisher Tower. Meanwhile, the five-story Art Deco-style J.W. Knapp store boasted features like glass brick and colored panels by the Maul Macotta Company. Its cream-colored porcelain enamel exterior, baked on sheet metal with a 4-inch backing, along with a curved glass display window, became a unique attraction. Designated on the National Historic Register in 1983, the building remains an enduring symbol of Lansing’s architectural heritage.
The Christman Company is awarded the bid for the approach on the American side of the international Blue Water Bridge, which connected the United States with Canada at the mouth of Lake Huron.
Christman is awarded the $900,000 contract for construction of Jenison Gymnasium and Fieldhouse at Michigan State College. Not since construction of the Chevrolet Motor Company building in 1928 had such a large figure been entered in the books of The Christman Company.
In another 1939 milestone event, the Christman family sells back all its holdings in the Lansing-based company. This marked the first time in its 76-year history that the company did not have a Christman family member in a decision-making position.
At a board of directors meeting in the spring, the firm’s name is changed for the final time, dropping “Inc.” and becoming The Christman Company. Although the owners and permanent headquarters in Lansing now had no familial ties to the founder’s native South Bend, Indiana, the leaders respected the Christman name, believed in and practiced the ideals of Heinrich Christman and held in high regard the principles taught by Heinrich’s son, H.G. The executives of the reorganized company also realized the name stood for integrity in the construction industry throughout the country and opted to continue building on this reputation.
A new era for the firm begins in 1940 when its board of directors implemented the start of a management-ownership program that would be studied and copied by the country’s business community. This pioneer program in company ownership, instituted by Harry Conrad Sr., survives to this day, ensuring that every Christman project is overseen by a company principal with a vested interest in its success.
Business in the Flint, Michigan, area has grown to the extent that the company opens a branch office there in 1941. Major projects would follow for Chevrolet Motor Company and General Motors Corporation.
Sojourner Truth Homes was one of Christman’s most publicized projects during the early 1940s as City of Detroit officials received commendations for erecting the housing project to meet social concerns.
The Auto-Owners Insurance Company was among the first mid-Michigan firms to adopt the forward-thinking Pentagon pattern of incorporating all company functions into one attractive building. The Christman Company delivered such a building when Auto-Owners moved into its new downtown Lansing headquarters in 1948, beginning a valued client relationship that has endured, with many subsequent building and expansion programs throughout the country.
Throughout the 1950s, The Christman Company prospered with an abundance of work throughout mid-Michigan and Flint, changing the skylines of many cities. In 1952, the company celebrates the milestone of its single largest contract to date when the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors awarded the firm its new Jet Engine Plant in Lansing, Michigan.
After 50 years of service, Harry L. Conrad Sr., passed away at the age of 71. His distinguished career as a civil engineer, general contractor and president of Christman was recognized nationwide. Harry L. “Bud” Conrad, Jr., becomes Christman’s third president.
The Christman Company President Bud Conrad and Curt Bottum of Townsend & Bottum start the AGC 10-week summer intern program for civil engineering – and, later, construction management at Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Ferris State College (now Ferris State University) and Michigan Technological University. The duo established funding from the AGC CIAP Education Program and initial employment guidelines with base pay and school grants or fellowships. Believed to be the first of its kind in the country, the program has now benefited over 500 students.
A Christman engineer, employed in 1967, presents a new concept in the industry to his fellow stockholders at the 1973 annual meeting. Phillip V. Frederickson explained the “construction management” approach with the building team consisting of a contractor, owner and architect – a principle that had long been a part of the firm’s construction method that focuses on the partnership among team members.
Despite the recession of the 1970s and the corporate austerity it demanded, Christman recognizes the need to continue to innovate and chose to invest a then-staggering sum of $80,000 for new equipment required for competitive bidding.
After 48 years in the business, “Bud” Conrad steps down to become chairman of the board, turning over the reins to Phillip V. Frederickson, and retiring to president emeritus status a few years later. An engineer by education and bricklayer by trade, Bud’s ultimate legacy to the firm was one of advancing methods and materials to keep Christman in its position of industry leadership.
Phil joined Christman in 1967, was elected vice president and general manager in 1981, and from 1983 to 1999 served as president and chairman of the board of directors. In 2000, he assumed the new role of chairman.
Phil led the company’s implementation of advanced technology. He initiated diversification into alternative delivery systems, such as construction management, design/build, program management and real estate development. With a firm belief that Christman’s strongest asset is its people, Phil’s contributions to the company resulted in an organization that is rich with leadership at all levels with employees that maintain a focus on building lasting relationships.
Christman provided construction management services for the world-class Jack Breslin Student Events Center at Michigan State University, later named one of the “Top 10 Michigan Construction Projects of the 20th Century” by Construction Association of Michigan’s CAM Magazine.
Christman expands its Michigan operations with the opening of its full-service, community-based offices in Grand Rapids. Steady growth has led to Christman’s position as the largest contractor in West Michigan, with landmark projects such as The Rapid Central Station, the nation’s first LEED® (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) Certified public transit facility.
The restoration of the Michigan State Capitol marks a monumental project for The Christman Company, winning the National Trust for Historic Preservation Honor Award, AIA National Honor Award, AIA Michigan Honor Award and the Engineering Society of Detroit Honor Award. The project also marked the formation of Christman’s internationally recognized Historic Preservation Group.
Christman Constructors is incorporated to provide superior quality, self-performed construction services. From the pride in every detail of custom millwork to the sheer massiveness of concrete work, Christman Constructors brings a unique level of craftsmanship to each project.
Christman’s partnering efforts receive national recognition with the Marvin M. Black National Excellence in Partnering Award in 1995 for the Magnesium Products of America new die-cast plant project. It was the first Michigan project to receive the prestigious award from the Associated General Contractors of America, and the only private project in the country to win the award that year.
Christman Capital Investment Group (CCIG) is formed to provide real estate development services for Christman clients, including build to suit and leaseback. Mixed-use development projects such as the East Lansing City Center Redevelopment have allowed CCIG to create multiple public/private partnerships to add value to client projects.
Further regional expansion occurs in Michigan with the opening of Christman’s full-service Ann Arbor offices. The steady growth includes a diverse base of award-winning projects in healthcare, higher education, historic preservation and industry.
Christman’s regional expansion continues with the opening of full-service Northern Michigan offices. Since that time, several hundred million dollars of construction has been put in place. Christman’s actual experience in the region began in the early 1930s with construction of a sewage treatment plant, followed by Traverse City State Hospital and the Michigan Theater in 1939.
Steve Roznowski becomes the fifth president of The Christman Company. He started in 1985 as assistant controller and advanced to controller in 1986. He was named secretary and treasurer and appointed to the board of directors in 1992, then became senior vice president in 1997. Before joining Christman, Roznowski worked for a Big Six accounting firm, providing audit, tax and consulting services in various industries including construction and real estate. He provides strong leadership focused on the goal of marrying the tradition and values of Christman’s century-old successful history with innovation, creativity and technology to continually provide the highest levels of quality and service.
Christman’s base of operations continues expanding with the opening of an office in Alexandria, Virginia. The history-rich Washington, D.C., region quickly proved to be a perfect match for Christman’s historic preservation expertise, with projects like the Virginia State Capitol, Lincoln’s Cottage and Fort Washington Rehabilitation, while offering continued growth opportunity in new construction as well.
Christman was honored to be chosen as the general contractor for the “once-in-a-lifetime” Michigan Hall of Justice landmark project. The home of the Michigan Supreme Court, the 280,000-square-foot imposing, classic limestone structure is sited on axis with the Michigan Capitol and generally regarded as the long-awaited completion of the Capital Mall.
Michigan Construction Hall of Fame at Ferris State University recognizes a long career of service to the construction industry by awarding the late Bud Conrad its highest honor. President of The Christman Company for nearly 25 years, Conrad was cited as not only being a “contractor’s contractor,” but also for his reputation for making people feel proud to work at Christman. Conrad passed away in 2004.
The Christman Company earns a 2005 Gold Award from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) for the unprecedented achievement of 2.1 million hours without a lost-time accident. This was the first year that a construction management firm qualified for the honor.
The Accident Fund Insurance Company of America honors The Christman Company with its first-ever “Policyholder of the Year” award, singling out the company of more than 45,000 policyholders for its exemplary safety and workers compensation claims record.
The Mutual Building, constructed in 1928, was aptly described as “Concretely of the present, it idealizes the past and heralds the future.” Today, this sentiment rings truer as The Christman Company transformed it into their national headquarters. Listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, the structure, initially functionally obsolete, underwent a remarkable revitalization led by Christman’s expert team. This conversion not only preserved its historical significance but also exemplified sustainable design, construction, and urban renewal. Moving into the new headquarters in late 2007 marked the first change in the company’s headquarters in 80 years.
The Michigan Street Development, a project by Christman and RDV Corporation, is presented the “Newsmaker of the Year” award by Grand Rapids Business Journal. The team was cited for its collective vision and investment in bringing significant economic growth and development to the West Michigan region, in particular the enhancement of the “Medical Mile” region in which the healthcare project is located.
The Virginia State Capitol historic restoration and renovation was a legacy project. Thomas Jefferson was the architect, and the building’s foundation was placed in 1785. It is the country’s oldest working Capitol building, having been in continuous use since 1788. Within its walls, Aaron Burr was tried for treason in 1807, and the Virginia Constitution was written in 1834. The building also houses Virginia’s most treasured and valuable artwork: a life-sized marble statue of George Washington, the only statue of Washington sculpted during his lifetime. Christman, in association with Gilbane Building Company, performed full historic restoration services for this architectural marvel, while adding an underground visitor’s center and providing modern infrastructure upgrades.
In expanding its footprint in the mid-Atlantic market, Christman established Christman Mid-Atlantic Constructors to deliver comprehensive services, including small-scale general contracting and self-performed general trades and concrete for a variety of projects throughout the mid-Atlantic.
On Friday, December 27, 2013, Christman signed documents blending two great companies. Rentenbach Constructors Incorporated was acquired by Christman based on shared values and culture. Both organizations were dedicated to honoring our commitments with integrity and building lasting relationships. Together our blended company ranked 122 on The ENR Top 400 with $700 million in annual revenue and $3 billion of work in progress. The acquisition opened offices in Knoxville and Greensboro under the banners, “Rentenbach—A Christman Company” until a final name change to The Christman Company in 2017.
CCI’s expansion needs mandated the acquisition of additional office space to accommodate the increasing workload in the southeast Michigan.
The Michigan Construction Hall of Fame at Ferris State University recognized Frederickson’s 35+ year career in construction by awarding him their highest honor. Mr. Frederickson was Christman’s fourth president and served until retirement in 2002. Here he is seen accepting his plaque from Dr. David Eisler, president of Ferris.
Now a national landmark, Christman located its southeast MI offices to urban Detroit in the Fisher Building. As luck would have it, the 26th floor of the structure known as “Detroit’s Largest Art Object” was available. The team carefully renovated and renovated what was originally the Fisher brother’s inner sanctum executive floor. Christman originally constructed the building in 1928.
In expanding its footprint in the southeastern United States market, Christman established Christman Southeast Constructors to deliver comprehensive services, including small-scale general contracting and self-performed general trades and concrete for a variety of projects throughout Tennessee and North Carolina.
It’s official! The name change from Rentenbach Constructors Incorporated (Rentenbach), a division of The Christman Company, was formalized. Christman acquired Rentenbach in a December 2013 merger. Rentenbach’s History is memorialized in a book highlighting their success.
The annual Golden Trowel award recognizes the work of companies that achieve the flattest and most level floor slabs in the world. In addition, CCI set world records for longitudinal flatness and for transverse flatness in narrow strip construction of a defined-traffic (Fmin) floor.
Expanding Southeast regional operations, Christman officially opens an office in Raleigh, NC to compliment services nationally which include an existing office in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The Engineering News-Record (ENR), an authority in construction, placed Christman at #93 on its 2019 “ENR 400” list of the top 400 contractors nationally. A significant 17 place jump from 2018. Christman has remained in the top 100 ever since. In 2019 The Henry Ford Piston’s Performance Center was one of our projects.
This acquisition allowed for expanded services and growth in Christman’s Southwest Region, combining national-level expertise with long-standing local relationships forged at Medco.
John McWhorter of Baylor, Scott & White join Medco President Denward Freeman and Christman President Steve Roznowski to sign papers for the acquisition.
CCI was named the most innovative construction firm in the country by the Associated General Contractors of America for developing CopperWorks, an iOS-based application that brings job-placement logistics into the 21st century.
Exemplifying the core values of building lasting relationships and being a great place to work, Christman launches a corporatewide initiative with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council signing the Culture of Care pledge.
CBIG was founded with the goal of providing efficient, customer-centric, and cutting-edge building solutions. The primary objective is to enhance service quality across Christman’s self-perform entities on a national scale by emphasizing cost efficiency, safety, advanced technology, and innovation. As part of this, Christman deployed CopperCompass, a first of its kind, machine learning data collection tool.
In expanding its footprint in Texas, Christman established Christman Facility Solutions to deliver comprehensive services, including small-scale general contracting, self-performed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services, and responsive service fulfillment for a variety of projects throughout North Texas.
CSEC’s expansion needs mandated the acquisition of an expanded yard facility and additional office space to accommodate the increasing workload in the Southeastern United States.
CCI successfully finished several years of construction at the Michigan State University Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, marking the completion of one of the most extensive concrete projects in our company’s history.
As CCI extended its presence in Michigan, project teams successfully concluded the first significant earthwork and site utilities project.
CCI’s new fireproofing division is honored to partner with the National Fireproofing Contractors Association who announces that CCI is Michigan’s first IFRM and SFRM Accredited Contractor.
CopperWorks was created to meet the need to modernize manpower management in the building trades industry while addressing industry-wide workforce shortages. The system integrates tradespeople and job locations into a state-of-the-art interactive map. Employers can proactively target and supply manpower to projects via automated SMS text messages.
In April of 1923, the H.G. Christman Company began construction of a new yard facility to support its burgeoning construction business. Our South Street yard, which was formerly the site of the South Street School (1874-1914), in Lansing, Michigan is now headquarters to CCI. CCI is proud to be a part of the Reo Town community for 100 years.
Christman expanded Christman Facility Solutions to deliver comprehensive services, including small-scale general contracting, general trades, and responsive labor resources for a variety of projects throughout West Michigan and the Lakeshore.
In partnership with Ford, the joint venture of Christman | Brinker completes the more than $300 million development which seeks to connect surrounding neighborhoods and build innovation while preserving Detroit’s Corktown history.