Our
History
History of CSM Group
Since 1983, CSM Group’s professionals have managed highly-regulated and complex projects within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical, food and beverage, advanced manufacturing sectors.
Over this time, we have earned an impeccable reputation for our people, processes, and partnerships. Adhering to our core values enables us to develop long-term relationships with clients who make CSM Group their preferred construction management services provider project after project.
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1986
Bronson Healthcare Group hired Steve East as Director of Field Operations to manage the construction projects for Bronson’s facilities.
![Original-CSM-Group-Sign-history]()
1987
Bronson Builders and Design dissolved, resulting in the creation of CSM Group, a construction management firm owned by Bronson Healthcare Group.
CSM Group, led by Steve East, made several key hires including Walt East, Shannon Rice, and Todd McDonald. The first projects managed by CSM Group were the construction of a new $10 million trauma and emergency center and the $18 million Bronson Place Retirement Center.
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1990
In 1990, Steve acquired CSM Group from Bronson Healthcare Group, becoming the owner and operator. Todd McDonald and Shannon Rice, previous employees of CSM Group when it was still apart of Bronson Healthcare Group, became part owners with Steve, and they continue to share ownership today.![Wings-Stadium_Arena-history]()
1990s
Throughout the 1990s, significant growth and opportunities led to substantial projects in the healthcare and commercial property sectors, including Wings Events Center, Meijer, Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, and the West Michigan Cancer Center.
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2000s
Several changes took place in the 2000s. The company continued to build on its healthcare legacy and launched efforts into the food and beverage sector.
The signing of a Master Services Agreement with one of the nation’s largest food manufacturers took the company national.
In the mid-2000s, CSM Group entered the education sector and began working with Kalamazoo Public Schools and Marshall Public Schools.
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2015
By 2015, CSM Group had staff deployed to more than 24 food manufacturing facilities around the United States for multiple food manufacturing companies.
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2019
In 2019, CSM Group was awarded the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Western Michigan Chapter Safety Award of Excellence, which is awarded to companies that demonstrate continued commitment to job site safety and strive to make these values an integral part of their culture.![HUB-agreement]()
2021
CSM Group executed a HUB Contractor Agreement with a multi-national pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation in Kalamazoo, Michigan. To date, our team has managed more than 250 projects valued at over $1.9 billion.![NSEA-award]()
2022
In March, CSM Group was awarded two national industry awards by ABC: the National Excellence in Construction Award for the renovation of the Greenleaf Trust building in Traverse City, Michigan, and the National Safety Excellence Award for our exceptional safety record, training and education programs, and commitment to world-class safety.
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2023
To support its growing workforce, CSM Group developed and deployed an internal employee intranet that pushes real-time company updates and alerts, allows employees to submit their time and expenses and view other admin functions, and provide easy access to training, data, and information.
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2024
CSM Group was awarded the Safety Award of Excellence for the second consecutive year. This recognition highlights our unwavering commitment to safety and the well-being of our team and clients.
