Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence: The Journey of Contract Installations, LLC
This year marks a monumental milestone for Contract Installations, LLC (CI) as we celebrate 30 years of providing top-tier commercial furniture installation services. From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted industry leader, CI’s journey has been defined by growth, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. As “Your Commercial Furniture Experts,” we’ve evolved with the industry, offering comprehensive installation solutions while staying true to the core values that built our success.
Humble Beginnings and a Bold Move
Founded in 1994 by Mike Dulen and Glenn Zetterberg, CI began as a bold leap of faith. Both Mike and Glenn were working for Business Office Systems (BOS) and the carpenters in Itasca when they decided to take a risk. On a job site during a break, they quit their jobs simultaneously and went full-time with their new venture, working out of Mike’s basement for six months.
In its first year, CI (originally named COI) exceeded expectations, generating over $1 million in sales and turning a profit. This rapid success set the tone for the future, as the company continued to grow at an unprecedented pace, moving to larger facilities seven times in just 10 years to accommodate its expanding operations.
A Legacy of Growth and Leadership
In 1995, Mike bought out Glenn, and by 1996, brought in a dealer partner to further grow the business. By 1999, Mike had purchased full control of the company, driving CI’s growth to an impressive $12 million in sales. In 2005, CI was attractive enough to be sold to the billion-dollar conglomerate HNI, a testament to the company’s stellar reputation and business model.
However, the story didn’t end there. In 2008, Mike, along with his wife Joanne, repurchased the company. This move was a pivotal moment in securing CI’s long-term future as an independent business focused on providing personalized service and industry-leading solutions.
Passing the Torch: A New Era Begins
As CI moves into its fourth decade, Mike Dulen is preparing for retirement, passing the torch to his son Matthew, who now serves as President. Under Matthew’s leadership, CI will continue to grow, building on the foundation laid by Mike and the company’s dedicated team of professionals. Matthew is committed to upholding the values that have been the cornerstone of CI’s success—providing excellent service, competitive pricing, and innovative solutions.
What Sets CI Apart: Our Culture and Services
What makes Contract Installations, LLC stand out in the commercial furniture industry? It’s our unwavering commitment to customer service, our expert team, and our ability to deliver tailored solutions for businesses of all sizes.
We specialize in a variety of services, including:
- Furniture Installation: From modular workstations to custom office solutions, we handle installations of all scales with precision.
- Architectural Walls: CI offers expert installation of architectural wall systems, helping businesses create flexible and modern workspaces.
- Project Management: Our team oversees every aspect of your project, ensuring timely and efficient completion.
- Removal and Relocation: Whether you’re reconfiguring your office or moving to a new location, CI manages the logistics seamlessly.
- Warehousing and Storage: With a 65,000-square-foot facility, we provide secure, climate-controlled storage solutions, complete with real-time inventory management.
A Future Focused on Excellence
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we’re not just looking back at our achievements—we’re excited about the future. Under Matthew’s leadership, Contract Installations will continue to evolve with the industry, maintaining the same high standards that have earned us partnerships with leading manufacturers like Haworth, Allsteel, Steelcase, DIRTT, and Aurora. We remain committed to providing businesses across the country with top-quality commercial furniture installations, project management, and customer service.
Thank You for 30 Incredible Years
At CI, our success over the last 30 years wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our clients, employees, and partners. As we look ahead to the future, we remain dedicated to being “Your Commercial Furniture Experts”—with you every step of the way, from office installations to relocations, and everything in between.
Here’s to the next 30 years of transforming workspaces and delivering excellence!