In 1990, Jim & Elie Gillison purchased a small family-run excavating company in Benzonia, Michigan, called Mallison Excavating. Jim & Myrna Mallison had operated this business for 30 years and were widely recognized for their honest and professional work. After he sold it, Jim Mallison stayed with the company an additional three years, as a salesman and to teach the new owners the successful system he had developed.
Jim Gillison came from a successful family-run firm which owned and operated a custom metal fabricating business. His professional background specialized in purchasing, production control and scheduling. Elie Gillison had the accounting skills necessary to run a fast moving, high finance business. Son Ben Gillison joined the business, with a large engine background from Ferris State University and son-in-law Bill Huddleston came on board with a computer and math background from Alma College.
The next few years brought about growth within the company. New equipment and additional employees allowed the company to expand, diversify and remain competitive. What began as a small localized business in Benzie County grew to a three-county enterprise. Leelanau and Manistee County contractors became interested in our competitive "on-time and on-budget" approach to business.
Gillison Excavating has been awarded for their community support and involvement, including the "Excellence in Service" award by the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce and "Subcontractor of the Year" from Habitat for Humanity. They were also given the "Environmental Teamwork Award" from the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council for an on-going paper and cardboard recycling program at the local high school.
As time, budgets and technologies change, Gillison Excavating strives to meet the demands of today's customers. Our response time to be on-site is second to none in our area, as we are able to maintain two crews. Our company specializes in professional work done in an on-time and on-budget manner. Whether the job is residential or commercial, small or large, Gillison Excavating can get it done!