The roots of Champion, Inc. are traced to 1909 when the M. J. Bacco Construction Company of Iron Mountain, Michigan began building roads in the Upper Midwest of the United States. An industrialized and growing nation needed roads and, under the tutelage of Medio J. Bacco, son of Italian immigrant Angelo Bacco, the company flourished.
As a result of increased need for aggregate to build concrete roads, Bacco formed Champion Gravel Company in partnership with the Spear family of Marquette, Michigan on October 20, 1921. This partnership set the stage for mergers, acquisitions, and cooperative partnerships for decades to come.
A young Louie Verrette, nephew of Medio Bacco and only 14 years old, began his career with the Champion Gravel Company as the new assistant timekeeper. Louie later attended Michigan Tech University in Houghton, Michigan where he received his Civil Engineering degree in 1934. But even during summer breaks, he continued to work for his uncle at Bacco Construction.
Current owner and Chairman, Bill Verrette, son of Louie also started in the company young. At the age of 13 he began his career with Champion, Inc. Like his father, he attended Michigan Tech University and worked his way through the ranks, being named president on April 5, 1971. The ensuing decades saw continued construction around the U.S.; in Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Mississippi and the Upper Midwest.
In 1989, Champion, Inc. acquired Herman Gundlach, Inc. a longtime competitor and corporate friend with a similar work ethic and high standards of performance.
This marriage of two storied and inventive companies resulted in Gundlach Champion, Inc. (GCI) a firm with unprecedented expertise in the construction of commercial, industrial, tribal, educational, healthcare, and municipal structures, including wastewater treatment facilities.
Also in 1989, Champion, Inc. acquired Charter, Inc. a longtime competitor of the Champion, Inc. Mechanical Supply Company. The now formed business unit, Champion Charter Sales & Service (CCSS), provides products and services in 19 states.
In the 70’s, 80’s and into the mid-90's Champion, Inc. expanded its on-site redi-mix concrete business; supplying concrete on many remote building sites throughout the United States. The national concrete business pursues projects in heavy industry and in the electric power production industry.
Since 1999 Gary Benjamin has been President and Chief Operating Officer of Champion, Inc. Mr. Benjamin has led corporate expansion on all fronts.
Champion, Inc. is a growing, multi-business unit; a dynamic company that will double its business by the end of 2010.
