DBI Finalizes ESOP Transaction Through Michigan Employee Ownership Pilot Program

DBI is the second awardee of Michigan’s Transition to Employee Ownership Pilot Program to complete and publicly announce its transition. The statewide program was launched by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) in partnership with the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership (MICEO) to help Michigan companies explore employee ownership as a succession strategy and economic development tool.

The transaction marks an important new chapter for DBI, which has over 50 employees across its downtown Lansing showroom, Delhi Township warehouse, and The Office Outlet. The company provides interior design, office furniture, architectural solutions, installation, reconfiguration, and ongoing project support for organizations throughout the Mid-Michigan region.

When former owners George Snyder and Steve Klaver began planning for retirement, preserving local ownership was central to their decision. Rather than sell DBI to an outside buyer or industry competitor, they chose an ESOP structure that would keep the company’s future connected to its employees and the community where it was built.

“When Steve and I began thinking about what came next for DBI, keeping the company locally owned was one of the most important things to us,” said George Snyder, president and CEO of DBI. “We wanted DBI’s future to stay connected to the people, clients, and community that helped shape it. The ESOP allows us to do that in a meaningful way.”

The ESOP transition gives DBI’s employees a direct connection to that future. The company enters its next chapter with an experienced team, a strong foundation, and new ideas already taking shape for how DBI can continue to improve the client experience and expand the value it provides.

“Our reputation has always been built on the relationships we create and the service we provide,” said Nicole Zyla, DBI sales and marketing manager. “Employee-ownership strengthens our commitment by giving every employee-owner a personal stake in delivering exceptional experiences and supporting DBI’s continued success.”

Supported by Michigan’s Employee Ownership Pilot

Michigan’s $500,000 Transition to Employee Ownership Pilot Program provided 10 grants to businesses exploring employee ownership. Seven participating companies have formally committed to completing transitions, representing more than 600 employees across industries that include healthcare, architecture, education, childcare, manufacturing and professional services.

Administered by MICEO, the program helps reduce the financial and technical barriers companies may face when evaluating employee ownership. Participants receive support for financial evaluations, feasibility studies, legal services and technical assistance.

The pilot was created in response to a growing succession challenge facing businesses as owners approach retirement without a formal transition plan. Employee ownership provides another path for companies seeking to preserve jobs, retain local ownership and keep the economic value of a business rooted in its community.

“The LEO and MICEO Michigan’s Transition to Employee Ownership Pilot Program helped make this process more accessible as we explored what employee-ownership could mean for DBI,” Snyder said. “For a business owner, this is a major decision, and having the right resources and people involved made a meaningful difference.”

Pilot Hill Advisors, Adamy Valuation, Small Business Association of Michigan, and Foster Swift also served on DBI’s transaction advisory team, assisting with the legal and logistical support of the ESOP transaction.

Supported by Michigan’s Employee Ownership Pilot

Michigan’s $500,000 Transition to Employee Ownership Pilot Program provided 10 grants to businesses exploring employee ownership. Seven participating companies have formally committed to completing transitions, representing more than 600 employees across industries that include healthcare, architecture, education, childcare, manufacturing and professional services.

Administered by MICEO, the program helps reduce the financial and technical barriers companies may face when evaluating employee ownership. Participants receive support for financial evaluations, feasibility studies, legal services and technical assistance.

The pilot was created in response to a growing succession challenge facing businesses as owners approach retirement without a formal transition plan. Employee ownership provides another path for companies seeking to preserve jobs, retain local ownership and keep the economic value of a business rooted in its community.

“The LEO and MICEO Michigan’s Transition to Employee Ownership Pilot Program helped make this process more accessible as we explored what employee-ownership could mean for DBI,” Snyder said. “For a business owner, this is a major decision, and having the right resources and people involved made a meaningful difference.”

Pilot Hill Advisors, Adamy Valuation, Small Business Association of Michigan, and Foster Swift also served on DBI’s transaction advisory team, assisting with the legal and logistical support of the ESOP transaction.

Continuing a Record of Growth

DBI was named one of Michigan’s 50 Companies to Watch by Michigan Celebrates Small Business in 2019 and received the Greater Lansing Business of the Year award in 2021. The company has also earned Haworth’s Best In Class recognition for 14 consecutive years.

As an ESOP-owned company, DBI will continue serving clients under the same name and with the same local team while building a stronger connection between its employees and the company’s long-term direction.

Designed with intention. Built by our people. Invested in the outcome.