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In 1954, Roland and Howard dreamed of opening a paint store. They found a lot in Niles, Illinois where they hoped to build the store and discussed the idea with their Dad. Even though he felt it was too risky at the time, he eventually agreed and thus begun Sellergren, Inc. The store was opened in December of 1954 and business went well until 1956 when work became scarce. Sellergren, Inc. was fortunate enough to connect with Campanelli Brothers, who were out of Boston. They wanted to build new homes in Schaumburg, Illinois. Sellergren, Inc. was awarded the painting contract and went from two men up to eighty men by the early 1970’s. From the moment Campenelli started until the day they were finished in the mid 90’s, they never had another painter on the job.
During this time, Sellergren Inc. had developed a silica-based paint that had sand in it. This paint concealed nail pops and imperfections of the drywall at that time. Back in 1958, United States Gypsum had an interest in this, since it was the only paint used on the ceilings of all Campenelli homes and buildings. This development assisted Sellergren, Inc. to expand from 1959 through 1979 and become a developer and additionally a carpet installer. They had increased to 107 employees, now employing all of the family brothers.
In late 1979, a recession hit with the worst economic slowdown since the great depression. Sellergren, Inc. was reduced down in size and manpower was only five. All the Sellergren boys were forced to go their own ways. Roland kept the painting and carpeting business, with the help of Al Cromer, who had been estimating and running the paint division.
In the Fall of 1982, they were challenged by Lexington Homes with a very tight work schedule of painting. Lexington was impressed and awarded them more condo contracts. By 1986, Roland was employing 100 men again. He decided to form a partnership with Al Cromer and R.M. Sellergren, Inc. was formed, along with a great friendship.
Because of the expanding business, Al brought his two sons; Ron and Jim on board full time in 1979, both had been involved with the business since High School. Roland brought on three of his son-in-laws, Tony Reibel started in 1983, Shawn Tuttle in 1988 and Matt Pater in 1992. All started work as painters in residential communities and continued to learn the business by working their way up the corporate ladder; it was the only way to completely understand the business. Eventually all became officers of the company in the early to mid 90’s.
In 1991, Al Cromer decided to retire and Roland continued overseeing the operations until his retirement in 1997. The business was renamed in 1992 to R.M. Sellergren and Associates, Inc., which included the new officers and Tony Reibel took the reigns as President.
In 1994, the Residential Construction industry wanted painting and drywall bundled when bidding jobs. To meet this new requirement, R.M. Sellergren & Assoc., Inc. created a drywall division. The move to drywall also opened up doors in the Commercial Industry and R.M. Sellergren created a metal framing and acoustical ceiling division in 1999. With the expansion of services offered and an increase in cliental the company revenues rose from 3.8 million in 1992 to over 34.0 million in 2004, and roughly 60 employees in 1992 to over 500 in 2004. The vision of the new ownership was to build up our cliental list without jeopardizing our commitment to service, safety and productivity.
Today, R.M. Sellergren & Assoc., Inc. has over 275 employees with gross revenues in excess of $30 million annually. R.M. Sellergren offers a broad spectrum of construction services including metal framing, drywall installation, finish taping, acoustical ceilings, finish carpentry and interior/exterior painting for residential and commercial properties.
- Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters
- Painters District Council #14
- Painters/Drywall Finishers District Council #30
- Painters and Allied trades District Council #7
- Milwaukee & Southeast Wisconsin Regional Council
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