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Our Story

Where Better Really Matters

The story of BMI Mechanical begins in Burlington, Kansas in 1910. Our journey brings you from the start of it all up to today and with every milestone in between. Because at BMI, better has always mattered.

Our Story
1910
E.E. Brott established Brott Tin and Plumbing Shop in Burlington, Kansas.
1910 - 1935
Our Story, 1927 California Dairies Project Site

An invitation to install a Rodgers Powdered Milk System in Tipton, California, brought E.E. and his young son Gail out West. Following the completion of the project, E.E. headed for Oklahoma with his family. Gail, however, saw the opportunity for growth and development in California and decided to stay. He worked for the Ford Motor Company and a couple of local plumbing shops and then ventured out on his own, working out of the back of his pickup truck. Amidst the great depression, Gail visited his family, who had since returned to Kansas and talked his father into moving the family West once more, feeling they could do better in California.

1935
E.E. and Gail Brott opened Brott Plumbing and Sheet Metal Shop in Tulare, California.

Hard work, an unrelenting commitment to quality and a vision to be the best in their field differentiated them from the competition.

1971
Gail retired, bringing his son Garth to the helm. The company was also incorporated this year and the name changed to Brott Mechanical, Inc. (BMI).
Our Story, Garth BMI President
1987
BMI became affiliated with the Linc Corporation in an effort to build up the company’s service department.
Our Story, 91 Ken Piercy Principals

While unpopular with the management team, this proved to be one of the most prudent choices Garth ever made, as it led to the development of an HVAC service contracting business with an unrivaled reputation.

1987 - 1993
Battling Business Headwinds in Large Construction

In the years that followed, Garth faced the most critical challenge of his career: the unfavorable business climate regarding large construction—the heart of BMI’s business.

1993
With a heavy heart, Garth shut down BMI’s construction division, leaving a small service division intact.

Following a period of adjustment, BMI began to flourish again with its new focus on mechanical service and design/build projects.

2003
BMI expanded its service area to North Los Angeles County and founded a new company, BMI-PacWest, Inc.
Our Story, PW Office

BMI-PacWest is an outgrowth of BMI’s success in the Central Valley and its desire to offer Central California Coast customers the same quality and value that has been a tradition with the Brott family for more than 100 years.

2007
Dax, the youngest of Garth’s three sons, joined the BMI team.
Our Story, BMI Gardena Memorial Hospital

Dax joined the company as a General Manager and was then promoted to Chief Operating Officer. He is the fourth generation Brott to carry on the family business.

2010
BMI celebrated its centennial anniversary, enjoying 100 years in business.
Our Story, All So 100 Yr. Park
2014
BMI: 2014 Family Business of the Year
Our Story, TBJ Brott Family

BMI was honored as the “2014 Family Business of the Year” at the 25th Annual California Family Business Awards hosted by the Institute for Family Business at California State University Fresno’s Craig School of Business.

2016
Dax assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer.

Following the passing of Garth in March 2015, Dax began serving as Interim President and CEO. Though out of respect for his father and the legacy he left behind, Dax opted to wait until the first anniversary of Garth’s passing to officially take on the title.

Present

Today, we continue our mission of providing the best possible HVAC Service and Value to our clients, helping them save money and increase efficiency through clean, comfortable and reliable facilities.