Designing the Future Together: DBI Becomes Employee-Owned
Designed by people. Built by teamwork. Owned by employees.
LANSING, Mich. — Great workplaces don't happen by chance; they're designed. Now, DBI has designed something even more meaningful: a future owned by its employees. For more than 40 years, DBI has been shaped by the people behind its work. The company’s ESOP transition provides a formal ownership structure that recognizes that contribution while supporting DBI’s continued presence in Mid-Michigan.
George Snyder and Steve Klaver recently celebrated their
retirement
with friends, family, clients, and DBI’s new employee-owners.
As colleagues gathered to mark the occasion and honor Snyder and Klaver’s legacy, they recognized the next chapter they all helped make possible. To honor Snyder and Klaver’s legacy, they recognized the next chapter they all helped make possible. Instead of handing the company to an outside buyer, Snyder and Klaver thoughtfully placed its future in the hands of the 50+ employees. These owners will continue designing inspiring workplaces, serving clients, and carrying DBI's values forward for generations to come.
DBI, a leading provider of workplace design, furniture, and architectural solutions, has officially transitioned to employee ownership through the establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), ensuring the company's future remains in the hands of the employees who have helped build its success.
For more than 40 years, DBI has designed spaces for organizations where people can do their best work and thrive. Now, it's designing a future where its employees do, too. Founded in 1984, DBI has spent more than four decades helping businesses, schools, healthcare organizations, and government agencies create innovative and functional workspaces across Michigan.
The company employs over 50 people and operates from its downtown Lansing showroom, Delhi Township warehouse, and The Office Outlet, serving clients throughout Mid-Michigan.
The transition was supported through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) through its Employee Ownership Pilot Program. The Michigan Center for Employee Ownership (MICEO) administers the program, which provides education, technical assistance, and funding to help business owners explore employee ownership as a succession strategy. The program is funded by LEO and administered by MICEO to local businesses to transition to employee ownership to help business owners choose employee ownership as a succession strategy.
"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. For a business owner, this is a major decision, and having the right resources and people involved made a meaningful difference."
— George Snyder, President & CEO, DBI Business Interiors
By becoming employee-owned, DBI is creating a pathway for long-term business continuity while giving employees a direct stake in the company's future success. Employee ownership strengthens local businesses by retaining jobs, preserving company culture, and building wealth for employees over time.
DBI has long been recognized as an industry leader in workplace solutions. In 2025, the company earned Haworth's Best In Class Dealer designation for the 14th consecutive year, placing it among an elite group of dealers nationwide recognized for excellence in customer service, operational performance, and workplace innovation.
"Employee ownership is one of the most effective ways to preserve successful Michigan businesses while rewarding the employees who helped build them," said Roy Messing, Executive Director of the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership. "DBI's transition demonstrates how thoughtful succession planning can strengthen companies, protect jobs, and keep businesses rooted in their communities for generations to come."
Michigan faces a growing wave of business owner retirements, with thousands of privately held companies expected to transition ownership over the next decade. Through the Transition to Employee Ownership Pilot Program, LEO and MICEO are helping business owners evaluate employee ownership as a sustainable exit strategy that keeps businesses locally owned and employees invested in long-term success.
About DBI Business Interiors
Founded in 1984, DBI provides workplace strategy, interior design, office furniture, architectural solutions, installation, and ongoing workplace support for businesses, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies throughout Michigan. Headquartered in Lansing, DBI is an award-winning Haworth dealer and has been recognized as a Best In Class Dealer for 14 consecutive years.
About the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership
The Michigan Center for Employee Ownership (MICEO) is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to educating business owners, employees, advisors, and community leaders about employee ownership. Through outreach, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships, MICEO helps preserve Michigan businesses, retain jobs, and build wealth through employee ownership.
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