Tribally owned Mno-Bmadsen expands construction portfolio with acquisition of Indiana-based contractor

Mno-Bmadsen, the investment arm of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, said it acquired OJS Building Services, Inc. (OJS), a mechanical and building automation systems contractor. Terms were not disclosed.

Mishawaka, Ind.-based OJS specializes in HVAC, plumbing, and building automation services for a diverse clientele including hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings. The company's primary services include installation and service of boilers, chillers, hydronic and steam equipment, commercial plumbing, and extensive preventative maintenance offerings.

OJS owner Steve Meyer is retiring as part of the transaction. Under MNO-Bmadsen’s ownership, the company, which employs about 30, hopes to grow employment.  

The deal strengthens Mno-Bmadsen's Construction Services Group and bolsters its commitment to supporting communities within the tribe's ancestral lands in southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana, according to Mno-Bmadsen’s top executive.

"We are very pleased to make this investment in OJS," Julio Martinez, chief executive officer of Mno-Bmadsen, said in a statement. "The acquisition complements our Construction Services Group and expands the capabilities of D.A. Dodd, our existing commercial HVAC and plumbing leader."

D.A. Dodd, headquartered in Rolling Prairie, Ind., is a longstanding member of the Mno-Bmadsen portfolio. Acquired in 2015, the company provides quality mechanical services across Indiana and Michigan.

"We believe this acquisition creates a stronger combined entity," Jason DeMeyer, president of D.A. Dodd. "We look forward to leveraging OJS's expertise in building automation systems while offering them broader market reach."

The acquisition further expands Mno-Bmadsen’s overall portfolio serving the real estate sector.  Last year, Mno-Bmadsen acquired a majority stake in Mishawaka-based Cressy Commercial Real Estate, a full-service brokerage, development, construction and property management firm.

The two companies had also collaborated on several projects over the years, including the Elkhart Hotel in Elkhart, Ind. and the City Center Lofts project in Benton Harbor, Mich., per previous Tribal Business News reporting.

The tribal firm also owns Bodwé Group, which offers architecture and interior design, master planning, environmental consulting, federal support services, and structural, civil, and MEP engineering.

‍