In the high-stakes world of specialty construction, precision, trust, and innovation are everything. And for 30 years, Burgess Company has stood as a quiet giant in this field, tackling some of the most complex, nuanced building envelope and specialty projects across the United States Midwest.
Founded in 1995, Burgess Company has become the go-to subcontractor when project challenges demand more than a cookie-cutter solution. Under the leadership of Bryan and Angie Sewell, the company has expanded its reach, developed a deep portfolio of signature projects, and perhaps most notably, built a reputation rooted in integrity, creativity, and strong partnerships. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, Burgess Company remains committed to the same principles that launched it: doing the job right, treating people well, and never backing down from a challenge.
The company began with a relatively narrow scope, installing Division 5 miscellaneous metals. But it quickly evolved into a trusted partner for more advanced and customized solutions. Over the years, Burgess has become a sought-after expert in smoke containment systems, high-performance doors and louvers, decorative operable walls, and other architectural features that require precise installation and coordination.
“From early on, we realized that our strength wasn’t just in the products we were installing; it was in how we thought through problems,” says Bryan Sewell, President of Burgess Company. “We bring a problem-solving mindset to every project.” This mindset has proven to be the company’s greatest asset. Whether retrofitting hangar doors on a decades-old building or coordinating smoke control doors in a multi-story museum, Burgess doesn’t shy away from complexity. It leans into it.
While the firm’s technical chops are undeniable, it’s Burgess Company’s people-first culture that truly sets it apart. From clients and vendors to employees and local communities, the company applies one guiding principle across the board: treat others the way you want to be treated.
“We apply the Golden Rule to everything,” Sewell says. “It’s easy to say, but we live it out every day, whether that’s showing up on time, paying vendors promptly, or going above and beyond to make sure our clients are taken care of.” This approach has fostered long-term partnerships and earned the company a level of trust that few in the industry can match. Many of its clients have worked with Burgess for years—some for decades—relying on the team not just for quality installations, but for expert advice and proactive solutions.
“We have partners that come back to us because they know we’ll be honest about what works and what doesn’t,” Sewell says. “Even if it means less work for us, we’re not going to recommend something that doesn’t make sense for the project.”
Burgess Company provides an extensive range of services across Divisions 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14 specialties, with a standout reputation for handling intricate building envelope components. Its work consistently requires a blend of technical skill, coordination, and design sensitivity.
One of its most in-demand specialties is the installation of interior space management systems. These include both horizontal and vertical smoke-rated coiling doors, smoke curtains, fire doors, operable partitions, and raised access flooring. Integrating these elements demands not only precision but a thorough understanding of how they interact with a building’s overall fire safety system, and Sewell notes that ensuring code compliance and coordinating installation within tight structural tolerances is critical in these scenarios.
The team also has deep expertise in custom daylighting solutions, handling oversized or uniquely shaped translucent fiberglass panels and complex aluminum framing that require structural insight and a keen eye for aesthetics. In fact, the firm’s ability to work closely with architects and engineers makes it a preferred partner for visually ambitious projects.
Ventilation and sun control systems are another core offering. Burgess frequently installs architectural louvers, sunshades, and airfoil systems that serve both functional and decorative purposes, especially in large civic or institutional buildings where these elements are often centerpieces of the exterior design.
In addition, the company specializes in high-performance and specialty doors, including acoustical and security doors, as well as assemblies that must meet exacting code standards. These installations often involve tight coordination with other subcontractors and trades to ensure seamless integration.
Burgess has a strong presence in Division 9, building many data center and casino floors. The team excels in installing raised access flooring in difficult environments which allows general contractors to rely on them for the most challenging projects. Sewell states, “raised access floors hide a plethora of data cables, electrical conduit, and mechanical ductwork, which require intricate coordination amongst many trades to ensure each has the required space in which to install without interfering with the grid of many thousand floor pedestals.”
By bringing a problem-solving mindset and high standards of execution to every job, Burgess Company continues to deliver on its reputation as a dependable, highly skilled specialty contractor. “Some of the products we install might seem simple on paper, but the execution is where it gets tricky,” Sewell shares. “It’s one thing to install a piece of hardware; it’s another to do it within a complex architectural feature or historical retrofit.”
The Burgess team isn’t afraid to step in where others hesitate. “We’re not just installers,” he continues. “We’re consultants, problem solvers, and project partners. We’ve seen it all, and we know how to adapt.” That adaptability has helped the company work across diverse sectors, from healthcare and higher education to hospitality, government, museums, and stadiums. Regardless of project type, Burgess prioritizes performance, aesthetics, and coordination with the broader construction team.
In addition to the Gilcrease Museum, Burgess Company is currently working on several high-profile projects that reflect its technical and logistical capabilities. One recent highlight includes a specialty daylighting system designed to allow natural, diffused light to illuminate multiple aircraft hangars at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. “It’s the kind of job where you need more than a good crew; you need a clear strategy and tight coordination with the general contractor and other trades,” Sewell says. “That’s where our team excels.”
Another standout project involved the installation of vertical smoke-rated coiling doors at a multi-level educational facility. Due to the tight space constraints and irregular structural layout, Burgess had to work closely with architects and fire protection engineers to adjust the system in real time, ensuring compliance without sacrificing the building’s design. “There’s no substitute for experience,” says Sewell. “We’ve had to figure things out on the fly and make judgment calls that only come with time in the field.”
Burgess Company’s 30th anniversary is not only a moment of celebration but also reflection and strategic investment. Internally, the team is focused on mentoring new talent, strengthening operations, and building on the company’s legacy of excellence. “We’re doing a lot of work behind the scenes right now to make sure we’re ready for the next 30 years,” Sewell says. “That includes hiring people who align with our values, actively working toward cybersecurity maturity model certification, and training our people to leverage technology efficiently.”
This year, Burgess launched an initiative to update internal workflows and communication platforms, making it easier to track projects and share knowledge across teams. The goal? To reduce friction and increase transparency for both employees and clients. “We’re also taking a more proactive role in preconstruction and design-assist phases. The earlier we get involved, the more value we can bring.”
That’s especially true in today’s market, where cost overruns, material delays, and labor shortages remain a concern. By stepping in early, Burgess helps mitigate risk and ensure constructability, a win for everyone involved.
As the company looks to the future, the mission remains the same: do excellent work and treat people right. But this team isn’t standing still; Burgess is actively expanding its digital capabilities, exploring new specialty product lines, and forming deeper relationships with manufacturers and general contractors. “Innovation doesn’t have to mean chasing trends,” Sewell says. “For us, it’s about doing what we do even better and continuing to deliver value in ways that matter.”
This includes leveraging its hard-earned expertise to educate the next generation of field leaders and project managers. Sewell and his leadership team are investing time and resources into training programs that will ensure Burgess continues to be synonymous with quality and reliability for decades to come. “We’ve never been the loudest voice in the room,” he reflects. “But we’ve been the steady one—the one people can count on. That’s who we’ve always been and who we’re going to continue being.”
After 30 years in business, Burgess Company isn’t just marking a milestone; it’s reinforcing a mindset built on humility, grit, and a deep sense of responsibility to the people and partners who’ve helped shape the journey. “In this business, your name is everything,” Sewell says. “And we’ve spent three decades making sure that when people see the Burgess name on a job, they know it’s going to be done right.”
With an expanding portfolio, a reputation for solving the toughest problems, and a culture rooted in values that don’t waver, Burgess Company is more than just a contractor. It is a trusted collaborator, a creative partner, and a gold standard in specialty construction.
