St. Joseph, MO Office Full Services Design/Build General Contractor System Builders was founded in 1974 by Raymond Johnson and Wick Lehr as a General Contracting Company, providing Butler Metal Buildings on small commercial projects. First year sales were nearly $647,000. Some of those first customers are still customers today: Missouri Western State College, Shamrad Boiler, Phillips Roxane, Iowa-Missouri Walnut, Ryder Truck, St. Joseph Light & Power, Lloyd Metal Products, Pillsbury, Thompson Implement, Reynolds Machine & Tool, Lawhon Construction, Lehr Construction… Through the first fourteen years in business SBI experienced steady growth in sales, reputation and talented people. In 1986 Ray Johnson and his staff made the decision to change the direction of the company from a General Contractor providing Butler Metal Buildings to a Design / Build Contractor providing Varco Pruden Pre-Engineered Building Systems. Varco Pruden had recently opened their production plant in St. Joseph and this allowed System Builders to offer regional customers the design, engineering and expertise of an international company, manufactured local to the region. Through the 80's and 90's SBI continued to establish a solid reputation with owners, developers and other builders. In 1992 a new office was opened at 621 S.5th in St. Joseph. In 1993 Ray Johnson retired and his son David assumed the responsibilities of President. During that transition a phrase was coined that is still fundamental to the company today…"Reputation is Everything". In 2003, as part of the succession plan for the company, two new participating partners, David Boerkircher and David Wright, purchased the stock owned by the Lehr family. The three "Dave's" combine over 75 years of diverse construction experience and look to build a 21st century company following a simple philosophy instilled many years ago…."Reputation is Everything".