Gavin Brownlie Sr., a Scottish-born immigrant, and Stanley Crosby, a British-born immigrant, shared more than a common background; they shared an interest in the sheet metal industry. After working together for a number of years with a national sheet metal contractor, they decided to try it on their own. On April 1, 1979, Crosby-Brownlie was incorporated in the state of New York. With the help of Raymond Johnson (now President) in the estimating department and David Gerhardt (Retired) attending to fabrications in the shop, the company developed momentum. Over the next 10 years, the company continued to grow and became known for its quality, custom metal fabrications and sheet metal services throughout the Greater Rochester area.
In 1989, the company suffered the untimely loss of partner and friend, Stanley Crosby. With some reorganization and the addition of his wife Marietta Brownlie, Gavin Brownlie, Sr. continued to carry out Stan's and his initial vision. This would be the path that Crosby-Brownlie would travel on as they continued to grow into their role as a leader in the sheet metal industry.
In the early 1990's, Brownlie Sr. and Ray Johnson began bidding projects as a full service mechanical contractor by utilizing piping subcontractors for the HVAC piping, plumbing, and sprinkler work.
When Gavin & Marietta's sons, Jason Brownlie and Gavin Brownlie Jr. joined the business in 1993 and 1995 respectively, the "family" business was formed. Jason and Gavin Jr. brought new energy and ideas into Crosby-Brownlie that furthered its expansion and developed new markets and customers. Eventually, Crosby-Brownlie was generating more business than its piping subcontractors could support, so they expanded into the piping and plumbing sectors. Performing all the work themselves, Crosby-Brownlie was emerging as a turnkey mechanical contractor.
In 1998, Gavin Brownlie Sr. retired and turned ownership over to Marietta Brownlie. At that time, a management team composed of Marietta, Gavin Jr., Ray Johnson and Jason Brownlie made a commitment to the industry by making major investments in new technology and adding personnel.
Through the acquisition of O'Grady-McCormick Service Company in the fall of 2006, Crosby-Brownlie — once again — enhanced its ability to provide customers with after-installation service and maintenance. These capabilities brought the company to the forefront of the mechanical industry.
Today, the vision that started in 1979 is being carried on through employee dedication to customer satisfaction and our ability to maintain a "family" atmosphere. We have the best people in the industry and the in-house capabilities to perform mechanical projects of any size and complexity. With over 120 employees and an excess of $25 million dollars in annual revenues, Crosby-Brownlie has seen the vision of its founders come to fruition: "Total Commitment to Quality and Excellence, On-Time and at a Fair Price."