History

"A History of Quality and Integrity"

In September of 1954, Spalding DeDecker Associates, Inc. (SDA) was born in a small store front office on Woodward Avenue in Birmingham, Michigan. SDA's founders, Vernon Spalding and Frank DeDecker, began a partnership with a simple verbal agreement, a handshake and an oath to focus on quality in workmanship and integrity in client service.

The firm's first project consisted of lot grading plans for a local builder in Lansing. By 1955, one project had turned into 40. Land developers engaged the firm for a variety of large and small subdivisions. The firm's first bridge design project was for the Macomb County Road Commission. These initial projects opened the door to increasing opportunities. SDA became Clinton Township's consulting engineer, hired its first two employees and relocated to a larger facility on Woodward Avenue.

As the company grew, SD&A provided engineering and surveying work for many municipalities including Warren, Southfield, Farmington, Livonia, Troy, Mt. Morris Township, Macomb, Washington, Chesterfield and Harrison Townships. By 1968, the staff had reached 20 as the firm continued to expand its services and build its client base.

With the retirement of Frank DeDecker in 1994, the firm was converted to a 100% employee-owned business, giving each team member a vested interest in the success of the company and ultimately, our clients. In 1996, SDA purchased vacant land in Rochester Hills, Michigan and built a larger and more fully equipped office at 905 South Boulevard East to house its growing operations.

In 2003, SDA was awarded its ISO 9001:2000 Certification. This certification highlights SDA's commitment to establishing measures to ensure customer satisfaction and communicating customer needs and expectations throughout the organization.

The firm now employs approximately 100 talented individuals with a wide range of skills and expertise. It has three offices in Detroit, Rochester Hills and Trenton, Michigan.