Cheers to 70 Years of Top-Notch Docks!

2026 is Alumi-Span’s 70th anniversary!

It’s not every day a company gets to celebrate 70 years in business—we couldn’t be more excited to mark this milestone. Since 1956, we’ve been building boat docks that boaters can trust. As we head into 2026, we’re taking a moment to reflect on how it all started, how far we’ve come, and where we’re headed next.

Our story starts in 1956 inside Metalloy Foundry, run by mechanical engineer and boating enthusiast Dick Berlin. Back then, docks used heavy, rusty, steel leg sets and all wood construction for the sections. Dick saw a better way. He created an all-aluminum dock system — lighter, cleaner, and stronger than anything on the market. In fact, some of those very first docks are still out on the water today.

Just a few years later, in 1961, Dick introduced what would become a defining moment for the dock industry: the F-stringer aluminum dock section. By combining F-shaped side beams with interlocking aluminum boards, he created a dock that wasn’t just lighter — it was smarter, safer, and more affordable.

People took notice:

Competitors tried to copy the idea, but the original Alumi-Span system set the bar.

From day one, Alumi-Span has been shaped by two Michigan families who shared the same commitment to quality and innovation.

Dick’s cousin Rex Hoover took over in the early years and eventually purchased the company in 1964. Under his steady hand, Alumi-Span grew quickly, becoming a trusted name at marinas across the region.

His son Mike, along with Mike’s wife Kay, continued the tradition into the next generation, leading the company through the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s.

In 2002, the company returned to its roots. Dave Berlin, Dick’s son and longtime CEO of Metalloy Corp, stepped in and reunited the Berlin family with the Alumi-Span name. Dave brought with him decades of engineering experience and a passion for refining the dock system his father created.

That same year, Dave’s teenage son Aaron began working in the shop. What started as a father-son partnership grew into the next era of Alumi-Span’s success. Aaron eventually took the reins, blending his business savvy with the engineering foundation laid before him.

Today, Aaron leads the company with the support of his wife Mary, who helps manage the business. And in true Alumi-Span fashion, their daughter Erin is already part of the family tradition, pitching in at the shop and representing the fourth generation involved in the company.

One thing that makes us incredibly proud? You can still find 50- and 60-year-old Alumi-Span dock sections out in service today. They’ve weathered countless seasons and are often enjoyed by second and third generations of the same families.

Through all the years and all the changes, our values haven’t budged:

Even today, the F-stringer style developed back in 1961 remains the most practical design for most inland docks. And Alumi-Span continues to lead the way in engineering and craftsmanship.

As we celebrate this anniversary, we’re filled with gratitude for the families who have trusted our docks, the marinas who have partnered with us, and the generations of Berlin and Hoover family members who poured their energy into making Alumi-Span what it is today.

And while we’re proud of where we’ve been, we’re even more excited about where we’re going. The lakes, the memories, the craftsmanship — it’s all part of what drives us.

Thank you for being part of our story!