If an agency's strength is determined by its relationships with its insurers, then Berends Hendricks Stuit Insurance Agency Inc. (BHS) is going strong. This 25-year-old Michigan agency, which specializes in construction, was recently named one of the top 10 growing agencies by The Western Region of Auto-Owners Insurance Group, and has been recognized by several other insurers for both production and quality, including Humana Leaders Club, Priority Health Key Producer, Accident Fund, Grange Senior Partner Agency, a Cincinnati Presidents Circle Agency, a Diamond Club Agency, a Selective Presidents Club Agency and is a member of the 1885 Club.

BHS also has been accepted nationally as a “Best Practices” agency by the IIABA as one of the top 30 performing agencies in its revenue category for the past 12 years. In 2005, BHS was honored as Agency of the Year by the Accident Fund and Michigan Agent of the Year by Grange.

The agency has grown rapidly over the years, and in addition to its main office in Grandville, Mich., it has branch offices located in Holland, Mich., which serves both commercial and personal lines clients, and Byron Center, Mich., which exclusively services personal lines customers. BHS has acquired 95 staff members who serve more than 2,400 commercial customers, over 12,000 personal customers for property-casualty insurance and more than 600 businesses for employee benefits.