About Us

Hello, I’m Dave Barnett. Thanks for your interest in my company and for spending time on my website. I’m not big on chest-pounding, but thought it would be nice to tell you a little bit about me and my company.

Ever since I was a kid in Hastings, Michigan, I’ve been building things. First it was Pinewood Derby cars with my Dad. We moved on to go-carts, followed by a full restoration of a World War II Army Jeep. We didn’t just focus on building things that moved. I’ve remodeled a number of homes and even a lighthouse on Lake Superior.

I received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University in 1981 and spent the next few years working as a flight test engineer on the B-1 bomber. Returning to Michigan, I started my own clock company. I came to realize that I truly loved designing and building machines. That passion in designing custom machinery led me to my next position with Universal Forest Products. After 8 years designing and building specialty manufacturing machines for their plants nationwide, I knew I had found my niche and wanted to run my own company.

Since 1997 I’ve owned Barnett Design Works. We’ve built a lot of custom machines over the years and are now producing the Insta-Rail System. Based in Holland, Michigan, we keep it local. I hire local talent and use local vendors and am proud to say all our products are Made in the USA.

A hands-on company, we build a simple, solid and functional product, and I stake my reputation on every thing we produce. If you need it installed, I’m the guy who will be setting it up with you on the floor.

Enough about me. Let’s talk about your railing and barrier needs. Give me a call on our main line or on my cell at 616-644-2332. I’ll answer the phone.