Frederick W. “Bill” Mayo and Wm. “Mike” Bockelman reviewing early burner design.
Burners, Inc. began with a simple goal: build industrial heating equipment that works — reliably, safely, and without compromise. More than sixty years later, that mission still defines us.
Burners, Inc. began as a division of Flamegas, Inc., a small independent propane company. In a shed behind the main office, our founder Frederick W. “Bill” Mayo began designing burners to solve a growing problem — how to deliver high volumes of continuous heat for road repair crews and roofing contractors.
Having worked in LP gas since the 1940s, Bill was widely respected in the industry and contributed to the development of technical standards for LP gas systems. His engineering approach was practical, field-tested, and ahead of its time. Many of the core designs he created still influence our products today.
In 1962, Burners, Inc. was formally established to manufacture and distribute liquid propane vapor burners and torches.
As the company expanded, so did the leadership that would carry it forward.
Our father, Wm. “Mike” Bockelman,” played a pivotal role in shaping Burners, Inc. beyond its early foundation. Where Bill was the innovator and engineer, Mike became the steady builder — guiding daily operations, strengthening customer relationships, and expanding manufacturing capabilities.
Under Mike’s leadership, the company grew thoughtfully and strategically. Operations moved from Detroit to Milford Township in 1998, and in 2008 into our current facility on Childs Lake Road to support the expansion of our custom fabrication department. His commitment to quality, consistency, and long-term customer partnerships helped solidify Burners, Inc. as a trusted name in industrial heating.
Mike ensured that growth never came at the expense of craftsmanship — a principle we continue to uphold.
Today, Burners, Inc. remains proudly family owned and operated — now in its third generation.
Scott and Rob continue to lead our manufacturing and fabrication operations, carrying forward the hands-on work that keeps our products performing in the field. Their leadership reflects both the engineering mindset of our founder and the steady operational discipline instilled by our father.
Pam supports the administrative and business operations of the company, helping ensure that behind every product shipped is an organization running with clarity, consistency, and care.
Together, we remain committed to the same principles established in 1962: practical engineering, dependable performance, and straightforward solutions built for real-world conditions.
From a backyard shed to a full-scale manufacturing and custom fabrication facility, our values have remained constant — even as our capabilities have grown.
We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers — both those who have been with us for years and those who are just beginning to work with us.
Your trust allows us to continue doing what we do best: building dependable industrial heating solutions for real-world applications.
We look forward to serving you for generations to come.
— The Bockelman Family
1964 — Detroit Expansion – Operations moved to West Davison and Artesian in Detroit. As demand increased, additional space was added in the mid-1970s with the purchase of the adjacent building.
1998 — Milford Township – After more than three decades in Detroit, operations relocated to Milford Township to support continued growth.
2008 — Childs Lake Road –To expand our custom fabrication department and manufacturing capabilities, Burners, Inc. moved into our current, larger facility.