The company, which George started with his late brother Harold, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
“I never thought it would grow to this size,” said George.
The property that is now occupied by a 7,000-square-foot plant was purchased by CEO John George’s grandfather, Homer George, in 1920.
Homer, who was a 1907 graduate of the Ohio State University majoring in agriculture, purchased the 120 acres for $25,000, John George said.
“Where my office is now was my grandfather’s popcorn field,” John George said. “We are the ultimate definition of a family business.”
At its peak in 2008, the company shipped more than 10,000 tons of steel frames and structures and employed 40 people.
John George said that business has been down slightly because of the downturn in construction, but he remains confident the company will bounce back with the economy.
Robert and his brother Harold built and opened a Marathon gas station and farm implement sales and repair company on the site of the George Steel building in 1954.
In 1960, the brothers transformed their company into a welding and machine shop, the beginning of the current George Steel.
John began working at his father’s company by sweeping floors in 1967 when he was 12 years old.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.
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