The fourth generation of Steeles to lead J.C. Steele & Sons, from left to right: Rick Steele, John Steele and David Steele.
Under their leadership, Steele grew from one location in Statesville, North Carolina to ten locations and 500+ employees worldwide. The company acquired heavy clay market-leading brands Händle and ZMB Braun, and started a company with Direxa. The clay foundation they fortified drove diversification into gypsum, iron and steel, and ferro alloys markets around the world.
Our story begins in 1889
1889
J.C. Steele, a brick manufacturer in Statesville, NC receives his first patent for brickmaking. He founds J.C. Steele & Sons and the oldest of his four sons joins the family business.
1892-1893
Steele introduces its first two auger machines.
1900
The introduction of Model Number 1, the first machine designed and manufactured by Steele and forerunner of larger machines. Production continues to World War II.
1902
Steele exports equipment to Mexican de Tubos de Albanal, S.A., in Mexico, the first customer in a global base.
1903
Steele patents the Rotary Automatic End Cutter, which becomes the U.S. standard for its simplicity and reliability.
1912
J.C. Steele turns the management of the business over to his sons.
1922
The Steele family buys a small brick factory near Madison, NC. The Pine Hall Brick Company remains in the family and strengthens Steele’s ties to the brick industry.
1935
J.C. Steele, Jr., a grandson, joins Steele as the first employee from the third generation.
1936
Preston Steele, Jr., a grandson, joins the company.
1946
Clarence N. Steele, a grandson, joins the company.
1947
F. Montgomery Steele, a grandson, joins the company.
1951
Steele sells its first machine in Australia. The 90AD Extruder becomes the Australian standard and makes Australia Steele’s largest international market.
1957
Global sales grow significantly, driven by the new 60F Extruder and Pug Sealer.
1965
Steele installs its first INCLA IIIB.
1970s
Three great-grandsons join the company — John Steele, Rick Steele and David Steele make the fourth generation of Steeles in management.
1985
Steele installs its first 36-24A Hammermill.
1991
Steele sells stiff extruders to National Recovery, for agglomeration of Bethlehem Steel by-products.
1996
Steele launches J.C. Steele Australia in Melbourne.
2001
Steele acquires a majority interest in Händle, a German manufacturer of premium clay working machinery.
2008
Steele launches J.C. Steele Asia in Changzou, China. Closed in 2020.
2009
Steele becomes a founding partner of Direxa Engineering, giving The Steele Group turnkey plant delivery.
2010
The fifth generation of Steeles, Mac Steele and Marian Steele, join the company.
2014
Haendle acquires ZMB Braun, adding strength to the group’s die and shaping business.
