Our Story

A Strong History Forged Over A Century

BICO Steel’s rich tradition in metalworking in began on Aug. 13, 1896, when The Burger Iron & Wire Works Company formed. The company got its start fabricating a variety of items, including fire escapes, elevator cabs, decorative iron stairways, balconies, tree guards and iron fencing. Another specialization included ornamental steel fabrication.

Our Role In Building Ohio

During the industrial boom of the early 20th century, Burger Iron shifted to meet the growing demand for structural steel, fabricating and erecting steel frames for commercial buildings and bridges. One prominent company project that’s become a recognized part of the Akron skyline was the First National Tower, built in 1931. This was one of many well-known commercial structures Burger Iron played an instrumental role in bringing to life throughout Ohio.

Innovation And Excellence Drives Expansion

In 1946, Burger Iron expanded its capabilities to include a plate processing department that offered precision grinding and machining. That decision paid dividends, allowing the company to grow and eventually open a dedicated, 90,000-square-foot plant in Mogadore, Ohio, in 1972, with a second steel plate facility to follow in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1987.

Since then, we’ve expanded our Michigan facility with a new, 60,000-square-foot facility, and have opened sales offices throughout the United States and Canada to better meet the demands of a growing customer base.

Past Success Paves The Way For Future Growth

Today, The Burger Iron Company is known to its customers by its moniker, BICO Steel. Our name may have changed a bit, but the values we’ve forged over a century-plus of history are only growing stronger. Being the only company to offer both steel plate and forged block processing has made it easier than ever to provide our customers with the highest-quality products and industry-leading service.

We’ve been proud to serve as our clients’ competitive advantage since 1896. We hope you’ll join us as we continue to drive the industry forward.

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