We all start somewhere.
Whether in life or in business, there’s a starting point for everything. J.W. Harrison started working as a 14-year-old sand foundry molding apprentice to his dad in England. He sailed to America, became a citizen, and worked his way up in the steel industry for many years until he became president of the National Car Coupler Co (later Harrison Steel Castings Company). He moved the operation to Attica in 1906 and built a solid reputation in the industry and a positive presence in the town that endures to this day.
We all start somewhere. We all have a lot to learn in the beginning. We all have choices to make, opportunities to pursue, and the great unknown forever looming around the bend. But if we commit to moving forward, our starting point—wherever it may be—is the origin of endless possibility.
Hard times won’t sink you. Being unteachable will.
When you’ve been around as long as we have, you learn there’s no escaping difficulties. We’ve operated through times of peace and times of war, bear and bull markets, the rise and decline of modern technologies, and public health crises. We’ve learned it’s the hard seasons that have the most to teach us.
They’re the ones that show us what we’re made of, and the ones that help us grow into a stronger, more resilient company. Rather than fearing hard times, we try to leverage them for our greater good, staying open and willing to learn the lessons they bring. While we don’t enjoy hardships, we do appreciate what they’ve made of us: a company that’s capable and adaptive, with a stronger-than-ever belief in the pursuit of continuous improvement.
Roots are just as important as wings.
Sure, we have big dreams, and we’re proud of those. Harrison Steel works hard every day to be a global leader in our industry and continue making a world-class product destined for places all over our great country. Our vision gives us our wings, pushing us to soar higher into the excellence we strive toward.
But before any of that, we’re a member of the Attica community, where we’ve been since 1906. Our roots are in this community, in our history, in the people and places we love. Our roots are who we are as a company, and they’re firmly planted right here.
Family isn’t limited to relatives
Some families we’re born into, some we make for ourselves. Our definition of family is a group of people you’re dedicated to, period. At Harrison Steel, we’re a family that works every day toward the same goal for our customers. We see each other through the milestones of business, and the milestones of our individual lives. We don’t just know about each other; we know each other. We know when birthdays happen, when babies are born, when grandkids hit home runs, when a home garden yields a bumper crop. Being known matters, and that’s one reason many of our employees keep celebrating 25 and 30 year anniversaries with the company. Because here, we’re family.
Good quality and good manners never go out of style.
Some families we’re born into, some we make for ourselves. Our definition of family is a group of people you’re dedicated to, period. At Harrison Steel, we’re a family that works every day toward the same goal for our customers. We see each other through the milestones of business, and the milestones of our individual lives. We don’t just know about each other; we know each other. We know when birthdays happen, when babies are born, when grandkids hit home runs, when a home garden yields a bumper crop. Being known matters, and that’s one reason many of our employees keep celebrating 25 and 30 year anniversaries with the company. Because here, we’re family.