In 1946, Klein Metal Co. was started by Jacob Klein and his son
Arnold Klein to process scrap metal for recycling to various steel producers.
In 1950, Charles Klein left his employment with Crucible Steel to join his
father and brother at Klein Metal Co... In 1971, they started distributing hot
rolled steel products with 3 truckloads of material purchased from a Buffalo
distributor. At this time the company was located on Oak Street –Rochester, NY
along a railroad bed.
In May 1980, the “Klein” management (Charles, Arnold, Joseph and
Andrew) decided to start a reinforcing bar fabrication service at the
suggestion of William Dirkson (who previously owned Allied Rochester Inc.).
Mark Kulzer, a detailer at Allied Rochester Inc., was hired to
manage this new operation under dba Klein Steel Service. Both operations (steel
distribution and rebar fabrication) continued to grow year in and year out.
In 1986, the “Klein” management divided the company. Arnold and
Joseph Klein assumed ownership of the steel distribution service center known
as Klein Steel Service Inc... Charles and Andrew Klein assumed ownership of the
scrap yard business, the used (surplus”) steel distribution service, and the
rebar fabrication operation known as Klein Metal Co., dba Oak Steel, and dba
Klein Reinforcing Services.
Unfortunate changes in the scrap yard business climate made this
area unprofitable and created an opportunity for Mark Kulzer to acquire the
rebar fabrication division in 1991. On April 1, 1991, Klein Reinforcing
Services Inc. was born with Mark R. Kulzer as president and founder.
The reinforcing bar division has operated from numerous locations
since 1980 due to expansion, growth, strategy and opportunity. The current
location on Turner Drive in Spencerport occurred in 1992 with a negotiated
10-year lease which has since been purchased.
Today, the company is considered the largest supplier/fabricator
of reinforcing bars in the Rochester and surrounding area. The company
concentrates in the Rochester area but reaches into Buffalo and Syracuse and
has done projects in North Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and
Pennsylvania.
The company has maintained slow but steady growth most every year
and envisions continued growth without ever losing sight of quality service for
all projects both large and small. The company goes back to 1980 with zero
sales and zero tons and since has done projects worth over $1 million and 4,000
tons. DO NOT forget where we came from!