Heritage of Excellence: Mesker’s Enduring Legacy and Bright Future
Mesker Invents the Hollow Metal Door
For over 150 years, Mesker has been a stalwart in the commercial door industry, delivering decades of quality and innovation. Founded in 1846 by the Mesker brothers in St. Louis, the company initially specialized in ornamental sheet metal storefront facades.
These facades, often referred to as “Meskers”, can still be found all across America. According to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the Mesker Brothers facades represented life at the turn of the 20th century, the industrial revolution and the possibilities of that era.
One of the many milestones in Mesker’s history was winning the Architectural Gold Medal Award at the 1904 World Fair. This accolade set the precedent for future achievements.
Mesker engineers went on to pioneer the world’s first hollow metal door, setting a new standard in the industry. This legacy is the foundation upon which Mesker continues to build.
Mesker’s journey from a highly successful sheet metal operation to a leading manufacturer of hollow metal doors and frames is evidence that Mesker is a champion of change in the constantly evolving world of American manufacturing. Over the decades, Mesker has introduced numerous specialty products designed for strength, security and safety. The company’s dedication to producing durable products in the commercial construction industry has earned it a reputation for quality and reliability.
The Big Move
In 1988, the Mesker family relocated the Mesker business from its original home in St. Louis to a 106,000 square foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The move was driven by the need to expand and modernize operations to meet increasing demand and continued growth within the industry.
The Mesker family selected the perfect home for the company that invented the hollow metal door. The Huntsville facility still serves as Mesker’s corporate headquarters today and is nestled in a community that fosters innovation and growth.
American Steel
Mesker is one of only two hollow metal manufacturers in the United States that source their steel in large coils to process
in-house. By handling the entire production process from raw material to finished product within their facility, Mesker can offer consistency and durability, reinforcing their dedication to fabricating high quality made in America products.
Notably, to further support domestic industry, they source their steel from an American steel manufacturer. This allows Mesker to meet the strict criteria for projects that call for such mandates as AIS Certifications, which require a project’s steel to be melted, poured, and processed entirely in the United States.
Under New Ownership, A Bright Future
In recent years, Mesker has undergone significant changes in ownership, with the most recent acquisition in July of 2022 by Mesker MBM LP. With two years under their belt and the challenges of an ERP transition behind them, the leadership team is now focused on the customer experience.
Mesker has expanded its customer support team to include seven territory managers nationwide. This provides localized and dedicated support across different regions. To keep customers well-informed, the territory managers are now sending stocking distributors a weekly backlog report, offering transparency and timely updates on orders.
Mesker has drastically reduced lead times, reintroduced stock and custom quick ship programs and brought in Design Hardware inventory. There is door, frame and hardware material on the shelf and ready to ship.
With such a rich history to draw upon and a bright future ahead, Mesker is well-positioned to remain a fixture of American manufacturing and continue leading the commercial door industry for generations to come.