Doing It Right

JD Steel Co. Inc.’s focus on logistics, communication spells success

By Rachael Kvapil

ealth and safety have always been important within the construction industry, and the pandemic took protocols to the next level. For JD Steel Co., Inc., health and safety are an integral part of keeping workers safe. When lockdowns happened in spring 2020, the company was able to implement a contingency plan that allowed employees to continue working without disruption to their schedule.

“It definitely was a new challenge for us,” says Scott Hamilton, JD Steel’s vice president and Alaska regional manager. “We credit our employee-owner leadership and communication philosophy. By communicating needs and expectations, we’ve been able to manage our way through COVID. We put our employees’ health and safety first, and our clients ended up winning.”

JD Steel was incorporated on March 24, 1970, in Phoenix, Arizona. From the beginning, the company sought to provide the growing construction industry with highly qualified professional tradesmen focused on the safe and efficient installation of concrete reinforcing steel, including rebar, welded wire mesh, post-tension cable, and more.

In 2002, JD Steel opened in the Alaska region, as the company saw a need in the industry for a higher level of service using a different business model.

Hamilton says JD Steel’s Alaska region started small and took methodical steps to increase its market share by furnishing and installing steel packages not previously available. He says it’s uncommon for a fabrication company to do installations, but it’s possible for JD Steel through its subsidiary company Iron, Inc.

Products and services have increased over its nineteen years in Alaska to include a structural steel division in addition to reinforcing steel. The Alaska region has approximately sixty full-time employees, a considerable increase since JD Steel first opened its doors.

“It’s a far cry from the four of us sharing a telephone in the middle of a gravel lot,” says Hamilton. “It’s neat to be here every single day and watch this business grow from infancy to now. The success really goes to our employee-owners, who truly believe in this business model.”

Hamilton says his favorite projects in Alaska include structures they built as part of the missile defense system, the Glenn Highway overpass in Eagle River, and most F-22 structures. He is particularly proud of completing the Omni Logistics, Inc. hangar in Fairbanks, though he says just as much time and attention are given to all their projects, regardless of size.

Aside from the pandemic, Hamilton says logistics continues to be the biggest challenge for any construction-related business in Alaska. He says the biggest benefit of being a fabricator and installer in the state is that it saves clients between nine and twenty days typically spent waiting for steel to be shipped from the Lower 48. JD Steel considers the logistics of fabrication, delivery, and installation at the start of the project to avoid unnecessary delays.

“If you’re not a logistics expert, you’re going to struggle in Alaska,” says Hamilton. “Our employee-owners in leadership are logistic experts and have the ability to present multiple options to our clients. We’re able to overcome any issue by developing a close partnership with clients and making their schedule and their project a priority.”

Steve Siegel, owner of Klondike Concrete and Siegel Construction, says JD Steel’s timeliness is one of the factors that has contributed to his decision to work with the company over several years. As a concrete placing company, Klondike Concrete looks to JD Steel for rebar and other reinforcement supplies, as well as for installation on larger jobs.

“They do everything possible to meet our schedule,” says Siegel. “And they’re also pleasant to work with.”

Jed Shandy, vice president of Davis Constructors and Engineers, says JD Steel has been Davis’ prime subcontractor for fabrication and installation of reinforcement steel for 90 percent of the company’s construction and equipment work in the last ten years.

“JD Steel’s commitment to providing accurate quotes and sticking to them is invaluable in the design-assist world,” says Shandy. “Additionally, they manage supply chain and crew schedules to interface with each project exactly as needed. Truly an ‘easy button’ vendor for all our projects.”

JD Steel has been an Associated General Contractors of Alaska member since 2004. Hamilton says JD Steel benefits greatly from networking with the best of the best in industry. Even with JD Steel’s level of success, Hamilton says it is important to build relationships with other companies, keep in touch with industry trends, and follow developments relative to the clients they serve.

As for the future, Hamilton says JD Steel will remain methodical with their growth plan. They anticipate expanding their structural division in the coming year, while adding several pieces of heavy equipment.

One thing that won’t change is their location. Hamilton says their Palmer home is a central point that allows them to serve clientele statewide. As a regional office, JD Steel can easily ramp up for potential large-sized projects by working with other regional divisions. Their depth of resources makes them adaptable to anything that comes their way.