2006 Marks the Sesquicentennial

For Stupp Bros. and its Family of Companies

 ST. LOUIS-For 150 years Stupp Bros., a privately held firm, has been a part of the industrial history of the United States.  Stupp Bros. and its family of companies have provided bridges, high rise buildings, sports facilities, line pipes, specialized equipment and a variety of high quality products to customers throughout the world utilizing creative engineering and a passion for excellence.

           In 1856, Johann Stupp, a German immigrant and master locksmith, founded J. Stupp and Bro., Blacksmiths in St. Louis, Missouri.  At this time the shop primarily fashioned and repaired tools and machinery.

           Stupp was swept into the historic events of the time joining the “Home Guard” early in the Civil War.  Following his service, he contributed to the war effort through the skills of his trade.  In August, 1861, James B. Eads enlisted the aid of area craftsmen in the building of a fleet of seven ironclad gunboats for the Union Army.  Stupp was one of these craftsmen. 

          Stupp’s business prospered until 1875 when he lost his business to an unscrupulous lender.  Forced out of business and with no credit, Stupp persuaded a teamster who hauled iron for him, to act as proprietor of a new “Ornamental Iron and Zinc Works” located three doors south of his former location.  Stupp had lost his property, but he still had his family, his skills, his perseverance, and some good friends. 

          Gradually Johann, with the help of sons George, Peter, and Julius, rebuilt the business.  In 1882, the sons changed the name to Stupp Bros. South St. Louis Iron Works, usually referred to simply as the Stupp Bros. Iron Works. 

          In the early 1890, the company evolved into Stupp Bros. Bridge and Iron Co. obtaining a charter of incorporation from the State of Missouri for the purpose of building and repairing all kinds of iron and steel structural work. 

          When Johann Stupp died in 1915 at the age of 88, he left his business to his sons who continued to successfully manage  and expand it.  Their sons made the firm grow even more.   And their sons reorganized it for the modern world of business so that today the firm is managed by the fourth and fifth generation.        

Today, the Stupp Bros. family of companies includes:

· Stupp Bridge Company - fabricator of highway and railroad girder bridges

· Hammert’s Iron Works, Inc.- fabricator of structural steel for medium to large size commercial structures including assembly, parking, office and medical buildings.

· Stupp Corporation - producer of custom-made Electric Resistance Welded pipe for oil and gas transmission

· Bayou Coating - applicator of coating for steel line pipe.

· Midwest BankCentre - a leading community bank offering a full range of financial services with assets totaling over $1 billion.

          From humble beginnings, Stupp Bros., Inc. has established a tradition of excellence in all aspects of the businesses it operates.  It is a world leader in the application, fabrication and production of structural steel components and steel piping for major infrastructure improvement and capital expansion projects in the transportation, commercial construction and manufacturing industries. 

          In 2006, Stupp Bros., Inc. celebrates its 150th anniversary knowing that the name is synonymous with integrity and honesty.  It employs new-world technology to deliver Old World values.  This tradition of excellence has been a part of the Stupp organization since the company was founded in 1856 and continues today.