EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ZEKELMAN INDUSTRIES
“It all starts with people. I don’t care what equipment you have. I don’t care what customers you have. If you don’t have a happy, engaged, empowered workforce, you’ll never be in the lead.”
Barry Zekelman was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. He received his early education in Windsor and later attended York University in Toronto, Ontario.
His university education was interrupted in 1986 with the sudden passing of his father, the late Harry Zekelman, when the ownership of Atlas Tube Inc. was assumed by Barry and his two brothers. Atlas Tube has grown from $1.5 million in revenue in 1986 to over $1.2 billion by 2006.
In October 2006, John Maneely Company, a maker of steel tubing that was owned by private-equity giant Carlyle Group, announced a merger with Atlas Tube Inc. creating the largest independent tubing company in North America. In March of 2011, the Zekelman family purchased back Carlyle’s 55% interest in JMC. Then, in June of 2016, the company was renamed Zekelman Industries.
Today, Zekelman Industries, the parent of Atlas Tube, Wheatland Tube, Western Tube, Sharon Tube, Picoma, Z Modular, Hayes Modular, and KC Specialty Tube, produces over 2.4 million steel tons per year in 21 plants, manufactures and builds over 1500 multi-family residential apartments, and employs over 2,900 people throughout the United States and Canada. Zekelman Industries maintains the #1 market position in North America in HSS, standard pipe, electrical conduit and electrical fittings with sales in excess of $5 billion annually. Barry is currently the Executive Chairman and CEO of Zekelman Industries and responsible for taking the company to new heights.
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