Fast, Flexible and Focused on YOU.
Its that customer-centric approach that has allowed Industrial Steel & Wire to be the most trusted family owned and operated Wire Distributor in North America, and we are so grateful for your support.
For more than 85 years, our team has worked tirelessly to build a culture that focuses on exceptional customer service, paired with quality material that is stocked across our network of six strategically located service centers. Our core values and our “ISW Pledge” create an environment where our team truly cares about quickly delivering the best metal at the best price, every single time.
Over the years, our customers have come to know ISW as more than just a wire distributor- we also provide the additional services you need for a seamless buying experience, including straightening, cut-to-length services, and a wide variety of packaging options.
Your business is our greatest honor, and we look forward to providing the fast and flexible service and pricing it takes to win in today’s marketplace -because we know that when we’re focused on YOU, we all WIN.
Thank you for your business and for giving Industrial Steel & Wire the opportunity to continue our tradition be fast, flexible, and focused on YOU.
Dr. Brian K. Furlong
President
What does ISW stand for?
There’s nothing fancy about our name. Industrial Steel & Wire is who we are and what we work in. But over the years, ISW has come to mean so much more to our customers.
ISW stands for service. The foundation of our business is exceptional service. Our people take great pride in finding precisely what you need, getting it to you fast, and always staying competitive on price.
ISW stands for trust. Dr. Harry Furlong needed to prove himself. Back in 1935, he had to earn the confidence of local manufacturers with every order to his new industrial steel and wire business. That hasn’t changed. After more than 80 years, ISW is still earning business, referrals and trust every day.
ISW stands for selection. Think big. 400,000 sq. ft. of inventory big, and every inch is ready to ship. That’s how ISW serves the diverse needs of so many different industries and applications. It’s a big responsibility, but we live for it.
ISW stands for response. The phone is ringing at ISW Cleveland right now. And faster than you can read this sentence, a customer is getting the answer they want and the exact grade of spring wire they need. ISW has six locations across North America to respond to your needs right away.
Go from 1935 to today with the ISW Timeline.
ISW has been thinking ahead
for more than 80 years
1935
SEIZING AN OPPORTUNITY
The Great Depression had just ended and the world economy was slowly recovering. It was a time of opportunity and Dr. Harry Furlong was thinking ahead. Harry realized America would need steel wire products to fuel its recovery, so he founded Industrial Steel Wire Company in a small office and warehouse at Wabansia and Holt (now Greenview) in Chicago.
1941-1946
HELPING THE CAUSE
During World War II, Harry opened a small machine shop on West Lake Street in Chicago. The new company produced straightened and cut wire and machine parts for submarines, among other wartime requirements. Following the war, Harry sold the machine shop, but kept the straightened and cut wire business.
1958
ON THE MOVE
America was moving faster. A new expressway was planned in Chicago to keep up with the pace. As a result, the company moved to 35th Place and Albany Street when the original warehouse was razed to make way for the future Kennedy Expressway.
1965
THINKING BIGGER
Ralph Furlong, a chemical engineer, purchased the company from his father and moved the operation to a much needed, larger facility on Palmer and Drake streets in Chicago. The company’s revenue was $180,000 ($1.3m by today’s dollar). Harry passed away in 1967.
1974
EXPANSION CONTINUES
Further expansion was required and the company moved into several buildings near Palmer and Springfield Streets in Chicago. In 1976, ISW opened its first satellite branch in Bristol, CT.
1986-1996
NATIONWIDE GROWTH
ISW went through a period of rapid expansion. Branches were opened near Los Angeles, CA and in Cleveland, OH. ISW purchased Star Steel & Wire in 1987 and merged into its Chicago operation. Growth again forced us to upsize and Ralph Furlong purchased the 150,000 sq. ft. warehouse on Narragansett that is headquarters for the company today. The purchase of a west coast division of National Standard in 1991, greatly expanded California sales and introduced slitting and strip products to the company. Our Charlotte, NC branch was opened in 1994. By the end of 1996, our sales had grown to over $50m.
2001-2003
WISDOM IN TOUGH TIMES
During the recession that followed 9/11, Dr. Brian Furlong took charge of company operations as Executive Vice President. Through intelligent planning and restructuring, ISW not only survived the recession but was positioned to thrive during the recovery.
2006
ANOTHER GENERATION OF SUCCESS
Dr. Brian Furlong became President and ISW continued to grow. The company now served industries throughout North America with stainless steel and non-ferrous wires, torsion-straightening and straighten cutting wires, carbon steel, stainless steel, and non-ferrous strip products as well as custom slitting, tension-leveling, and cut-to-length services.
2012
MORE PRODUCT OFFERINGS
ISW purchased all the inventory assets of a major mid-west cold-heading quality wire distribution company and added Cold-Heading Wire to our growing product offerings.
2015
80 YEARS STRONG
The small company that Dr. Harry Furlong started back in 1935 marked its 80th year of serving the needs of manufacturers.
2018
STILL THINKING AHEAD
ISW introduced our 5-Star Pledge. It helped describe “the ISW way;” and defined the service that has always been the company’s foundation. As ISW moves forward toward more milestones, we will remain sharply focused on our customers’ evolving needs and we’ll always keep thinking ahead.
