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was heavily involved in defense operations during the wars. My grandfather was involved in the business while my father served during the Korean War. Afterwards, he returned home and started Woodings Industrial in 1957, focusing on building steel mill equipment. This meant that Woodings Verona continued to produce railroad equipment, while the adjunct company, Woodings Industrial, expanded its offerings. Through the 1960s and 1970s, we entered the oil field tubular business and hydraulic cylinder business, as well as steel mill equipment, primarily blast furnaces, which is one of our core areas today. The family sold the rail equipment division to the Bud Company, part of the German company Thyssenkrupp, but retained the steel mill business that I currently run,” he continues.
Now in its fourth generation, Woodings Industrial is led by Rob himself. Despite his passion for the company, he has gained experience across various industries and roles throughout his extensive career, before returning to the family business.“ I began working in the company in 1975, starting by pushing a broom and gradually working my way up through machining, fabricating, and assembly. My last job at Woodings Industrial was in 1984, when I operated a 3.5- inch upsetter in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Following that, I decided to go to college, as I found it more appealing than running an upsetter. Upon completing college, I attended law school and worked for a large corporate law firm. When my dad got sick in 1994, I spent some time working in Gary, Indiana with US Steel and other steel producers before returning to Woodings Industrial, where I have now been for 31 years. I sold the oil field tubular and hydraulic cylinder businesses, choosing to focus on the steel industry and blast furnace equipment, and I have been dedicated to building those portfolios ever since,” he reveals.
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