Precision Kidd Steel Company

Accepting the Challenge

Precision Kidd Steel has been manufacturing specialty cold drawn steel bar and wire products in Western Pennsylvania for the past 124 years. Like the Pittsburgh region, we have been challenged by the global economy and have undergone our own renaissance by inventing new ideas, technologies, and equipment to develop new market opportunities.

In 1885, four brothers from England started a steel wire manufacturing business in Harmarville, Pennsylvania. In the early years, the company was faced with a family feud, outside partners that absconded with trade secrets and key employees, a fire and ultimately, bankruptcy. In 1966, Kidd Drawn Steel and Precision Industries merged to form Precision Kidd Steel Company. By 1973, the combination of progressive management and a boom in the business machine and automotive industries helped Precision Kidd regain much of its earlier reputation and customers.

As we moved in to the 1980's, the rapid emergence of electronic data processing equipment, the redesign of automotive parts with electronic components and the overall decline in domestic steel production created a condition of crisis proportions. Management chose to fight for the business, and the first step was redefining the market opportunities to capitalize on the unique product advantages we had to offer.

In 2009, Precision Kidd still follows the same philosophy of focusing on customer satisfaction, product quality and continually refining our technology and capabilities. The circumstances of the US steel industry challenged Precision Kidd Steel, and in the long run, made us stronger and more competitive.

Precision Kidd Steel continues to remain a leading producer of cold drawn/cold finish steel wire, bar and special shape products for a variety of industries including aerospace, appliances, automotive, dental, electronics, hand and power tools, military and sporting arms, oil/gas exploration, power generation and transmission, and textile machinery. Part applications for products include bearings, electric motors, gears and pinions, special fasteners, rails, shafts and ball screws, splines and spindles, steering systems and more. The firm is ISO9001 registered and has an outstanding reputation for high quality products with tolerances that are consistently tighter than industry standards. Customers benefit by reducing part finishing steps, decreasing machining yield losses and increasing quality and dependability of output.

As Precision Kidd Steel continues to move forward into its second century of serving the changing needs of its customers and employees, we accept the challenge of adopting new methods, learning new skills, and training our employees, to meet customer demands and maintain employee welfare and quality of life.