Doherty Steel, Inc. of Paola, Kan. has completed an expansion of its 165,000-SF steel fabrication facility, doubling processing capacities, increasing material size capabilities and creating new jobs for the area.
In 2021 and 2022, to meet market demand and the needs of larger projects, the facility added two phases of expansion. In the spring of 2021, Doherty Steel opened the newly added 16,000-SF expansion for fabricating, painting and shipping. In the spring of 2022, a second 16,000-SF addition opened, growing its facility by a total of 32,000 SF.
These expansions have doubled Doherty’s processing capacity from 12,000 tons to a potential of 20,000 + tons a year and increased the material size capabilities. The addition increases processing capabilities to run 30” wide beams up to 350 lbs / ft to 850 lbs / ft for beams up to 44” wide, which also eliminates manual processing for beams larger than 40”.
The latest addition grows the company's processing line from one to two, doubling output capacity and increasing efficiency for faster processing and transitions into fabrication. With one of the largest Peddinghaus machinery installations in the world, Doherty Steel has launched itself into a new tier of steel capabilities.
“We needed this expansion to meet our client's needs, plus (we needed) more capacity and capabilities to keep up with demand. The biggest problems we are solving are the inefficiencies in workflow and the machines which were experiencing maintenance issues causing delays in capacity output,” said Chance Doherty, vice president of Doherty Steel.
Together with structural engineer Bob D. Campbell & Company, Doherty Steel recycled leftover structural steel beams from another project to construct the addition, and the team took pride in erecting their own structural steel. Not only have the new expansions and Peddinghaus equipment increased capability and doubled output, they have also boosted morale within the company.
“Our employees are excited to work on new equipment and to know we are investing back into them,” states Chance Doherty.
Along with the added space comes new job opportunities with fourteen (14) new positions filled within the first 6 weeks of the expanded facility opening.
While the company was originally established in 1959 by James Doherty as Doherty Ornamental Iron, Inc., a fabricator of porch, balcony and pool railings, in the early 1970’s, several of his customers requested he supply and install structural steel for upcoming projects.
By the end of the decade, structural steel fabrication and erection had become the majority of Doherty’s business. In 2006 the company name was changed to Doherty Steel, Inc.