Company History

The Steel Supply Company has proudly been in the Hjortland family for over 120 years. Prior to their ownership, The Steel Supply Company was founded by H.H. Miner (Henderson Horton Miner) started The Solid Steel Company in 1896 which was later incorporated as the Steel Supply Company in 1904.

The Steel Supply Company was born

Martin O Hjortland began working at the Steel Supply Company in the sales department in 1937. Then in 1939 after H.H. Miner passed away, he pooled money with warehouse manager, Emil Kus and sales representative, Clark Woodstock to purchase The Steel Supply Company. Later when Emil and Clark retired Martin and son Don purchases their shares to become a 100% family owned business. Martin passionately grew SSCO from its facility in Chicago to in 1952 building a new 25,000sqft. facility in Schiller Park, IL. where they remained for almost 20 years!

Breaking Ground 1952 Schiller Park

In 1944, just five years after purchasing the company Martin’s oldest son, Donald H. Hjortland began working in the warehouse. He then attended college at St. Olaf and Purdue, had a short career as an electrical engineer at the Potter Company, and served his time in the army before coming home to The Steel Supply Company in 1956 where he would continue to learn the business and expand into other areas no one imagined possible.

In 1971 Donald Hjortland became president of The Steel Supply Company after the unfortunate passing of his father.

Donald, while working for his father, saw an opportunity for a niche market and decided to start Precision Chrome Inc. out of his garage in 1966. Precision Chrome would handle all the hard chrome plating, induction hardening, grinding and polishing for SSCO and many other companies. What began in the garage now has grown into big business and occupies a 25,000sqft. space in Fox Lake, IL.

Six short years after Donald became president, his son, Skip Hjortland, came to work for Precision Chrome at the age of 14. Skip would spend the next 40+ years working and then running Precision Chrome along-side of his Father. This Dynamic duo would overcome challenges, grow the businesses and share many successes together. In 2018 after the devastating loss of Donald Hjortland Skip Hjortland became President of The Steel Supply Company. Skip proudly carries on his Grandfather and Father’s legacy by being a positive influential leader of both companies (The Steel Supply Company and Precision Chrome, Inc.).

Today, business along with its dedicated staff is stronger than ever and continues to maintain their quality, impressive inventory levels, and 99% customer satisfaction rate.