The Words Pacific Steel and Community Go Hand In Hand

When an oil boom comes to the area, we often see new companies popping up all around us. Pacific Steel and Recycling is not one of those companies. They've been serving the Basin area for over 74 years and have no intention of leaving. Their employee dedication and customer focus is bar none.

Pacific's road to becoming one of the most well known and respected steel and recycling giants began as a one man (Joe Thiebes) operation in Spokane, WA in the late 1800s. It began as a fur and hide trading business. In the early 1920s Joe Thiebes son, who was also named Joe, officially founded Pacific Hide and Fur Depot in Great Falls, MT. During World War I, the company expanded into collecting ferrous and nonferrous scrap. In the 1950s, this scrap metals endeavor eventually led into sales of new steel products. The Thiebes family business continued into the third generation. Their company steadily opened additional locations under the Pacific Hide & Fur name. Senior Joe Thiebes served as chairman of the board until his death in 1988. Today, Pacific's 100% employee-owned corporation has over 42 branches throughout several states.

Pacific Steel has recently built a new facility located at 13904 W. Front St., in Williston and will be holding their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, June 12th .

In addition to an extremely experienced staff, Pacific carries a vast array of products: culverts, bands, flared ends, angle iron, flats, pipe, channel, round stock, I Beams, expanded metal, bar grinding and grading, grip strut, floor plate, hot roll plate, hot roll sheet, welding supplies, plate rolling, etc.

Pacific Steel offers recycling of electronic items as well, paying for laptops, cell phones, PC towers and more. They will accept, but not pay for items such as monitors and keyboards. Call them for a complete listing.

Branch manager, Kelly Aldridge, and assistant manager, Bruce Wood, have both been with Pacific for over 26 years each and both admit, "The community is what we're all about. It's important to be a part of the community and to always give back."

Little known facts:

1) Utilizing scrap steel reduces CO2 emissions by 58% and reduces water-related waste by 70%

2) For every ton of recycled paper produced, over 50 pounds of pollution effluent is kept out of the air.

3) Recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy needed to make new aluminum.

4) Recycling one auto conserves 2500 pounds of iron ore, 1400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone.

Pacific Steel is open Monday - Friday from 8am - 5pm.