The Simpson Family has been in the San Francisco Bay Area building community since 1914, but it wasn't until the mid-1950s that they launched the business that would become a world leader in their industry. And it all really began with a visit from a neighbor.
"The doorbell rang one Sunday night in 1956," recalled Barclay Simpson, who took over a window screen business from his father in 1947. Outside was a neighbor who was looking to make structural connectors for the ends of 2x4s for a flat roof. Could Simpson help him out? "I said, 'Of course,'" Simpson said. "Then I went about trying to figure out whether I could."
It was that request for a joist hanger that led to the creation of Simpson Strong-Tie, a global company with more than $750 million in sales worldwide (2008), more than 2,000 employees, and 10 U.S. and eight international manufacturing locations. As a publicly traded company, Simpson Manufacturing Co. has had exceptional performance records since the company's 1994 IPO. As a result, it has consistently commanded the respect of industry analysts for its market leadership, strong fiscal management, and innovative approach to growth.
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