History

WATCH VIDEO where it all started 1956 Walter’s Welding and Iron Works opened its doors on Upper Wellington Street in Hamilton, Ontario. The business began in a modest 24’ x 30’ shop. Primary offerings were ornamental iron for residential properties, porch handrails, fire escapes, and equipment repairs. 1956 1970s WALTERS RELOCATES 1970s After outgrowing its twice-expanded Wellington Street facility, Walters moved to 1318 Rymal Road East in Hamilton, Ontario. This new location has been expanded and reconfigured multiple times to adapt to changing work conditions and continues to serve as an important fabrication facility and the head office for Walters Group.

Throughout the 1970s, Walters key markets included local heavy industrial clients and general contractors, with a primary focus on projects in the Hamilton area and several federal prison projects in Kingston, Ontario.
 1970s 1980s Expansion 1980s The economic recession of the early 80’s hits Hamilton hard. Walters responds by rebranding itself as Walters Inc. and begins to seek work outside of its home market by expanding its industrial presence into the Pittsburgh steel industry market. learn more

In 1985 Founder Walter Koppelaar Sr. retires and passes the reins to eldest son Nicholas Koppelaar. The company begins to modernize and introduce state-of-the-art CNC fabrication technology.

We began developing our in-house capabilities for detailing structural steel, marking a significant milestone in our company’s history.

We established a strong partnership with Dofasco, a local steel company. This collaboration led to transformative retrofit projects and new steel construction opportunities.

 1970s 1990s learn more

In 1997, computerized detailing was introduced, and Walters's drafting boards were replaced.
Walters journey towards its leading position in the use of 3D technology was established.

In 1998, Walters acquires a fabrication facility in Allenport, Ontario and ‘Plant 2’
comes on line to support the growing workload.

 New Era 1990s In 1994 Nicholas Koppelaar retires from his tenure as President, and his youngest brother Walter Koppelaar takes over. 1980s 2000s Princeton 2000s Walters acquires a new greenfield campus and opens a state-of-the-art fabrication and coatings facility in Princeton, Ontario.

In 2003, Walters starts building a relationship with Metropolitan Metals of Manhattan, NY. And ultimately Metropolitan Walters LLC is born. WATCH VIDEO 1990s 2012 Stoney Creek 2012 Walters relocates its Queen Street facility to larger quarters in Stoney Creek, Ontario. The new facility provides lifting capacity of 150 tons and also houses the company’s in house training facility which it operates in partnership with Mohawk College of Hamilton. 2000s 2015 WATCH VIDEO BEST MANAGED COMPANY 2015 In 2015, Walters Group was recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and has maintained its standing every year since. It was also recognized as one of Canada’s Great Places to Work. 2012 2016 60 years 2016 Walters celebrates its 60th anniversary, having grown from a team of six to over 350 members.

After serving as President for 22 years, Walter Koppelaar transitions to the role of Chairman & CEO, while Peter Kranendonk steps in as the new President. 2015 2017 U.S. Expansion 2017
 In 2017, Walters Group completes a significant minority acquisition of ownership of U.S. company Dave Steel Company, Inc., a family-owned business with a long history in steel fabrication dating back to 1929.

Two plants, one in North Carolina and one in South Carolina, provide steel fabrication for commercial and industrial projects. Their capabilities, solid reputation in the industry, and strong culture makes Dave Steel a natural fit for Walters Group. 2016 2018 New Head Office 2018
 In 2018, Walters Group built a new head office in Hamilton, Ontario, uniting all employees under one roof in an inspiring and collaborative environment. This unique office space, spanning over 40,000 square feet, represents the essence of our work.

It boasts numerous features, including custom-made workstations, an in-house designed feature staircase, and state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Walters Group Head Office is a testament to our commitment to providing an exceptional workspace for years to come. 2017 2019 New Robotic Assembly Plant 2019 In 2019, Walters Group built a new state-of-the-art facility in Hamilton, Ontario. The Dartnall Plant is a highly automated fabrication facility featuring robotic assembly.

The facility was designed to improve production efficiency and precision, leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet the growing demands of the industry. The plant's advanced robotic automation capabilities streamline operations and deliver high-quality output, positioning Walters Group at the forefront of innovation in the fabrication sector. learn more

In 2019, Walter Koppelaar continued as Chairman, while Peter Kranendonk took on the role of Chief Executive Officer. Under their leadership, the company embarks on a new era of growth and development. Walter Koppelaar’s strategic vision and Peter Kranendonk’s operational expertise creates a dynamic leadership team committed to driving the company’s success. Together, they focus on expanding the company’s market presence, investing in new technologies, and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation within the organization.

 2018 2021 BOSTON 2021 In 2021, Walters Group partnered with BOSS Steel Inc. to strategically secure projects in the Boston Massachusetts area. WATCH VIDEO 2019 2024 U.S. EXPANSION 2024 Walters Group acquired 100% ownership of Dave Steel Company, Inc., marking a significant expansion of operations in the United States. This acquisition included the main office and fabrication shop in Asheville, North Carolina and the fabrication shop and paint shop in Chesnee, South Carolina.

By integrating Dave Steel's facilities and expertise, Walters Group aims to enhance production capabilities and broaden market reach. This strategic move not only strengthens our presence in the Southeastern U.S. but also allows for a more comprehensive range of services for clients. learn more

In July 2024, Walters Group established Walters Field Services USA with the purpose of securing steel erection projects while avoiding overlap with their existing operations at Metropolitan Walters in New York and BOSS Steel Inc. in Boston. This strategic move was designed to capitalize on growth in the U.S. market and create new fabrication opportunities for both Walters and Dave Steel. By forming Walters Field Services USA, we can expand service offerings, ensuring a seamless and efficient approach to steel erection projects across different regions. This initiative not only strengthens our market presence but also positions us for continued growth and innovation in the industry.

 2021 2025 STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS HAMILTON AND PRINCETON 2025 Walters Group has substantially invested in expanding buildings and equipment at the Hamilton and Princeton Campuses. The Dartnall Detail Plant and the Princeton Coatings Facility are being developed to increase capacity and throughput, enabling more shop-intumescent coatings. These expansions are designed as flexible spaces that can also be utilized for heavy fabrication, depending on market demands. 2024

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