A Brief History Of Isaacson Iron Works
In 1907, John Isaacson established a small blacksmith shop called Isaacson Iron Works. The iron products were known as Circle I Brand. The divisions within the company were: 1) Melting Division; 2) Quality Control; 3) Forging; 4) Heat Treating and Annealing; 5) Machining; 6) Galvanizing; 7) Steel Warehouse; and 8) Steel Fabrication.
In the forward to the book, Steel for the Future: Isaacson Steel, John Isaacson, the founder, wrote these words: "Circle I Brand Steel Products are wrought of high ideals, progressive design and experienced workmanship, all combined to develop the highest quality plus maximum service and efficiency."
During World War II, Isaacson Steel incorporated the Jorgensen Steel forging operations. According to the Jorgensen Forge Corporation, "The Navy built the plant facilities on property owned by Isaacson Iron Works in the late 1930's and it opened in 1940. It was designed to support the West Coast shipyards with forged and machined ship shafting. Later, the Melt Shop was added in 1942 for the production of ingots. Until 1963, Isaacson Iron Works operated the plant as a Navy facility. The plant was then purchased from the Government by Isaacson and sold to Earle M. Jorgensen two years later."
Jorgensen Steel later became known as Jorgensen Forge Corporation. The Jorgensen Forge Corporation is a major producer of stainless steel and aluminum alloy custom forgings and precision machined forgings.
Isaacson Iron Works was in operation from 1907 until 1983, when it closed its doors. Seaport Steel was then formed by purchasing the inventory and equipment of Isaacson Iron's Steel Service Division. Today, Seaport Steel is Seattle's largest independently owned structural steel and plate distributor.
In addition to the iron operations, Isaacson Steel manufactured tractor equipment, under the name of Isaacson Tractor Equipment. They produced matched factory equipment for International Tractors. They also produced blades and accessories for other brands as well. Their most famous was the Hydraulic Trac-Dozer for the International TD series. "Engineered for Balance," was the slogan. This division, which included a plant in Rockford, Illinois, was sold off near the end of 1950 to Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Co.