Rough Brothers, Inc
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Greenhouse manufacturing and restoration |
| Founded | 1932 |
| Founder | Earl M. Rough, Robert T. Rough |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Richard Reilly (President) |
| Products | Greenhouses, greenhouse systems, restoration services |
| Parent | Gibraltar Industries (since 2015) |
Rough Brothers, Inc. (pronounced RAUH) is a privately owned firm specializing in the manufacturing and restoration of greenhouses, with its main office located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Established in 1932, Rough Brothers provides design, fabrication, and installation services for greenhouse structures and systems catering to commercial agricultural producers, research organizations, retail garden outlets, and conservatories. In June 2015, the company became part of Gibraltar Industries and operates alongside affiliated entities RBI Solar and RBI Structures. Its operational base remains situated in Cincinnati.
1932–1949
Originating from Indiana, Rough Brothers was founded by siblings Earl M. Rough and Robert T. Rough, initially concentrating on greenhouse repair and upkeep within the Indianapolis region. By 1946, the company broadened its scope to include turnkey construction and comprehensive greenhouse solutions tailored for commercial growers. At this time, Worth and George Rough joined the enterprise along with family associate Carl Trinkle. The firm’s early undertakings primarily served the Midwest before expanding across the United States.
1950–1980
In the 1950s, Worth Rough departed to establish a greenhouse company in California while George Rough pursued farming. Robert Rough died in 1969. Earl Rough stepped down as president in 1970 but stayed involved as an advisor; his son Cliff took over sales management duties. Carl Trinkle maintained responsibility for installation teams and sales operations. By 1977, leadership had transitioned to President Albert (Al) Reilly and Vice President Bruce H. Rowe, who redirected the company’s focus away from commercial growers towards conservatories, research institutions, and greenhouse restoration projects. This period saw increased production capacity alongside strengthened design and engineering departments.
1981–2000
Rough Brothers enhanced its market presence in 1988 through acquiring Lord & Burnham, a prominent American manufacturer of boilers and greenhouses that supplied approximately 90% of conservatories in the U.S., along with valuable designs and manufacturing assets. In 1991, Al Reilly consolidated control by purchasing Bruce Rowe’s shares. During the 1990s expansion of national greenhouse retail chains, Rough Brothers established specialized divisions addressing institutional clients, conservatories, commercial growers, and mass retail sectors. Growth within mass retail prompted upgrades in manufacturing capabilities such as steel fabrication and signage production, as well as expanded shipping operations. The Cincinnati headquarters grew to accommodate a dedicated team managing mass retail projects for major companies like Home Depot and Lowe's, overseeing bidding processes, construction management, maintenance services, and warranty administration. In 1995, the company earned the Greater Cincinnati Small Business of the Year award.
2002–present
Richard Reilly, son of Al Reilly and descendant of the founding family, assumed the presidency in 2002 and led strategic initiatives fostering continued expansion. In 2013, Rough Brothers acquired two additional greenhouse manufacturers—XS Smith, Inc., and Golden Pacific Structures—thereby extending production capabilities by utilizing XS Smith’s facility in North Carolina. The corporate structure evolved further when Gibraltar Industries—a manufactured goods company headquartered in Hamburg, New York—acquired Rough Brothers in 2015. Gibraltar continued broadening its greenhouse division by acquiring Nexus Greenhouse Systems in 2016 and Thermo Energy in 2020. After closing XS Smith in 2017 and discontinuing the Delta T product line in 2021, the organization rebranded as Prospiant, Inc., reflecting a wider range of products and services under new executive management.
Greenhouse Construction
Rough Brothers originally crafted greenhouses using wooden frameworks but shifted to steel and aluminum as production techniques evolved. The company was among the pioneers in utilizing polyethylene and fiberglass for insulation purposes. Following World War II, Rough Brothers introduced unique products such as the portable Steam-Flo Soil Sterilizer and energy-saving innovations including air-inflated double-wall plastic and fiberglass panels. They further enhanced a poly arch greenhouse design and created the Snap-Lock insert for poly insulating systems, which received endorsement from the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Today, Rough Brothers functions through four specialized divisions serving institutional (research and education), conservatory (construction and restoration), commercial (growers and retailers), and mass retail (garden centers) sectors.
US Botanic Garden
In 1999, Rough Brothers was awarded a $7.75 million subcontract to restore the historic US Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., contributing to a comprehensive $30 million renovation effort. This undertaking involved replacing nearly two acres of aluminum glazing with laminated shatter-resistant glass to improve safety and longevity.
Cincinnati Zoo Conservatory
Rough Brothers built the 31,000-square-foot Harold C. Schott Education Center at the Cincinnati Zoo, designed to support educational initiatives. The facility includes a 350-seat auditorium, ten classrooms, a distance learning studio, and a 5,000-square-foot “Discovery Forest” greenhouse housing a variety of plants and animals.
Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
Opened in 2007, this facility features an approximately 6,000-square-foot conservatory with diverse plant exhibits, an additional 6,000 square feet of greenhouse garden space, and an education center—showcasing Rough Brothers’ proficiency in botanical facility construction.
Lauritzen Gardens Conservatory
The Lauritzen Gardens Conservatory in Omaha represents a $31.5 million project encompassing 20,000 square feet divided into three areas: a 10,000-square-foot tropical house, a 5,300-square-foot temperate house, and a 2,000-square-foot gallery designed for floral exhibitions and events—demonstrating the firm’s ability to execute large-scale conservatory developments.