Worthington Enterprises

Worthington Enterprises, Inc.

Company type	Public
Industry	Manufacturing
Founded	1 January 1955 (1955-01-01) in Columbus, Ohio, United States
Founder	John H. McConnell
Headquarters	Columbus , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Andy Rose (CEO until 2024), Joseph Hayek (President and CEO from November 1, 2024)
Products	Pressure vessels (propane, oxygen, helium, refrigerants, industrial gases tanks), water system tanks, retail consumer products (Balloon Time helium tanks, Bernzomatic, Garden Weasel, General, HALO, Hawkeye, Level5 Tools, Mag-Torch, Pactool International)
Number of employees	~6,000

Worthington Enterprises, Inc.—previously known as Worthington Industries—is a manufacturing firm based in Columbus, Ohio. Its operations are divided into two primary segments: Consumer Products and Building Products. The company specializes in designing and producing pressure vessels, which include tanks for propane, oxygen, helium, refrigerants, and industrial gases. Additionally, it manufactures water system tanks used for storage, treatment, heating, expansion, and flow regulation. Worthington also markets a variety of retail items under several brand names.

Globally, Worthington Enterprises maintains 39 facilities, including Joint Ventures, and employs close to 6,000 individuals.

Consumer Products

Within its consumer division, Worthington Enterprises manages brands such as Balloon Time helium tanks, Bernzomatic, Garden Weasel, General, HALO, Hawkeye, Level5 Tools, Mag-Torch, and Pactool International. It holds the exclusive position as the sole producer of disposable 1lb propane cylinders in North America, sold under the Bernzomatic and Coleman labels. These cylinders cater to customers engaged in soldering, brazing, welding, and fueling cooking devices like camp stoves and grills commonly used in recreational settings such as parks and campgrounds.

Building Products

The building products segment focuses on manufacturing items for heating and cooling systems, construction applications, power generation equipment, water systems, and niche markets. It operates two Joint Ventures: WAVE (Worthington-Armstrong Venture) in partnership with Armstrong World Industries to produce suspended metal ceiling grids; and ClarkDietrich—a collaboration with ClarkWestern Building Systems and Dietrich Metal Framing—specializing in light-gauge metal framing and finishing components for both commercial and residential construction projects.

History

Established in 1955 by John H. McConnell, a steel salesman who recognized demand for custom steel processing, Worthington Industries began operations in Columbus, Ohio—its enduring headquarters location. During its inaugural year, the company generated revenues of $342,000 with an $11,000 profit and expanded its processing facilities throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In 1966, McConnell implemented a profit-sharing program. Two years later, in 1968, Worthington completed its initial public offering by issuing 150,000 shares priced at $7.50 each. The 1980s saw the company undergo significant expansion.

In 1996, John P. McConnell—son of the founder with over two decades of experience within the company in various capacities—assumed the roles of chairman and CEO. By 2000, Worthington Industries had shifted its stock listing to the New York Stock Exchange.

The firm strategically acquired companies to broaden its product range and increase market presence. Notably, in June 2017, it purchased Amtrol for $283 million; Amtrol is a leading provider of pressure cylinders and expansion tanks serving the U.S. plumbing and HVAC sectors. In January 2021, Worthington further extended its international reach by acquiring Germany’s PTEC Pressure Technology GmbH along with General Tools & Instruments Company LLC—known for over 1,200 specialized measuring and marking tools distributed globally.

In 2022, plans were announced to separate the Steel Processing division into two distinct publicly traded entities. This restructuring received Board approval in November 2023. Subsequently, on December 1, 2023, Worthington Industries split into Worthington Enterprises and Worthington Steel. Andy Rose continued as CEO of Worthington Enterprises while Geoff Gilmore was appointed CEO of Worthington Steel.

Continuing its expansion efforts in 2024, Worthington Enterprises acquired HALO—a company specializing in outdoor cooking products such as pizza ovens and grills—and Norway’s Hexagon Ragasco from Hexagon Composites. The company also established a joint venture focused on Sustainable Energy Solutions.

In October 2024, CEO Andy Rose announced his retirement; Joseph Hayek—formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer—was named president and CEO effective November 1, 2024.