Rankin / Illinois / United States
In the early sixties Paul Greene purchased a Blacksmith shop to support his growing family. In a 24 x 80 building Paul transitioned from sharpening plow shears to manufacturing items such as cattle hay feeders, tractor duals, spring loaded hitch pins, and grease gun holders. Making grease gun holders included a lot of welding. In order to decrease the labor involved and to make a cleaner more attractive product, Paul consulted with a tool and die maker which resulted in the current holder design today. The need for fabrication equipment for the grease gun holders set the business up for the products made at Greene Galvanized Stairs today. Paul was selling short line farm equipment which had farmers asking for different products. One farmer wanted to buy a grain bin from Paul, and requested that Paul put the bin up himself. This sale led Greene Welding and Hardware, Incorporated into the grain bin business. Paul and his three sons, Bob, Dave, and Rex, built the bins while Cynthia, his wife, ran the office, sales, and hardware shop, plus kept the boys in line. The bin business grew more complex as the farms grew and available equipment increased. With the Blacksmith shop and some manufacturing capabilities, Paul and the boys started making products not readily available from suppliers. In 1974, the school from which Pauls four oldest children graduated closed, Greene Welding and Hardware, Incorporated bought the building, giving the business much needed growing room. This location has served Greene Galvanized Stairs well for the last 30 plus years. The need for a sectional stairway that would go in either direction, fit all sizes of bins, be easy to ship and easy to install was realized. Paul and his sons met the challenge and in the late 70s the Bin Stair was introduced and patented. In 1982 the Greene Galvanized Stairs for grain bins was introduced with fewer parts, more versatility and easier installation. This design is still current today. The product line grew first to Roof Stair, Walkarounds, Roof ladder handrails, and Peak Handrails, all for the roof of a bin. Manwalks, Conveyor supports and Towers were added to allow access between bins.
