Merrill Iron & Steel, Inc. began in 1962 when Roger W. Hinner purchased a 5,000 sq. ft. foundry building located in what was known as “Tannery Town” in Merrill, WI.  The Company’s primary business of providing fabricated steel bulk storage bins to the local farming community quickly grew to a commercial level of the agricultural industry and soon Merrill Iron & Steel was constructing complete design/build feed mill, seed processing and drying facilities throughout the Midwest.  In 1975 having outgrown the “Tannery Town” facility, the Company designed and a constructed a new 33,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility located on Water St. in Merrill, WI.

In the early 1980’s faced with a significant drop in demand for fabricated agricultural products, Merrill Iron & Steel expanded its business to include the fabrication of structural steel and heavy plate for the general construction industry. The Company continued to operate both the structural and agricultural business lines out of the Merrill plant. Over time, the Company experienced growth with both product lines and ultimately expanded the Water St. facility an additional three times.

In 1995 in order to accommodate the continued growth of the Structural Steel division the Hinner family purchased a 365,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Schofield, WI.  This facility provided the Structural division with ample production space and accessibility to a larger qualified workforce.   1998 was a transitional year for Merrill Iron & Steel, Inc., leadership opposition and the physical split between the Structural and Agricultural divisions led to an overall Company separation.  The Structural division retained the Merrill Iron & Steel, Inc. name, is owned by Roger E. Hinner, Rick A. Hinner and Karen L. Rajek and currently operates out of the Schofield facility. 

Under the direction of Roger E. Hinner, Merrill Iron & Steel, Inc. has continued to prosper and today represents a modern and comprehensive fabrication facility equipped with the latest equipment and staffed with a highly skilled workforce at every level of the organization.  In 2005, Merrill Iron & Steel, Inc. fabricated in excess of 45,000 tons of steel and serviced a diverse range of construction projects throughout the country.