Company Name: Hancock Steel
Employee Name and Role: Weston Wenner, President & CEO
By Sarah Mayle
How long have you worked here, what do you do, and what do you enjoy about working here?
Findlay company Hancock Steel celebrated its largest project to date when it completed the steelwork for Sheetz’s new $169 million, 655,000-square-foot food production and distribution facility in 2025. Taking on such a vast project was a risk and a challenge – and its exciting success has propelled the company forward to a new level.
Weston Wenner, president and CEO of Hancock Steel
The Sheetz facility required more than 1,400 tons of steel. Up until then, Hancock Steel’s largest project had been around 500 tons. Employees worked almost exclusively on that project from January to June of 2025 on overtime to keep up with the schedule, and then in the second half of the year fabricated the miscellaneous pieces such as stairs, handrails, and guardrails.
Just a few weeks ago, it hit Wenner how far Hancock Steel has come when he and other company leaders began planning for a new upcoming project.
“We were talking through our workflow for our current projects, and we have a school project coming up – traditionally it would have been pretty decent sized,” Wenner said. “We were calculating everything, doing a per project breakdown and they all said, ‘Oh, that’s nothing!’ Two years ago, that would have felt like a big job, about a quarter of the size of Sheetz. I realized our perspective internally has shifted.”
Wenner took over as CEO of Hancock Steel when his family decided to sell its parent company, Charles Construction, in 2021. Along with the quest to provide a safe, stable and positive workplace for his employees, the growth and fulfillment that can be found in challenge is Wenner’s favorite part of his work.
“We are always up for a challenge. We are always willing to think outside the box and find a way to accomplish what others shy away from. It’s the way the company was started, and I really enjoy building upon that.”
Another view of the Sheetz facility. The distribution center, slated to go live in October this year and bring about 750 jobs to Findlay, was Hancock Steel’s largest to date.
What is produced / created / services offered by the company? What makes you stand out?
Hancock Steel is a structural and miscellaneous steel fabricator serving the industrial, medical, institutional, commercial and multi-family residential markets. Located at 813 E. Bigelow Ave. in Findlay, they are able to ship steel anywhere. When it comes to projects that require on-site management, the company typically sticks to about a 150-mile radius from Findlay.
“We manufacture the pieces that become the skeleton of large structures,” Wenner said. “We offer material procurement, detailing, fabrication and some design-build services.”
While there are many steel fabricators in Ohio, Wenner said one reason Hancock Steel stands out is their readiness to accept a challenge. Their motto captures Hancock Steel’s persona well: “Let our team create your dream out of steel.”
Wenner remembered a recent project for the Ohio State University’s Marion Campus. The builders sought out Hancock Steel from Columbus – they couldn’t find anyone willing to create what they needed.
Ohio State University’s Newton Hall in Marion. The facility includes flexible classrooms, informal learning spaces and offices.
“The only downfall is no one gets to see (the steel); it gets covered up.”
Hancock Steel is also committed to the highest standard of quality and focus each day on the job. They are American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) certified and are committed to doing things right the first time.
“We aren’t perfect by any means – however we strive for excellence in all areas of our business,” Wenner said. “The construction industry can be extremely volatile; we strive to be the firm that brings our clients a sense of relief when they know we’re the steel team on their project. I want to be known as the firm that pays attention and does everything we can to make sure it all goes right the first time.”
And the rare instances that there is a mistake?
“We own it and we make it right.”
In addition to the Sheetz Distribution Center, some of Wenner’s favorite projects are:
- Several Phases of the Kenworth Automotive Plant in Chillicothe, OH
- The Ohio State University’s Newton Hall in Marion, OH
- Bluffton University Science Service Center in Bluffton, OH
- GTI Cannabis in Lucas County, OH
- Wyandot Memorial Hospital Medical Office Building in Carey, OH
- The Hancock Hotel in Findlay
A view of Hancock Steel’s work on the $89 million, 45,825 square-foot plant expansion to Kenworth Truck Company, in
Chillicothe, Ohio. The company builds Kenworth trucks and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024.
Another view of the Wyandot hospital office building project.
What is your founding story?
The Wenner family has been doing business in Hancock County since the early 1900s. Weston Wenner’s grandfather, Charles “Bill” Wenner, worked for Hancock County in the 1950s, serving as the Hancock County Extension Agent and director of the Ohio County Extension Agent’s Association. He also organized the Hancock County Planning Commission and served as its director. In 1983, Weston’s grandfather and his dad, Chuck Wenner, founded general contracting firm Charles Construction in Findlay.
Years later in 2005, Charles Construction was building the facilities for the Owens Community College Findlay campus when the steel fabricator they contracted for the job went out of business. They needed specialized steel for the canopy at the front of the building. Chuck Wenner asked Andy Boyce, an iron worker with welding experience who had worked for Charles since 1988, if he thought he could do it.
“He took the challenge and ran with it,” Wenner said of Boyce, who is now vice president of fabrication for Hancock Steel. “The company was made out of necessity. We already had a steel erection crew at Charles Construction. It just made sense.”
Boyce’s work was a success, and shortly after that Chuck Wenner created Hancock Steel, with Boyce as “employee No. 1.” It wasn’t until 2021 that Weston Wenner became its CEO.
An only child, Wenner worked for Charles Construction in the summers from age 12 until he went to college. He knew his dad would enjoy a father-son partnership but never pressured him to take over the business. In many ways, Chuck Wenner encouraged Weston to look beyond construction.
“He brought me in when I was 12 to teach me work ethic, but mostly my dad pushed me to do other things,” he said. “He wanted me to do something that in his mind was bigger than construction. He felt construction could be a dog-eat-dog world…but in my experience it doesn’t matter what business you’re in.”
Wenner attended college in south Florida, and when he came home during two of the summers, worked at Hancock Steel, welding and learning the trade with Boyce in the fabrication shop. “I was employee No. 2 of Hancock Steel in 2005, prior to it being officially incorporated.”
Wenner also returned from college and conducted business development for Charles Construction and Hancock Steel for about two years.
Experimenting in different roles, Wenner moved back to Florida and gained a wealth of experience in sales, management, IT and recruiting. He moved to Colorado, then Utah, where he worked in cultivation and as a construction consultant for the medical marijuana industry. In the fall of 2021, his dad gave him a call.
Chuck Wenner was ready to sell Charles Construction – and he asked for help with the process.
“He started the business with his Dad; that business was his life. Besides me, the business was his other baby,” Weston Wenner said. “He developed some health complications from the stress. And so, I jumped on a plane and went back and forth for a few months, and we were able to finalize the sale of Charles Construction.”
Charles Construction was sold, but Hancock Steel remained.
“It’s not something I ever foresaw in my future, but life presents some of the best opportunities when you least expect them,” Wenner said. “Hancock Steel had been there to support Charles’ projects and a few others, but no one had put any real intention behind it to make it grow. Through discussions with my father and Andy (Boyce) about what we were doing and where we could go, I decided to step in as CEO and see what we could turn it into.”
Since Wenner’s start in 2021, Hancock Steel has grown significantly, taking on projects like Sheetz, building a 13,000 square foot addition to the shop, purchasing new fabrication equipment to expand their capabilities, and now employing 23 people. He’s looking to employ more and, in time, move from a one-shift operation to multiple shifts.
“We’re growth-focused; this is only the start,” Wenner said. “As we grow in capabilities our organization itself will continue to grow and we will always look to draw talent from the local community; we’re always looking to bring exceptional people to our firm. Fabricators, welders, material handlers and operators, as well as positions in the office like project managers.”
While Wenner does not reside in Hancock County, he spends half of each month at the office in Findlay and the other half running the firm remotely from his home in Utah. The firm also employs two remote estimators, both located in the Southern US.
“We are a true hybrid organization with some employees working in-office and others remotely,” Wenner said. “Prior to Covid this wouldn’t be possible, but technology makes it work. I’m thankful we can do it – it has been working well for us.”
Another view of Hancock Steel’s work at Bluffton University’s science center, which opened in the fall of 2023.
What are your company’s core values?
Wenner said his role is centered around Hancock Steel’s mission statement:
At Hancock Steel, we are dedicated to exceeding the standard in structural and miscellaneous steel fabrication through unwavering commitment to quality and excellence. As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in our motto, “Done Right. First Time. Guaranteed.”
Our mission is to our employees, providing them with the tools and support to make informed decisions that drive success for both our company and our customers. By putting our people first, we ensure that every project is delivered with precision, integrity, and respect for timelines and budgets. In return, we strive to build lasting partnerships by exceeding expectations, fostering trust, and delivering results that stand the test of time. Together, we forge strength in steel and relationships—one project at a time.
“Ownership. Accountability. Honesty. Integrity. Fairness – We are stronger together and when we work together, we all win,” Wenner said.
Their values:
Helping others win – when a project is completed on time and within budget, our clients win, and we win.
Treat every project like it’s our own.
Focus on what matters – relationships with customers.
What has been your involvement with the ED office? Do you have a favorite project you were involved with?
Hancock Steel became a member of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development in 2025. Starting this year, Wenner will serve a three-year term as an ED Advisory Council member.
“I was honored to be asked,” Wenner said. “When I started as CEO of Hancock Steel, people didn’t know who we were, so we have been trying to do more outreach in the community. I’m happy to be involved and am really looking forward to serving on the board.”
Wenner said he is grateful to the ED office for standing behind Hancock Steel as they were vying for the Sheetz project, providing positive input on their behalf.
Are you involved in the community?
It is important, Wenner said, to encourage young people to get into the trades – there is a shortage now of skilled-trades workers. Hancock Steel has connected with Millstream Career Center and Owens Community College to help in ways they can.
In 2024, as part of Steel Days, an outreach program through the American Institute of Steel Construction, Hancock Steel hosted two groups of students to teach them about the business and show them the steel shop. It’s a start, and they look forward to getting more involved.
“We are almost always hiring – it’s important to build more awareness of the trades and provide exposure to the types of things we do.”
If there were one takeaway you would want people to have about your company, what would it be?
“We believe that by collaborating and cooperating with each other, the community will thrive. When the community thrives, everyone wins.”
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Hancock Steel completed the steelwork for The Hancock Hotel, a staple of Downtown Findlay.
