The History of Bountiful Steel
Zitting, Lola; Hindman, Patricia. "A Long History Brings 'Bountiful' Employment to the Area.” Cedar County Republican, March 5, 2025
Bountiful Steel
What began as a small, converted auto mechanic shop in 1998 has since grown into a powerhouse in the steel fabrication industry. Bountiful Steel was founded by three hard-working family men—Tom Zitting, Mark Bradshaw, and Neil Wall—who sought to not just build a business, but to create a career closer to home that would build up the local economy.
Encouraged by James Zitting, who ran a small steel fabrication shop in Salt Lake City, the trio took a leap of faith, launching Bountiful Steel just outside of Stockton, MO. Tom, Mark, and Neil converted Tom’s 1,250 sq/ft auto mechanic shop into a make-shift fabrication shop, working with what they had to get the ball rolling.
Meanwhile, James sold his shop in Salt Lake and moved to Missouri to start Southern Trades with Guy Zitting, an endeavor that would become instrumental in Bountiful’s early growth.
Southern Trades took on handling contract acquisition, project management, and detailing while Bountiful focused strictly on fabricating steel.
One of our fabricators welding on a column
Like any startup, the road to success was anything but easy. However, a turning point came when James met a contractor managing the construction of Home Depot stores nationwide. Confident in their capabilities, James assured the contractor that Bountiful & Southern Trades could handle the steel fabrication for the projects. Securing that deal put Bountiful Steel on the fast track to expansion, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s history. Over the next several years, Bountiful would fabricate the steel for nearly 300 Home Depot projects over 48 different states.
In 2001, Bountiful outgrew its humble garage and relocated to a 5,000-square-foot facility, equipped with an overhead crane that drastically improved production efficiency. After this big move, new building additions became a yearly occurrence. By 2008, Bountiful had increased the size of their facility to 68,000 square feet and invested heavily in automation, implementing burn tables and a robotic beam line to further optimize production. Leadership changes also occurred during this period— Tommy Zitting, who had been involved since the beginning, officially became a partner in 2004, and Neil Wall departed in 2005.
Then, the economic downturn of 2008 struck. The financial crisis sent shockwaves through companies across the country, and Bountiful Steel was no exception. Southern Trades, which had been a primary source of work, went under. The Home Depot pipeline—once a steady and reliable stream of projects—suddenly vanished. The company faced its most daunting challenge yet.
Determined to overcome the challenge, Bountiful Steel adapted by restructuring its team. Key employees from Southern Trades were brought on board, including Josh Ashman (now Project Manager) and Heber Williams (now Detailer). Meanwhile, Tina Ashman (now Estimating Manager) and Hyrum Zitting (now Director of Detailing) transitioned from the shop floor to the office to handle crucial administrative tasks. For the first time, Bountiful Steel took full control of its estimating, bidding, detailing, and project management—responsibilities previously handled by Southern Trades.
Survival required difficult sacrifices. The fabrication crew was reduced from 30 employees to just 10. Demonstrating unwavering loyalty, employees agreed to deferred payroll and worked nearly a year without full compensation. No project was too small during this period—Bountiful took on anything they could get, including steel work for tennis courts and providing steel for what was, at the time, a Sears store, but is now known as Stockton Hardware. Their persistence paid off. By 2009, an increase in church and school projects signaled the beginning of recovery.
By 2012, Bountiful Steel was back on solid ground. That year marked two major milestones: first, the company took control of its own shipping, allowing for greater flexibility and improved service. Second, it earned its American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) certification, reinforcing its commitment to industry-leading quality standards. The certification required rigorous quality control processes, training for employees, and regular inspections, ensuring Bountiful met the highest standards in the steel fabrication industry.
The company’s next major leap forward came in 2016 with the launch of Skyhook Erecting, a partnership with Jacob Naylor (who is now the Director of Field Operations). The erecting crew would install the steel that the fabricators had prepped, bolting and welding the steel frames together on the job sites. This venture started modestly, with its first project—a small clinic in Patterson, Kansas— erected using limited resources and old equipment. That first year, they only erected two projects, but Bountiful saw massive potential in having a turn-key steel package. Meaning they would provide everything related to structural steel; including structural steel detailing, fabrication, shipping, and erecting. In 2017 the Company set a goal to grow the steel erecting division large enough that it could erect 100% of the work Bountiful was fabricating– something that seemed impossible at the time.
Heber Zitting, one of our structural steel erectors, welding at a job site
Skyhook is now a vital component of Bountiful Steel’s turn-key service model. In 2024, an astounding 90% of Bountiful Steel’s projects were turn-key and now, the goal of hitting 100% turn-key is in reach. Offering a comprehensive package streamlined operations and improved project efficiency, positioning Bountiful as a top choice for general contractors in Southwest Missouri and beyond.
Bountiful Steel’s impressive growth was not just a result of its technical expertise but also its strong company culture. The leadership recognized that employees were the backbone of their success. To foster a positive work environment, Bountiful Steel introduced several benefits for its team members, including free, homemade lunches every day, travel per diems, paid health insurance, work trucks, and discretionary bonuses– plus events like picnics, and parties for their families. These perks were integrated with the intention of conveying how valued and important the team is to the overall success of the company.
Another contributing factor to Bountiful’s continued success is its commitment to innovation and improvement. The company constantly seeks new ways to optimize its operations, investing in state-of-the-art equipment and technology. By integrating advanced fabrication techniques, improving safety protocols, and streamlining logistics, Bountiful Steel has maintained its reputation as a forward-thinking leader in the industry.
Beyond its internal operations, Bountiful Steel has made a significant impact on the communities it serves. Through its high-quality steel fabrication and erection services, the company has contributed to the construction of schools, churches, commercial buildings, and infrastructure projects that support economic growth and development. Its work is a testament to the importance of skilled craftsmanship and precision engineering in modern construction.
“Looking ahead, Bountiful Steel shows no signs of slowing down. The company continues to expand its capabilities, explore new markets, and refine its processes to stay ahead of industry trends. With a team of dedicated professionals, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to excellence, Bountiful Steel is well-positioned for future success,” said Lola Zitting, erecting office manager.
Zitting said for those looking to join a dynamic and forward-thinking team, career opportunities are available here. Interested individuals can also schedule a tour of the fabrication shop with Tracy Zerkle at (417) 955-4246. With a strong foundation and a future filled with opportunity, Bountiful Steel is poised for even greater success. As the company continues to evolve and push boundaries, one thing remains certain—Bountiful Steel is built to last.