WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jim Risch, senior member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced the selection of K & T Steel Corp in Twin Falls as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for August 2021. K & T Steel Corp will be recognized for its contribution to the Twin Falls community in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate.
In the late 1950s, William “Bill” Koch Sr. and Lavear Thornock purchased K & T Steel Corp in Twin Falls to serve as the Magic Valley’s premier fabricator and manufacturer of steel and reinforced bar products. In its early days of operation, K & T Steel quickly earned a reputation for its high-quality production of beams, rebar, and fuel storage tanks, among other specialty steel products. Thanks to their superior work, K&T quickly became one of Twin Falls’ fastest-growing businesses and was eventually taken over by Bill’s son, Bill Koch Jr.
After 55 years of doing business, the Koch family made the decision to sell the business in 2014 to longtime employees Gary Palmer and Jamin Wills. With hard work and assistance from the Idaho Small Business Development Center, Gary and Jamin successfully assumed ownership and continued to grow K & T Steel’s business operations. Among their diverse portfolio, some of their most notable projects include the Shoshone Street Archway and the St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital sky bridge. To this day, the company continues to grow and provides over a dozen well-paying jobs to the Twin Falls community.
In addition to their work in manufacturing, K & T Steel Corp has a long-standing tradition of service to the Magic Valley. The business provides donations to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Health Foundation, sponsors the College of Southern Idaho’s Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs camp for children ages 12-17, and donated a stairwell to the Twin Falls Optimist Youth Ranch in 2018.
“K & T Steel Corp is a prime example of the resilience and can-do spirit of Idaho’s small business community,” said Risch. “For over six decades, they have been a key manufacturer in southern Idaho, and their involvement in the Twin Falls community is nothing short of admirable.”
“Congratulations to all of the employees of K & T Steel Corp on being selected as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for August 2021,” Risch continued. “You make our great state proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.”
Background: Idaho is consistently ranked one of the best places in the country to do business. Each month, Senator Risch selects an Idaho small business that exemplifies the Idaho values of hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and exceptional commitment to community.
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