About Us
Our History
More Than a Century of Excellence
IKG is known as a pioneer in grating, having applied the first use of steel mesh grating to the New York Subway System over 100 years ago. Since then, IKG has been designing and developing new and innovative uses for this versatile product. From power plants to petroleum refineries, shipyards to large scale factories, IKG provides quality products to major businesses throughout the industrial sector.
- The first mass-produced grating for ventilation for the New York City subway system in 1912.
- First railroad tops with open mesh
- First open-mesh decking for bridges (for the University Bridge in Seattle, Washington, in 1932)
- First engineered portable landing mats to be accepted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for use in World War II.
- The first MEBAC metal non-skid process was patented in 1977, and soon after, IKG acquired MEBAC Inc. for its anti-slip coatings.
- Steel MEBAC was introduced in 1985.
- In 1992, IKG Industries patented its new Safe-T-Grid® extruded aluminum grating.
- In 1998, IKG Industries patents its adjustable closed riser MEBAC Z-Tread.
- GrateCoat Powder Coat Finish becomes the latest addition to IKG Industries portfolio of products in 2005.
- To provide further innovative solutions to the industry, in 2014 IKG adds a new blast cabinet and a PLC-controlled coating house to its manufacturing process.
- With the addition of our GratingBIM modeling services in 2017, IKG remains a pioneer in grating and continues the tradition of delivering innovative value to our customers.
- In 2022, IKG opened a new manufacturing facility, MESA, in Houston, TX, launching their Miscellaneous Steel product line and expanding production for aluminum grating products.
A History of Innovation
IKG continually builds upon its history of providing innovative solutions to the industry and proudly holds an extensive list of historic accomplishments along with many “firsts” in the grating industry.
The Early Days
The story begins in 1902 when Walter Irving establishes Irving Iron Works Company in Long Island City, New York. Just ten years later, Irving manufactures the first mass-produced grating for ventilation for the New York City subway system. The reticulated wrought-iron riveted grating process was patented in 1912.
Irving continued its manufacturing innovation with the first riveted HV bridge deck installation on the University Bridge in Seattle, Washington in 1932. Irving Iron Works—now known as Irving Subway Grating Co. Inc.—contributed to the war effort by supplying over 1,500,000 square feet of Irving Airfield Mats to speed the tactical installation of airfields during World War II.
Mergers and Acquisitions
In 1965, Harsco Corporation acquired Irving Subway Grating Co., Inc. and one year later acquired Kerrigan Iron Works Co. and Gary Gratings from Rockwell-Standard Corporation. The present day IKG name was the result of Harsco Corporation merging Irving Subway Grating, Kerrigan Iron Works and Gary Grating companies into IKG Industries in 1969.
In 1986 Harsco Corporation purchased Borden Metal Products Co. and merged it with its IKG Industries division.
In early 2020, KPS Capital Partners acquired IKG from Harsco Corporation.
In March of 2024 IKG was acquired by the joint venture of Meiser and Dutco from KPS Capital Partners – uniting over a century of trusted bar grating and anti-slip expertise to form the world’s largest grating manufacturer.
Known as the “father of the open steel flooring industry”, Walter Edward Irving opens a steel fabricating shop in the Bronx, which he names Irving Iron Works.
Developed the “Modern” non-skid sidewalk grating for New York’s early subway system. Irving Subway Grating.
Reticulated riveted grating is patented. Grating is used for industrial purposes for the first time.
IKG begins operations in Mexico under the name Irving®.
Harsco Corporation acquires Borden Metal Product Company and expands its operations into IKG Industries.
IKG Industries changed its name to Harsco Industrial IKG, broadened solution offerings, and extended its global base as one company – under one name.
Launches BIM solution as the premier metal grating engineering software
KPS Capital Partners, LP Acquires IKG from Harsco
Completed construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Queretaro, Mexico, marking the relocation of our legacy plant
