About Us

Our History

  • 1979Oklahoma Steel & Wire Opens

    B. L. Moore and his brother-in-law, Robert Lockridge, founded Oklahoma Steel and Wire, located in Madill, Oklahoma, with the sole purpose of manufacturing livestock panels.

  • 1982Rolled Fencing Production Begins

    In an effort to broaden the product line beyond livestock panels, barbed wire and field fence machines were purchased and installed early in 1982, with production beginning later that year.

  • 1989Iowa Steel & Wire Re-Opens

    The Moore family re-opens Iowa Steel & Wire in Centerville, Iowa, with manufacturing centering around industrial wire products.

  • 2002Max-Tight Products Introduced to Product Line

    As market demands increased for a horse-safe, non-climb fencing, Max Tight Horse Fence was introduced into the OK Brand Product line.

  • 2004Mid American Steel & Wire is Established

    Mid American Steel and Wire, in Madill, Oklahoma, was established to ensure a reliable supply of steel rod.

  • 2010Max-Loc Products Production Begins

    To meet customer requests for a high-impact tight-lock fencing, our OK Brand Max-Loc Fencing was introduced and production began.

  • 2011Mid American Steel & Wire Melt Shop Opens

    To keep pace in an ever-changing steel market, construction of the Melt Shop Division was completed and production started.

  • 2015First EVG Welder

    To meet the high demand for structural welded wire fabric, and commodity mesh, installation of a new EVG welder was completed.

  • 2017Additional EVG and Straight and Cut Machines

    With continued market growth, the need for more high speed and efficient welders was still a priority. Installation of a second EVG Welder and high- speed Straight and Cut Machines were completed.

  • 2018Schlatter Welders

    With expansion into mine mesh, box culverts, and pipe fabric, along with the continued growth in structural reinforcement, more welders were needed. In April, installation was completed on the first of two Schlatter Welders.

  • 2020 Wire Plant takes direct hit from EF2 Tornado

    During the afternoon and evening of April 22, 2020, an outbreak of discrete supercell thunderstorms across portions of Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana led to widespread severe weather, including multiple strong tornadoes. An EF2 hit the town of Madill and Oklahoma Steel took a direct hit.

  • 2021 Tornado Rebuild Completed

    After nearly 8 months of rebuilding all departments return to full production.

The Moore Family (2015)

In 1979, B. L. Moore and his brother-in-law, Robert Lockridge, founded Oklahoma Steel & Wire, located in Madill, Oklahoma, with the sole purpose of manufacturing livestock panels. The company experienced steady expansion and soon included a comprehensive product line for agricultural and industrial markets. Today, OKBRAND products can be found across the United States. 

Market demand created the need for a rod source to ensure a sufficient, reliable supply of steel rods to meet their expanding market. In 2004, Mid-American Steel & Wire, in Madill, Oklahoma, was established, employing 238 additional employees. In 2011, to keep pace in an ever-changing steel market, construction of the Melt Shop Division was completed and production started. Mid-American Steel keeps Oklahoma Steel and Iowa Steel supplied with wire rods and allows them to stay competitive in the marketplace.

Although Bob Lockridge lost his battle with cancer in 1982, Max Moore lost his life in a mid-air collision in 2000, and in early 2011 with the passing of B.L. Moore, the family continues to own and direct the daily operations of the companies. The family’s philosophy for continuous improvement of products and service, with a strong commitment to their employees and their customers, has guided Oklahoma Steel & Wire and Iowa Steel & Wire to becoming industry leaders.

Our Mission

We are committed to providing the highest quality products at the most competitive prices in the safest working environment possible. We are driven to support our customers and the wire industry with unsurpassed standards of service and reliability. With these goals and commitments, we maintain an environment that promotes long-term growth for our valued customers and the industry.