About

History

Building a legacy: Decades of innovation, craftsmanship & excellence.

A Legacy of Excellence

Since 1962, we have built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality products and services across a variety of industries. We have evolved into a multi-faceted enterprise spanning heavy steel fabrication, advanced machining, and defense contracting.

From humble beginnings in Charleston, SC, and a small tool and machine shop in Merrill, MI, we have grown top support critical national programs including nuclear navy construction, military vehicle production, and submarine contracts. Now as KEEL, our legacy of craftsmanship, innovation and excellence continues, as we bring over 40 years of experience to new challenges in vessel construction, maintenance, and beyond.

Timeline

1962

J.E. Corbin, Jr. founds Metal Trades in 1962 on barge-accessible waterfront south of Charleston, SC, with a single pickup truck and a welding machine.

1968

MERRILL Tool & Machine is founded by Gary and Mary Kay Yackel in a 3,000 square foot facility in Merrill, MI.

1970s – 1980s

Metal Trades expanded into Army ship repair work and further advanced into Navy work by the late 1980s. During this period, the company also secured a Drydock contract while continuing its Army repair operations.

2007

Pegasus Steel establishes operations in the United States to also support the delivery of thousands of MRAP vehicles.

2008

MERRILL commences its 1st leadership transition. Gary and Mary Kays’ sons – Bob and Jeff Yackel – transition into executive leadership roles.

2010

MTG Awarded SCWS Program. MERRILL is awarded a contract for Stabilized Commander’s Weapon Station (SCWS), enhancing the company’s reputation and catalyzing its entry into the defense industry.

2012

Pegasus Steel receives award to produce welded structures to NAVSEA specifications for the Ford-class Carrier Program, establishing Pegasus Steel as a supplier to the Nuclear Navy.

2015

Pegasus Steel is awarded its first NAVSEA submarine contract for fracture-critical structures and components for the Virginia-class submarine program.

2018

In its 50^th year, MERRILL implements a “One MERRILL” strategy unifying operational processes, unique-branded businesses, ERP systems, and financial reporting. The Advanced Planning and Execution (APEX) team is formed unifying the company’s engineering and planning process.

2019

Pegasus Steel is awarded its 1st Columbia-class submarine program contract.

2023

Metal Trades is merged with Pegasus Steel, bringing along its 40+ years of extensive experience in heavy steel fabrication, machining, vessel construction, and vessel maintenance to complement Pegasus’ nuclear navy structures business.

2024

KEEL is formed through the merger of Pegasus Steel and Metal Trades in the southeast with MERRILL Technologies Group in the midwest. KEEL now encompasses more than 1,100,000 square feet of manufacturing space with over 850 employees at nine facilities.