As the AEM Manufacturing Express made our way into Spartanburg, SC, it was clear that the town’s legacy as the “Hub City,” named for its historical role as an intersection of railroads, continues to influence the region’s industry. This is evident in Spartanburg Steel Products (SSP)– a hub from which manufactured steel and aluminum products course across the country.
The company originated as the steel production arm of tire manufacturer Firestone, before being purchased and rebranded as Spartanburg Steel Products (SSP) in 1982. Today, SSP is renowned for producing high-quality structural steel and aluminum products, commonly used in vehicle bodies. Their advanced, heavy-duty steel is essential to the automotive, agricultural, lawn and garden, and heavy truck industries. For many years, SSP served as a Tier II supplier for Ford and BMW but has grown their portfolio over the past two decades to include industry leaders such as John Deere, BMW, Kubota, OshKosh, and Caterpillar.
SSP employs around 400 people in Spartanburg, and their impact extends beyond manufacturing. In line with the broader responsibility of American equipment manufacturers, SSP not only builds the products that power industries but also plays a part in strengthening their local community. Through partnerships with charities like Total Ministries, which tackles food insecurity in the Spartanburg-Greenville area, and Habitat for Humanity’s Spartanburg chapter, SSP actively contributes to the well-being of their neighbors.
This sense of community was evident at today’s event. There’s a clear closeness between the team, from front office staff to shop floor employees. There is a value that SSP places on all of its people, recognizing long, tenured employees, sometimes with as many as 50 years of service – an achievement that speaks to the strong culture they are building together.
This has been the mission of SSP CEO Mark Whitten since he joined the company in 2020. “I got my start as an hourly manufacturing employee right out of college; it was the best job out there,” he says, “But I was always left feeling left out and unrecognized by supervisors. I’ve carried this with me my entire career and have focused on creating a culture here that treats every employee with dignity and respect.” To turn those lessons from his career into action, he strives to make all employees feel heard. Whitten began a practice for employees to submit questions and concerns that he answers via company-wide announcements, a practice he hopes creates a culture that stands out in the race to hire more skilled workers. “South Carolina is a special place for manufacturing—which is good, but also means that we are constantly competing for the best talent with other facilities within miles of our own,” he says, “I believe the culture we are creating here is how SSP will continue to stand out with a younger generation.”
Spartanburg Steel Products is a testament to the power of community and connection. SSP has not only built products that move the world but has also fostered a culture that values every voice. As Spartanburg’s “Hub City” heritage continues to influence its local business, SSP remains at the heart of this transformation.
