The origins of REH Holdings, Inc. began in York, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1930 as H. J. Williams Co., Inc. During the next four-plus decades H. J. Williams grew into one of the foremost heavy and highway contractors in the region, building roads and bridges in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
In 1973, H. J. Williams Co., Inc. diversified by acquiring Elderlee, Inc., Oaks Corners, New York (halfway between Rochester and Syracuse, New York). It provided the following capabilities:
As part of the 1973 transaction, the company also acquired L.S. Lee, Inc., a Pennsylvania guide rail division located in Harrisburg, PA. The following years, this operation relocated to York, PA, and within five years time expanded operations into Maryland and Virginia.
In 1983, Bethlehem Steel Corp. approached the company with an offer to sell its specialty products division in Buffalo, NY. L.S. Lee and Elderlee were their largest customer for guide rail “W-Beam” panel and also a large supplier to this division for guide rail posts and hot-dip galvanizing services. Sensing a perfect complement to their business, the company acquired what became Buffalo Specialty Products, Inc. During the next 14 years of ownership, Buffalo Specialty’s sales grew substantially to become the second largest supplier of guide rail to the United States. In August of 1997, Buffalo Specialty Products was sold to Trinity Industries, Inc., of Dallas, TX.
Helm Coal Corp. was formed in 1983 as a holding company and what resulted were three wholly owned operating companies: Elderlee, Inc., L.S. Lee, Inc., and Buffalo Specialty Products.
In 1984, H. J. Williams Co. was sold – completing the transition from road building to specialty contracting and manufacturing – our focus then and today.
In the early 2000, Helm Coal Corp. was renamed in honor of Robert E. Hirschman – our founding father to REH Holdings, Inc.
In 2015, REH Holdings, Inc. expanded its operations by opening Lee Fence and Outdoor, LLC. The division was formed to deliver a modern fence experience in Central Pennsylvania and Maryland marketplaces enhancing the speciality contracting aspect of the business. The company delivers residential, commercial, and wholesale products and installation of fence, deck, handrail, and access control solutions.
Today, REH Holdings Inc. can be best described as a mix of specialty contracting (75%) and manufacturing (25%).
One of REH Holdings's initiatives is to recruit and retain a high performance workforce. Our total compensation package for most full-time jobs includes excellent health and retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and personal time.
