SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S PREMIER METAL & STEEL SERVICE CENTER
(239) 479-6220
GIVE US A CALL TO SEE HOW WE CAN HELP WITH YOUR METAL NEEDS
COMPANY HISTORY
The roots of Woods Metal Works date to 1963, when the namesake Woods family moved to a growing Fort Myers to carry on a sheet metal business started in Tennessee years earlier. Through the 1960's and 1970's the business grew and prospered, becoming the premier sheet metal shop in the Fort Myers area.
Beginning in the early 1970's, Woods Metal Works began to diversify into heavier metal work to serve the flourishing sugar mills around the south end of Lake Okeechobee. The company's expanded capabilities also led to jobs for the road building, power, and farming industries. The company thrived until Tom Woods retirement in 1979.
In 1986 the company was purchased by Ron and Deb Focht. The company's efforts were refocused to furnish work for the sugar mill and road building industries. DOT concrete forms became a mainstay for the company through the early 1990's.
The shop has continued to update and expand its facilities, equipment and capabilities allowing Woods Metal Works to become one of Southwest Florida's foremost job shops.
Recognizing a need for a local metal distributor, Woods Steel Division was founded in 1996. Woods Steel Division has grown to serve a wide range of industries.
ABOUT US
RON FOCHT
President
Ron Focht was born and raised in Waynesfield, Ohio. As a young man he worked with his father on the family's farm, working crops, raising hogs and cattle, and hunting squirrels.
After high school, Ron left the farm to study welding engineering at Ohio State University. After graduating from the five year welding engineering program, he took a job with Armco Steel Corp. as a Research/ Product Engineer. While working at Armco, Ron continued his education, gaining an MBA in finance from the University of Cincinnati.
In 1976 Ron, his wife Deb, and their three children moved to Fort Myers, FL. Ron and Deb purchased United Welding and Machine and began building relationships with other local businesses. The Fochts purchased John M. Booton, Inc. (DBA Woods Metal Works) in 1986. They continue to invest in the company, always looking for ways to grow and improve to better serve the Fort Myers area.
Ohio State University
Bachelor of Science Degree 5-yr Welding Engineering Program, 1963-1968
University of Cincinnati
MBA in Finance, 1969-1973
Armco Steel Corp. - Middletown, OH
Research/ Product Engineer, 1969-1976
United Welding and Machine – Fort Myers, FL
Owner, 1976-2001
Frank's Welding Supply – Fort Myers, FL
Owner, 1978-2000
John M. Booton,
Inc. – Fort Myers, FL
DBA- Woods Metal Works, Woods Steel Division
Owner, 1986-Present
Industries Served
For more than 40 years, Woods Metal Works has provided job shop fabrication and material to a wide range of industries.