By TESA STRASSER

The Press-News

In 1949, the late Kenneth Rainsburg came home from serving in World War II with the desire to start his own business.

That scrap and equipment dealership evolved into what is now the Sparta Steel and Equipment Corporation on Chestnut Street in East Sparta.

It is a family business in more ways than one. Kenneth's sons, Dave and Morris, have led the plant into this century. Dave's son and daughter, William and Tina, as well as Morris's son-in-law, James Willard, work at the family business. Both wives, Teresa and Jean, help out too.

With 30 employees, Dave says the whole staff is like family. They offer excellent medical coverage, despite the skyrocketing cost to do so. "That is what you do for your family," Dave stated.

For the last 60 years their customer base has been diversified. They work with agriculture, mills and village governments to name a few. Morris believes that to be one of their business strengths. They are not dependent on any one aspect of industry.

They offer pipe, new and used and expanded metals, both in a variety of sizes. Square, rectangular and round tubing is available as well as hot and cold roll rounds, squares strips and flats. Sparta works with stainless, aluminum, brass and bronze. They maintain a substantial inventory of galvanized and perforated sheets, angle channels, structural I beams and wide flange beams and re-bars. They do shearing, saw cutting, plate burning and chop sawing. Just about any steel product or service is available at this plant.

The clean condition of the plant is consistent with their desire to provide a positive work experience for their employees. All unused materials are recycled including many packaging materials.

Both brothers have Magnolia addresses and graduated from Sandy Valley High School. They grew up in Sandyville and have a deep commitment to their community.

During your next trip to Canton, look for artwork of steel. There is a good chance that the Rainsburg brothers donated the material for the sculpture. That is just another example of the giving family at Sparta Steel.