Metal Head

Charlotte-based steel container company General Steel Drum was founded by Furman University Economics and Business Administration major Ed West (Class of 1965) in 1979. He sold the company to Myers Containers Inc. of Portland, Ore., but West, at age 74, continues to be an integral part of the plant which makes the drums, an “essential cog in global commerce.” General Steel competes successfully against much larger, billion-dollar competitors due to “world-class efficiency” and the private company’s focus on employees. Read more in the Business North Carolina article by David Mildenberg.