Hancock

Hancock

Forging a stronger future for Hancock Steel:

Hancock Steel is a structural steel fabricator based in Findlay, Ohio, specializing in architectural, ornamental, and miscellaneous steel fabrication. Originally created in 2007 as an extension of Charles Construction Services, the company had evolved into a focused steel fabrication business, but its brand no longer reflected what it had become or where it was headed.

Hancock came to Stewart Design because the market did not fully understand who they were, what they offered, or what made them different. Many prospects still associated the company with general construction, which limited growth opportunities and weakened its ability to stand apart in a competitive industry. Internally, the team also needed a clearer sense of focus, purpose, and pride.

Stewart Design helped Hancock reposition the business with a stronger name, clearer messaging, a refined visual identity, and a brand system built around precision, craftsmanship, and trust. We also developed the Perfect Fit Promise, a bold guarantee that captured Hancock’s commitment to doing the job right the first time and gave the company a powerful point of differentiation.

The rebrand helped Hancock communicate with greater confidence, strengthen internal alignment, improve market perception, and pursue larger opportunities. Following the transformation, revenue increased from approximately $6 million annually to $11.5 million. Profitability also nearly doubled, increasing from approximately 8 percent to 15 percent.

Stewart Design emerged as a strategic partner, collaborating with Hancock Steel to tackle these challenges head-on through clarity from the inside out.

Undergoing strategic rebranding, the company transitioned from ‘Hancock Structural Steel’ to ‘Hancock Steel’ to reflect its expanded services and to dispel misconceptions. Through collaborative workshops and consultations, we helped Hancock Steel articulate its core values and mission.

The resulting strategy, which emphasized Hancock’s esteemed reputation for quality and craftsmanship, was further strengthened by its bold Perfect Fit Promise: “Done Right. First Time. Guaranteed. For us, fit is more than a priority: it's our promise. We guarantee your steel will bolt in perfectly the first time, or we will provide labor and materials to make it right at no additional cost. At Hancock, we stand behind our word.”

Wenner noted, “I got some serious pushback from my project-facing people on this…they really were not happy with me on that. They have since taken to it and understood that it’s more than a message; it’s a deliverable. When we deliver on it, it really shines through to people.” This resonant clarity not only bolstered internal morale but also solidified trust and loyalty among both employees and clients.

Hancock's reimagined identity boldly showcases its promise, cutting through the dense competitive landscape with unabashed messaging that tackles misconceptions head-on. “That’s been a huge thing. I spent a lot of last year going out and meeting with other general contractors. “Why aren’t we seeing more work from you guys…is it because you think we’re still associated with Charles Construction?” And they’d be like, “Yeah, that’s exactly it.” So, me getting out in front of that and being able to look at them and say no we are not and taking it a step further and being right on our homepage with question and answer I have had quite a few people tell me that it created a relationship and for others it completely changed the trajectory of it because they were under the impression that we were in bed with their competitor.”

The Hancock identity exudes precision, organization, and strength, exemplified by its new letterform that cleverly forms a steel beam. This innovative design has garnered widespread praise from industry peers, enhancing Hancock's brand visibility and recognition. “We’ve gotten a ton of compliments on the new logo,” Wenner shared, “everybody in our industry is doing things the old school way. Their websites are terrible, social media is non-existent, some of them don’t even have a logo. They are very heads down in their business, trying to do things the way they’ve always done them. So, I’ve had a lot of our peers telling us our stuff is really sharp.”

Similarly, the 'Perfect Fit Promise,' represented by six components mirroring Hancock's letterform, cleverly mimics a bolt head. This symbolism underscores the company's unwavering commitment to impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail.

We assisted in updating all marketing materials, including signage, trucks, apparel, and promotional items, to reflect the new brand identity consistently. This comprehensive approach ensured a seamless transition and maximized brand exposure.

The newfound focus on Hancock Steel catalyzed a revitalized workplace culture, resulting in heightened employee satisfaction and retention rates.“We brought up a new estimator from Texas to our annual party and he sat down next to me while we were there and he said, “I just gotta tell you, this feels like family. I’m not really sure how you’ve done this when you’re not even here all the time but this doesn’t feel like a work party. This feels like family…” Wenner shared.

Ultimately, Hancock’s rediscovery yielded remarkable results, including improved brand recognition, expanded market reach, and increased profitability with incredible speed. This transformation solidified Hancock Steel’s position as leaders in the steel fabrication industry, marking a profound shift in its business trajectory.

"The rebrand has left our team feeling clear, focused, and motivated. What impressed us the most was Stewart Design's ability to deliver promptly, provide clear and actionable deliverables, and their unwavering dedication to craft. I realize that the goals that I have weren’t nearly as far fetched as I thought they might be. I can’t thank you guys enough. I didn’t really realize the impact it was going to have when we started the process but it has absolutely had a massive impact on the business.”

Weston Wenner, CEO at Hancock Steel

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"Without Stewart Design, we'd still be struggling to talk about who we are and what makes Hancock Steel different. We loved Stewart Design's discovery process and how they crafted our key messages and branding around these critical conversations. The change in management and strategies necessitated a long-overdue branding overhaul. Our goal was to align our identity and message with a clear purpose, and Stewart Design has helped us shine."

Weston Wenner, CEO at Hancock Steel

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Hancock

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