About Frontier Galvanizing
Hot-Dip Galvanizing Service
Frontier Galvanizing (legal name, Frontier Hot-Dip Galvanizing, Inc.) has built its reputation on quality and corrosion protection durability for over seventy-five years. Based in Buffalo, the company provides hot-dip galvanizing services that help safeguard the infrastructure that communities rely on daily. Its work supports bridges, highways, stadiums, and utility systems, ensuring strength and long-term resilience for the structures that form the foundation of modern life. What began as a small local shop has steadily grown into a trusted partner in domestic and international projects, guided by values of responsibility, consistency, and trust.
Over the decades, Frontier Galvanizing has been recognized for technical achievements, highlighting its dedication to craftsmanship. One milestone came in 1998, when the company received the Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Award from the American Galvanizers Association for Franklinville Bridge #31 in New York. Such honors reflect not only the strength of the company’s work but also the attention to detail and process control that go into each project. This recognition represents the collective effort of the employees who ensure that the company’s standards are met daily.
The company’s history dates back to 1948, opening on Austin Street in Buffalo. At that time, the goal was to provide reliable galvanizing solutions to local manufacturers and contractors who required dependable results. Even in its early years, the business became known for its service, which combined practical solutions with consistent outcomes. By the late 1960s, infrastructure projects were expanding across the region, and it became clear that the original facilities could no longer meet growing industrial demand. This challenge set the stage for new ownership and eventual expansion.
In 1970, Ray V. Pierce and a group of shareholders acquired Frontier Galvanizing. Ray recognized that the company could move beyond the limitations of its original location and evolve into a regional leader in galvanizing. Within a few years, operations were relocated to the former General Drop Forge Corp. foundry at 1740 Elmwood Avenue. This move provided the necessary space and improved workflow for larger, more complex projects. Soon after, Ray was joined by his brother, Lewis G. Pierce. Together, they pursued a growth strategy that included land acquisitions, expanded indoor galvanizing capacity, and larger outdoor laydown yards. These steps allowed the company to handle bigger steel assemblies, fulfill higher-volume orders, and meet construction schedules more effectively. The client base also expanded, adding state Departments of Transportation, public utilities, major energy providers, and infrastructure contractors. To support this growth, the workforce increased to around forty full-time employees, a reflection of both the company’s ambition and the demand for its services.
Over the years, Frontier Galvanizing has focused on capacity, technological improvement, and environmental responsibility. Investments in continuous flux treatment, hydrochloric acid regeneration, and hex-free paintable passivation have allowed the company to enhance efficiency while reducing environmental impact. The company stays connected to industry research, best practices, and evolving standards through membership in the American Galvanizers Association and the Galvanizers Association UK & Ireland. These affiliations help ensure the company remains prepared to meet technical and regulatory changes in the field.
The portfolio of projects demonstrates the company’s broad reach and trusted role in infrastructure. Among the high-profile work completed are the Daytona Motor Speedway, the Peace Bridge between Buffalo and Fort Erie, Boston’s Green Line Extension, the Queensboro Bridge in New York City, and the Buffalo Bills’ new Highmark Stadium. Each project required technical expertise and the ability to deliver consistent quality within demanding schedules. Beyond North America, the company’s work has also reached international clients. Millions of pounds of galvanized steel produced in Buffalo have been exported to Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. This global reach demonstrates that clients worldwide trust the quality of steel prepared by Frontier Galvanizing, even in areas where galvanizing industries are already established.
Industry recognition continues to reaffirm the company’s position as a reliable partner. Awards like the Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing reflect the company’s teamwork, process control, and ability to meet specifications consistently. These acknowledgments also highlight the respect the company has earned within the galvanizing community over many years of service.
Today, leadership remains in the Pierce family, with Lewis G. Pierce and his son, Robert V. Pierce, guiding the company. Their leadership combines respect for established practices with openness to new technologies and modern strategies. Under their direction, the company continues to refine operations, strengthen client relationships, and explore opportunities in emerging markets. They carry forward the vision established decades ago while preparing the company for future challenges.
Looking ahead, Frontier Hot-Dip Galvanizing remains committed to its long-standing values. The company prioritizes quality assurance, workplace safety, environmental responsibility, and operational excellence. Whether reinforcing a bridge, securing a stadium framework, or supporting essential utility systems, the company applies the same care and precision that have defined its work since 1948. Frontier Galvanizing stands as a name that reflects trust and reliability, offering solutions that endure and ensuring its reputation remains as strong as the steel it protects.