When you step through the frames made by Steves & Sons, you are opening the door on 153 years of family history.
"My great, great grandfather started a lumber company here in San Antonio in 1866, and I'm proud to say is the oldest company in San Antonio that is family owned," Steves & Sons, Chief Executive Officer, Edward Steves said.
In 1955 the Steves family got into the door business.
"It was just a natural progression I think at the time. Right after the war there was a need for a lot of doors and a lot of door frames," Edward Steves said.
As their business evolves with the times one thing remains the same—family.
"I'm the fifth generation that is in management. My brother and I are partners and we have the 6th generation our kids are with the company, and we have the 7th generation that are just out of diapers but they are ready to come," Edward Steves said.
You can find a Steves taking the reins in almost every area of the business.
"My biggest memories were saw blades and sawdust. I remember those smells and sounds growing up... We have sawdust in our veins and it's been great to do it all with my family," VP/GM of Logistics. Marshal Steves said.
Growing up the 6th generation learned the ins and outs of the door making industry.
"It's said that my grandfather taught everybody how to run the business," Steves & Sons, GM San Antonio Door Plant, Sam Bell Steves III "Tres" said. "But my grandmother taught us how to keep the business. And legacy is really important to her and stewardship was really important to her."
"Family first for me that has been such a large part of it I think we've learned that from each one of our family members," Steves & Doors, Gloria Galt Steves Dilley said.
More than a century of tradition makes Steves & Sons the oldest family owned business in San Antonio
With a focus on innovation they continue to "open the door" on new jobs and great products for homes across the country.
"We don't feel like we are owners of this company we feel like we are temporary stewards of a family heritage that started 153 years ago, and our children feel that way, and hopefully our grand kids will feel that way too," Edward Steves said.