2022 Metal Construction Hall of Fame
Al Kessel was born into the metal construction industry. His father, William O. Kessel, started Bradford, Pa.-based W.O. Kessel Construction Co. in 1934.
Kessel served four years in the U.S. Air Force. While he was proud of his service to his country, in 1966 he went to work in his father’s business. “He started out as an iron worker trainee, an apprentice, and quickly moved up to a metal building erector and did that for several years,” says Kessel’s brother Richard (Dick) Kessel.
In 1978, Kessel moved to Charlotte, N.C., and in 1980, he founded AR Kessel Inc. and ran it for 29 years. He retired in 2009 and passed away in July 2021. Unlike his family general contracting business, Kessel chose to concentrate on metal building erection and sales. He was a dealer for American Buildings Co. and Metallic Buildings, running multiple crews erecting for his own clients as well as for other builders.
“He was one of the very top metal building erectors in that part of the country,” says Dick Kessel. “His first building was 40,000 square feet and after finishing it Al decided to become an erector and be on his own. He started with one guy to work with him, he hired others and went from there. In the early days, he had a secretary and started working out of his house.”
Kessel’s nephew Tim Kessel, sales manager at Kirby Building Systems, Portland, Tenn., says, “Al was on the job site all the time for those first few years. He was very involved. He was well known for getting it done right. If you needed quality work done, he was the guy. I know several metal building manufacturers would go to him to fix a job that nobody else could fix.”
As a metal building contractor and erector in the Charlotte area he was well known for his quick humor and his high quality of work. His attention to detail and punctuality, along with a strong work ethic, made it possible for his business to thrive.
“Al Kessel showed everyone that you don’t need to be the biggest in town to be the most cost effective. He always set the standard for what the other guys in the industry were doing. He mentored people and helped them not make the same mistakes he made over the years.”
Finton Riggens, national sales manager for NUCOR Buildings Group, Xenia, Ohio
During his career, Kessel’s mentorship was sought after and highly respected. Tim Kessel says, “I still run into guys who tell me, ‘Your uncle was my mentor. It was just great to know somebody who knew the business better than I did who I could call and ask questions and get a straight-to-the-point answer.’ Al created a positive mentality toward metal buildings via his customers, general contractors and people he did business with.”
Associations
Kessel served in many capacities in various industry organizations. He was an original member of and helped build the Systems Builders Association in the Carolinas. He helped shepherd it through its change in the early 1980s to Metal Building Contractors & Erectors Association (MBCEA). Over the years, Kessel held director and advisor positions on the Carolinas Chapter Board, served on various committees and was integral in getting more builders and erectors to participate within the chapter. The Carolinas Chapter is arguably MBCEA’s largest and strongest chapter; this is in no small part to the foundation for success laid by Kessel.
“He wouldn’t just talk to members only at meetings,” Tim says, “he was very active in helping throughout the year. He would pick up the phone and go and see their businesses and help them become successful metal building erectors. That’s what he enjoyed as much as anything.”
Kessel received the Carolinas Chapter Oil Can Award that recognized his service to the metal building industry and contributions to the MBCEA. He was also inducted into the Pioneers Club for MBCEA members who have been in the industry over 25 years.
