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Clayton Zekelman

Clayton Zekelman

C. Zekelman
0% | + $0.00M
$2.11 B ₹ 19,154 Cr
Real Time Net Worth #1952 Ranking as of 21 Feb 2026 By Forbes

More on Clayton Zekelman

Gender

Male

Age

64Y

Country

Canada

Born On

January, 1962

Deceased

No

Relationship Status

Unknown

Children

Unknown

Education

Unknown

Designation Info :

Self-Made

No

Entrepreneur Type

Inherited (Expanded Family Business)

Primary Organization

Zekelman Industries

Titles

Co-Owner

Sources of Wealth

Zekelman Industries

Industry

Manufacturing, Metals, Steel

About Clayton Zekelman


C layton Zekelman, along with his brothers Barry and Alan, is a principal owner of Zekelman Industries, one of North America's largest independent manufacturers of steel pipes and tubes. The company's origins lie in Atlas Tube, which was founded by their father, Harry Zekelman, in 1984. The brothers inherited the business and worked together to expand its scale and reach, becoming dominant players in the structural steel industry.

The family sold a majority stake in their company to the Carlyle Group in 2006, but in a bold move, they bought it back in 2011, regaining full control. Under the brothers' leadership, the company, renamed Zekelman Industries, has grown through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of several other steel tubing companies. Clayton has played a key role in the company's operational and strategic direction. The Zekelman brothers are known for their deep expertise in the steel industry and their commitment to manufacturing in North America.

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Quick Reads


  • Co-owner of Zekelman Industries, a leading North American steel pipe and tube manufacturer.
  • The business was founded by his father, Harry Zekelman, as Atlas Tube.
  • He runs the company with his brothers, Barry and Alan Zekelman.
  • The family sold the company to a private equity firm in 2006 and bought it back in 2011.
  • Zekelman Industries has grown significantly through a series of acquisitions.

Early Life and Background


Clayton Zekelman is a Canadian-American businessman and a billionaire co-owner of Zekelman Industries, the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America. His wealth is rooted in the family's multi-generational commitment to the industrial steel sector in Canada and the United States.

His entrepreneurial journey was launched by family tragedy and necessity: in 1984, his father, Harry Zekelman, founded Atlas Tube. However, tragedy struck shortly thereafter, forcing Clayton and his brothers, Barry Zekelman and Alan Zekelman, to assume ownership of Atlas Tube in 1986. This immense responsibility at a young age forged a unified, relentless business philosophy centered on industrial efficiency, vertical integration, and aggressive growth.

Career Journey of Clayton Zekelman


Clayton Zekelman's career, alongside his brothers, has been defined by a strategy of aggressive consolidation and vertical integration. Their core business expanded through the acquisition of rival pipe and tube manufacturers (like Wheatland Tube and the subsequent formation of the JMC Steel Group in 2006). Clayton's focus has been on the operational management and strategic growth of these industrial assets.

The family acquired complete ownership of the JMC Steel Group in 2011, and in 2016, the company unified all its operating divisions under the Zekelman Industries name. Today, the company manufactures products like steel hollow structural sections (HSS) and fence framework, positioning them as an indispensable supplier to the construction, oil, and gas sectors. This vertical control and market dominance secured the siblings' collective multi-billion dollar fortune.

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Clayton Zekelman's Timeline


1984:

Atlas Tube is founded by his father, Harry Zekelman (Founding).

1986:

Clayton, Barry, and Alan assume ownership of Atlas Tube (Succession).

2006:

JMC Steel Group is formed through the combination of John Maneely Co. and Atlas Tube (Consolidation).

2016:

JMC Steel Group changes its name to Zekelman Industries; launches Z Modular (Corporate Restructuring/Innovation).

Ongoing:

Continues as a major co-owner, overseeing the vast manufacturing conglomerate (Executive Oversight).

Major Business Ventures and Investments


Clayton Zekelman's wealth is concentrated in his controlling stake in the private industrial giant, Zekelman Industries, and its manufacturing subsidiaries.

  • Zekelman Industries (Co-owner): The core private asset, North America's largest independent manufacturer of steel pipe and tube products. The portfolio includes Atlas Tube, Wheatland Tube, and Sharon Tube.
  • Z Modular (Investment): The company launched Z Modular in 2016, an innovative company focused on reinventing modular building and construction processes, diversifying into modern infrastructure.
  • Domestic Manufacturing: The company emphasizes that everything it makes is made right here in North America, reflecting a commitment to domestic industrial capacity.
  • Family Control: His wealth is tied to the collective control maintained with his brothers, Barry (CEO) and Alan Zekelman.

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Philanthropy and Social Impact


Clayton Zekelman's social impact is structural, stemming from Zekelman Industries' role as a massive industrial employer and foundational supplier of steel infrastructure in North America. The company provides thousands of stable, high-value manufacturing jobs.

The company supports community development and, through its strategic shift toward Z Modular, contributes to innovative, cost-effective solutions for multi-family, military, and student housing. His family's involvement in political donations and advocacy reflects a commitment to protecting and enhancing the domestic steel industry's position.

Fashion, Style, and Lifestyle


Clayton Zekelman maintains the professional, formal style of a Canadian-American industrialist. His attire is consistently high-quality, favoring tailored business suits that reflect the seriousness of the steel and manufacturing sectors. His aesthetic is one of stability and focused competence.

His luxury is the immense security and financial power derived from his dominance in a crucial industrial sector. His life is defined by his commitment to domestic manufacturing and the continuous, efficient operation of his large-scale steel pipe and tube enterprise.

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Quotes and Philosophy


No publicly available quotes.

Fun Facts & Trivia


  • He and his brothers inherited the business after their father died, assuming control of Atlas Tube in 1986.
  • Zekelman Industries is the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America.
  • The company is built on a vertical integration model and a strategy of aggressive consolidation.
  • The company launched Z Modular to reinvent the modular construction industry.
  • His brother, Barry Zekelman, is the company's CEO and public face.
  • The family emphasizes that everything they make is made right here in North America.
  • A Zekelman Industries subsidiary donated significantly to a super-PAC to support Donald Trump.

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Sources & References


This profile is compiled from verified biographical and financial records:

  • Wealth Data: Real-time tracking and historical data from Forbes Billionaires and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
  • Biographical Records: Educational and career history sourced from Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and official university alumni directories.
  • Regulatory Filings: Shareholder and executive disclosures from stock exchange databases, including HKEX, SSE, SZSE, and SEC EDGAR.
  • Corporate History: Primary data from annual company reports, founding charters, and verified press announcements.

All information is cross-referenced with public sources for accuracy; some narrative sections are AI-assisted summaries.

If you find any inaccuracies, please report them to admin@redcarpetlife.in

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