The People and Expertise Behind Your Perfect Products

We are forward-thinking industry leaders committed to helping you deliver comfort, convenience, safety, and efficiency through the development of products in the home comfort, refrigeration, and cooking industries.

See Our History

Where we come from informs how we look to the future

SSW brings decades of successful customer relationships, product innovation, and manufacturing expertise to every partnership. We work with you to bring together the latest cutting-edge solutions in engineering and design for quality components that make an impact.

Explore the milestones that have shaped us to who we are today and who we strive to be in the future.

1946

Straits Steel & Wire Is Founded

SSW was originally founded as Straits Steel & Wire in 1946 to produce wire shelving for Gibson Refrigeration.




1960 - 1990

Straits Steel & Wire Expands

In 1960, our second facility was opened in Ft. Smith, Arkansas to expand the production of wire shelving components. We continued to broaden our footprint and customer base in the United States throughout the 1980s.

1998

SSW Acquires Collis, Inc.

SSW acquired Collis, Inc. in 1998 to further deepen our manufacturing expertise and expand our wire fabrication capabilities. Along with this merger, we opened a new facility in Clinton, IA.


1999 - 2002

Opening of Facilities in Mexico

In 1999, our first international manufacturing facility was opened in Monterrey, Mexico. Three years later, a second manufacturing facility opened in Irapuato, further increasing our production capacity to support the growing operations of our customers.

2003 - 2005

Growth of Key Capabilities

The acquisition of American Appliance Products in 2003 added two new facilities in Newport, TN and Madison, TN, and diversified our cooking product capabilities. In 2005, Alabama Wire Products in Elizabethtown, KY was acquired, enabling us to vertically integrate wire drawing operations for our HVAC products.

2011

SSW Acquires Premier MFG. Corp.

In 2011, we acquired Premier Manufacturing Corporation to further grow our presence and expertise in the HVAC market. Along with this merger, we added a manufacturing facility in Henderson, TN, further expanding our network.

2018

Trive Capital Partners with SSW

Trive Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm, partnered with us in April 2018 to build on our proven track record of product innovation, operational excellence, and customer service.


2019 - 2020

A New CEO and Rebrand

In 2019, we welcomed Mark Gritton, a 25-year veteran of SSW, to the role of Chief Executive Officer, in addition to his role as President. The following year, we announced a rebrand to SSW Advanced Technologies, LLC to better reflect our evolution and growth ambitions as a leading supply chain partner to our OEM customers.

2021

New Global Headquarters

In 2021, SSW established a new global headquarters in Louisville, KY. This move solidified our commitment as a local partner to our OEM customers and allowed us to showcase our latest product solutions with a hands-on, immersive experience.

2023

Luis Liu Named As CEO

In January 2023, Luis Liu, formerly Chief Operating Officer, took over as President and CEO. Luis brings over 20 years of experience in strategy deployment, operations, and lean transformation to the role.

Innovating Better, Together

Our components make their way into products that are used every day.
All of this is possible through our partnerships with our OEM manufacturers:

Sub-Zero
Wolf
Electrolux
Hussmann
Lennox
Whirlpool
Goodman
Mabe
Johnson Controls
Carrier
LG
Rheem
Bosch
Thermador
GE Appliances
Bluestar
Current
Jennair
Kitchen Aid
Monogram
Viking

What We Can Do For You?

SSW has been a leader in the home comfort, refrigeration, and cooking industries for over 75 years. Learn more about how we can extend your product offering and capabilities.

View Our Capabilities

Your Partner For Solving Unique Challenges

SSW Advanced Technologies has the capacity, proximity, and capabilities to support your every need in the manufacturing process. Our vertically-integrated design and manufacturing facilities are strategically located across the country near you, enabling us to scale with you quickly and as needed. Learn more about what differentiates us.

200+ OEMs Supplied From Our Divisions
15 Manufacturing Locations
2,300+ Total Employees

Our North America Locations

Our North America Locations:

SSW Global Headquarters

435 N Whittington Pkwy

Louisville, KY 40222 USA

Alabama Wire Products

1100 West Park Road

Elizabethtown, KY 42701 USA

Collis

2005 S 19th St.

Clinton, IA 52732 USA

SSW Premier

867 Premier Way

Henderson, TN 38340 USA

Tatano Wire Products

714 Braddock View Dr.

Lemont Furnace, PA 15456 USA

Straits Steel & Wire

902 N Rowe St. Suite # 1

Ludington, MI 49431 USA

American Appliance Products

1129 Myatt Blvd, Suite #36

Madison, TN 37115 USA

SSW Premier

136 Davis St.

Portland, TN 37148 USA

American Appliance Products

345 Chemwood Dr.

Newport, TN 37821 USA

Collis de Mexico

Carretera Querétaro-Leon Km. 3.6

Colonia Las Malvas Libramiento Norte

Irapuato, Guanajuato

México CP. 36660

Collis de Mexico

Calle D No. 513,

Colonia Parque Industrial Almacentro

Apodaca, Nuevo Leon

México, C.P. 66600

Gemtron

615 New Hwy 68

Sweetwater, TN 37874

Gemtron

2000 Chestnut St.

Vincennes, IN 47591

Gemtron Canada

125 Albert St.

Port McNicoll, ON

L0K 1R0, Canada

Gemtron Mexico

Av.C.F.E. Nº 645 Zona Industrial 2a Sección

Comisión Federal de Electricidad 645

Industrial San Luis

78395 San Luis, S.L.P., Mexico

Gemtron Mexico

Boulevard TLC No. 5013

Apodaca, N.L., Mexico

Leadership Team

Luis Liu

President & CEO

Luis is a believer that passionate employees and robust processes are key to maximizing the value that we bring to our customers. Luis is a 20-year business leader with extensive experience in strategy deployment, operations, and lean transformation. Luis has had a successful track record of leading businesses both in industrials as well as in aerospace and defense, across North America, Europe, and Asia. Prior to SSW, Luis spent formative time with Precision Castparts and Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing/Stanley Black and Decker, progressing through P&L and executive roles of increasing responsibility. Luis joined SSW in 2020 as the Chief Operating Officer and has since taken on the President & CEO role.

Having had the privilege of running businesses across different industries and geographies, Luis appreciates the transformative power of highly motivated and aligned teams. Whether it is a local team at a manufacturing site or a distributed team across a function, Luis empowers all teams across SSW to take initiative in order to foster innovation and accelerate business growth.

In 1996, Luis completed his Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He started off his career in the telecommunications industry and then found his passion in manufacturing.


Steve Koss

Chief Financial Officer

Fiercely competitive, Steve loves a challenge and the opportunity to positively impact an organization’s overall strategy and growth trajectory.

Steve is a seasoned 32-year finance professional with valuable experience in public accounting and privately held manufacturing companies. Prior to the formal start of his career, he interned in Corporate Accounting at Chrysler Corporation during the integration of American Motors Corporation and at Deloitte Haskins and Sells in their tax, audit and middle market groups. He started his career in 1990 with Deloitte and Touche as a consultant / auditor in their middle market practice. He then moved to Straits Steel and Wire Company in 1995 as Controller progressing through roles of increasing responsibility to Corporate Controller SSW Holding Company, Inc (previous name of SSW Advanced Technologies, LLC) in 1999 and then Vice President – Chief Financial Officer in 2005. During 2021, responsibility for SSW Advanced Technologies, LLC Human Resource and Information Technologies functional groups were transitioned into his role of Vice President – Chief Financial Officer.

Steve believes that our associates are the most valuable asset in our organization. “Without coaching and development, we are missing the opportunity to foster individual growth that can significantly enhance the value of our people, teams and organization.” He believes that SSW’s commitment to our people provides us with a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.

In 1990, Steve completed his Bachelor of Arts with honor, majoring in Accounting from Michigan State University and well as passing the Certified Public Accounting exam in his first attempt. In 1992, after successfully completing experience and reference requirements, he received his license to practice Certified Public Accountancy from the State of Michigan.


Bryan Snider

Chief Commercial Officer

Bryan is a 23-year veteran of the home appliance industry and has a diverse background in sales, marketing, engineering, and product management. Bryan began his career with General Electric, holding various roles in product development where he led cross-functional teams from idea generation to commercial launch of several new products and features. In 2012, he transitioned to the commercial function as a product manager for refrigeration and cooking products, where he was responsible for developing the overall product strategy, growing market share, and optimizing lifecycle profitability of the portfolio.

Bryan joined SSW in 2017 and currently serves as Chief Commercial Officer where he leads sales, marketing, and product development with a focus on growing market share and expanding the product portfolio. Bryan reflects on the most fulfilling aspect of his role—“partnering with our customers to help them succeed and bring new products to the marketplace is extremely rewarding.”

Bryan holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Louisville and a Master of Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.


"Working with SSW allows us to be flexible and meet our customer needs."
- Procurement Manager

Extend Your Capabilities

Connect with our team to learn more about how our history of product innovation and manufacturing expertise positions us as the ideal partner for you.

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