Barry was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. He received his early education in Windsor and later attended York University in Toronto, Ontario. His University education was interrupted in 1986 with the sudden passing of his father, the late Harry Zekelman, when the ownership of Atlas Tube Inc. was assumed by Barry and his two brothers. Atlas Tube has grown from 2000 tons in 1986 to over 1.3 million tons today. In October 2006, John Maneely Company, a maker of steel tubing that was owned by private-equity giant Carlyle Group, announced a merger with Atlas Tube Inc. creating the largest independent tubing company in North America.
In March of 2011 the Zekelmans’ purchased back Carlye’s 55% interest in JMC. Then, in June of 2016 the company was renamed Zekelman Industries. Today, Zekelman Industries, the parent of Atlas Tube, American Tube, Wheatland Tube, Western Tube, Energex, Sharon Tube, Picoma and Z Modular produces over 2.4 million steel tons per year in 17 plants, and employs over 2400 people throughout the United States and Canada. Zekelman Industries maintains the #1 market position in North America in HSS, Standard pipe, Electrical conduit and Electrical fittings. Barry is currently the Chairman and CEO of Zekelman Industries and is responsible for taking the company to new heights.
Photo: Zekelman Industries Executive Chairman and CEO Barry Zekelman and his wife Stephanie Zekelman.