Our History

Southern Stainless Equipment was started in 1956 by two brothers, Giles and A.M. Powell, who enjoyed decades of steady growth and success. In 1983, when a fire destroyed the entire operation, the business closed for the most part while the brothers found a new place to operate and purchased new machinery. They reopened in 1984 and built the business back to about ninety percent of its original production.

After thirty-seven years in business, the Powells sold the company to Reginald Hatter, who operated it alongside sons Dean and Dan until his death. After their father’s death, Dean and Dan split the company into two operations. Dean operated Southern Stainless Equipment, manufacturing walk-in coolers and freezers, while Dan operated Southern Fabco, making custom food service equipment.

In 2006 Dean sold his portion of the business to Bob Rouse of Clark Manufacturing. Bob moved Southern Stainless to an 80,000-square-foot building where he was able to reorganize and market more effectively. He reorganized with an eye toward adding custom kitchen equipment so that he could eventually sell walk-in coolers and kitchen equipment as a package. Then, in September of 2007, he bought Southern Fabco and reorganized and modernized its operations.

In 2009, Bob sold the business to his son, Laurence Rouse, who currently owns and operates them through LSR Holdings.

Currently, Southern Stainless is one of three companies under the ownership of LSR Holdings. Our family of companies includes Global Innovative Defense, Southern Stainless, and Powder Coating Solutions. Please visit the links below to learn more about our other capabilities.

www.powdercoatingsolutions.net

About Global Innovative Defense