About Goodhart Sons Inc. – Custom Fabrication & Installation

About Goodhart Sons Inc.

A History of Hard Work & Integrity

The honest, hard-working values that made Frank Goodhart, Sr. a success have been passed onto his sons, grandsons and great-grandsons. Today, as our project locations take us to all parts of the continental United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and South America, our quality and service remain the same as when we started fabricating for our Lancaster County neighbors nearly 90 years ago.

In the late 19th century Frank G. Goodhart began his career as a sheet metal worker in a small two-man shop located in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania as an apprentice. Remarkably, Frank completed his apprenticeship in the very same building and business that he would go on to purchase from John E. Pohl in 1935, establishing the company that still bears his name.

Goodhart Sons Through the Years

1898

Humble Beginnings

Frank Goodhart, Sr. enters the workforce as an apprentice under John E. Pohl in a small two man shop on Cherry Street in downtown Lancaster, PA.

1935

GSI is Born

Frank Goodhart, Sr. purchases the company that today bears his name. Frank worked out his apprenticeship in the same building and in the same business before purchasing it from John E. Pohl.

1940

Early Growth

The bulk of the work during this time was in light gauge sheet metal with contracts coming through industrial firms, both within the city and throughout Lancaster County, Pennsylvania from customers such as Hamilton Watch Co., Hubley Manufacturing Co., Dodge Cork, Keystone Bag and Burlap, Winstead Tobacco and Fulton Bank as well as a job at Franklin And Marshall College to carry acid fumes from the laboratories.

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1963

Larger Facilities

Goodhart Son’s continued success and growth necessitated more fabrication space. In 1963 the company was relocated from Cherry Street in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania to a larger facility along the Manhiem Pike. Contracts for lighter gage ductwork continued to grow along with requests for ventilation hoods as well as other miscellaneous fabrication and weldments.

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1967

New Markets

Congress passed the Air Quality Act / Clean Air Act. This created a new market when Western Precipitation began looking for a fabricator east of the Mississippi River. This opened the door for Goodhart Sons to move into fabricating with heavier steel and larger ductwork systems. The Clean Air Act also inspired the need for fabricators of baghouses, precipitators, RTOs (Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers), and incinerators for various industrial markets. GSI developed a reputation for delivering a quality product on a tight schedule and was seen as a reliable source to meet the needs of the industry.

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1971

New Facilities Acquired

To meet growing demand and expand its footprint in the pollution control market, Goodhart acquired a second fabrication facility on Harrisburg Pike in the early 1970s. Major projects for clients like Armstrong World Industries highlighted the need for even more space and larger installation crews. In 1971, operations were consolidated and relocated to a new facility on Horseshoe Road in Lancaster, which housed the offices, fabrication shop, and machine shop.

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1972

Installation Team Grows

The installation team was expanded to include millwrights, riggers, welders, pipefitters, electricians, and insulators. The team began traveling throughout the United States to install both Goodhart fabricated pollution control equipment and various OEM production lines. Eventually, the team took on international projects as well.

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1974

Creative Ideas

Goodhart fabricated seven baghouse systems for Armstrong World Industries and was awarded the installation contract as well. To save both time and money, the installation crew creatively used helicopters to lift and position the baghouses.

1975

Continued Growth

Growth in business meant more growth in fabrication floor space was needed. In 1975 an additional crane bay was added and in 1979 two entirely new buildings were added to the facilities. One building was built as an additional fabrication shop while the other building was designed and built as general offices. Additional buildings were leased nearby including a 57,000 square foot building in the Conestoga Industrial Park and two crane bays along Old Philadelphia Pike in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

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1980

Hovercraft Fabrication

In 1980, Goodhart Sons, Inc. was awarded a contract to fabricate, assemble, and test a 50-foot-wide by 80-foot-long hovercraft for the Alaskan Department of Transportation. The purpose of the hovercraft was to deliver vital supplies to residents of southwest Alaska during the harsh winter months, when temperatures drop below zero and waterways freeze solid.

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1985

A Move Into Larger Markets

In the 1980s and 1990s, Goodhart Sons, Inc. experienced major growth as we expanded our capabilities and entered new industries. One key area of expansion was the can industry, where we began fabricating pin ovens and IBO ovens. That work naturally progressed into the full installation of ovens, along with the integration of supporting can line equipment from various OEMs. Around the same time, we also grew our presence in the food and beverage sector, fabricating dryers for snack food companies and large-capacity mixing tanks for some of the world’s largest chocolate producers. This era laid the groundwork for the multi-industry expertise we’re known for today.

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1988

The Third Generation

Both Frank and Dick Goodhart retire from the day to day operation of the company. Frank passes his presidency onto Gary W. Goodhart and remains on as Chairman Of The Board.

1996

Increased Capabilities

In 1996, an additional fabrication shop was built at the Goodhart Sons, Inc. Horseshoe Road location to consolidate operations at a single site. The new building included five crane bays, a blast room, and a paint room. Today, the GSI campus includes five buildings with more than 175,000 square feet of production space and is centrally located near major roadways.

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2008

The Fourth Generation

In October of 2008, Goodhart Sons announces a succession plan for the 4th generation of family management. After a combined 40 years of working at Goodhart Sons in varied positions, Marc and Chad Goodhart assume their new positions in management. Marc becomes President of the Fabrication Operations and Chad becomes President of the Installation Operations. Each take direct operational control over the two major operations of the company. Gary Goodhart, their father and former president for several decades, shifts into the role of CEO.

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2011

Modern Equipment

Goodhart Sons, Inc. added a new beam drilling line to help in the fabrication of structural steel platforms and access steel. Although Goodhart Sons, Inc. always had the ability to drill structural steel , this new line made it much faster and consistant

2012

Larger Projects

Goodhart Sons, Inc. gains a reputation in the power generation industry for being able to provide large diameter ductwork on time and on budget. At the same time orders for cyclones and various tanks increase. GSI adds two new weld manipulators to help fabricate large diameter ductwork as well as ASME vessels and tanks.

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2020

Global Pandemic

In March of 2020, COVID-19 is declared as a global pandemic and much of what’s to come in the future is uncertain. Despite nation- and statewide lockdowns, Goodhart Sons, Inc. is considered an essential business and continues to operate. Stringent guidelines are enforced to ensure the safety of on-site personnel. Through these uncertain times GSI was able to continue serving our customers. 

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2022

Core Values

In November of 2022, Goodhart Sons unveils its Core Values to employees. Over a period of time and through meetings with the Board, GSI considered what values it holds dear and that it sees run deep in company culture. GSI considered what is looked for when hiring a new employee, in current employees, and in those who are promoted into leadership roles. These values are what truly form the foundation on which GSI performs work and conducts itself, and what are now formally defined as the Core Values of Goodhart Sons, Inc.

 

They are:

 

The Golden Rule: We treat others as we wish to be treated.

 

Commitment: To one another, to our customers, to our community, and our faith.

 

Sense of Urgency: We respect time and always have a deadline in mind. We are proactive and not reactive.

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2025

90 Years in Business

Goodhart Sons proudly commemorates its 90th year in business as a fourth-generation family-owned company. Only 3% of family businesses continue to operate under the fourth-generation. This achievement underscores our enduring legacy of innovation, craftsmanship, and unwavering commitment to our community, customers, and employees.

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Our Mission

Through working together as a team, we will deliver exceptional results for our customers, a stable working environment to our employees with opportunity for personal and professional growth, and value to our community through our generosity and our faith.

Our Foundations of Safety

Nothing we do is worth getting hurt.
Safety can be managed, and risks can be controlled.
Every accident should have been prevented.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Safe behavior is a condition of employment.

Our Impact

Powered by our people. Driven by our purpose. Proven in our results.

Core Values

Goodhard Sons Inc logo, The Golden Rule highlight variant.

The Golden Rule

We treat others as we wish to be treated.

Goodhard Sons Inc logo, Commitment highlight variant.

Commitment

To one another, to our customers, to our community, and to our faith.

Goodhard Sons Inc logo, sense of urgency highlight variant.

Sense of Urgency

We respect time and always have a deadline in mind. We are proactive and not reactive.

Watch Our Core Value Video

Meet Our Team

Goodhart Sons is proud to be led by the 4th generation of the Goodhart family, an accomplishment only 3% of family-owned businesses achieve. Meet our team of owners and leaders who keep Goodhart Sons focused on providing innovative solutions to our customers.

Meet Our Team

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