The High Companies

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The High companies are a group of businesses in the manufacturing, construction, and real estate industries, guided by the “High Philosophy” of trustworthy relationships and innovative leadership. Based in Lancaster, the company employs 2,000 people.

High Company was founded in 1931 by Sandford H. High as a welding shop and evolved into a mission to revolutionize bridge building through technological leadership. The company has grown into a vibrant, diverse organization committed to innovation, industry leadership, environmental stewardship, and strengthening its communities. “Our ethical standards and strong belief in quality, innovation, and integrity continue to guide us, driving our dedication to customers, coworkers, and the world,” said CEO Mike Shirk.

“High Company’s values of quality, innovation, and integrity have profoundly shaped our operations. We regularly take on, and successfully deliver, challenging and impactful projects that others can’t or won’t. Our ethical standards focus on fostering trust and building long-term relationships. We’ve been here 94 years, and with the recent ownership shift to High Foundation, we intend to be here another 100+ years making a positive impact for our coworkers, customers, and communities,” Shirk said.

He said the company operates in cyclical markets with heavy exposure to demand fluctuations, commodity price volatility and interest rate volatility. “Our continued strength comes from our diversity, conservative leverage, and disciplined leadership that is always planning ahead. Our strategic planning keeps us focused on the best opportunities for profitable growth. Our risk management has built resiliency and flexibility into our business model, enabling us to shift resources and stay nimble as changes come,” Shirk said.

High Company’s culture, rooted in the values established by founder Sanford High and strengthened by S. Dale High and the High Family, has been pivotal to the company’s longevity. “From the start, the High family emphasized quality, innovation, integrity, and philanthropy. These values have fostered a supportive, collaborative environment where coworkers thrive. Our commitment to community support and ethical standards remains strong, ensuring we honor our heritage while adapting to modern challenges,” he said.

Shirk said High Company’s commitment to the communities where it operates is a big part of who we are. The company’s impact comes in the form of the projects it undertakes, the good jobs it creates, and direct investment. “The ownership transitions of High Industries in 2022 and High Real Estate Group in 2023 to High Foundation have strengthened this commitment, ensuring our ongoing success will result in even more direct benefits to our communities.”

“First and foremost, our coworkers are at the heart of everything we do. The best teams win. That guides our leadership culture and a very strong investment in coworker training and development across our companies. Beyond that, our financial strength, consistent focus on the long-term, and strategic planning capabilities provide us with a further advantage,” Shirk said.