Steve Renkert of Metropolitan Brick Company Has Died
Clemson, SC, January 23, 20245-John Steven Renkert (Steve), 87, of Metropolitan Brick Company died January 2.
After starting his career at Corning Glass Works, Steve joined the family business, the Metropolitan Brick Company (now Ironrock Capital, Inc.), alongside his father and brother, Hal. Steve and Hal were the fourth generation of Renkerts to continue the family's involvement in the brick and tile business, dating back to 1866.
Steve’s vision and leadership were pivotal in introducing the split-tile manufacturing method to the U.S., building, with his brother, the first high-volume, low-cost architectural tile plant in the country, and establishing Metropolitan Ceramics as a premier brand.
From 1966 to 1997, Steve served as the company’s president, CEO, and later chairman, transforming it from a struggling brick manufacturer into an industry leader in extruded tile and thin brick production. Today Ironrock is known, under the Metropolitan Ceramics, Metrobrick, and Royal Thin Brick brands.
Eric Astrachan, executive director of the Tile Council of North America, reflected on Steve’s character and influence, recalling their conversations about industry challenges and history: "I first got to know Steve Renkert in the 1990's when he took my call from the jobsite and educated me on commercial slip resistance requirements. We had many conversations since then, on all kinds of subjects and especially regarding the history of our great industry. Steve was truly a good guy and will be missed."
In 2002, Steve was named Tile Person of the Year by the Tile Council of America (TCA, now TCNA).