It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Al Glick, our beloved and respected founder, CEO, and Chairman of Alro Steel on February 8, 2022, in Jackson, Michigan at age 95. Al has been the leader of Alro Steel, the company he co-founded with his brother Robert, since June 1, 1948.
There are many things Al will be remembered for, most notably his unmatched love for his family and the University of Michigan. He will be remembered for the company he has built, his passion for customer service, and the belief that teamwork is the key to the ongoing success of our company. Al leaves behind a vibrant company with a culture built on teamwork, integrity, honesty, and loyalty.
Al’s guiding principles for Alro revolved around the concepts he learned from sports. Al’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to begin his own sports newspaper in the eighth grade. He worked as a sportswriter for the Jackson Citizen Patriot part-time for four years during high school and college. His love of sports taught him the value of teamwork.
Through Al’s foresight and guidance, Alro has grown to be a company many have chosen for a lifelong career. Alro is home to over 3,000 teammates providing metals, industrial supplies, and plastics to more than 50,000 customers and operating from 70 locations in 13 states.
When asked about retirement, Al would respond, “I’ve slowed down to working part-time. I only work 12 hours a day.” Al continued with, “June 1, 2048, would be our 100th anniversary and I’m thinking that’s a good time to retire. Being here, getting up each day to work with our team just makes me happy. Why walk away when you still love what you do?”
Al received many honors in his lifetime, including Metal Center News Service Center Executive of the Year (2000), Metal Service Center Institute President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement (2003), Jackson Golf Hall of Fame (2003), Jackson Area Manufacturers Association Heritage Hall of Fame (2005), Jackson Bowling Hall of Fame (2005), Jackson High School Ambassadors’ Award (2011), Jackson Citizen Patriot’s Citizen of the Year Award (2012), Michigan Manufacturers Association Lifetime Achievement Award (2018), and Spring Arbor University Faith F. Small Community Faithfulness Award (2018).
Al had a lifelong dedication to philanthropy. He learned from his Father, Louis Glick, the value of giving back to the community, and he loved nothing more than helping kids. He helped start Jackson Southwest Little League Baseball (1956), built the Louis Glick Community Baseball Field at Jackson High School (2009), started the Al Glick Youth Football Camp (2018), and most recently funded the new indoor athletic facility currently under construction at Jackson High School, the Al Glick Athletic Center (2022).
Anyone who knew Al was aware of his love for the University of Michigan and especially the football program. He and his family helped fund the Al Glick Field House (2009), C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Coach Carr Pediatric Cancer Unit (2011), and the Chad Carr Pediatric Brain Tumor Center (2016).
In addition to these major gifts, through his foundations, Al supported many organizations across the country focused on youth sports, manufacturing education programs, children’s medical research and grief support. His love for giving inspired and touched many people.
Even in his last days, he was coaching, teaching, and thinking of others. Al is irreplaceable and will be truly missed. However, his legacy lives on in Alro and its people.
