By Michael Butler

There is a new Tallassee industry, direct from Israel. Retem Steel has opened its first American manufacturing facility right off Highway 229 next to another recent addition, Sneed Logistics.

Jonathan Toledano is the owner and president of Retem, which makes galvanized steel grids for concrete reinforcement.

“We’ve been in Israel for 20 years,” Toledano said. “We’ve been trying to export our product to the United States for five years. We’ve reached the limit we can do without manufacturing in the states.”

Toledano’s family started the business.

“It was run by my father for many years. I was always involved.”

Some of the equipment was shipped to Tallassee to make the proprietary product.

“Usually we see smooth concrete ditches,” said Craig Taunton, who is a local manager and regional representative. “We’ve added a steel grid. We’re trying to change the culture with the aesthetics. It provides a stronger, more rigid product. It’s less expensive than other products.”

Taunton’s initial connection with Retem came through an international conference with the Alabama Department of Transportation.

“I made a phone call to Rick Dorley (Tallassee Industrial Development Board Chairman),” Taunton said. “Rick got the ball rolling. Stacey Gunn built us the building. Tallassee became a fit.”

Tallassee has become Toledano’s second home though he still returns to Israel, in the midst of the country’s continued conflict with Iran.

“Israelis are very strong,” he said. “Israel is a very small place. We’re about a third of the size of Alabama. The enemy is very close. You can see them. We live with them. It is very challenging. We’ve lived like this for many years. The Middle East is a very complicated place. We will never give up.”

Here in the United States, Toledano is building from the ground up.

“It’s a smart product. Americans will love the product,” he stated. “I love the South. These are our kind of people. They’re focused on the values we focus on, family and community. Everybody is so acceptable, welcoming and helpful. It’s like it’s meant to be.”

Toledano is recruiting workers for the Tallassee branch of the business.

“We need someone to run the place, someone technical and mechanical. We need employees, three for now. We need to grow, bring more lines and more shifts. I feel very comfortable in Tallassee. It will be the headquarters.”

Those interested in applying may do so through the Retem Steel website.